EPIDRO

Today I met with a close associate who happens to be a researcher. And we were talking through some ideas that I may pursue as a research project. Over time I have developed a thirst for research, more in the form of looking for answers to things I have questions about, than actually being a data cruncher. Ultimately, our discussion came down to the question, "why?" I seem to be fascinated by the question, "why". And I think I have a better understanding of why I ask why.

Purpose is big for me and I need it to help me understand. If I have a better understanding or I can make sense of the purpose, I am more likley to move, act or respond because I have clarity. Asking and answering 'why' helps me get that clarity and ultimately determines the level of importance.

What's the point? So many times we fail to help others understand the question 'why' or why something is important. Yet we ask for cooperation or compliance without clarity. Maybe the lack of understanding or the uncertainty of the purpose is the reason for an unsatisfactory response and not what you thought it was. Have you made it clear why it is important?

A couple of weeks ago I picked up my daughters one morning from a friends house and we went to get breakfast. Usually on Saturday mornings (when I am home), I make breakfast for the girls. It has become our father-duahgter bonding time. That day we were headed to Burger King for some "sticks" (the name Jaylah has given french toast sticks). I was anxious and hungry, too. After placing a big order, I pulled forward and realized that I did not have my wallet. It was a little embarrassing to say the least. Luckily, I was right around the corner from our house. If not, we would have had a situation on our hands - no food and hungry kids.

What's the point? Later on I thought about how easy it is to give or place an order (in a drive thru). As long as you have the means to pay for it, you can have what you want. The same thing is true in our everyday lives. We must not forget that giving ordrers comes with a price. Sometimes it is monetary and most times it is not. But everything costs you something. Make sure you are willing and you have the means to pay. Because you will get what you pay for.

I know that I have a tendency to do things that do not make any sense. (You know, crazy stuff.) It is kind of expected since I used to be a football player. There is nothing sane about running full speed into other people and being excited about it. I kind of use that as my disclaimer when I do questionable things.

The other day, I did something I even thought was crazy. I desperately wanted to wash my SUV. It is black and stays dirty. I noticed that the sky was getting a little dark and it was probably about to rain. A 2-minute shower had just passed about an hour ago. So, I thought it would probably be another quick spinkler and I could get a quick wash in. About half-way into the wash, the heavens openend up and I was soaked in less than a minute. I decided to keep washing. Why? Well I knew that I could at least get the dirt off and the rain would rinse it for me. If the shower passed, I would come out in the evening and dry it off. (I wonder if any of my neighbors saw me and what they must have been thinking.) It turns out, it was a good idea. The rain passed and I went out at about 7:30pm and dried the truck. The next morning it was glistening!

What's the point? I'm not sure there is one. I'm not really trying to encourage you to wash your car in the rain. (I probably won't do it again myself.) But I do think we need to take a few chances in life sometimes. Even if the timing seems to be bad, things may come out glistening. Go ahead and give it a try.

On the way home (from a quick trip to Atlanta), my daughter Jaylah said she had to use the bathroom. Sidebar: These are the types of things you need to consider when traveling with little people (i.e. inconvenient bathroom times, unexplainable accidents in the back seat, and anything else you can think of to delay homecoming). As I was saying, I needed to find a restroom for Jaylah. This can be a serious inconvenience sometimes because public restrooms have a tendency to be nightmares for parents. Can you say filthy?

The first place that came to mind was Chick-fil-a. We love that restaraunt and it is always clean (no matter where you go). There was one problem. They are closed on Sunday, and it was Sunday. After my initial disappointment, I started to think about why a fast food business would close on a weekend day. That is the time when you make the most money. Is that good business?

What's the point? This is the time when I normally make one. But I think the owner and founder of Chick-fil-a, S. Truett Cathy does a better job. He said, "Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and directing our attention to things more important than our business. If it took seven days to make a living with a restaurant, then we needed to be in some other line of work. Through the years, I have never wavered from that position.”

Mr. Cathy reminded me that I could do my business elsewhere because he had more important business to do. I found another restroom and a lesson on doing what is important to me (no matter who is inconvenienced and how much it costs).

When I was growing up in South Florida, I remember the grass in our yard being green year round. Because of the warm, humid weather, the grass could flourish and maintain its color. The texture was very full, with thick, wide blades. I am not a gardener or one who posesses any knowledge about grass. Therefore, that is about as good of a description as I can give you.

I live in the Northeast now with a very different and changing climate. The grass here definitely needs more TLC, which is something I have not gotten used to. Recently, I asked one of my friends (who knows much more about lawn maintenance then I care to know) how do I keep my grass green, or at least healthy year-round. He told me to purchase a year-round treatment system that has to be applied in each season of the year. He then said I had to wait about a year to see some results. I was disappointed.

What's the point? I would much rather find a treatment that works faster. And I suspect that is how many of us approach change in life. But the fact of the matter is, the kind of change that we often seek takes time. And the treatment process changes as the seasons in our life change. Keep this in mind as you lead yourself and others into change.