Realize Your Value

Some people do not recognize value in themselves and feel unqualified to help anyone. But they are wrong and dig themselves a deeper hole.

Our current value is easy to measure. Consider one's education, experience, resources and work ethic. Most people hire and invite others to share life with them based on this present value.

Potential value is your willingness to enhance your current value, to improve your education, to accumulate more resources, to seek more relevant experience and to raise the bar in ethical standards.

For those who struggle with their current value, potential value is often ignored and discounted. They conclude that their past will determine their future. This is probably the biggest mistake people can make when their future is always uncertain.

Imagine an 80-year old man who lives in exile for murdering another man, has no self-esteem and stutters or stammers when he speaks. This man did not find much current value in himself until he realized his potential value. Did you know that this 80-year old man was Moses, one of the greatest Hebrew heroes known to mankind?

Most people are proud of their family tree and gain confidence knowing their ancestors' history. But what if your family doesn't have the same credentials? What if your family members are regarded as 'lesser valued' people? Fear not.

Imagine being a direct descendant of a deceiver who dressed up as prostitute to become pregnant. Imagine knowing your geneology connects you to an actual prostitute. Imagine being a product of an adulterous relationship. I know one person who has this family history. His name is Jesus Christ. His ancestors include Tamar, Rahab the Harlot, and Bathsheba. Look up their stories and realize that God is not ashamed of imperfect people - He has great plans for each one of us, especially when we feel we can't sink any lower.

So yes, you are worthy. Your dark past can discourage you but it will not own you if you place your hope in transformation. In the end, my daily inspiration stems from who I am becoming rather than who I was before.

Another Conservative Supports Obama

When one of your heroes endorses the other presidential candidate, you gotta think twice. I did.

This election's re-evaluation process was painful and challenging. It always hurts when your pride gets a kick in the butt. Ultimately, rather than choosing the candidate who best aligns with my personal values, I am voting for the candidate who can best unite and lead America.

McCain is consistent with my beliefs: pro-life, appointment of conservative judges, tax cuts for everyone, against universal healthcare, etc. - Noteworthy, but not enough.

I understand that Obama's appointment of liberal judges may result in more barriers and obstacles in living out my Christian faith. I understand that more babies will be murdered without the overturn of Roe v. Wade. I understand we don't have the moral right to force people to give more of their hard-earned money to Big Brother government.

However, Obama has a gift to unite people. He is a great communicator. He does not insult or sound condescending when disagreeing with an opponent. The man connects with his supporters - to gather 100,000 people in St. Louis - that is an accomplishment. To raise $150 million from 632,000 donors - that is an accomplishment. To gain the trust and respect of other conservatives - that is an accomplishment!

On the other hand, McCain's campaign tactics resulted in tremendous disappointment. There is nothing presidential in attacking a person's character when you can easily focus on more productive, fruitful measures such as your adversary's credentials, reasonings and perspectives on important issues. If that is how our Commander-in-Chief will confront present and future enemies of America, our nation will not advance.

I applaud McCain for who he is: a respected war hero and long-time serving senator. I hope that after this election is over, he is not remembered as the grumpy old man his camp propped him up to be. I also pray that he reverts back to his authentic self of honor and respect.

As for Obama, he has an undeniable powerful force of momentum. He promises something very different than the failed policies of our current administration. He is the X-factor that provides hope for the future. He has gained my respect and my vote - not because of what he believes in, but because of what he has accomplished.

As for my greatest concerns in this election - national security and foreign policy - both candidates are mostly in agreement -they do not want to leave Iraq prematurely; both want to bring the focus back to Osama Bin Laden; both support Israel. Their stances do not differentiate enough for me to say that one leader is absolutely better than the other.

In the end, I could be wrong in my decision. I do not blindly embrace this change, nor am I happy in voting for a liberal Democrat. But when it comes to putting country first, I'm willing to take a chance on Obama.

Who Do You Represent?

When we share life on life, we always identify with someone or something.

We often express this identity by the clothes we wear. Sports fans proudly wear their team jerseys.

We often express this identity by promoting our preferred presidential candidate. Posting a politician's name on your web site or a political party's sign on your front yard sends a message who you associate with.

We often express this identity by giving recognition to the schools we attend. I'm guilty as I have a Syracuse University Law School Alumni license plate frame on the back of my car. Go Orange!

Many people and entities allow and encourage us to represent them. So I wonder, are we truly reflecting our chosen ideals, brand names, and organizations?

When drivers post a metallic fish on their automobiles, but practices road rage, are these genuine ambassadors of Christ? When the Los Angeles Lakers win/lose championship games and parts of the city erupt in riots, is that what a Laker is all about? When a U.S. soldier commits a war crime, does this individual represent our nation's brave heroes?

