Positive is as Positive Does

     Psalm 66:1 says it all, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." I had a wonderful opportunity this past week to work with a tremendous cadre of educational leaders in our school district. A small part of the work they are undertaking is a challenge I presented to this group which was to take the visible, positive energy they exude and to instill it in and among their colleagues, students, and communities. Alongside standards alignment, testing data, creating effective Professional Learning Communities, and striving for excellence for every child every day, the initiative I invoked may have appeared to be of small coincidence to the matters at hand, yet in today's Flat Tire Ministries Thought I am suggesting that the mindset you bring to the table whether you are an educator, line worker, business manager, parent, friend, or whatever other role you might carry, will have a direct impact on your success or ultimate demise.
     I recently read an insightful book, "The Positive Dog", by Jon Gordon of which the premise is two dogs that land in the animal shelter and the lessons one dog teaches the other about the power of positive thinking. The story goes on to explain that each of us has a positive dog and a negative dog inside us. Which dog will grow and eventually dominate our life's perspective is the one we feed the most. Feed the negative dog a bad attitude, a poor, pitiful me perspective, and the negative dog will thrive in your life. On the other hand, promote a positive diet of good attitudes and positive habits in your daily routine and ultimately the positive dog will thrive and grow into a strong and faithful companion.
     "That's easy for you to say, you don't know my circumstances." That's right I don't, yet I do know and can almost guarantee you that if you look around where you live, you will be able to find someone or several someones that have a great deal more to deal with in life than you. I'd like to offer you just a couple of ways that you can begin to feed your positive perspective and begin to starve out the "Negative Ned" in your life and the lives of those you come in contact with each day.
     Perception is a sharp, two-edged sword. Each morning when you wake up you set the stage for your day. Around the world, if you could hear people as they wake, they are either saying, "Oh my gosh, really?? Is it already time to get up and go to work? I didn't sleep worth a dime last night, and my back and neck are killing me!" OR if you listen more intently you can hear others that are jumping out of bed, proclaiming how fortunate they are to be able to rise each morning. They realize there are men and women, boys and girls around the world that will not be able to get out of a bed today due to medical or health reasons. Then you'll hear them say, "You know what? In an hour or two I've got to be at work, but I am thankful that I have a job and I am healthy and capable of providing an income that provides me with the ability to pay for my home, buy the food we need to live, and my job also gives me a chance to to make my world a better place to live." If you listen closely, you'll hear them saying, "This is the day that you have given me Lord, let me rejoice and be glad in it." (See the June 25th post for more on that mindset)
     Another way to nurture your positive energy is to take a grateful walk each day. Think about three things you are thankful for be it people, possessions, health, quality of life, your faith, whatever it is you have to be grateful for in your life. Now take a break from what needed to be done thirty minutes ago and reflect on those three things. When I do this it works out like this. Let's say I start thinking about how thankful I am for my new position as the career and technical supervisor for our school district. Well that usually leads me to be thankful for the opportunities to impact students, educators, and our community through my efforts. Then I start thinking about the education I received that has ultimately put me in a position to be qualified for this job. That leads me to a place where I start thinking about how thankful I was to have a set of parents like Joe E. and Martha Carter that exemplified a hard work ethic and impeccable character traits that have molded my life forever. Well I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture, it's hard to be negative when you concentrate on all we have that money can't buy.
     The last suggestion is a simple one and it is one I shared with our Learning Leader cohort I mentioned at the beginning of today's blog. (Shout out to the Hamblen County Learning Leader Team, your positive energy filled the room and I can't wait to see what you will accomplish in your schools this year!) I made a request of our team that was not or should not be that much of a challenge, I asked them to SMILE! When you sincerely smile it causes positive energy to physically expand inside your brain and it impacts others in the same way. Once you start smiling you will change your day and most importantly you will change the day of the person on the receiving end of your smile. Let your positive energy energize those you live with, work with, and come in contact with each day. Make a joyful noise and let your positive energy flow!
Go out and do something amazing today! Live your life! Coach Carter

Yes You Can Do ALL Things!

