Vacation Book Ideas

Jobina and I are just over a month away from going to Belize and it's time I start thinking about packing. Yup, I need to bring some books along. Any suggestions? I don't care if it's fiction or non-fiction, classics or new stuff, but if you have any suggestions of books that you simply loved when you read them please let me know. Also, if you have a moment, please tell what you liked about it/them. I look forward to wiling away long hours reading in a hammock and enjoying the tropical breezes. Thanks!

Self Care

I was talking to a friend a while ago about his recent trip to a tropical locale. After describing all of the fun things he did and the sights he saw he got quiet. "You know," he said, "I didn't realize how much I needed some self care. I didn't realize it until half way during the week, but I needed a break. I was starting to break down." In psychological circles we often talk about self care (a person actively doing things to care for their own needs).

I remember a similar time. I was a youth pastor and I had an incredibly intense weekend with one of my youth. This student (in my mind) needed my further attention, even though I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I was scheduled to go on a multi-day mountain biking trip with one of my friends in a few days, but I felt like I couldn't, that I should stay behind and be a support for this student. Ironically I too needed support (and rest and rejuvenation) but I had developed this over-developed sense of responsibility (a common symptom of burnout). Somehow I thought in my mind that cancelling my trip (a trip I really needed) was the responsible thing to do. Luckily my friend convinced me that I needed to take care of myself, that it wasn't just up to me to help this student, and that I deserved a break myself. I went on the trip and realized a day in exactly what my friend did - I needed this so bad! I hadn't realized what bad shape I was in. Thank God I was able to get away and be rejuvenated. God ministered to me hugely.

In counseling, ministry, and other helping professions it is so easy to get used up, burnt out, and lose yourself as you try to help others. Instead of giving ourselves self-care constantly many of us helpers are quite frankly morons, we wait until we are almost too far gone (in our pride) to minister to ourselves. Self-care is a discipline and should be undertaken daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and after a few years. If you don't take the time, you will eventually run out of fuel. And it's not just for professional helpers. Everyone needs to care for themselves. God doesn't want any of us to serve him at the expense of our own bodies, sanity, and relationships. Yes, we are called to sacrifice but not to destroy ourselves. The best way you can be a true servant of others is to make sure you are healthy enough to serve. If you're not, you know what you need to do. No more excuses. Do it! If you won't, you are putting yourself in others in great danger . . .

May Light increase!

Death Prank

A truly genius prank is one which preys upon our deepest thoughts and fears. This one is a bit cheezy but does both very well!

An Elephant Story

One day a boy came to his Father and asked "You know Dad, our teacher just showed us that the world is really round and that is it just out there alone. Gee Dad, what holds it up?"
His father, thinking that his son would be satisfied with a child's answer, said, "Well Son, a camel holds the world up." His son, always trusting his father, looked puzzled but walked away satisfied - for awhile.

The next day after he thought this over, he came back to his Dad and asked the obvious question. "Dad, you know, you said yesterday the world rests on a camel. But what holds the camel up?" His father, a bit perplexed, quickly thought, "You know, this kid's got a good question. I don't know the answer to it, but I'd better make up one - and fast." Like most fathers he knew instinctively that a quick answer turneth away further questions. So he said with confidence, "Son, a kangaroo holds the camel up."

So his son returned a short time later and said, "Hey Dad. I've still got a problem. What holds up the kangaroo?" His father was now desperate, so he thought quickly and figured he'd make one last try. So he searched his mind for the largest animal he could think of, and he put a capital on it and said loudly (if you shout, people believe you): "An Elephant holds the world up." "Come on, Dad," his son said, having now caught on that his father was not getting to the bottom of things, "What holds up the Elephant?"

So His father came back down in an exasperated stroke of pure genius, "Son, it's elephant all the way down."

This story (taken from James W. Sire's Discipleship of the Mind) illustrates the idea of presuppositions, assumptions we hold that may be true, false, or partially true. They are the beliefs we have about the way things are. You know you have a presupposition on your hands when the only thing left to do is shout, like an exasperated mom who finally just says "Because I said so!". One cannot pile animal after animal, or reason after reason on top of each other. Our beliefs about God are presuppositions. Eventually when trying to "prove" or explain His existence, we come to the place where we run out of explanations. This is where faith stands alone. Whether you are a believer, unsure, or atheistic, your beliefs (which cannot be once and for all proven) require faith. To me, this should keep all of us pretty humble.

By the way, the image is a sculpture by Salvador Dali called "Elephant with Long Legs."

May Light increase!

A Little Surprise In My Sink

While getting ready for work yesterday I went to the bathroom so I could shave. I was in a hurry and didn't look down until the last minute. I don't think the picture is that good, but this is what I saw:


Yes, there was a decapitated, naked doll in my sink. This was disturbing on several levels. First there was the brutality of it all. What did this doll do to to hurt anyone? Was was it's crime? Also, it's a doll. I hate dolls! They are just so freaky and creepy. It always amazes me that little girls like to play with something so repulsive. Anyway, this doll must have done something to cross its master because here it was, headless in my sink. Ah, but what was the cause of death? Perhaps the decapitation happened afterwards. Maybe the doll was drowned first, then beheaded? Sure enough the doll's skin seemed faintly wet. What was most confusing was the cloth over the doll's neck. Did the attacker feel remorse after the deed was done and decide to offer the doll a little dignity by covering up her neck? I suppose since I don't know how to bring up this tragedy with my daughter ("Um, sweetie, did you drown and behead your doll for any reason in particular?") it shall remain forever a mystery. And why my sink? One thing's for sure, I'm going to be locking our door at night for awhile.

