Fair warning!
My 2 year old son has learned to:
A. Unlock my iPhone
B. Open the Hanging With Friends App
C. Start a game with a random opponent
D. Try to spell words
E. Try to guess opponents' words
If you experience unusual or erratic gameplay from me going forward, please know that round was completed by Landon, the whip-smart 2 year old.
Sincerely,
Tyson
:-)
6/12/11
This is your brain ... on gratitude.
Long time, no type.
This week I had the pleasure of attending a conference with a guest speaker that focused on how the body, mind, & spirit (emotions) are critical to succeeding in life, specifically in our business.
One of the illustrations he shared (he's a brain surgeon by trade) was the difference in high brain function between a brain that was expressing gratitude and a stressed brain.
The grateful brain, so to speak, was "lit up" on the brain scan, while the stressed brain was dull and virtually lifeless.
What was his point?
When you need to regain your focus, find inspiration, regain clarity ... spend a minute thinking about something your are most grateful for. Your brain will thank you for it!
This week I had the pleasure of attending a conference with a guest speaker that focused on how the body, mind, & spirit (emotions) are critical to succeeding in life, specifically in our business.
One of the illustrations he shared (he's a brain surgeon by trade) was the difference in high brain function between a brain that was expressing gratitude and a stressed brain.
The grateful brain, so to speak, was "lit up" on the brain scan, while the stressed brain was dull and virtually lifeless.
What was his point?
When you need to regain your focus, find inspiration, regain clarity ... spend a minute thinking about something your are most grateful for. Your brain will thank you for it!
4/21/11
I Knew It Was You!
I am guilty of a great many things (not posting often enough on my own blog chief among them).
One of my "guilts" that I tend to keep to myself is the power that music, television, and film hold over me. I don't mean that in the "I watch too much TV" way that you might be thinking, although that is probably true as well.
I mean that I have a severe emotional connection with music, television, and film. Most of my truly "emotional moments" are directly inspired by one of these media.
I could list hundreds of songs (and I may actually do this on here someday) that have brought me to tears over the years. I can't watch Bye, Bye Love without getting all choked up. I get angry while I watch the beginning of The Patriot. It's just how I'm wired.
So, today will mark the first of, hopefully, a long series of posts where I will share with you how pop culture has moved me that day.
As I'm flippin' channels, trying to avoid the fifth airing of Sportscenter and putting off actually preparing breakfast (long story for another entry), I come across The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I happened upon the great battle scene as Peter, Susan, Edmund, & Caspian are waging war against their invaders.
They are struggling against their enemy.
They need a miracle.
They need a savior.
They are waiting for ... their little sister, Lucy.
It is Lucy who has the faith, the patience, the trust to seek out their one true savior, Aslan the Lion. (If you've never read the books or seen the films, Aslan is clearly portrayed as an allegory for Jesus Christ)
Lucy finally encounters Aslan face-to-face, and they have a profound exchange that really hit home to me.
Lucy: I knew it was you! The whole time, I knew it! But, the others didn't believe me.
Aslan: And why would that stop you from coming to me?
Lucy: I'm sorry. I was too scared to come alone. Why wouldn't you show yourself? Why couldn't you come roaring in and save us like last time?
So often, I feel like Lucy.
"I knew it was (God)".
But I'm waiting for confirmation, waiting for someone to go there with me, waiting for a miracle, too scared to come alone.
God simply asks what Aslan asked, "And why would that stop you from coming to me?"
(Spoiler alert: The giant talking lion awakened the giant walking trees ... which chased the bad guys down to the river ... where the giant water guy drowned them all ... the talking sword-wielding mouse got his tail back ... and they all lived happily ever after ... at least until the next book.)
One of my "guilts" that I tend to keep to myself is the power that music, television, and film hold over me. I don't mean that in the "I watch too much TV" way that you might be thinking, although that is probably true as well.
I mean that I have a severe emotional connection with music, television, and film. Most of my truly "emotional moments" are directly inspired by one of these media.
I could list hundreds of songs (and I may actually do this on here someday) that have brought me to tears over the years. I can't watch Bye, Bye Love without getting all choked up. I get angry while I watch the beginning of The Patriot. It's just how I'm wired.
So, today will mark the first of, hopefully, a long series of posts where I will share with you how pop culture has moved me that day.
As I'm flippin' channels, trying to avoid the fifth airing of Sportscenter and putting off actually preparing breakfast (long story for another entry), I come across The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I happened upon the great battle scene as Peter, Susan, Edmund, & Caspian are waging war against their invaders.
They are struggling against their enemy.
They need a miracle.
They need a savior.
They are waiting for ... their little sister, Lucy.
It is Lucy who has the faith, the patience, the trust to seek out their one true savior, Aslan the Lion. (If you've never read the books or seen the films, Aslan is clearly portrayed as an allegory for Jesus Christ)
Lucy finally encounters Aslan face-to-face, and they have a profound exchange that really hit home to me.
Lucy: I knew it was you! The whole time, I knew it! But, the others didn't believe me.
Aslan: And why would that stop you from coming to me?