     You may know Philippians 4:13 by the reference call of book, chapter and verse, but if not there is a very strong possibility that you have heard the verse, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me", used as a motivational cry for a multitude of athletic teams, individuals in dire straits, and even for those of us that see a challenge in life and want nothing more than to climb over the mountain in front of us regardless of how steep or rugged it might appear to be. For me, I have witnessed a wide variety of athletic venues and I seen this verse of scripture from the Bible posted on banners, T-shirts, and other accoutrements of each particular sport. It is almost like the scripture has become a vote of confidence that "If I have God on my side I am going to win." Although this scripture which proclaims "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me", is meant to be an encouragement in the face of adversity, I'm not 100% sure Paul was saying we will win every game regardless of the the other team's superior skill set. Instead I believe Paul actually wanted to convey the message that regardless of our circumstances I will overcome and I will prevail. It comes down to perception and here is where it becomes more of a challenge to embrace the message that Paul conveys in Philippians.
     Victory is our goal in athletics as it is in life as well. We train our athletes to strive for excellence and we set the bar high so that they are always striving for the gold in their endeavors. As a coach I do exactly that. My goal is to prepare those I coach to where they have the best opportunity to be successful in the sporting event they are participating. I want them to believe that they can do all things through Christ which gives them the strength to do so. But what happens when athletes do all they can, they work so hard, and put everything they have into their efforts, but yet in the end they fall short on the scoreboard and the other team prevails? Does not the message of Philippians 4:13 lose it's clout? Did the message of "I can do all things" fall short in it's promise? How about in life outside of the arena of sports? What if life has thrown you a curve ball in an area of your life such as in health, relationships, finances, or family matters and things are in turmoil spiraling out of control, and we commit to the belief that you will overcome and defeat any of the aforementioned circumstances, yet in the end the outcome finds you on the opposite side of what you saw as the "winning" outcome? Did the mantra of Paul in his letter to the church of Philippi fall short for you?
      My answer to the questions above is an answer grounded in trust and faith. For some it is a challenge to believe that everything that happens in life happens for a reason. For some anything less than a win in a sporting event is considered a complete loss. Outside of the sports arena many people deem it a failure if we do not completely recovery in the way we envisioned the outcome happening. The whole concept of "I can do ALL things" falls short in their estimation, yet my faith tells me that the outcome I want is not always the outcome that I am supposed to experience. To truly embrace the intent of Paul's message to the us we must understand that by committing to a belief that you can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me, you have to commit to an understanding that ALL things includes dealing with the adversity of loss or enduring a difficulty in life that we would much rather be worked out in a manner that we would deem a victory for us is necessary and all a part of the plan for our lives. 
     To thrive in the face of adversity, to be placed in an uncomfortable situation in life and still hold firm to the belief that whatever the outcome we are gaining strength, wisdom, and the fortitude to move forward is when we are benefiting from the motivation of Philippians 4:13. We can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens us does not mean we will gain the outcome we always want, but it does mean that regardless of what comes our way in life, we can overcome, we can proceed, and we will succeed. I believe Paul wanted us to come to a place where we understand that what we go through in life is not necessarily all about us. What we go through in life is about what we can take away from the situation that we can use to impact the lives of those we come in contact with along life's journey.
      Yes you can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens you! You must reach a place where you understand and believe that the plan for your life will include losses and tragic events that we might not want to experience. Those experiences teach us to hold firm to faith and trust that the plan for our life is so much bigger than what we can see. "I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11. I encourage you to develop an "I can do ALL things" mentality with the confidence that facing a loss, overcoming adversity in life, and confidently moving forward are all part of trusting and having the faith to use the same strength that Paul applied in this stance that he could do ALL things through Christ which gave him the strength to succeed and impact mankind with his display of courage and perseverance to overcome!
Have a great week and do something amazing for someone else!

     