We need to be accountable for the groups we identify with. We need to make sure misrepresentations are recognized and resolved. We need to differentiate ourselves from deceptive groups or disingenuous individuals who conflict with our values. If we don't, there's no point in identifying ourselves with anything or anyone.

We need to represent who we are.

World Views on Government Power

World views affect how we share life on life.

When we see suffering in this world, who do we depend on for the solution? Who can people turn to when they are in need of mercy and justice? What is our role in relieving pain and suffering? How can we help our fellow neighbors?

There are 2 distinct world views about government power between our presidential candidates.

Obama World View: America allows its elite citizens to accumulate wealth at the common people's expense - the greedy rich must be restrained. Government is the answer to the problems of the poor and impoverished. Taxation’s purpose is to redistribute wealth and to control behavior. After all, isn't that the fair thing to do?

McCain World View: American citizens can accomplish great things if they are not heavily restricted. Americans are the most charitable people in the world and don’t need Government to decide where to distribute their charity for them. Taxation is a necessary evil to generate revenues for the limited powers of Government.

My conservative values lean towards McCain, but there are humbling merits to Obama's world view.

My World View: America is the most powerful force for good in the world yet most Americans with economic privileges and power do not do enough for the common people. Real compassion for the poor and impoverished do not stem from government programs but from a culture of deliberate - not forced - giving of our own. Government is the answer to our national security and should regulate abuses of our free markets. The more we take care of ourselves and others, the less dependent we will be and the less taxes the Government will require.

As you can see, world views give different motivations and solutions in how we share life on life. We may have compassion for those in poverty, but how we reach out to them will ultimately be decided by those who feel they have the responsibility and purpose to connect, build and serve them.

In the end, I do not recommend placing your faith in the government to help others. Rather, invest your resources and share life with authentic individuals who have the passion and experience to effectively give back. These people should inspire you to serve the least of us and give you the faith and strength to joyfully give as opposed to feeling obligated to give. If we all listened to this calling in life to serve something beyond our selfish means, imagine how the quality and passion for life would improve.

Maximize Your Day

Some days you need to relax. Most days, however, productivity is key.

Here are seven ways to maximize your day:

1. Wake Up Earlier: the sooner you wake up the sooner you will take action. While others sleep in, you have a headstart to do something great.

2. Love What You Do: passion prompts you to grow and take steps beyond the norm. Don't settle for the easy yet boring routine. Pursue something worthwhile.

3. Never Stop Learning: does your passion prompt you to want to know more? How many books did you read last year? If you're tight on money, look up online tutorials, read relevant blogs and research at your local library. Seek out those resources to enhance your skills and knowledge.

4. Minimize Your TV Watching: relax every once in a while but the less you watch TV, the more time and energy you'll have in doing something more productive. Unless you're pursuing point 3, pretty much anything is more productive than vegging around.

5. Be Physically Active: you can't do anything well if your health is deteriorating. Exercise and play sports. These activities won't only boost your physique but will give you the mental energy and the needed endorphins to be optimistic in everything you do.

6. Start Writing: for at least twenty minutes every day, write something down. It could be about anything - the process will clarify your thoughts and improve your communication skills. Coming from personal experience, blogging helps.

7. Share Life with Others: even during the busy seasons, call at least one person you love and respect each day. Love is not motivation, but inspiration. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be a better person.

In the end, optimizing your day requires an attitude and commitment to improve. Don't go at it alone - accountability and outside feedback will help you grow in areas you could not have figured out on your own.

Marketing 101

As a marketing professional, I often ask and remind myself what my career is all about.

Am I supposed to concentrate all my efforts into branding, advertising, promotions, and the like? Many see marketing that way but the experts know these are simply tactics.

Marketing is an analytical strategy that positions you to create demand for your services or products. This positioning depends upon critical thinking of the following:

• Target Market: people who we want to take an active interest in our stuff - and no, we do not waste resources in targeting everyone. A successful company cannot be the lowest priced, highest quality business that has something for everyone. Rather, marketing professionals need to research who our most relevant customers are, where they are, what they want, and how they perceive and approach us.
  
  
• Competition: the folks who hinder you from connecting with your target market. The more you know about your competitors, their objectives, and how they react to customers’ needs, the better equipped you are in positioning yourself and your products in a different (hopefully more attractive) light.
  
  
• Yourself: identifying your strengths and abilities to fulfill your vision. This isn’t necessarily about having the biggest budget and all the resources in the world at your disposal, but ultimately about the company’s strengths, weaknesses, culture and determination to meet the company’s goals.

By analyzing these key factors, only then can you implement an effective marketing strategy and execute the necessary tactics (advertising, branding, etc.).

What I love about my career is that marketing isn’t just for business - you can apply this analytical strategy to personal goals, ministries, and even hobbies.

In the end, marketing is all about understanding who you want to impact, pinpointing your biggest obstacles, and determining how capable and willing you are to achieve your vision.