What do you do when you find yourself where you haven’t been? Or, where you have refused to go? Is your first reaction to panic? Freeze? Or, turn around and go back? I have a feeling you know what I am talking about. Sam had that feeling in the Lord of the Rings. They are leaving the Shire and he looks at Frodo and say, “If I take one more step, that will be the furthest away from home I have ever been.” They were both heading off into the unknown.

I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and asked myself, “What is the worst that could happen?” In major decision, that is the question I am faced with. Once I have decided what that is, then I can face it. And perhaps even move past it. Things only stay unknown until we explore them. I tend to freeze when the outcome it uncertain.

But there is more to the story. If bad things can happen, it must mean that there could be good things happen as well. I don’t automatically gravitate to thinking the best will happen, but when I look for it, it sometimes does. Actually, when I look for the good I usually find it. It may not always look like I first imagined it to be, but it is usually there waiting from me.

When we are in uncharted territory we have the opportunity to discover a world we have never known. We have the chance to look upon wonders we have never seen. However, we do have to get our eyes off of ourselves and start looking around. Something awesome may be right there in front of our faces.

The unknown is not the enemy. The fear of it is.

I just saw this short video from the TED conference. Blew my mind. Had to share:

Whether this is absolute, I have no clue. It does raise an interesting question though. Why do most people share the goals they have? I would assume to gain motivation. I do think that instead of motivation they sometimes receive satisfaction instead. They become satisfied with sharing the goal, and no longer feel the need to avidly pursue the goal. I have seen this in my own life.

How do we counter this? Where is the balance between setting the goal and finding support, or ruining the goal because by spreading the message you have diffused your urgency?

I have a pal named Shorty. This little dog has been my buddy for over 10 years. He has been a good dog. He is the most loyal thing I have ever seen. He still follows me around the house. He still has to run in the house first thing and come looking for me. He isn’t satisfied until he finds me and gets his back scratched. He is the picture of devotion.

It makes me wonder what my life would look like if I applied even a 10th of the devotion to things that he gives to me. It is an interesting thought exercise. What would my relationship with God look like if I was that devoted? What would my marriage look like? How would my friendships be affected? What goals would I accomplish and how fast?

I am amazed at the devotion he shows me. Yep. Here he is. He just walked in the room. He is not even done chewing his food. He had to come find me.

History. Those who don’t know it are doomed to repeat it. This is true on the large scale and the small one. It is easy to hear this statement and think about politics. It is just as true in relationships.

As we build relationships we develop history. We build trust as the relationships grow. We know which paths to go down and which paths require extra caution and care. But when we forget, we are setting ourselves up for trouble. Arguments that have been had before surface again. Old feelings that we haven’t felt in some time raise their ugly heads. The progress we have made seems small.

How do we remember history? Through stories. Do you remember the time? Oh, yeah…that was when we…We sure have come a long way since then…As we remind each other of the story we have lived together we help each other remember. We share things in common. We continue to build on those things. Together we remember the rough spots and agree not to go back there. By reading the story together (taking time to remember), history can not repeat. Progress is made and kept.

How long has it been since you sat down with your someone special and talked it over?

Two words can tell a whole story. Don't believe me? Vote Repulican. Vote Democrat. Buy domestic. Choose life. Cubs win.

Believe it or not, an entire history can be referenced in just two words. It is a history people identify with. It is part of their story. For the good or bad. The language that we use is dripping with meaning. Definitions. Memories. Frustrations. Triumphs. Two words can bring it all back.

Imagine what many purposeful words can do when you are telling your story? You bring people in. Form friendships. Build trust. Find purpose. It is the same for careless words. You can damage your credibility and hurt many with a few ill spoken words. (think Arkansas School Board).

Bottom line is this: People are listening to what we are saying. Choose your words wisely. You might be saying more than you realize.