Big Is The New Small

I have always been a fan of Eminem, it’s something about his story and authenticity that intrigues me.  Am I a fan of everything about him and his lyrical content?  Nope, but I pray for the guy.

Everyone has a story, this 13 minute segment from last nights 60 minute interview with Anderson Cooper highlights some of Eminem’s story.  Story of a fatherless, bullied kid who repeated 9th grade 3 times, dropped out of high school, got high, abused drugs, got addicted to drugs, was 2hrs away from dying, father who is now 3+ years sober.

This dude has major Saul to Paul potential.

God is not through with Eminem’s story, My story or Your story.

Share  your thoughts on this interview, Eminem’s comments and anything else about the controversial rapper that you would like to share.

I met this beautiful college freshman in 1996, we married some 5 years later and today is our anniversary.  God has blessed us more than we could ask, think or imagine.

Today is a BIG Day. Actually as you read this I’m on a cruise and we are probably somewhere in the Bahamas.  I’m enjoying time with the love of my life Lakendria and these two young men that we are both pretty fond of.

A couple of years ago, our sons Wesley & Jayden surprised us with what they called Anniversary Cafe, featured in the above video.  I have shown this video on our annversary for the last couple years, so I decided to make it a BigIsTheNewSmall.com August 4th tradition.  I’m sure they will not appreciate me showing this once they are in college…  nonetheless, if I’m still blogging in 10 years, I’ll be showing the video.

“The art of love… is largely the art pf persistence.” ~Albert Ellis

What are some special surprises that you have done for your friends/loved ones, or how have your friends/loved ones surprised you?

I’m typing this post from about 35,000 feet on my way to Phoenix.  I’m flying Southwest Airlines Business Select, which always comes with a free cocktail or glass of wine.  Since I don’t drink alcohol, I generally just bless someone around me with the free drink. Last time I did this my wife and I ended up having an hour long conversation with a guy who was pursuing God and still had lots of questions about his faith.  That drink coupon turned into a blessing for all of us.

Last week we were in New York City at a Starbucks across the street from our Hotel near Times Square.  As I begin to make place my order, I simply looked at the guy behind me and said, “What are you having, it’s my treat.”  He proceeded to place his order and said, “Sir, where are you from?  I know you’re not from here, because people don’t do that around here.”  I proudly told him Oklahoma.

As my wife and I sat down along with our good friends Redell & Nicole, the guy whose coffee I had purchased, returned and said “Here is a pass that will get all of you in to the Museum of Modern Art.”  I said thanks and the wheels on the blessing bus went around and around.  I love random acts of kindness, they help to make the world a better place.

Bless Someone Today, it’s easy, it’s full-filling and may be the little thing needed to make someone’s day…  That someone may be you.

Share your experiences either receiving or blessing someone with a random act of kindness.

The management or leadership style of “My Way Or The Highway” is dead.  This is a strategy that apparently worked back in the day.  We live in a much more fluid world with bright, hyper educated and hyper connected people.

Everyone has an opinion and often times people have thoughts, ideas and suggestions that can be helpful to those that are in charge.  My Way Or The Highway is fueled by insecurity, the insecurity of thinking that someone else may have a better way.  Not only the insecurity of a better way, it’s fueled from the insecurity that someone else may have another way.

My Way Or The Highway Is Dead.  Listen to your people, involve your people, learn from your people and embrace the reality that the collective sum is much better than being the Big Headed My Way Or The Highway Guy or Gal.

My Way Or The Highway Is Dead and if that’s how you roll… You’re dying!

Share your thoughts or experience with My Way Or The Highway people.

What is Influence? by definition Influence is – A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort. Over the years and especially in recent months, God has provided me with some awesome opportunities to wield influence for The Kingdom.

One of the things that I have had the opportunity to do over the last several months is to connect at a greater level with the Assemblies of God. In these few months I have been in meetings with the top leadership of this Fellowship and I’ve been impressed with what they are doing to resource not only those in the AG but also to the greater Evangelical world.

I’m typing this post really quick from my iPhone, while in the hot sun at the Jr. Olympics. It’s blazing hot, like 110 degrees. Wichita has has 34 days of 100+ temps.

This is year is the 1st year that my boys both competed on a competitive track club. My 12yo son Wesley had a great season, made it regionals and qualified as an alternate on the relay for the Junior Olympics.

My 8yo son Jayden qualified in a couple of events and actually got 5th place overall in the shot-put, making him a Nike Jr. Olympic All-American. The top 8 athletes in each event, garner the All-American status.

