I've had the privilege, as I'm sure many have, over the years to walk beside some wise people. Some of those, granted, were "wise beyond their years", others who believe they are wise when their actions speak otherwise. Some who wouldn't consider themselves wise but combine their knowledge and discernment (how's that Cork?) to provide wise counsel. And then some who are just plain "wise asses". Each have their place in our society, and I'm convinced none are in danger of extinction.
So when it comes to matters of personal faith, I think a similar taxonomy of individuals exist. There are those who accept faith right out of the gate and are able to walk in it without hiccup or doubt consistently, much to the surprise and chagrin of their elders. There are others who claim a personal faith connection, but then you see their actions and you not only question their own personal faith, but based on the volume of their megaphone, may even doubt the whole concept of faith, seen through the lens of this person's life.
Then there are others who want to believe but can't. At least not yet. But they haven't shut down the possibility of something greater than themselves, and the need to have a connection - no, a relationship - with that thing or being. They are just on the journey trying to live their lives in a way that honors those around them while they continually search for that higher meaning and purpose in their life. They haven't rejected faith and belief, but they want and need something deeper than just an emotional experience, and so their search continues.
I really respect those that are in that last category, those who are not willing to just accept faith on someone else's prompting, but is willing to do the research - both faith-based and secular - to come to their point of acceptance. Of course, it does indeed require an openness to actually "reading" and "discovering" in order to discern truth, but those that are truly up to the challenge, I firmly believe that God meets them there. And then blows them away with His message of hope, love, and grace.
In our kids' program at church this past Sunday, our bottom line was "If you want to know about God, read His book!". If you're on the journey to find if God is real, may I suggest the same?
Peace.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Inflight Wi-Fi
As I sit here on a Delta flight from Phoenix back home eventually to Destin, Florida, I'm enjoying the advancement of technology by using GoGo Internet on this flight. The ironic part is that my team at Yahoo worked on similar technology with Boeing back in 2004, but it has taken many years, despite our age of what was seemingly unlimited access to capital, to see this technology become reality.
I must confess, however, that while I like the ability to access my email, my trading platform, and my work while in flight, part of me does feel a bit depressed that I've now lost what may be my last bastion of forced disconnectedness. See, my own personal discipline usually fails me in sliencing my blackberry, turning off my MacBook Pro, and refusing to answer the telephone. But I was forced to comply with a state of a technology vacuum as I flew across the country. But alas, now my efforts at maintaing such are going away.
Let's see if I can make it still a quite place regardless...
I must confess, however, that while I like the ability to access my email, my trading platform, and my work while in flight, part of me does feel a bit depressed that I've now lost what may be my last bastion of forced disconnectedness. See, my own personal discipline usually fails me in sliencing my blackberry, turning off my MacBook Pro, and refusing to answer the telephone. But I was forced to comply with a state of a technology vacuum as I flew across the country. But alas, now my efforts at maintaing such are going away.
Let's see if I can make it still a quite place regardless...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Illustration of our Tax System
I rarely post something that I get in an email, but one of the smartest guys I know sent this to me, and I found this explanation of our tax system both comical and sobering at the same time.
This was written by Professor David Kamerschen, PhD with University of Georgia's Department of Economics.
So, here goes...
A brilliant explanation of the US tax system using actual percentages, and the impact of a tax cut.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that’s what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. “Since you are all such good customers,” he said, “I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. “Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes, so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men – the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share?’
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so -
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 ( 22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
“I only got a dollar out of the $20,”declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,” but he got $10!”
“Yeah, that’s right,” exclaimed the fifth man. “I only saved a dollar, too. It’s unfair that he got ten times more than I!”
“That’s true!!” shouted the seventh man. “Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!”
“Wait a minute,” yelled the first four men in unison. “We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!”
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
This was written by Professor David Kamerschen, PhD with University of Georgia's Department of Economics.
So, here goes...
A brilliant explanation of the US tax system using actual percentages, and the impact of a tax cut.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that’s what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. “Since you are all such good customers,” he said, “I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. “Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes, so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men – the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his ‘fair share?’
