Too Much Information

For as long as I can remember I have sought out the news, going to local papers to get the real details on nationally reported events, watching live coverage of hearings and trials and whatever else is making headlines.

But, finally there is a new story that I am working hard to ignore - the economy. It's not that I don't think its critically important, it's because I've figure out that, for me at least, the more I hear about how bad things are and how much worse they could get, the more inclined I am to focus on that negativity and make it my own.

So, I'm skipping in depth reports on what jobs are going away in favor of learning more about people who are finding opportunity and daring to step out. I'm going to thank that insurance company for their TV spot that tells people they were founded in 1931, not exactly the year you'd expect someone to take a risk. I'm going to figure out ways to simplify so I can share better - and remember that little, tiny acts are just fine. It's the doing of them that matters.

My daughter wisely reminds me that we personally have been trough our own hard times so we know that God keeps all His promises. Without being a "Pollyanna" I need to use what's been learned to encourage people for whom this is uncharted territory.

Here's what God has to say on the subject in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Who should I believe, Him or some grouchy reporter?

Is Hip Still Hot?

At a time and place long ago and far away I promised myself that I would never refuse to learn the latest technology just because it was unfamiliar to me. At that time I could not have known how many times I would find myself staring at some new challenge and thinking that my very non-technical brain would never master the complexities.

But, the promise kept me from turning away -- from word processing instead of typing, from e-mail instead of envelopes, from Googling instead of going to the library, from on-line commerce instead of out of stock, and now from iPod instead of albums.

I know that I am, in fact, late to the iPod party and my reaction to the idea that something that measures less than my business card with the capacity to hold every song I have ever owned - all the way back to my first Johnny Mathis album - must seem quaint. So be it.

My pace and my progress might not be impressive, but along with discovering how to make friends with PC's, DVR's, PDA's,Wii's and MP3's I've discovered that I've learned more than I expected in the process. The benefit in taking on a challenge is not to be found in figuring out how to make the thing work, it's in refusing to stop trying.

A Place for Everything

Creating a blog has been on my to-do list for a long time. There was always something more urgent so I've put it off.

But, the this is the perfect time to create a place to share my thoughts on whatever crosses my mind. It's also the place I need to let people know about links I think they'll want to know about and media, especially books and articles, I think they'll enjoy.

I'm a technical nitwit so this will take a while to look interesting, but I hope that what I write will resonate with whoever comes by to read.

And we're off!