Here’s a nice article written in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette about my STORMSAFE visit there this week.   Special thanks to the First Baptist Church on Depot Street and to the Bedford County EMA for helping with the event.  Also, a special thanks to John Carney for the article.  It was great seeing everyone…

Click here for the Shelbyville Times-Gazette Story

I’ll be visiting Pleasant Heights Baptist Church in Columbia next Wednesday, May 6th.

Team Arctic mud racers have come full circle since last season’s introduction of the Thundercat. That full circle ran around the competition all weekend at Mud Nationals, this time aboard the TRV 1000H2.

“I’m unbelievably proud of our Team Arctic racers and the dominating results they posted at the Daytona 500 of mud racing; Mud Nationals,” said Ted Bettin, Team Arctic ATV Race Coordinator.

“At the end of last season, Arctic Cat promised our racers we would work on the problems that plagued them. This year we came back with new racing setups in the TRV chassis, and they kicked some serious butt. With the help of the Arctic Cat-built 1000 motor and a little more tuning, these TRVs will be unstoppable.”

Charles Touchet of Maurice, Louisiana, piloted his TRV 1000H2 to victory in the premier Open Class in the Mudda-Cross event. The next day, Touchet repeated with a second-place podium in the Open Class of the Mud Bog race.

Teammate Charlie Neese from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, found himself in the first-place driver’s seat as he won the Pro Class aboard a similarly prepared TRV 1000H2.

Other notable performances were from Anthony Abrameit aboard his 650H1 in the Bogger Class of the Mud Bog race. Representing Arctic Cat dealer Brazos Cycles in Richmond, TX, Abrameit took third place.

Look for other Team Arctic racers, Mark Kelly, Mike Johnson and Travis Tucker, at the next race on the CMR mud racing calendar April 24-26 in Choudrant, Louisiana. Go to www.championshipmudracing.com for more information.

I once heard a message by my pastor and good friend, Pete Wilson, on the danger of using the word “someday” too much. It really struck a chord with me. If you use the word “someday” often when you’re talking about your future plans, those plans probably will stay just dreams; they’ll never happen. How often have you said these things?

“Someday I’ll take more time off.”

“Someday I’ll start jogging.”

“Someday I’ll pray more.”

“Someday I’ll say I’m sorry.”

“Someday I’ll give more.”

“Someday I’ll save more money.”

“Someday I’ll follow my dreams.”

“Someday I’ll stop drinking.”

“Someday I’ll eat better.”

“Someday I’ll be a better parent.”

“Someday I’ll be a better spouse.”

“Someday I’ll be the person I know I can be.”

Most of the time, “somedays” never come. They stay out just ahead of us in the future. We become comfortable with saying, “someday.” It’s easier to say it than it is to do what you know you should.

Don’t let “someday” rule your life. Don’t let it become the norm. Fight the urge to say it over and over. Figure out how to turn “someday I’ll…” into “Today I’m…” Stop thinking that a better life is always in the future. You can take your first steps to your changing your life today. All it takes is movement forward. You don’t have to do it all in one fail swoop – just take one step. Once you do, you’ll begin to feel the momentum. The more steps you take, the clearer your path will become. The difference between “someday” being a dream and a reality is action.

You have the choice. Make today the day your “somedays” start to happen.

What’s your biggest “someday” and what’s the one step you can take today to move toward making it reality?

The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” It’s hard to have happiness in your heart when you’re surrounded by negative and draining people. Surround yourself with a community of people who are positive, energized and balanced. If you do, you will be amazed at the difference in your state of mind. These are tough times for many, no doubt. But you can choose to wallow or climb. It’s easier to climb with people who are moving with you and not against you.

Do not underestimate the influence of those around you. Make sure those people are part of your solution, not the problem.

The human mind is an amazingly complex and powerful thing.  It not only controls your body function, it can literally change the world.  What you think and the actions you decide to take affect you and your surroundings as you act.   One miracle of the mind with which I have always been fascinated is the ability to turn a thought into something tangible.  If you act upon your thoughts, you can take an idea and transform it into something you hold in your hand.  Amazing.   Our world was built upon this ability.  The car you drive, the house in which you live, the clothes you’re wearing, the computer on which you’re reading this post, all started as just an idea in someone’s mind.   If you’re able to grasp this, you begin to realize you hold an amazing amount of power within your mind.

We all have lots of ideas of how our lives should be.   Sadly, rather than acting upon those thoughts, we oftentimes let them just stay dormant in our minds.  That’s a waste.