If the Oars Aren't in the Water, the Boat's Not Moving

     Before the introduction of steam engines and eventually fuel powered motors one of the main sources of energy for sea travel was man power. When I recollect the old action movies which included battles at sea my memory pops up images of the dark belly of a ship and deep rows of men rowing in unison to the beat of a drum or to the calls of the coxswain as he encouraged and sometimes threatened the men with the oars in the water. That is where the action took place underneath the deck of the ship, yet the person that most people would associate with being in charge  was the captain of the boat who stood at the helm steering the ship with slight turns of the wheel to the right or left. The person at the helm is ultimately responsible for the ships destination although without the power of the men rowing the boat from underneath, the ship is captive to the waves and winds of nature for progress. The captain of the ship is in charge, but don't ever underestimate the contribution of those providing the impetus for movement. Today's Flat Tire Ministries Thought reminds us that "we" are the body and we should never forget the importance of our contribution to progress and completion of life's responsibilities and plans.
     Just as it takes a crew to move a ship it takes hands and feet to fulfill our purpose in life. At work the manager, supervisor, owner, or "boss" (I really hate that word) provides the direction in which the company or business is headed. The leader has a vision of where the business is headed, a plan on how to get there, and has strategically placed the oarsmen in the right seats so that the business will effectively and efficiently reach it's goal or destination. This is all critically important, but without the energy, enthusiasm, and hands on power of the crew, the business is stalled and the ship isn't moving. The captain may be in charge, but if the crew isn't in sync or they just aren't working for the same outcomes progress is limited and goals are never reached. The true power of a ship thus lies in the heart of the ship.
     In my walk of faith it is the same way. My Lord and Savior is in charge. He has mapped out a plan for my life and He has provided me with goals and destinations that He wants to see me achieve and reach, yet if I am unwilling or out of line with His plan for my life then my ship isn't moving. There is a song by Casting Crowns, "If We are the Body", that poses the following questions:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way  
     My God has provided me with a guide book and an example by which to fulfill His plan for my life, but all of that is for naught if my oars are not in the water following the calls to move my life's ship in the direction He wants me to go. The important thing to remember here is your plan is probably not as much about you as it is about what you should be doing for others.
     If you are heeding the call to service in your life then you are listening and acting on what you have been called to do, but if you don't feel like your life is moving or moving in the right direction then you my friend may need to look at the only person that can make your ship move, YOU! The Captain of our life will provide the map and He will steer the wheel, yet YOU have to provide the strength and will power to move the ship in the direction it has to go!
Place your oars deep in the water and see where you can go! Have an outstanding week make a difference and watch your world change. Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."
Coach Carter

Hand Up Or Hand Out?

     You probably are familiar with the old proverb that states, "Give a man a fish and he will eat today. Teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime." That proverb holds true in so many ways today and it is critically important that we all follow the sound advice of the sage that first imparted this message of education and self-reliance.
     We all want our children to be independent and to develop the skill set which will allow them to be self sustaining while achieving success in life through the process. Yet in school we want our children to learn, but we don't want them to fail in their goal of making straight A's. In athletics many times we sacrifice and forget the benefits of a good old fashioned butt kicking and what that can inspire us to do in response. We want our kids to have it better than we did as young adults so we buy a new car for them and we don't expect anything effort wise in return on their part. Then, later in life we spend our time giving to charities, working in nonprofits, and earnestly seeking to find additional methods and programs to provide even basic needs to individuals that never really had the opportunity to creatively find a solution to their dilemma or situation.
     When we fall down it's great to have a support system to give us a hand up, but probably the worst thing we can do is to continue to provide a hand out with no responsibility or no accountability connected to the gift. A thin line exists between a hand up and a hand out. It is your job as a parent, employee, business owner, educator, or whatever position you hold to decide how much is needed and how much is too much help.
     Keep in mind that during life's struggles regardless of what level we are talking about the lesson is probably worth more than the outcome. If we learn that when we reach onto a hot stove top we get burnt then more than likely we won't make that same mistake twice. The same principle applies to pretty much everything in life. If we have to figure out how to overcome an obstacle in life, the next time we run into a similar situation it won't be anything but something we have to endure or apply prior knowledge to for a positive outcome.
     I'm a firm believer in helping those in need, but we have to be so careful not to take away someone's independence and make them dependent on someone or something to give them a handout before they can make it through the day. Being trapped in dependency is a sad place to be and unfortunately we have a large percentage of our population dependent on family, friends, organizations, and our government.
      We can't place the blame solely on those that are trapped in dependence. Someone had to help them get there and more than likely you and I participated in doing just that. Like I said before there is a thin line that exists between a hand up and a hand out. A hand up implies that I want you to do the work and I will be there to guide you, oversee your progress, and make suggestions along the way as you encounter challenges. A hand out, on the other hand, (no pun intended) creates a situation where the recipient of the help has to do absolutely nothing to receive the help that is being provided. Remember the fishing parable? Well unfortunately the same is true in a negative sense. If you give a hand out you are teaching a lesson, just wait and someone will do it for you or give it to you. Now don't get me wrong I am an advocate of lending a hand, but in our society today we must start expecting something in return for the help and more importantly we must start teaching those that need help how to "fish" for their own benefit.
     Looking back on my own life's experiences I can honestly say that when I have struggled, when I faced adversity, and even when I have encountered defeat I have learned more, grown more, and learned to persevere more than I ever would have if I had just been given a free ticket out of the mess I created. It's encouraging to know someone is there to lend a helping hand, but it is so much more beneficial when we overcome the struggle and realize our grit, creativeness, and tenacity all contributed in making us stronger more self-reliant individuals.
     In closing today's thought I am reminded of the parable of the talents found in Luke chapter 19. The master gave a portion of his wealth to three of his servants and told them to take care of it while he was away. Two of the servants invested their part and made additional money for the master. The third servant hid his master's money and upon the master's return was only able to give him back exactly what he had left in the servant's care. The master gave the two servants what they had earned because they had made good use of the gift. The third servant's portion was taken from him and given to one of the other servants. The whole time the master's goal was to teach his servants how to be self-reliant and creative in their endeavors. The third servant was trapped by fear and uncertainty and would not take a chance on improving his situation or his masters. Don't allow those you love to become trapped in an eventual cycle of expecting someone else to do what they need to be doing. The next time you are faced with a decision about giving a hand up or a hand out, grab a fishing pole and teach'em to fish!
Coach Carter

Is It a Gift if You Don't Use It?

