It's all in the approach.

Remember being a kid and deciding it was somehow a really good idea to show the person who was bigger than you that you were, in fact, in charge of the situation?

As you approached them with your "I am ready to prove my point" face on...you feel something placed ever so gently on your forehead as you stand just a few feet away swinging with all your might.

It is their hand holding you at a safe distance...for your sake...not theirs. You come at the situation with your best shots that catch more air than Shaun White at the X games. You repeat...over and over...and finally...

Exhaustion sets in.

The other side doesn't strike back...just waits you out, until you are ready to stop, and trust.

That sums up my view on how we approach life. We think that just bc we believe something to be a certain way, or at the very least it SHOULD BE a certain way...that if we puff our chest out far enough and swing with all we have...that we can change any circumstance, anytime.

In my experience...it just doesn't work that way.

Exhaustion sets in...reality check is delivered...and hopefully by this point we are ready to see the situation for what it is...not ours to control, and make choices that align with trusting the Lord that He alone is able to take on whatever it is that we are dealing with.

It's at that moment that I have found the most peace.

Not because I understand...quite honestly...many times I don't. Not because I have any more information now than I had before...but rather I am deferring to the only one that does. And not even because everything gets better instantly...because quite honestly it might not.

Maybe for the first time...or at least the first time in a long time I am ok having trust and faith in Him to carry me through whatever it is that I am going through.

Take the gloves off. The approach makes all the difference in the world.

I know it might be really hard...I've been there...but this time...

try 2 palms up, instead of 2 fists up.

Surrender...no matter what others may say...in this context...is the only way.

He can...He will...Pick you up.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke

Stop...just stop. The excuse sounds even more lame than you can imagine.

The thought in your head right now says : "It's difficult."

What you need to hear someone say to you right about now : "So What."

Just because that incredible/"positive difference in the world making thing" you are working on...(or need to be if you are hiding behind excuses)...doesn't come easy...doesn't mean you pack it in and quit.

I came across a quote today that I thought was right on the money.

From singer/songwriter Josh Wilson's friend...his name is James.

"I can't do everything, but I refuse to do nothing."

Yup...it might be hard, it might hurt, make you sweat and exhaust you in the process.

Would you really have it any other way? If you did, wouldn't that make you just another person...doing another thing...that any ole person could do...whenever, wherever?

Battle to be unique and go do that difficult thing.

The world needs people like you to make a positive difference around here.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke

From my heart tonight...

When was the last time your beliefs were challenged? I don't mean about topics that quite frankly are non-topics...the here today and gone tomorrow ones that make the ego-maniacs gloat over the sound of their own voice and self-declared wisdom.

I am speaking about things you have just always felt. Sometimes not even sure how you got to the point where you made those beliefs your own...if you actually thought your way through them or just absorbed them by proxy from family and friends that believe a particular way.

I am reminded tonight that believing in something does not mean you will have, or do have all the answers.

That is not something any of us will ever be able to claim. In the meantime...I choose to share my beliefs and listen to other people as they share theirs. And what if we don't agree?

That might just be the point.

Ever think that maybe...just maybe...neither side really knows the answer?

Then why in the world do we claim wisdom when the answer might just be to claim ignorance...followed by acceptance...to the fact that we are not, will not nor ever be...

God.

In the meantime...how about we try basic math.

2 ears...1 mouth.

There is a reason.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke

Bring it...or just stay home.

What would the world look like today if...

The only way we were allowed to show up in public (work, class, etc..) was to guarantee that we will "bring it". I get a huge smile on my face just thinking about the utopia of only crossing paths with people that are giving every last ounce of every part of who they are to accomplishing incredible things.

I propose that we stop calling them "sick days". Sure...once in a while people are sick, and its legit.

But renaming them "lame days" would be so much more effective.

At least that would let sick people say..."hey, I'm out today...I'm sick...pulled up a little lame today on the health thing" AND...it would eliminate having to deal with someone else who is perfectly healthy...but never intended on participating in a way that would produce...so they stay home bc they are just flat out lame!

I think we might be on to something here...

Sure hope you plan on bringing it today!

We all need your best. Being incredible depends on it.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke

Why puzzles annoy me.

I just realized I can't stand puzzles.

I know...I know..."Gee Whiz that seems a little over the top" you might be inclined to say.

Stay with me for a moment, and if you still want to chuck something in my direction when I am done I will make sure I have a helmet and pads on.

Seriously...the entire point of a puzzle is what?

To put together something that has already been created...has been systematically torn apart...just to be put back together EXACTLY the same way the picture started with not one notion of original thought whatsoever....FOR FUN!!!

WOW...Sounds like a blast!

You know what else it sounds like? What the idea of a puzzle represents?