I point this out because too many of us are thinking of creative ways to make our lives better yet we’re not acting on those thoughts.  Maybe it’s fear, apathy or even fatigue.   But, perhaps, there’s never been a more appropriate time to begin acting on those thoughts.  Take what your passionate about - what you enjoy most in life and begin thinking about how to increase it’s existence in your world.  Expand your thinking and stop telling yourself it can never happen.  Stretch your mind to consider the “impossible” as possible for you.  This is where you start.  The next phase includes writing it down, making a plan and then taking massive action on that plan every day.  Sure, you’re likely to hit some hurdles.  But when they appear, creatively work on getting over them.  This time, don’t let those hurdles stop you.  For most of us, we’re capable of so much more than we’ve done.  Don’t let that depress you - let it inspire you!   Don’t let your thoughts of how to be happy and how to make your world better sit dormant any longer.  Let them transform your world.

So, what thoughs will you begin acting on today?

Courtesy Rick Shanklin, NWS, Paducah, KY

A huge winter storm is ravaging parts of the Plains, Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley. Inches of ice have left thousands without power and many towns paralyzed. You’ll continue to see stories in the national news about this storm for the next few days.

The reason for this massive storm is that the atmosphere is highly imbalanced. For instance, in Middle Tennessee on Tuesday of this week, one town had a mid-afternoon temperature of 71 while 35 miles away it was 37 degrees. That’s imbalance! In nature, the bigger the imbalance, the more chaotic the weather.  Hence, a winter storm that will go down in the record books.

 
This works amazingly well with lots of little items that take a lot of your time but don’t add much value to your life. The goal is to reduce the number of things that cause you stress which leaves you more time for the things that actually mean something to you. The more you do this, the more time you’ll find in your daily schedule.

So, what are you going to eliminate?

“Thought is the blossom;
language the bud; action
the fruit behind it.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I recently read this quote:

“High achievement always takes place in a framework of high expectation.”
-Jack Kinder

I started thinking about that and realized I need to set my goals higher and expand the realm of what’s possible in my mind. That means squashing doubts and fears when they pop up. Not easy, but necessary…

I’ve had lunch with a couple of people in the last few days who are accomplishing amazing things. They’ve worked very hard to get where they are, but they also believed they could do it…

What do you believe is possible for you?

There seems to be some argument about whether life balance can really exist.  Understand, balance isn’t a point you’ll reach and always stay there -  that’s not going to happen…  Instead, it’s a way to design your life so that on most days, your needs are met, you genuinely enjoy life and you’re not always on the edge of crisis.

With that in mind, lets return to the question, is life balance possible?  If you ask someone that question who has chronic trouble balancing his or her life, they will probably say, “No.”  However, if you ask someone who lives a balanced life,  they’ll obviously say, “Yes.”  Just the mere fact that there are people who say yes gives you the answer – it IS possible.  That should give all of you who don’t think so some hope.   Don’t give up yet!

What would you say if I asked you this question?

If you love weather like I do, then you’ll enjoy this.  Ever seen tornado footage set to Christmas music?  Now you have!

Often times as a leader you need to know when to shut-up and listen – and boy, do I love to hear myself talk. But unbeknownst to most, and surprisingly to many, I love to listen even more. Well, let me rephrase, I adhere to wise, bright, sharp people with whom I respect. As for everyone else, I tend to ignore them and keep chatting…  Okay, so this is my effort to shut-up, by posting a recent blurb from my highly intelligence husband’s blog and sharing a portion of this week’s powerful message at church! I’ve been processing it all week and writing down ways in my journal to implement:

If YOU will change, EVERYTHING will change for you… – Jim Rohn

I love that quote. First of all, it reminds me that I can’t sit and wait for the world around me to change first – I have to be the one to change my life. I can’t wait for my friends, my family, my boss, the government, my doctor or anyone else to make it better – I have to do it. If I want something different today than yesterday, I have to DO something differently…

I have to THINK differently

I have to TALK differently

I have to ACT differently

I have to DECIDE differently

If I don’t, then today will be much like yesterday… This quote also reminds me that I have much more control over my life than I sometimes give credit. Life is a gift (although I know it’s hard sometimes). I need to ask myself each morning, “What am I going to do with this gift today?” Asking that question alone can change your life…

Change – I accept it, embrace it, and thrive in it; all part of my personal long road to redemption… And, in order to have sustainable revolutionary change, you need to shut-up, listen, and take action. Step one, begin to implement and execute a call to action from the message at my incredibly amazing church, where we’re being challenged to put Christ back in X-mas by accepting and implementing His way of thinking:

Everybody’s Welcome

Nobody’s Perfect

Anything’s Possible

You see, sometimes our twisted point of view looks like this:

Everybody’s Welcome (as long as you’re my close friend)

Nobody’s Perfect (except for me of course)

Anything’s Possible (thanks to my ability, gifts and talents!)