Lucy: I'm sorry. I was too scared to come alone. Why wouldn't you show yourself? Why couldn't you come roaring in and save us like last time?
So often, I feel like Lucy.
"I knew it was (God)".
But I'm waiting for confirmation, waiting for someone to go there with me, waiting for a miracle, too scared to come alone.
God simply asks what Aslan asked, "And why would that stop you from coming to me?"
(Spoiler alert: The giant talking lion awakened the giant walking trees ... which chased the bad guys down to the river ... where the giant water guy drowned them all ... the talking sword-wielding mouse got his tail back ... and they all lived happily ever after ... at least until the next book.)
3/23/11
#feelinoldandlovinit
As of three minutes ago, I turned 35.
Wait ... checking my math ... yep, 35.
I know a lot of people that cringe every year when their birthday rolls around and even more that play that cute "turned 29 again today" game with their age.
I am here to tell you that I love being 35!
No, it is not because I have achieved some landmark age.
It is not that I still have over half of my life left.(assuming I am "average")
It's not that my insurance goes down this year, either. (which it doesn't)
It's not that I celebrated my birthday on Sunday watching 80's synth-pop band, OMD, in concert. (although, that show stinkin' rocked!)
Why, then, you ask am I lovin' being 35?
This year, 2011, I have officially been with my wonderful wife, Shannon, for over half of my life! That's right. 18 years with ... 17 without.
We met in '93 and married in '96.
We have never broken up. Never had a trial separation. Never agreed to see other people. Never took a Ross & Rachel style "break".
We have been TOGETHER for over half of my life!
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Birthday to me, and I love you, Shannon. : )
Wait ... checking my math ... yep, 35.
I know a lot of people that cringe every year when their birthday rolls around and even more that play that cute "turned 29 again today" game with their age.
I am here to tell you that I love being 35!
No, it is not because I have achieved some landmark age.
It is not that I still have over half of my life left.(assuming I am "average")
It's not that my insurance goes down this year, either. (which it doesn't)
It's not that I celebrated my birthday on Sunday watching 80's synth-pop band, OMD, in concert. (although, that show stinkin' rocked!)
Why, then, you ask am I lovin' being 35?
This year, 2011, I have officially been with my wonderful wife, Shannon, for over half of my life! That's right. 18 years with ... 17 without.
We met in '93 and married in '96.
We have never broken up. Never had a trial separation. Never agreed to see other people. Never took a Ross & Rachel style "break".
We have been TOGETHER for over half of my life!
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Birthday to me, and I love you, Shannon. : )
3/9/11
Apathy v. Faith
Well, I'm not off to a great start keeping this updated, am I?
Since I last wrote, I've been swamped at work ... not necessarily with business, but busyness. That's okay, though. The busyness will lead to better business in the long run.
A few days after my last entry, I had the privilege of speaking at FBC Gainesville Wednesday Night Youth service. I spoke on the "Faith Hall of Fame" that is found in Hebrews 11. I shared with the kids the FULL definition of faith: not just a belief, but a conviction, an obedience, a devotion. Are we living out our faith in a way that is worthy of induction into the "Faith Hall of Fame"?
Hebrews 11 is my favorite Bible passage. I have Dennis Rawls to thank for that. He was my high school principal and Bible teacher. My senior year we had to memorize the entire chapter. I fell in love with the passage then and with the idea of Faith put into action.
I tell you all this to confess that sometimes I wonder about my faith. No, not like that. This is not yet another in the ever-growing trend of Christian publicly acknowledging, even lamenting their tremendous level of doubt in their faith. (If that topic appeals to you, let me recommend Jason Boyett's blog . Jason is the author of O Me of Little Faith and from my hometown of Amarillo, Tx)
What I wonder about my faith is this:
Is my faith really so strong that I (to borrow a book title) "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"?
OR
Do I just not care enough to worry about the small stuff?
And it's not just the small stuff.
There's big stuff, too. Like my Grandma's death.
Grandma died about 10 years ago. I lived in Florida at the time but (thanks to the generosity of my wonderful in-laws) was able to fly into Amarillo for the funeral and to be with my family.
Here's the deal, though:
I didn't really mourn the passing of my Grandma. Sure, I got a little misty-eyed during the funeral, but I never really sat and contemplated her death ... never pondered how it would impact my Mom and her siblings ... never wept in grief.
It is worth noting here (and if you know me really well, you know this already): I am a deep thinker, a contemplative dude ... I ponder habitually ... and I cry.
Expressing any level of grief and mourning would have been perfectly within my character, but I expressed virtually none.
Was this because I had such faith in God that He would take care of my family in this time of need? Was this because I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Grandma is heaven? Was this because I had faith that we would all get through this okay?
Or was it simply because I didn't care enough to be as impacted by the whole thing as I expected to be?
To this day, some ten years later, I have never grieved my Grandma's passing. I did weep in my sleep a few years after she died. Wept so hard, it woke me up. (And that is hard to do ... I once slept through a tornado!)
Is my faith just THAT strong? Or is my apathy just THAT big?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Faith v. Apathy conundrum. Do you struggle with it as well?
Until next time ...
