Give up? Post up!

"Sometimes quitting is the best thing you can do. Knowing when to quit and when to stick is what separates the winners from the losers. In fact, 'strategic quitting' is a secret of success. Hanging on too long to something that is going to fail simply drains you of time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere." -Seth Godin

All our lives we're told things like, "Don't be a quitter! Never quit! Winners never quit & quitters never win!" All great, seemingly positive, statements. However, it could actually hinder true progress. Since those terms usually are associated to sports, I thought I'd share the basketball term "post up." It means to establish a position, usually in order to take advantage of a smaller defender, in order to make better scoring opportunities available.

At times, it seems the challenges and obstacles in life seem unsurmountable and overwhelming. The reality is that you were created, and are well able to overcome these circumstances. You can "post up" against these issues and overcome, take a shot, and increase the potential to score the game winner!

Making that shot may mean : landing that dream job, starting that new business, meeting that 'perfect' person, improving your health or increasing your salary. It means something different to us all.

What I'd like to get across here is that quitting is often associated with failure; but as you start discovering your purpose in life, it soon becomes clear, that things will have to change in order to accomplish the assignment you've been given.

Priority #1 should be to find out why you were put here on this earth. I don't want to get too philosophical here, but I almost feel a sense of responsibility to share that we were not put here to live fearful, frustrated, failure-infested lives. We were put here to win - always! How do I know? 'The Bible tells me so!' (Genesis 1:26-28; Joshua 1:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:14 to name a few.) I know this also, from experience - not religion. I left that junk long ago. Daily, I strive to unravel myself more and more from that useless mess!

You've heard it said, "It's not about what you know - but who you know that matters. This is true in your career and in life! But, ultimately, it is also about Who knows you!

Am I saying life is going to be easy? By no means! However, to elude back to basketball : there is a regular season of wins and losses, but imagine knowing that you ultimately win the championship! Be assured, that final game is 'fixed.'

C'mon, quit that old team (Lonely Losers). Turn in that old faded & outdated jersey. Take up the new, freshly pressed, customized uniform with your name on it! Get in the game! God wants you on His team (Cherished Champions). He can train you to win!

By the way, I should mention, that He will never, ever quit or give up on you!
Just make sure you're on the right team.

[Proverbs 3; 2 Corinthians 5:17]

Dedicated Posture

“Stand up straight!” “Pull your shoulders back!” As children, we're told to have good posture, but does anybody know what that looks like?

Here's what the dictionary defines posture as : "(1a:) the position or bearing of the body for a special purpose (b:) the pose of a model or artistic figure (2:) state or condition, with respect to capability in particular circumstances (3:) a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude."

When we think of the word dedication, we can usually refer to famous people - three in particular come to mind: Three MJ's (Jordan, Jackson, & J.Fox) regardless, of what you think about these individuals, they have unquestionably been able to accomplish, in worldly standards, high levels of achievement.

All three had to overcome odds that would've caused many to give up long ago. Criticism, abuse, and illness. What kept them going? I believe it was a sense of purpose. They had vision, focus, clarity, and belief. Great qualities we all need.

In this section of the painting is a man praying at the western wall, it's an expression of dedication and devotion. See the guy next to him, in the suit? He's the "qualified expert" explaining what's happening, what he should do, or why, what he's doing, won't work. He's like the critic in our lives trying to discourage us from our purpose and calling in life. The guy on the left, as we mentioned, is just watching, not wanting to get involved - holding back. Which one are you?

"Determine what specific goal you want to achieve. Then dedicate yourself to its attainment with unswerving “singleness of purpose, the trenchant zeal of a crusader." -Paul J. Meyer

You see, there's another MJ that came, long before the other three. He had a critic, and was criticized by many. He overcame incredible odds. His purpose was motivated out of, not just a love of His calling, but a Love for us. His accomplishment has outlasted all types of denials - but you won't find an asterisk* by His name.

Don't get me wrong, A good posture is important for your back. Backaches, headaches, and other painful symptoms are often associated with a bad posture.
Ahhh, but a dedicated posture is good for your "backbone". This type of posture affects your entire being - from the inside out!

"Don't aim at success - the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue...as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a course greater than oneself." -Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

I hope you will posture yourself in dedication to your purpose today.

Philippians 4:4-9

Considering 'Post'ponement

"Don't just stand there..."