Most people's lives.

They get up everyday and proceed to build puzzles all day (go through the motions). They take the box handed to them (a situation), dump it out on the table in front of them (life)...and proceed to tell the story of the picture that has already been created for them. (ugh)

BORING!

My question for you is WHY do we spend so much time solving a problem that we already know the answer to?

Because we are control freaks.

My challenge to you today is this...

If putting the puzzle together legitimately makes sense...it's the best option on the table today...then by all means BUILD AWAY.

BUT...IF...and I stress IF there might be another way...and that way could very well make the world around you a better place because you tried solving a problem that hasn't been solved yet...

I IMPLORE YOU TO TRY!

You deserve it...and so does everyone else around you.

To be able to stop going through pre-determined motions if there is another way that could result in greater good...

greater good for a world that desperately needs it.

Sorry for the rant tonight...

blame it on the 750 piece puzzle that is staring at me from the other side of the dining room table with the edge pieces just about done...and a huge pile of colorful middle pieces waiting to file into order...for no other reason than to "solve" a problem that has already been solved. (Not my puzzle BTW)

I know what that picture is...it's on the box next to it...so while you sit there for hours to get it to come into focus, AGAIN...piece by painstakingly slow piece...I will pick up the box, see what it is...put it down...and get on to the next thing...that could be "the thing".

Life is short...(unlike my post tonight...ironic as that may be)

Your choice...

Build puzzles...or paint an original picture.

PS...Want to know what the title of the puzzle is sitting across the room from me right now?

I kid you not..."100 Chickens and a worm"

(100 things that represent being afraid and 1 other that has got to be one of the most predictable creatures on the planet.)

The best part? I didn't know what the title was until I read it after I was finished writing this.

You can't make this stuff up.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke

Redefining Thirsty...

I am picking up Oscar from school today...and on the way out he proceeds to walk over to a drinking fountain that is affixed to the brick on the outside of the building.

He takes a look at his destination, and try as he might...cannot get any water to spurt out of the faucet on the fountain.

From a distance I notice that the location where the button should be...is not in fact anything but a hole in the front of the fountain.

Right about this time...Oscar has had about enough and proceeds to inform me that he can't get it to work. I explain that it is broken, and that the hole on the front is where the button should be to make it work. (Tax dollars well spent huh...but I digress)

As we make our way down the sidewalk towards the parking lot Oscar reminds me that he still has a problem...He's thirsty.

Here is the best part...Did I mention that during this entire process...it has been raining on us?

You know..the steady and misty type of fall rain that just soaks you to the core in a short time even though it doesn't feel all that threatening at first.

So as we walk...He fixes his problem.

He holds my hand...we walk...his leans his head back...and opens his mouth as far as he can.

Then the perspective only a 4 year old can bring to the situation...

"Dad...the rain tasted like candy"

So my question for you today is this...

If what you are thirsty for today isn't available...Are you able to close your eyes...lean your head back and take what the world throws your way as "plan B"...

And declare that "This tastes like candy."?

Now that is sweet stuff.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke

Wood or Window...

Well...Hello again. It has been a while since my last post...since August 12th to be specific. I have been quite busy. If you are curious what I have been up to...take a look at StudentsSaveJack.com It's a new venture...a new beginning...more on that another time. If you are in high school or college...or know someone who is check it out on facebook too...and find your way to the SSJ site everyday...you don't want to miss what is coming.

I was recently asked where "Of course you can!" has been. Well...I have been off "canning".

But when I read that question...I got itchy. Not the bad, rash driven itchy you get from blowing your nose with poison ivy in the woods. The kind that you need to scratch because it results in full blown creativity.

So here I am.

I have found myself, while speaking with many people over the past 6 weeks or so, using the word transparent...A LOT.

If you knew that on the other side of "something" was the most beautiful picture...a sunset, your children playing, the sight of a long lost friend you have not seen in years...and you knew you could only look at it from a distance...what would you rather hold up in front of your face?

A big square piece of wood...or a perfectly washed and clear window?

No hesitation right?...It's the window.

WHY?

Our first instinct is because its the obvious answer. Now what about all the reasons you might grab the board instead...

What if the other side looks back and doesn't like what they see...what if "they" leave, "it" goes away, the "moment" doesn't last...all because the other side doesn't like what they see when they look back at you?

Are you willing to live your life in a way that no matter what...it is so transparent, and lived so authentically that it really doesn't matter what the reaction of the other side is...because you know you are who you are, and living the life you were created to live will be all that matters when it is all said and done?

The next time "the reaction of life" tempts you to choose wood over window...

Remember...

clarity beats ignorance ever time.

Be transparent, authentic and matter today. It is more than just your life depending on it.

With Expectancy,

The Zuke