*Beginning in 2010, I started writing a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

I recently attended the wedding of a coworker. It was my third wedding since becoming an “adult” and I have to say, it was the most unique one yet. That’s not to say that I haven’t loved the other two for their own unique and personal touches, but this wedding was purely unique to the couple.

You see, the bride and the groom are fanatics of The Office. In fact, the groom used and autographed photo and the board-game to propose. So, it was no surprise that when the new married couple arrived at the reception, the band stopped playing and the theme song played over the speakers. The napkins had office quotes on them. It was a perfect night. even Mother Nature got involved with a lightning show over downtown Kansas City.

Even more unique with the Homily at the ceremony itself. It was the first time I’d stepped foot in an LCMS church in nearly a year and it was beautiful. The church even had a pipe organ much like my church where I grew up. But it wasn’t the church or the decorations or the wedding dress that made me smile.

No, it was two things. First of all, weddings are just magical. I may be a guy and all, but to feel the love and excitement between this young couple gives me hope. It gives me hope that the world is going to be okay. It gives me hope that love does in fact always win; and no matter what happens in life, if love is there, nothing else really matters.

The second thing about the ceremony, as I said, was the Homily. The pastor was funny and personal. He referenced their honeymoon, to Disney World.

He said: “When I asked them where they were going, they said, ‘Disney World.’ When I asked why, they said, ‘Because it’s the place where dreams come true.’”

I bet it is. I’ve never been there myself, but it’s no surprise that Disney World is the place all Super Bowl champions go, for they have just achieved a childhood dream. We should all be so lucky.

We should all be so lucky to find love and never let go. We should all be so lucky to be able to laugh, cry and laugh again all in a matter of minutes with the person we love. We should all be so lucky to have our dreams come true. Well, that’s what she said.

Related posts:

1. McCoy a True Champion
2. One Final Day
3. It Is Amazing

*Beginning in 2010, I started writing a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

My journey as a freelancer is about to reach it’s three-year anniversary. And what an amazing journey it has been. The day will probably come and pass just like any other; but then again, it can’t really. I know it is a special day. It is the day when I said, “Enough is enough.” In fact, if you’ve read my book, Anything is Possible, you know how I got started on this journey.

I was on the phone with Nathanael. We were just friends back then. We were just talking and catching up. Then he asked me a question.

“What have you done today to achieve your dreams?”

That was it. Simple. Benign. Nothing too deep. But it hit me. It hit me like the baseball did when I was 12. It hit me like Henry Wang’s forehand did when I was a tennis coach and the ball hit me square on the nose. I had no answer. Well, I had an answer but not one I was okay with.

I started to question my life. Keep in mind, I was nine months out of college and I was questioning my life. A little early for a mid-life crisis, but I was in mine. I was in deep. I started thinking about what I wanted my life to look like. I started to ask questions. In fact, I asked a lot of questions. I still ask a lot of questions.

From the moment Nathanael asked me that question, my path, my vision for my life changed. Forever. I am no where near where I want to be in this life, but I am certainly closer than I was three years ago. I’m closer than I was a year ago. Sure, there have been ups and downs – there is in any great journey. I am sure to have more. I have three speeches scheduled for this month, all within ten days of each other. One of the speeches is a full-day event. My first ever. What a crazy three years it has been.

But it hasn’t always been pretty. I have struggled. I have given poor presentations. I have been off my mark. It happens. It will always happen. But I take pride in the fact I am still learning. I like to know that I still have room to grow. It’s scary to think and a little disheartening to know that I still have room to fall and mistakes to make. I’d like to think those days are over. But so long as I am striving for something, I am going to slip. I’m going to fall. But here is the cool thing: I get to. I choose to. When I was asked that question, I chose to do something about it, instead of wallowing in my discontent.

I had a great conversation a few months ago with a friend I met last year. I had intended for it to be just a quick “Hey, how are you?” kind of a conversation. But it turned into an hour-long conversation about life and dreams. We both opened up about our past struggles and the battles we have wagged. But what he said that night has stuck with me. He said that no matter what has happened in our lives, its about your journey. He said you have to know yourself enough to go on your personal journey.