You know what? I could tell you I haven't posted anything in a few days to prove a point about this part of the painting. But, quite frankly, I just put it off. In the words of Ray Romano, "Thaaaat's riiiiight!"

You see this guy, this could be you. Perhaps, you're holding back from helping that person in need right now. Maybe you've been putting off your goals and dreams because of fear of failure or inferiority. Or, just something as simple as putting up the laundry. The point is: we all do it, have done it, or are doing it.... And it's gotta stop! Tomorrow, maybe?

When I was in the 12th grade, my favorite subject was, you guessed it, Art. My art teacher, Mr. Martinez, had this saying - I heard it daily. It came right after I, or my classmates would proudly walk up to the front to show him our completed masterpiece. We'd say, "I'm all done." To which he'd reply, "When you think your done, you're halfway through!" Boy, I hated when he said that. It wasn't till later in life that I really understood what he meant, and it applies to more than just art.

About midyear, he told us about an upcoming national art contest for The Bill of Rights. We had about a month to develop something to turn in. As for me, I put a spin on his famous quote : [I delayed and did nothing]. I had a lot of other important things on my calendar that month.

The day came for him to pack up all the pieces and ship them off to Washington, D.C.
He asked for mine (as he had for weeks) and I just shook my head. He then shook his, as he neatly packed my classmates art pieces together. It was a Friday, and I'm not sure what it was, maybe I felt as if I was being left out; it's not like they were all going on this trip without me. I don't know why, but when I got home that afternoon, I was inspired to put something together. So, I cancelled all my "appointments" for the weekend and locked myself in my room and got to work.

Keep in mind, the deadline had passed - I had an F. So, what was my motive? I know now it was a defining moment. God was setting me up for something great.

On Monday, I brought in the piece I'd just completed that morning to turn in. For some reason, Mr. Martinez felt compelled to send it in individually. Again, he shook his head as he neatly packed it up.

About a month later, I'm in my auto mechanics class, working on the teachers pickup; and in walks my art teacher to inform me of the good news : I was one of the national finalists! Long story - short : I won the national competition in Washington!

I think back and sometimes wonder, "what if?" What if, like the movie of it's time : "Back to the Future" I could have been Marty, my art teacher - Doc, and Biff, well Biff was procrastination, of course! My life would probably look completely different today! Whoah!

I am truly blessed. God set me up then, and He is setting me up now. Be assured, He is setting you up, as well - Something great! He always has been! Will you let Him? [Jer. 29:11]

So, what's holding you back today? Want to break out of it? Here's the formula :

Charles Swindoll said it best, "It's really very simple... all it takes is one word, perhaps the easiest word to utter in our language. It's easy to say, but may require all the discipline you can muster, but when properly used, that single syllable carries more weight than a ton of good intentions. The word is "Now."


[Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 9:10]

A Post Season Promise

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." -Mark Twain

I saw a great comic strip in the paper today: A child was showing his friend a book he was holding in his hand. In the background was a Consumer Electronics Show. The two looked at the book entitled IVANHOE with amazement. The child with the book tells his friend, "It's a gift from my grand-dad." His friend replies enthusiastically, "Cool. How do you turn it on?" [Mike Keefe/Star Telegram]

I chuckled as I thought of the irony that, at that very moment, my folks were visiting with us from out town, and my dad was tinkering with his new iphone in wonder and slight frustration.

As I cropped out this part of the painting today, I was reminded about the importance of the wisdom and comfort we can gleam from our parents, grandparents, & mentors - Those who have experienced a stretch of life beyond our own.

My two grandfathers, Ramon and Domingo (who we affectionately referred to as "Abuelito") were very influential in my life growing up. What stood out most prominently was their light-hearted zeal for life. Humor was a major part of their packaging. They seemed to light up the room when they walked in.

One loved to sing and dance at every opportunity. I believe he would boldly have entered AMERICAN IDOL if it were around back then. This man not only sang - he passionately wrote much of his material! He had a way with animals as well. His horse would hop into the back of his pickup on command. He tamed a deer that freely became a part of the farm. And, on numerous occasions, saw him shoot a rattlesnake with his Pancho Villa-type revolver. Wow, he could have been the star of his own show!

