“Eric, go upstairs and get some matches off of Dad’s dresser.”  I was 5 and had learned to listen to my 10 year old brother … or suffer the wrath of a noogie or some other cruel and unusual punishment older brothers are famous for dishing out.  But I didn’t think it was a very good idea.  In fact, I knew it was a bad idea.

On an August night in 1970, a small group of neighborhood kids were bored, curious and looking for something to do.  Never a healthy combination without adult supervision.  Mom was getting groceries and Dad was in the shower after a long day in the truck.

The biggest kid in the group hoisted a large barrel from down the block on his back to our backyard and when the flashlight didn’t work, my brother decided I should get matches to see what was inside.  First match went out.  Second match went…BOOM!

My brother was in the hospital for 13 days.  I was sent home with a scalded forehead and some smelly medicine applied liberally until I healed.  We both made a full recovery.

The reason I bring this up?

I bought and read John O’Leary’s book “On Fire” mentioned last week.  He shared two examples supporting the idea of being motivated by fear or love where in horrific tragedy, his father chose love.  Absolute and unconditional love for a child who hours before had begged his sister to kill him.

What does that sound like?

“John, I am so proud of you!  I love you!”

What does it look like?

Spending countless hours at the bedside of a boy burned over his entire body and encouraging him to never give up in multiple, multiple ways.

What does fear sound like?

Eric: “Dad, come quick, Dan is hurt!”

Dad: “What the hell did you guys do?!”

What does fear look like?

Dad not making it to the hospital but calling the pastor to go in his stead.

The circumstances were entirely different between John and I, in almost every way.  The things I can say are similar:

1. Our Fathers did the best they could

2. We both learned how motivation is either rooted in love or fear

3. We both learned over time what matters

Patanjali wrote:

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds.  Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”

Pedro Arrupe wrote:

“What you are in love with…will affect everything.  It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,…how you spend your weekends, what you read,…what breaks your heart and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.  Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.

John O’Leary writes:

“The number one joy indicator, the one thing that will predict whether someone feels joy in their life or not, is the practice of gratitude.”

My takeaways

•Find your purpose…no matter how long it takes

•Choose love over fear…every single time.

•Be grateful…for EVERYTHING.

Have a blessed weekend!