In His Care,
Tyson
Since I last wrote, I've been swamped at work ... not necessarily with business, but busyness. That's okay, though. The busyness will lead to better business in the long run.
A few days after my last entry, I had the privilege of speaking at FBC Gainesville Wednesday Night Youth service. I spoke on the "Faith Hall of Fame" that is found in Hebrews 11. I shared with the kids the FULL definition of faith: not just a belief, but a conviction, an obedience, a devotion. Are we living out our faith in a way that is worthy of induction into the "Faith Hall of Fame"?
Hebrews 11 is my favorite Bible passage. I have Dennis Rawls to thank for that. He was my high school principal and Bible teacher. My senior year we had to memorize the entire chapter. I fell in love with the passage then and with the idea of Faith put into action.
I tell you all this to confess that sometimes I wonder about my faith. No, not like that. This is not yet another in the ever-growing trend of Christian publicly acknowledging, even lamenting their tremendous level of doubt in their faith. (If that topic appeals to you, let me recommend Jason Boyett's blog . Jason is the author of O Me of Little Faith and from my hometown of Amarillo, Tx)
What I wonder about my faith is this:
Is my faith really so strong that I (to borrow a book title) "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"?
OR
Do I just not care enough to worry about the small stuff?
And it's not just the small stuff.
There's big stuff, too. Like my Grandma's death.
Grandma died about 10 years ago. I lived in Florida at the time but (thanks to the generosity of my wonderful in-laws) was able to fly into Amarillo for the funeral and to be with my family.
Here's the deal, though:
I didn't really mourn the passing of my Grandma. Sure, I got a little misty-eyed during the funeral, but I never really sat and contemplated her death ... never pondered how it would impact my Mom and her siblings ... never wept in grief.
It is worth noting here (and if you know me really well, you know this already): I am a deep thinker, a contemplative dude ... I ponder habitually ... and I cry.
Expressing any level of grief and mourning would have been perfectly within my character, but I expressed virtually none.
Was this because I had such faith in God that He would take care of my family in this time of need? Was this because I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Grandma is heaven? Was this because I had faith that we would all get through this okay?
Or was it simply because I didn't care enough to be as impacted by the whole thing as I expected to be?
To this day, some ten years later, I have never grieved my Grandma's passing. I did weep in my sleep a few years after she died. Wept so hard, it woke me up. (And that is hard to do ... I once slept through a tornado!)
Is my faith just THAT strong? Or is my apathy just THAT big?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Faith v. Apathy conundrum. Do you struggle with it as well?
Until next time ...
In His Care,
Tyson
2/22/11
First things first ...
Welcome to my mind!
It's a scary place sometimes, but if I don't "bleed the valve", so to speak, I think it might explode. This is my first attempt at writing a blog about ME. I've authored a sports blog before, published a photo blog of my daughter's first few years, and even maintained a blog site for my Sunday School class at church ... but never a blog written by me, about me, and (let's be honest here) for me.
I invite you into my noggin ... watch out for the landmines.
I may need to publish a list of prerequisites for this blog: films, songs, tv shows, books, etc. that you really need to experience before you can fully understand what comes out of my mouth (or in this case off of my fingertips). I always joke with my co-workers that there is going to be a "To Better Understand Tyson, These Films & Shows are Now Required Viewing" list posted in the backroom. I really should get around to that one day.
If you haven't seen it, start with the movie "CLUE". Yes, the one based on the board game. Yes, the one that has three different endings. Yes, the one starring "that guy that was that scientist dude in that weird movie where everyone throws food in the theatre". If you know that I think CLUE is one of the funnest and funniest movies of my lifetime, then you will have a much better understanding of future posts at this here blog.
I am speaking to FBC Youth tomorrow night, so please pray for me. Pray for me to get out of the way and let God do His thing through me. (THAT is a whole 'nother blog post right there!) I hope to post an update soon, and I'll let you know how it went.
God bless,
Tyson
It's a scary place sometimes, but if I don't "bleed the valve", so to speak, I think it might explode. This is my first attempt at writing a blog about ME. I've authored a sports blog before, published a photo blog of my daughter's first few years, and even maintained a blog site for my Sunday School class at church ... but never a blog written by me, about me, and (let's be honest here) for me.
I invite you into my noggin ... watch out for the landmines.
I may need to publish a list of prerequisites for this blog: films, songs, tv shows, books, etc. that you really need to experience before you can fully understand what comes out of my mouth (or in this case off of my fingertips). I always joke with my co-workers that there is going to be a "To Better Understand Tyson, These Films & Shows are Now Required Viewing" list posted in the backroom. I really should get around to that one day.
If you haven't seen it, start with the movie "CLUE". Yes, the one based on the board game. Yes, the one that has three different endings. Yes, the one starring "that guy that was that scientist dude in that weird movie where everyone throws food in the theatre". If you know that I think CLUE is one of the funnest and funniest movies of my lifetime, then you will have a much better understanding of future posts at this here blog.
I am speaking to FBC Youth tomorrow night, so please pray for me. Pray for me to get out of the way and let God do His thing through me. (THAT is a whole 'nother blog post right there!) I hope to post an update soon, and I'll let you know how it went.
God bless,
Tyson
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