Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

I had breakfast the other morning with an old friend (Mr Miller) who reminded me of another acquaintance (Mr Nelson) who goes all the way back to when I was a paperboy. It seems Nelson, who had the route for the local paper that overlapped my route for the regional paper was Miller’s wrestling coach. Small world, small town.

I learned that Nelson used to referee matches as well. The distinguishing part of his style was that he would call out between periods in a match…who was behind and who was ahead. This unique style could reportedly be frustrating for those still planning to make a move or reassuring for those who believe they had the upper hand.

Last week I mentioned situational awareness was a critical part of emotional intelligence. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you had a coach/referee telling you at each interval (period, year, even day) “Red, you’re behind” or “Green, you’re ahead”…?

What would you do with this information if you got it in your adult life?

For example-
If someone said, Eric, you’re 52, medically obese, you eat too much red meat, you drink too much alcohol and not enough water. You push yourself too much and you don’t trust the right people to the extent you should. You judge too harshly, the stress from your job is carving years off of your life and your family misses you…(i.e. “Red, you’re behind!”)

Or, Eric, you’re 60% through your life, you need to save twice what you have today or the quality of the remainder of your life will suffer dramatically. Be conservative. Your family loves you but needs you around more, so travel less. Worry less and pray more. Accumulate life experiences and give away as much as you can: wisdom, love (remember joy shared is joy multiplied), time, riches, gifts, and listening more actively. (Maybe heard as “Yellow, step it up!”)

And…
Eric, you’ve been blessed with over half a century on this earth. You have been given much and because of that much is expected. Be generous with your time, talents and treasures because they are all simply loaned to you in the first place. Treat your body as a temple. Love your neighbor as yourself. Show and tell your family every single day how much they mean to you and stop clinging onto earthly ways, whether career, money, possessions or any other distraction because they are all temporary and ultimately flawed. Believe in me, Jesus, Son of God and saver of your soul. You are the way God designed you and are the apple of his eye. (Green, you’re ahead!…because I’m carrying you.)

My advice this week is seek those who can bring perspective to your status/what your score is and when you find them…listen…and take action.

Have a blessed weekend!