     In last week's Flat Tire Ministries Thought for the Week the idea that each day is a gift and that it is our responsibility to make the most out of each day we are given was our topic of discussion. Each day is like a present that is given without any expectation of getting anything back in return. The hope of a gift is that it will bring happiness to the recipient, and then in turn the "happy" recipient will go about the business of spreading that happiness to those he or she comes in contact with on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, there is more than one type of reaction and response to receiving a gift and a great deal of those responses are not positive. What do you do when you get up in the morning with a new gift staring you in the face? Let's look at some possible responses and see if any of these fit your personage. If you relate to one or more and don't like it, don't worry the good part is that a change in behavior is always possible, and you are the captain of your vessel.
     Most people receive gifts at some point in the year whether it is a birthday, holiday, and other special occasion such as anniversaries or other celebrations. In our analogy of each day being like a gift, we can all relate to the fact that just as some gifts are better than others so are some days better than others. But guess what? Each of those days is still a gift and regardless if we wake up and it is raining cats and dogs or if when we roll out of bed and our back is aching or your head is hurting, you have just received a gift! It's called perspective and attitude. Having a positive one in each case makes our lives so much better. When you receive a gift from a friend or loved one it's exactly the same. You choose your response and you decide how you will use that gift.
     The first type of reaction and response is to put the gift in the closet. You get a gift and upon opening said  gift you think to yourself, I will never use this. It won't fit me. I don't like the color. Or you fill in the blank with your own negative reaction. So what happens? We place the gift in the closet and it sits there collecting dust and just taking up space. Some people do this each day. They wake up and say to themselves, "Well I wonder what kind of bad luck is going to fall on me today?" Or "Well it looks like it's going to be another hot, cold, rainy, cloudy, or whatever condition keeps you from making the most of the day, so I'll just stay in the bed." Even worse is when we continue to feed that negative mindset until it becomes who we are in all areas of life as well. According to the Losada Line, created by Chilean psychologist Maricial Losada a positivity researcher, it takes three positive comments to offset the effects of one negative comment. How sad it is when a person becomes the Eeyore in the house, at work, or in other social settings.
     The second response to receiving a gift is the person that is really excited about getting the gift, but instead of getting the most out of it they place it on the shelf and then spend the rest of their days talking about what they are going to do with it. Each day we wake up with a ton of opportunities. We either take advantage of those opportunities or we just sit around letting them pass by much like a train that speeds down the tracks. Today is the gift not tomorrow or next month, or even next year. We have no guarantees of tomorrow. See James 4:13-15 for more on this. There is an ancient Chinese proverb that goes something like this, the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today. Don't be a procrastinator!
     Our third type of gift recipient thinks the best thing to do with a gift is to re-gift it. They are given a wonderful present, yet in their mind it would be a better gift for someone else. They don't need it and someone else would definitely benefit from it. This person believes someone else should be doing what needs to be done instead of themselves. The gift of each day should not be passed off to somebody else to complete what you were created to do. Remember last week and the whole idea that "Today is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24.  Nowhere does it say today is the day that the Lord made and I would rather let someone else enjoy it for me or instead of me. You were created for a purpose and YOU should be the one that fulfills that purpose.
     The last recipient we are going to discuss today is the one that understands that today is a gift and that as I just stated they understand that the day was made for them to enjoy and partake of what it has to offer. When this person receives a gift he or she is grateful for the giver's thoughtfulness and thankful for the gift regardless of what it is. Being thankful and grateful makes us appreciate the gift even more because this person realizes the gift could be gone as quickly as it came to be. Having been given the gift this person also looks for ways to share in their good fortune because they know how good the gift made them feel and they want others to experience that same feeling inside.
     When you wake up with this mentality each day, the gift of a day becomes so much more. You will not want to let the day go by as "just another day", you will take advantage of it and get the most out of it as possible. Realize today is a gift. It is precious and it will never be available again. Today is only offered once, don't let it slip away and don't procrastinate. Live it and share it!
Coach Carter