GETTING OLDER...ALWAYS MATURING

I came across a great little essay the other day, written by a golf pro by the name of Brad Davis. The title of his essay was: On Aging Well. I have pulled some segments from this article to share with you. I have bracketed my comments.

"I will be 60 in two years. I am at the point in my life where as soon as I get rid of the pain in my foot, my elbow starts hurting." (I can totally relate to this. As I grow older, I move from one pain to the next, usually with no knowledge of how or where most of these pains originated.)

"...And these are the things I would like you to ponder today. By the way, pondering is something only old people have time to do. Here are a few gifts that come with growing older:"

-"Truth is more expansive. Now I can listen to two people talking, both saying the opposite thing and hear the truth that both are speaking. In fact, I can listen to someone from a completely different background and hear truth in what they are saying. I am comfortable with what James Fowler calls polar tensions in my life. Before, things seemed so clear. I knew God and what God wanted for my life. Now things are a bit messier and less clear." (Personally, I have moved in many areas of my life, from black and white, to a healthy shade of gray. Things that riled me in the past, no longer seem that important in the grand scheme of things. I have found that the list of what's really important in life, grows smaller and smaller with each passing day.)

-"Love is more inclusive. The parable of the Good Samaritan is having more impact on my life. The answer to 'who is my neighbor?' is expanding. I am learning to see the image of God in all those God brings into my life. Before, my definition of neighbor may not have included that person, and definitely not that one." (I continue to ask God to help me see people through His eyes. He continues to answer that prayer and expand my vision for His kingdom.)

-"Work is more creative. Doing God's will is a playful act of improvisation. Where can I see God at work today and how can I join in with my part? God is always there before I arrived. The Spirit is being poured out on all flesh and God is working where we might least expect it. Before, I knew the boundaries of God's work. God could work here, but God would never work there." (As I age, I'm more comfortable within my own skin. As Popeye so eloquently said, "I am what I am" and it's all okay. I find it much easier to focus my thoughts and efforts on the areas of my passion, while utilizing my strengths - abilities and gifts. I spend less time seeking to please men, and more time seeking to please God. I have a greater desire to learn and seem to be even more teachable.)

Growing older brings on pains that were absent from my youth, but it also brings on wisdom, understanding, and a real sense of clear purpose that only a range of experiences can provide.

SUNRISE...SUNSET

Tevye's words from the musical, Fiddler on the Roof, speak of changes and rhythms of life. That's why I love sunrises and sunsets. I am seldom able to enjoy a sunrise with a clear horizon over water, but I was able to catch 7 in a row in Cancun recently. One of the sunrises is shown above.

There's definitely a difference between a sun rising and a sun setting. A sunrise offers new beginnings, a fresh start, tons of possibilities for the day ahead. When I watched the sunrise in Cancun, the sounds of the ocean and birds seemed to increase in intensity and volume, as if they, in their own way, were waking up and starting a new day.

Conversely, the sunset brings closure to a day. Sometimes the sunset brings with it, a full exhale along with a feeling of accomplishment, and perhaps other times with a weary thought that the sun couldn't set soon enough.

The rhythm of life...

TIGER FANS...WE HAVE A 'W'

The Tigers are spanking the Red Sox right now at Fenway, and I'm going to project a victory for our boys...finally. They are not playing or pitching well but we'll take it. Now we need about 95-96 more. My son, Steve, can now break his fast.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Over the past 2 weeks I have personally experienced two levels of customer service. The first level was over-the-top in Cancun, QR, Mexico. Those who were serving my wife and I along with many other guests at the resort/timeshare we called home for a week, couldn't do enough to please us and make sure every need we had, was met. Always a smile...never harsh words...always a thank-you/gracias, never missing an opportunity to offer assistance. We were pampered for a solid week at this resort, including the golf course we played, the restaurants we ate at, each bus and taxi we rode in...everyone seemed to do whatever they could to ensure we were having a great time. We were paying for this service and they delivered it beyond our expectations.

But, then we came home via a transfer stop in Philadelphia - the city of brotherly love - and everything changed. The US Air employees were angry, bitter, vindictive, uncaring, unhelpful, and unwilling to accept any responsibility for the dilemma we were in. We subsequently ended up renting a car to drive from Philadelphia to Detroit. As we picked up the car that we were paying $134 + gas, to drive to Detroit in a 24 hour period, we were met with an indifferent attitude, almost as if we were imposing on them by showing up and requesting a car from their car RENTAL business. As we drove home, we found that this attitude of disregard was consistent in almost every business offering a service. Again, we were paying for their advertised service but this time, the under-delivered or didn't deliver it at all.

I'm wondering if polite, caring, and appreciative customer service has disappeared in our culture? Who's teaching it? What employer is expecting it?

As a result, I'm committing to using every opportunity to instruct/teach people - young and old alike - the power of kindness and graciousness - in any and all interactions with customers.

They gotta learn.