Arrogant and inappropriate – obviously. Unacceptable and delusional – of course. A deceitful lie – most certainly, but, a temptation non-the-less. So, I’m gonna shut-up and listen now, and focus on changing my way of thinking!

This is what I pondered during my morning Yoga:

“Right now, and in every now moment, you are either closing or opening.  You are either stressfully waiting for something – more money, security, affection, or you are living from your deep heart, opening to the entire moment, and growing what you most deeply desire to give, without waiting.  If you are waiting for anything in order to live and love, without holding back, then you will suffer.  Every moment is the most important moment of your life.  No future time is better than now to let down your guard and love.  Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone.  Your posture can shine your heart, or transmit anxiety.  Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression.  Your glance can awaken joy.  Your words can inspire freedom.  Your every act can open hearts and minds.  Opening from the heart to all, you live as a gift to all. ”    By David Deida

Wow, I love this.  It does always come down to the heart of the matter, doesn’t it?  It reminds me of what my Meteorologist husband, Charlie, likes to call, “The Vortex Rule.”  You see, when a storm becomes destructive, like a tornado, it not only affects areas directly in its path, but also an area around the immediate path.

It’s clear, The Vortex Rule, is also true for us.  When we’re living a hectic and imbalanced life, the resulting unhappiness and stress doesn’t just affect us, it affects those around us.  Oftentimes, THOSE WE LOVE THE MOST.  How many times has the mood of the whole room changed when you entered it angry?  A bad day for you can quickly turn into a bad day for your whole family, your co-workers, or your friends.

So, let’s create a healthy environment in which real JOY is possible both in our home and in our workplace, whether you lead your family, staff, volunteers or all the above.    We’re just one beat away from bringing down the room and sucking out the energy from everyone in it.  Do a pulse check and remember it’s the spirit of your heart that matters to you and the others around you.

Do you have your dream job? This is a great question and we’re tackling this challenge over the next several weeks at my church. I know these two guys do their occupation with purpose and passion and brilliance. They also have immense talent and approach their line of work with excellence. So, when you couple my husband’s and my pastor’s charisma and chutzpah, with a creative genius producer, you receive this special gift. Take a look and listen for yourselves:

Dream Job_Week 1_Weatherman from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.”>

Over the next couple weeks I get the opportunity to try out a few new jobs as part of our “Dream Job” series. Who knows, I might actually find a new job! Here’s a look at me trying to be the weatherman.

So here’s today’s all skate question. What was the first job you ever had?

Hope you guys are having a great week so far.

Not quitting my day job,

Pete

This is why you don’t stay in your car during a tornado.  Find sturdy shelter or a low spot instead.  If you stay in the vehicle, this is what can happen.  And remember, this bus is much bigger than your car.  This was a few days ago – in Poland, no less…

I admit.  I’m obsessed with weather.  Maybe it comes from my days of working on the golf course, maybe it comes from my ridiculous fear of driving in the rain (blog post in itself) or maybe I’m just a dork.  I don’t know, but I just like keeping up with weather.

I love the statistics associated with weather.  High temps, low temps, barometric pressure, rainfall amounts, rainfall surplus vs. rainfall deficit, etc. etc.  I just installed digital thermometers outside of the house and I check them quite regularly.  Lately, it’s been fun to see the highs and lows at the house and compare them to the highs and lows that the stations are reporting.  Ok, so REALLY I’m a dork. 

I’ll be honest, when Melissa and I first started coming to crosspoint and I noticed that local weatherman, Charlie Neese was an ELDER, I knew right away that I would bug the snot out of him.  And I still do.  But I love Charlie’s response…”If I didn’t enjoy what I do, then I would hate talking about the weather, otherwise I’ll talk to you all day long.”  Charlie just started twittering as well so you can follow him for Nashville weather updates. 

Charlie’s been doing really well lately though because Nashville weather has been spectacular for a little over 2 weeks.  I should say that actually God’s doing well, but for some reason we all think that the weatherguy has something to do with the weather. 

So tell me…are you as much of a nerd as I am and love keeping up with weather?  If not, what is your dorky hobby / pasttime/ quirk?

My good friend, Charlie Neese, is one of our local weathermen and a great blogger. His station is predicting some warm weather over the next 7 days (they even label Monday and Tuesday as “hot” for you, in case you didn’t know 97 and 98 degrees is hot).