Here is what I saw and learned through Jayden’s journey becoming an All-American. All-American in an event that he knew nothing about 3 months ago. I learned a lot from this season.

7 Things It Takes To Become An All-American:
1. Teachability- Jayden was always eager to learn. He listened, he watched YouTube videos of shot-puters, he embraced new techniques & he learned. Coaches praised his teachable spirit.

2. Practice- Jayden worked hard and gave 110% almost every practice. He always asked to run w/ the sprinters, even during times he was working on the shot-put. He was open to extra practices that my wife and had put him through.

3. Resilience- Jayden always learned from his mistakes. When a kid from his team began throwing farther than him, he simply worked harder and got better and next thing Jayden began throwing farther than that kid. During the regional competition Jayden had gotten beat by a kid from St. Louis… Today, Jayden beat him.
Jayden’s first throw out the gate was out-of-bounds and he got a little shook up. Jayden came back and got better and better.

4. Growth- Throughout the season, Jayden got better and better and better and better. During the Jr. Olympics he threw his personal best for his last throw of the semi-finals and the last three throws of the finals.

5. Heart- Jayden has the heart and desire of a winner. He told us he was going to get on the podium at the Jr. Olympics, and he did. You have to have heart, desire and a will to win.

6. Commitment- Jayden was committed to both track & field events. When I was giggling about the initial possibility of Jayden throwing the shot-put, he focused & stayed committed. His commitment payed off!

7. Performance- Jayden performed when everything was on the line. During the peak of his competition, He performed, he threw his best. (I personally think he has a little more in him. We will see about next year.)

Bonus: Have Fun: Jayden competed, nut he also had fun. He enjoyed himself and acted like an 8yo. If you are not having fun and enjoying what you do, it’s time to do something different.

Share your thoughts on how these lessons play into the successes of life.

Why Do I Fear?

I was told that HE did not give me the spirit of fear,

But it seems like every time I turn around fear is whispering in my ear,

You can’t do this and you can’t do that.

Having no regard for the affects of these negative meditations,

The reality is they are filling me with more and more hesitation,

Don’t try this and don’t try that.

I was told that I can do all things through HE who strengthens me,

But I seem to be debilitated by those around me telling me what I can’t be,

You won’t be this and you won’t be that.

Why do I fear?

I fear because I don’t believe in me.

I fear because I don’t trust HE!

~SW

As I’m sitting here in my hotel room in the middle of Times Square in #NYC, I’m thinking about this theme and these shirts about people people loving or (hearting) NY. As a matter of fact it was one of the more requested souvenir items from my friends and family back in #OKC.

We have been to NYC many times and every time I find myself leaving saying the exact same thing. That is a great city to visit, but there is no way that I could live there. This time my wife and I are actually here with another couple, who happen to be long time great friends. It has been great to take a bite out of the Big Apple together. We walked the streets of #NYC last night and let me tell you this place doesn’t sleep, it doesn’t stop and many people seem to love NY.

It was around midnight last night (Sunday) that we stopped by Starbucks in Times Square and the place was hopping. We asked the barista what time they close and her response was, “We Don’t.” NY doesn’t sleep or at least the persona is that it’s always moving, always happening and it’s the epicenter for those making things happen and those wanting to make things happen.

As I was standing in the middle of this make things happen city, I was reminded of the lyrics of rapper, entrepreneur and mogul Jay-Z’s song “Empire State Of Mind.” A small sampling of the song, the chorus sang by Alicia Keys is below:

“In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh
There’s nothing you can’t do, now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you, let’s hear it for New York
New York, New York…”

I do agree with Jay-Z in the fact that the BIG lights can inspire you. They can inspire you to dream BIG. think BIGGER. This is truly a city of dreams a city of potential.

I love BIG DREAMS!
I love POTENTIAL!

You know what, I might just love NY.

Share your thoughts on the Big City Of Dreams… Who knows you may win an I <3 NY t-shirt.

Life is all about the different seasons, not only is it about the different seasons, it’s about Embracing The Seasons. Often times people find themselves standing around with their winter coat on, in the middle of the summer.  Or it’s the middle of the winter and they are trying their best to put on halter tops and shorts.

Don’t try to force things, force situations or force seasons, but rather be in tune with seasons of life.  When it’s time to go, “Go.”  When it’s time to stay, “Stay.”

Embrace The Seasons.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

What’s your season?

This video transcends the need to speak a particular language.  I don’t speak Korean 한국어/조선말, but I do speak the language of this video.  This is powerful!  9.5 million views and counting.

Take the time to watch this audition for Korea’s Got Talent.  Grab your Klennex!