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so -
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 ( 22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
“I only got a dollar out of the $20,”declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,” but he got $10!”
“Yeah, that’s right,” exclaimed the fifth man. “I only saved a dollar, too. It’s unfair that he got ten times more than I!”
“That’s true!!” shouted the seventh man. “Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!”
“Wait a minute,” yelled the first four men in unison. “We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!”
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn’t show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Church Attendance and Prayer
I had the opportunity to comment on a blog referred to by my good friend and colleague Brian Cork. This particular post asked the question why people attend church and why do they pray. The posit was that it was an indicator of weakness, not strength, that people would engage in such activities. I disagree.
Below is the response I provided. What do you think?
I won’t purport by any means to be an expert on the subject, but one that has years of experience on it. So I’ll take a quick moment to share why I pray first, and then why I attend church.
I acknowledge the existence of a higher power, and have chosen to live my life based on a specific theology around that higher power. Part of that involves communion between that power and myself. Now, that higher power, if it truly exists as I believe, is worthy of my time and my praise and thankfulness. And I do that through prayer.
I do ask for guidance and wisdom, since I believe I can acquire knowledge on my own, but that wisdom requires divine intervention. But I’ve learned over the years that seeing the one I serve as a “fairy godfather” both a)diminishes their true value and worth, and b)leaves me disappointed and ultimately weak if my only dependency is to receive a blessing out of my typically self-inflicted circumstances.
So…why do I go to church? It is an opportunity for me to learn more about what I believe, and have it be challenged and strengthened. I don’t go into it blindly; I don’t accept everything I hear. But I do get to hear from others’ perspective how they are working along their road of reconciling their heart and their mind. I also benefit greatly from the gathering of those that share similar interests and convictions in that context. Much like what I receive by attending sales meetings for my firm, or sessions around business strategy.
Am I the wealthiest man on earth? Depends on your measure of wealth. I have a great family, live in a wonderful city, have lots of friends, and a satisfying career.
Does my allegiance to this higher power mean that I am spiritually insecure? If insecurity means that there is something beyond me that I cannot control, then yes I am.
Am I secure in what I believe? Well, that’s part of the journey now, isn’t it…
And one day, I hope to be.
Below is the response I provided. What do you think?
I won’t purport by any means to be an expert on the subject, but one that has years of experience on it. So I’ll take a quick moment to share why I pray first, and then why I attend church.
I acknowledge the existence of a higher power, and have chosen to live my life based on a specific theology around that higher power. Part of that involves communion between that power and myself. Now, that higher power, if it truly exists as I believe, is worthy of my time and my praise and thankfulness. And I do that through prayer.
I do ask for guidance and wisdom, since I believe I can acquire knowledge on my own, but that wisdom requires divine intervention. But I’ve learned over the years that seeing the one I serve as a “fairy godfather” both a)diminishes their true value and worth, and b)leaves me disappointed and ultimately weak if my only dependency is to receive a blessing out of my typically self-inflicted circumstances.
So…why do I go to church? It is an opportunity for me to learn more about what I believe, and have it be challenged and strengthened. I don’t go into it blindly; I don’t accept everything I hear. But I do get to hear from others’ perspective how they are working along their road of reconciling their heart and their mind. I also benefit greatly from the gathering of those that share similar interests and convictions in that context. Much like what I receive by attending sales meetings for my firm, or sessions around business strategy.
Am I the wealthiest man on earth? Depends on your measure of wealth. I have a great family, live in a wonderful city, have lots of friends, and a satisfying career.
Does my allegiance to this higher power mean that I am spiritually insecure? If insecurity means that there is something beyond me that I cannot control, then yes I am.
Am I secure in what I believe? Well, that’s part of the journey now, isn’t it…
And one day, I hope to be.
Generosity - One For the Kids
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be in Las Vegas and stay at the amazing Bellagio. I hadn't been there since 2003, when MGM was a client of mine at Yahoo!, and was utterly amazed at this place. And I didn't even watch the water show.
