40 in 40: #34

The big day is actually here.

My mom tells me that as of 3:30pm I’m officially 40. (I’ve missed a few posts here and there so I will be writing the last 6 over the next week or so).

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about 40.

I’ve thought about: what I have accomplished, what I haven’t accomplished, who I have become, who I would like to become, who I have developed relationships with.

For whatever reason it has been a big deal to me.

It FEELS like I’m halfway done life on this side of eternity.

There’s some fear associated with turning 40, some joy, some feelings of maturity, some feelings of immaturity.

One idea has stuck with me for months as I’ve thought about today:

Lesson #34

I want to stay thankful.

I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for:

• An incredible wife who loves me, and whom I love.
• Children that I LOVE being with and who enjoy being with me.
• A business partner that I like working with more than anyone I have EVER worked with.
• 4 parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles that make up a rich family that I’m surrounded by.
• Work that I am enthusiastic about. I wake up wanting to get to work in the morning.
• My Health: I’m more healthy than I have every been in my life: spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
• Clients and staff: I get to work with terrific people at Blue Ocean Ideas.
• Jesus Christ: I still find Jesus to be the most compelling and inspiring person that I have ever encountered. Regardless of your religious affiliation I have never met ANYONE that has studied Jesus and not been inspired. (I’ve met plenty of people that are not so inspired by his followers; that’s another topic.)
• Deep and lasting friendships: I just had lunch with a friend that I’ve known for 20+ years. I can share anything with him. He’s not the only one either. I’m thankful for some great friends.
• I live in a great place: I LOVE Baltimore.

And here’s the thing: my life is FAR from perfect. I’ve got issues. I’ve got struggles. I have pain.

But when I stay thankful the imperfections, issues, struggles, and pain make sense. They are part of the process of maturing. They are the things that allow me to be thankful.

Take all that away and I’m just a man who takes it all for granted.

What are you thankful for today?

Stay thankful my friends,

Greg

40 in 40: #33

I had a great experience on Sunday. I took a risk talking with someone that I had been meaning to talk to for a long time. Talking about a topic that was a bit scary to bring up.

I’m so glad that I did.

I moved toward the relationship and as I did the other person moved towards me. We ended up having a great conversation. I don’t know where our relationship will go next but I do know this:

If I hadn’t taken a risk I wouldn’t have the relationship.

Lesson #33

Risk is the currency of relationships.

As I think back over the past few years. My life has been filled with taking some degree of risks in relationships. Here are a few examples:

• This spring, at the last minute, I invited myself to a conference that a friend was going to. I’m so glad I did. We had a great time and have a richer relationship for it.
• This fall I asked an acquaintance that I had met only a couple of times to mentor me in a particular area of my life that I felt like I needed help. He said yes and we’ve met together a number of times since.
• I reached out to a couple of friends that I haven’t heard from in a long time. In my head they had “lost interest” in getting together with me but when I did they said yes and we had lunch a few weeks later. It was so great to catch up.
• I had a pretty significant life hiccup a month ago. I was stressing about it. It took some humility but I needed to talk to someone about it so I approached one of my close friends that I share office space with and talked to him about it. I was a bit embarrassed but he was gracious, encouraging, and gave me some great wisdom. What a difference a month makes.

In each of these relationships the easy thing to do would be nothing. But nothing get’s me the same thing I’ve been getting.

Are you taking risks in relationships?

Keep Moving Forward,

Greg

40 in 40: #31

I asked a simple question on Twitter earlier today:

“What will u do in memory of the man who gave u the most powerful device u can hold in your hand? #stevejobs http://gregr.it/u”

It took less than an hour for the first negative comment to come in:

“Probably the same thing I’d do in memory of a man who cancelled 100% of Apple’s philanthropic activities in 1997, and attempted to deny a child his girlfriend bore out of wedlock.”

Now it is true. Steve Jobs did those things.

And he owned up to them. One he later regretted. One he didn’t think was a mistake.

What saddened me was that the person who wrote the comment identifies himself as an orthodox Christian. Jesus taught forgiveness, patience, mercy, and grace.

Lesson #31

Judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Those words come from Jesus brother, James. I imagine he picked this up from his brother.

Steve Jobs was a flawed human being. I’m sure of that.

So am I. So are you.

In the face of his flaws he created amazing products that have blessed my life and many other lives. There’s a pretty good argument that Steve’s accomplishments may have been the greatest act of philanthropy that he could have performed.

When I was a younger man I was pretty judgmental. Until I realized just how weak and flawed I am. Approaching 40 I’m grateful for mercy and grace. I need them.

Keep moving forward,

Greg

p.s. For another great tribute to Steve check The Night the Lighthouse Went Out.

40 in 40: #30

Steve Jobs died a few hours ago.

Steve was an inspiration for me, for my business partner Brody Bond, and for our company, Blue Ocean Ideas.

We almost daily acted on something that was inspired by Steve. Whether it be commitment to excellent design, relentless desire for innovation, or philosophy on how you should or shouldn’t treat employees, clients, and others.

So the lesson today is from Steve himself.

Lesson #30

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. (Steve Jobs, June 2005)

Steve’s words remind of something Jesus said:

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

This is my one and only life. Steve thanks for the reminder. May you find eternal peace.

Keep moving forward,

Greg