How’s the weather where you are?

If you’re searching for meaning, joy, happiness, fulfillment, quality relationships, peace in your household and real success in life, they all will be very hard to find without balance. Balance gives us strength, momentum, peace-of-mind and allows us to do things you never thought possible. For instance, look at this picture…

 

Natchez Trace Bridge, Williamson County, TN (Wikipedia)

This 155-foot-high bridge along the Natchez Trace Parkway spans 1,648 feet over Highway 96 in Williamson County, Tennessee. When it was built, the bridge received national recognition for it’s design and construction. Whether I drive over or under it, I can’t help but be amazed. It’s a very imposing structure but it has a peaceful simplicity about it as well. Rather than numerous columns, it has just one along with two huge arches that hold up the road deck. This allows for a flowing and uncluttered view of the valley it spans. There’s amazing balance in both the structural and visual function of the Natchez Trace Bridge. There were many obstacles to overcome in it’s design and construction, but with creative thought, out-of-the-box thinking and lots of evaluation, it was completed and is generally considered a huge success by both engineers and those who use it. This amazing bridge is possible because of balance…

On the other hand, here’s what can happen when there’s a lack of balance….

If you didn’t notice it before, watch it again and listen to the roar as it passes by the camera.

This huge tornado shredded parts of Weld County, Colorado, on Thursday of this week (5-22-08). It was the result of a very unstable and highly sheared atmosphere. To say it another way, the atmosphere was very imbalanced. In nature, all extreme weather is caused by imbalance. It’s simply cause and effect. It a matter of physics. It’s just the way it is…

You and I are products of God’s nature and we fit into this equation as well… With this in mind, wouldn’t you rather be a strong and balanced support for your family rather than an imbalanced monster that leaves nothing but destruction in your wake? I know I would. In what ways can you be more balanced in your life beginning today?

Back to CharlieNeese.com

The art of thinking about where you are and where you want to be is, I believe, the most important step in changing your life for the better. You have to take action on your plan once it’s made, but you have to work on designing it first. With that thought in mind, here are a few questions to help get you started…

The biggest factor to our happiness in life is the quality of our relationships. When our relationship with our God, spouse, friends and family are good, life tends to be good. When those same relationships suffer, we suffer. For instance, think about the last time you had a fight with your spouse. What kind of day did you have? I bet it wasn’t one of your better ones. What can you do right after reading this blog to make sure those who love you know how much you care? Just a few loving words, phone call or note may be all that’s needed to do this.

Something else that helps determine the quality of our lives is where we are in relation to where we want to be. The greater the distance between these two points, the higher the level of anxiety. That’s because what you’re actually experiencing doesn’t match your expectations. That’s can be very frustrating.  We have all experienced times during which life threw us a curve ball and in the end, it was for the better. But, many of us have the potential to do and be much more than we are but we’re not taking the time to nurture our growth. To have a great life, it starts with creative thought then followed by planning and action. Like anything, it takes time, effort and energy. Don’t be afraid of that – complacency will keep you right where you are. If you like the way your life is, that’s fine. But if you get up each day frustrated and stressed with the way things are, it’s time to think for a change…

Let me give you an example. Yesterday, I saw a report that stated that the amount of unsecured debt (mostly from credit cards) is skyrocketing. This is happening in part because with the downturn in the housing market, fewer people have the opportunity to take out equity in their homes to meet their expenses. So, people are turning again to credit cards. Some are running up thousands of dollars in debt. Like the housing market crash, this trend could lead to a credit crisis. It’s predictable. The more households that try to fill the gap between their expenses and income, the deeper the hole they dig and the closer to bankruptcy they are. If this continues, watch for the rate of personal bankruptcies to rise over the next few quarters as more people get in over their heads (Rising gas prices won’t help this situation).

If you are in this trap, you’re going to have to make a plan to get off that track. Think about how you can either make more money or reduce your expenses, write down your plan and then take massive action on it. But again, you first have to think about what’s wrong and how you want to fix it. That’s step one. Start here and you’re well on your way. Don’t put it off. You can begin to change your life just by thinking. Pretty cool, huh?

Back to charlieneese.com

Last night for the first time ever we snatched our kids out of bed and headed to the basement. The tornado sirens and constant prodding of my good friend Charlie Neese in the  Storm 5 Weather Center got us moving. Can you pick out which one of our kids doesn’t like storms?

Please take some time today to pray for the families in our community being rocked by the sudden death of loved ones and the destruction of their homes. A huge thanks to all the professionals who spent their entire night last night warning all of us to take cover. I have no doubt the death toll could have been worse without your efforts.