On my first morning there, I went to have breakfast at Cafe Bellagio. Being on my own, I straddled up to the counter and grabbed one of the few empty seats. After ordering what would later be remembered as an amazing breakfast, I sat back and began to read the local paper. Sitting to my right was a man, and next to him was an attractive woman that I can only estimate was on his list for the day's flirting, Vegas style. The two of them were engaging in very light conversation for a while, and then somehow the conversation turned when the woman started talking about her recently departed father.
She was recounting her father's struggle with cancer, and her struggle in growing up with a father who never loved her in the way she wanted. Despite years and years of "putting herself out there" and summarily getting slapped down, her father would never meet her expectations and desires for loving her. So what was her insufferable demand of the family patriarch?
A simple, "I love you".
That's right. All this woman wanted was for her father to say those three little words, particularly after she had uttered the same to him first. However, for some reason this father decided that he could not do that for her little girl. Finally, on one of his last days, as she normally would, told him that she loved him. And then she started to walk out. After all, why would this day be any different than the thousands of others that preceded it.
"Wait a second...come back over here for a moment please."
What? Oh, he must need something else. Maybe some water or for me to change the channels on the TV. So she walked back over to her father's side as he lay in bed.
He then said, "You know I've always loved you deeply. I just don't, you know, say those types of things". She replied, "I know, Daddy. Thank you for saying it now, though."
Three days later he died.
I couldn't help but think about how selfish this father was to her daughter. Sure, I am sure he provided for her. I am sure he never physically abused her. But when it came to being generous with his love in a way that would be utterly meaningful for his daughter, he chose instead to be selfish and greedy. Would it have been hard for him? Would he have rather done something else? Of course, but then, that's what generosity is. It's giving something that we have up for someone else, without any strings attached.
So, I'll go ahead and make a call out to all my friends who are dads. Tell your kids you love them. Tell them often. Tell them even when they roll their eyes at you and say, "DAAAAD! Don't embarrass meeee!!!" Because it doesn't matter whether you want to or not, or whether it's comfortable for you or not.
And that's because it's not about you.
That's the indicator of true generosity...
On my first morning there, I went to have breakfast at Cafe Bellagio. Being on my own, I straddled up to the counter and grabbed one of the few empty seats. After ordering what would later be remembered as an amazing breakfast, I sat back and began to read the local paper. Sitting to my right was a man, and next to him was an attractive woman that I can only estimate was on his list for the day's flirting, Vegas style. The two of them were engaging in very light conversation for a while, and then somehow the conversation turned when the woman started talking about her recently departed father.
She was recounting her father's struggle with cancer, and her struggle in growing up with a father who never loved her in the way she wanted. Despite years and years of "putting herself out there" and summarily getting slapped down, her father would never meet her expectations and desires for loving her. So what was her insufferable demand of the family patriarch?
A simple, "I love you".
That's right. All this woman wanted was for her father to say those three little words, particularly after she had uttered the same to him first. However, for some reason this father decided that he could not do that for her little girl. Finally, on one of his last days, as she normally would, told him that she loved him. And then she started to walk out. After all, why would this day be any different than the thousands of others that preceded it.
"Wait a second...come back over here for a moment please."
What? Oh, he must need something else. Maybe some water or for me to change the channels on the TV. So she walked back over to her father's side as he lay in bed.
He then said, "You know I've always loved you deeply. I just don't, you know, say those types of things". She replied, "I know, Daddy. Thank you for saying it now, though."
Three days later he died.
I couldn't help but think about how selfish this father was to her daughter. Sure, I am sure he provided for her. I am sure he never physically abused her. But when it came to being generous with his love in a way that would be utterly meaningful for his daughter, he chose instead to be selfish and greedy. Would it have been hard for him? Would he have rather done something else? Of course, but then, that's what generosity is. It's giving something that we have up for someone else, without any strings attached.
So, I'll go ahead and make a call out to all my friends who are dads. Tell your kids you love them. Tell them often. Tell them even when they roll their eyes at you and say, "DAAAAD! Don't embarrass meeee!!!" Because it doesn't matter whether you want to or not, or whether it's comfortable for you or not.
And that's because it's not about you.
That's the indicator of true generosity...