The other exemplified joy - always smiling, and eager to make others smile. It seemed like I was his favorite grandchild. He was a man of few words - but his little chuckle spoke volumes. He led the family, in a way that seemed effortless, through various seasons of pain and joy alike. He expressed hospitality & kindness at his home in Mexico; gladly sharing his faithful burro to us grandkids at every visit. He also shared the fruit of his pomegranate orchard and the stars above his great ranch!

Both of these men expressed, in their own way, a simple faith in God. Calm, cool, collected at all times. I never saw them lose their temper or cause strife with others around them. They were well respected, by their family and others. Harvest from the seeds they sowed themselves, I suppose.

I thank God for them. I believe we all have someone in our lives that we can look to for wisdom and comfort to help us directly, or indirectly get through the hard times in our lives. Now maybe the time for you to look to these men or women in your life. Perhaps, now is a good time to remember to give thanks.

I don't know if there is such a thing as "the good old days." But, I do know that today we can choose to make it "a good new day!"

[Psalms 37:25, Lamentations 3:22]

Forgetting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

"We are 'appointed' (set in a certain direction) for something to happen a certain way, and when it doesn't happen that way we become 'dis-appointed.' Disappointment not dealt with turns into discouragement. If we stay discouraged very long, we are liable to become devastated, and devastation leaves us unable to handle anything." -Joyce Meyer

According to the medical community : "Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is among only a few mental disorders that are triggered by a disturbing outside event, quite unlike other psychiatric disorders such as depression.
Dramatic and tragic events, like the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, economic chaos, and natural disasters occur, and with media exposure such as we have today, even people not directly involved might be affected. Simply put, PTSD is a state in which you "can't stop remembering."

Wow! Imagine that! We should just call it CSR for short - "Can't stop remembering." We would agree that the real root here is FEAR > Out of which comes despair. The world as we know it, has changed dramatically over the last several years. We must remember this : There is hope, however, real HOPE available to us. It's not found where we thought it was, but it can be found.

Dr. Charles Stanley in his book Stuck in Reverse points out that "Wrong turns and detours do not have to prevent you from reaching your dreams and goals... shift out of reverse and into drive as you learn how to live an abundant life full of hope and meaning."

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind (PTSD) and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize...

Are you with me?

A "Command" Post

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with
you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

I was about 17 years old the first time I went down the wrong way.
Purposefully, I might add, and completely disregarding the ONE WAY
sign. Let me explain the circumstances :

It took place in the outskirts of a small west Texas town. We lived
about three miles out. Having dropped off one of my buddies, It was
late and I was exhausted. I was a bit nervous at first due to the fact
that I'd be maneuvering directly across an I-20 exit ramp in order to
cut seconds off of service road access. It was that crucial that I get
home in a timely manner.

Soon, however, the nervousness turned to confidence (ie:foolishness).
It was, after all, 2:00 am; I was "completely" sober and alert.
Furthermore, I had the assurance of those who had gone before me -
three older brothers.

The next time wasn't as scary, but the adrenaline still pumped, and
as soon as I'd make it across, the adventure would be summed up
with a boisterous whoo-hoo-whooo!!!

Now, why would I share this peculiar information on a blog of all
places? Well, perhaps, for two reasons : First, even though I didn't
plan it this way, I started the first two posts with Bible references,
and in an effort to keep you, the reader plugged in, I felt it was
important to express transparency as to not deter anyone from
finishing this small journey we're on together. By no means is this
project meant to be "religious."
Secondly, much of the inspiration for the painting itself is centered
around these principles and may help clarify the full unveiling of it all.

Let me add this, I am a grateful man. Grateful that God watched over
me through this and other ridiculous self-inflicted situations I put
myself in during high school, college, and yes - even today. Though,
I'm no longer traveling down the wrong way; At least, not purposefully.
I don't mind waiting a few more seconds...

So, what is it about us, that we sometimes have the desire to completely
disregard a command set in motion to benefit us? Whether it be ten
commandments, ten percent, five loaves, two fish, or one street sign?

The "Light" Post

"...And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light."

Why not start at the beginning. The image you see is only a portion
of a much larger image. I will be revealing certain portions until
it's fullness is revealed. After all, it took months to conceptualize,
develop, and paint on canvass.

Hope you enjoy the journey; And when it's over... I hope you see
beyond the paint. I hope you see > the point!