May Light increase!

Procrastination Cycle

Here is my Paper Procrastination Cycle. Ironically I am blogging about this as I procrastinate on a paper! Anyway, here it is:

1. I find out I have a paper due. I decide that unlike past times, I will get it done on time.
2. I establish a "fake" due date before the actual one and set aside time to do the paper, well in advance
3. I do not do the paper. Instead my life grinds to a halt productivity wise. I get nothing done except whatever absolutely needs doing. My desk is a mess. Personal hygiene falls by the wayside. I procrastinate by spending time blogging, playing video games, or looking at real estate listings. I become more miserable and annoyed with myself. Nothing is enjoyable. All is misery and rising tension.
4. Eventually I come up the real due date. I have one day left. I spend the whole day procrastinating. Then I do the paper in the evening and stay up all night.
5. I hand the paper in on time. Because I completed it so late I don't even proof read it (although I do spell check it as the computer can do that for me). I feel so bad about my paper and think "this is for sure the worst paper I've ever written).
6. Get back the paper - did quite well. This is always shocking and I imagine how good my mark would have been if I had done the paper during the day and had actually proofread it. Guilt haunts me. Decide to do next paper earlier.
7. Repeat.

A Beautiful Place vs. Helping The Needy

In my theology class the other day, our professor asked us what we thought the church should spend their money on: an esthetically pleasing sanctuary which will draw people closer to God or put that money towards the poor/needy/hurting who are in the community and world. I think he leaned towards not ignoring the poor but he thought that money spent on a beautiful church that was designed and decorated by Spirit gifted artisans was also something worthy of our investment. He gets annoyed by plain and ugly rooms/churches that do nothing to life one's Spirit towards God. Keep in mind he comes from an Anglican tradition which has built some of the most beautiful churches in the Protestant world (one of which we specifically chose to get married in - All Saints Anglican Church here in Winnipeg). So . . . what do you think?

May Light increase!

Tales of A Gum Lord: Part 2

What did I learn from my little adventure in candy vending? I'm glad you asked. Most people who go into this business don't make money. Here's what I learned:

1. Don't buy new machines. The machines I bought retailed for over $700 each. Most vending machine companies are seriously unethical in the way they sell their machines (especially Wrigley's who makes the Excel machines): they justify the huge cost of their machines by inflating the "projected sales" numbers. The people who we bought the business off of paid over $30,000 for their entire business! We bought it off them for $4000. It's terrible! Only buy good quality used machines. Personally I wouldn't pay more then $150 per machine for any vending bulk vending machine.
2. Buy machines already on location. Unless you are a natural salesman and have lots of time on your hands buy already established machines. It's way less work and hassle. Of course if you do the work of locating well, you can make some serious coin. . .
3. Don't buy wall mounted machines. Why? They're hard to move and if you do, you'll have to pay to repair walls.
4. The location is everything. Some locations do well and some don't. It's almost impossible to predict. One of the biggest reasons why people get out is they spend thousands of dollars on machines that are poorly placed and they get discouraged and sell. Instead they need to move the location. A route that has premium locations for all machines can be a very profitable business. It takes work to find those locations though.
5. Don't buy a route that won't pay for itself in 6 months. Seriously. It's difficult to figure out how much money any route will make and records are usually scarce. This is a higher risk business and so you need to project profit after 6 months: make your offer accordingly. That way if it takes you longer, you'll still be OK. If a route makes $6000 profit in a year, offer at most $3000. Remember what Donald Trump says: The money is in the deal.
6. People who are getting out of this business want out bad. Some people (myself included) don't like servicing machines. I tried it a few times and delegated it to Jobina (who didn't mind it) and we were all good. People who don't like it can't stand the thought of doing it again. This puts you in a good bargaining position. Also if people are moving, use that to your advantage as well.
7. A good way to find a route to buy is to look at the phone number on a vending machine at some place, call the owner, and say "Hey, would you like to sell your route?" Maybe they aren't enjoying it and would give it away for a song. It doesn't hurt to try.
8. Get all the info. Here's what you need to know about the route: make and model of machines, product cost, monthly net/gross sales, places to buy product, specific or general location of machines, time it takes to service the route, how often machines need to be serviced, etc. Also, ask "how many machines should be located to new locations?"
9. There are a lot of "sheisters" in this business. We almost got taken quite badly with a con artist here in the city. Also, people fudge their numbers, lie about their reasons for getting out, or forget to give you very important information. Be extremely careful. Use your gut and your mind when it comes to dealing with people.
10. For the right people and the right price, this is a good business. It can produce passive cashflow and for a day or two a month a couple hundred dollars in income (depending on the size and success of the route). People are always looking to sell and so there is lots of opportunity. If you are interested in purchasing and would like some another person's counsel on how good the deal looks, let me know.

May Light increase!