Friday, October 9, 2009
On Obama Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
After my 5:30am workout this morning on the beach, I wandered into my office and decided to check on the morning news stories, since I rarely trust television to inform me (it's solely for entertainment). Lo an behold I discovered that the Nobel Peace Prize announcement was made overnight. This surprised me, because I have to admit I wasn't really following it.
Then I realized that it was awarded to Barack Obama. My surprise quickly turned to a few different emotions - shock, disgust, laughter, anger, disappointment, and doubt:
Shock that a body so revered as Nobel would grant this award to arguably the world's best orator - and not much else.
Disgust that others in the world who have actually done things to promote peace were passed over
Laughter that the stardom surrounding our president has reached worldwide - broad and deep.
Anger that while the economy and security of our nation are, in my opinion, more at risk than ten months ago, this guy continues to pull a fast one on the minds of the world
Disappointment that our nation appears to be marching more towards a subject underneath the UN (read the transcript of the award - they are happy that Obama is elevating the UN back to its "rightful place").
Doubt that the global political enamor with Obama will continue to cloud common sense and judgment about what should be done to get America back on track.
God help us.
Then I realized that it was awarded to Barack Obama. My surprise quickly turned to a few different emotions - shock, disgust, laughter, anger, disappointment, and doubt:
Shock that a body so revered as Nobel would grant this award to arguably the world's best orator - and not much else.
Disgust that others in the world who have actually done things to promote peace were passed over
Laughter that the stardom surrounding our president has reached worldwide - broad and deep.
Anger that while the economy and security of our nation are, in my opinion, more at risk than ten months ago, this guy continues to pull a fast one on the minds of the world
Disappointment that our nation appears to be marching more towards a subject underneath the UN (read the transcript of the award - they are happy that Obama is elevating the UN back to its "rightful place").
Doubt that the global political enamor with Obama will continue to cloud common sense and judgment about what should be done to get America back on track.
God help us.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Job of a Manager
In a book I am reading, the author made the following point, which I pondered as I watched the waves crash on the shore today:
"The job of a manager is to create unnatural results."
Hmmm....
At first I paused as I thought about what he really meant by that. Is a manager tasked with some supernatural powers to wield his will over his direct reports? No, I don't think so, and I don't think that's what the author meant.
I think what he wanted to incite is that unless a manager is using his people to create results that wouldn't happen on their own (naturally, in this case), then what is the need for the manager? In fact, I would argue that if we look at the natural behavior of most people - self-serving, lacking direction/motivation, myopically focused - then it is the job of the manager to motivate his team to get beyond those natural, say sinful, characteristics and to reach beyond that in a spirit of common good and teamwork to achieve the needed result. The unnatural result.
A manager's job - a leader's job - is to create more value out of the individual people through the assemblage of the collective group. If they are not able to do that, then they are not really managing, regardless of their title. This also requires an intentional desire on the part of the manager to actually invest in their people individually and a group to make this happen, since, after all, it's not a natural occurrence) rather that solely focusing on their own career goals, needs, and priorities.
Those that do make that choice become leaders worth following. Those that don't end up being ineffective and eventually redundant.
"The job of a manager is to create unnatural results."
Hmmm....
At first I paused as I thought about what he really meant by that. Is a manager tasked with some supernatural powers to wield his will over his direct reports? No, I don't think so, and I don't think that's what the author meant.
I think what he wanted to incite is that unless a manager is using his people to create results that wouldn't happen on their own (naturally, in this case), then what is the need for the manager? In fact, I would argue that if we look at the natural behavior of most people - self-serving, lacking direction/motivation, myopically focused - then it is the job of the manager to motivate his team to get beyond those natural, say sinful, characteristics and to reach beyond that in a spirit of common good and teamwork to achieve the needed result. The unnatural result.
A manager's job - a leader's job - is to create more value out of the individual people through the assemblage of the collective group. If they are not able to do that, then they are not really managing, regardless of their title. This also requires an intentional desire on the part of the manager to actually invest in their people individually and a group to make this happen, since, after all, it's not a natural occurrence) rather that solely focusing on their own career goals, needs, and priorities.
Those that do make that choice become leaders worth following. Those that don't end up being ineffective and eventually redundant.
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