That’s what I’m doing. I’m going on my personal journey. And only I can do it. It’s mine. All mine. And I intend to live it. Success and failure. It is amazing.

Related posts:

1. Six Months In – Amazing is Happening
2. Are You in Debt?
3. One Final Day

Richard’s Thoughts…
It’s funny how many life lessons are about listening … this week’s is about listening to children. I agree. They always have the right things to say at just the right moments. How do they do it?!

As an adult, somehow I manage to say the wrong things – a lot! Kids don’t even have to be giving advice. Just watch a child play. They are free. No limits. No censors. They are perfect.

I was carrying groceries in the other day and these two little girls were playing in the grass. I tried to listen to their conversation, but they were speaking in their own “language,” they were being kids. And it was perfect. Kids have it right … they live and love and laugh … all with no limits. Make sure you live your life, enjoy it, laugh and love, and cry. And listen to the kids.

Related posts:

1. FOCUS: Children Laughing (v2n33)
2. FOCUS: Your Family! (v3n8)
3. FOCUS: Jump in the Leaves! (v2n23)

Gratitude Week 2010 has focused on Laughter and Tears, and today, the last day of Gratitude Week 2010, is Love. Of all the things this world has and can give, love must be near or at the top of the list. Love is the easiest thing we can share and give away.

As a human being, I have the ability and the willingness, but more importantly, the need to love. I have written extensively on love here, here and one of my favorites here.

Love, laughter and tears are the things that all humans have in common. I am grateful that I can love – and that I do. Thank you for spending this time with me. I appreciate your time. I appreciate your love. Thank you.

(flickr photo by Best Rated 1)

Related posts:

1. Let There Be Love…
2. Give Love
3. Love Always Wins

Richard’s Thoughts…
I’m not good at doing this everyday, but I do try to do it at least once a week. Sometimes it is a text and other times it is a quick email. A blogger I recently started to follow has been having a tough go of it lately with his best friend. I decided to send a quick email to make sure he knew he was loved by many. I did it because others have done that for me.

I wanted to “pay it forward” and spread the love. He wrote back and said “Thanks.” I didn’t expect a reply, but to know I helped – even a little – made me smile. You can do the same.

Try it for just the next four days. One person a day, tell them you love them. See how it can change the world. See how it can change your life.

Related posts:

1. FOCUS: Love!
2. FOCUS: Love Today! (v2n45)
3. FOCUS: Give Love! (v2n30)

There are a lot of things I am thankful for in life. But laughter has to be near the top of the list.

First of all, the ability to laugh is priceless. Laughter can change the tone of any room, of any day, of any situation.

I was speaking at an Administrative Professionals Week dinner last week here in Kansas City. I had had a long day leading up into dinner, the weather was bad and it nighttime. Evening speeches are always tough because it’s the end of the day. But something happened that evening.

We laughed the night away. It helped energize me. I know it energized the audience. It was a perfect night filled with laughter. What a great day it is when you can smile and laugh. Thank you for giving me laughter.

What can you laugh about today?

(flickr photo by Picture Taker 2)

Related posts:

1. FOCUS: Listen … to the Kids! (v3n2)

The last time I went to the library and walked out with a book I hadn’t planned on was nearly two years ago with Man and Boy. I went into my local library a few weeks ago before a business trip with a list of three books I wanted to check out. Sadly, all three weren’t there. So I just started roaming the shelves. I didn’t find anything, so I ventured to the “books you might have missed” shelf and found this one. My Brother’s Voice by Stephen Nasser.

Aside from simple Young Adult reads, I’d never read a true account from someone who lived through a concentration camp. This book changed that.

Why You Should Read It:

• It is a true and honest account of the late stages of Nazi Germany and the concentration camp life.
• If you’ve never read a book about the Holocaust, this is a good start.

What You Can Expect to Walk Away With:

• It may not be a selling point for most people, but you will be angry.
• You will be sad.
• But you will have a greater appreciating for life and overcoming the obstacles in your life.

I will admit, I think this is a good read. I know it made me cry in a *very* public airport. It made me get mad at the world, at our country, at Germany, at the world. But I needed to read it. Stephen, better known as Pista in the book is an inspiring 14-year-old, now in his late stages of life.

I want to leave you with a quote from Stephen: “First, to all of our loved ones who can’t be here tonight: may this occasion prove to them that their lives were not lived in vain, and that their memories will live forever, as long as we keep smiling.”

Keep smiling.

Related posts:

1. The Revolutionary Paul Revere – Book Review
2. The Noticer – by Andy Andrews – Book Review
3. Blink – Book Review

*Beginning in 2010, I started writing a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

Over the last year, over 1,800 committed couples took the ultimate step and declaration of love. They got married.

“But wait a second, Richard! How in the world did only 1,8-000 people get married in the last year?” you might be asking. Well, it’s because those 1,800 were gay and lesbian couples in my adopted state of Iowa. Last April 3, the state supreme court ruled, 7-0 I might add, that discrimination of marriage to men and women only was unconstitutional.

It was a beautiful day.

In November 2008, the same night (then Senator) Obama was elected, California approved Proposition 8, reversing the law allowing gay marriage in that state. I was angry. I was hurt. I was stunned that night.

A mere six months later, as I watched Twitter and Facebook to the news on the court decision, I was nervous. I was scared. I didn’t want to keep seeing love lose. On that day, it didn’t. Love and common sense law won out. Through all the losses before that day and those that have come since (see Maine), I have not cried. But I did on that day. Years of frustration and hurt and segregation came to an end.

It was an honor to say I was an Iowan again.

I know a few people who have either gotten married or are engaged and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for them. Love always wins.

As I wrote last year, “Today, the hope now exists in Des Moines, Iowa. In Cedar Falls, in Dennison, in Decorah, in Estherville, in Mason City, in Keokuk, and everywhere in between. In Iowa, under the law, all love is now equal.”

There are still legal battles to be fought and rights to maintain. But as the saying goes, “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.”

There is a Christmas poem that I love. I look forward to it every year. It’s long so I won’t bore you with it here. But it ends, “[...] of all the gifts, love is the best.” It is. And love always wins.

Related posts:

1. Let There Be Love…
2. Gratitude Week: Love
3. Give Love

What else can  help you balance your life? Is it a spreadsheet or a ten-step how-to guide? Is it a shelf full of self-help books? It can be a combination of all those things, but one component that must be in play is simple and free: love.

I fought Nathanael when he wanted to make me watch the movie “Love Actually.” It didn’t look appealing to me. Boy was I wrong. Not only is it funny, but it has great comedy! Therefore, instead of me writing a long piece about love, I thought I would post five of my favorite quotes on love.

“Keep away from people who belittle our ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that yo, too, can become great.” - Mark Twain

“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Do all things with love.” - Og Mandino

“Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.” - Leo Buscaglia

“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion… love actually is all around.” - Prime Minister from “Love Actually”

What are your thoughts on love?

(flickr photo via Noël Zia Lee)

Related posts:

1. Gratitude Week: Love
2. FOCUS: Love!
3. One Final Day

Richard’s Thoughts…
We spend so much time worrying about if we are loving other people enough, I’m not sure if we spend enough time making sure we love ourselves. I’ll be the first to say it: You are amazing!

You deserve every ounce of love this world has to offer – but the first dose needs to come from you! Be proud of who you are. Be proud of the person you are becoming. Be proud of the road you’re on and where that path may lead. Success is hard if you’re not in love with yourself.

Last month was Valentine’s Day – a day we spend telling those around us how much we love them. I’m creating a new holiday: “Personal Pride Day.” That day is today. Love yourself. Love yourself a lot! Take yourself out for an awesome dinner or a special coffee. Buy yourself a book. But most importantly,  know that you are a person of value. Know that you are amazing – and that this world would be a little bit less if you weren’t in it. Love today.

Related posts:

1. FOCUS: Love!
2. FOCUS: Say I Love You! (v2n51)
3. FOCUS: Give Love! (v2n30)