Sunday, September 2, 2012

Thinking: What vs. How

When I reflect on the influtential leaders, coaches, and mentors in my life, thinking consistently surfaces among the cream of lessons--the best of the best. One method involves the great leaders sharing their stories experiences in common situations, or a variety of stories of similar but different circumstances. These stories are either left hanging, or followed by their recommended advice dealing with my inquiry. For example, Uncle Doug once told of wanting to remove soil, lower the top, from a waterway channeling runoff water to the Republican River. His father, my grandpa, advised him to leave the dike's height in place because a couple of heavy rains with few days inbetween would result in water nearing the top of the dike. If water exceeded the dike, their land could experience heavy flooding. Additionally, Grandpa remembered the 1935 Republican River Flood about a quarter of a century earlier. Uncle Doug believed the probability of two successive heavy rains remained low, additionally he--like most others--believed improved soil conservation practices would drastically reduce run-off of any heavy rains. Depite these ponderings he listened to his dad, obeying the commands to leave to levee as is. In the next seven to ten days, two 12-inch rains poured downstream from the drainage ditch. The water flowed within inches of the top. Do you affirmatively respond to the wisdom of your elders, even when their advice appears outdated? Another quick example includes Coach Lyle Claussen response to myself or another runner wanting to train at level beyond prudence. Coach Claussen may share a story about one of his many stand-out runners who chose to over-train then suffered a resultant injury from ignoring warnings from his body and coach and failed to achieve his goals. He followed this example with another standout who did listen to body and Coach, resulting in amazing performances. He would then say, "It is better to err on the side of caution." The second method involves questions either immediately following an inquisition or folled by a story. I once asked Coach Bill "Congo" Congleton if I needed to run in the morning in addition to our tough afternoon workouts. He simply responded, "Depends on how good you want to be, Rick Meyer." (This link allows listening to a 2008 7-minute District Toasmaster Championship Speech, Congo's Ideologies). A plethora of other examples of powerful questions exist. Is it worth it? What are the consequences at different levels and time frames? The above methods teach people how to think, instead of what to think. Sometimes all of us need direct orders, we need told what to think. However greatness often occurs with the freedom of learning how and engaging "how to think." Maturity and experience provide the foundation of learning how to think. We acquire these through our own life. However, great leaders, coaches, and mentors allow us to piggy back on their experiences, while their challenges enhance our maturity. Proverbs states, "As Iron Sharpens Iron so One Man Sharpens Another." Or as I have written many time, As Iron Sharpens Iron so One Champion Sharpens Another." Are you selecting and associating with leaders, coaches, and mentors whose experience and maturity enable your developing razor sharpness? Biblically, consider that the Old and New Testaments includes stories of God's interaction with his people. These stories, through prayerful study enable our learning how to think. The Old Testament Law, defined and taught what to think. Conversely, Christ's death, resurrection, conquering of sin for those who believe in him and Christ's sending the Holy Spirit to us from the Father in the New Testament empowers our ability on how to think. Do you respond or ignore the Holy Spirit's voice in your life? Every time I recognize my lack of appropriate response whether ignoring or complacency I repent. And when honest, I say, "Lord forgive me, you know that I try to listen and respond to your voice (non-audible rather in the heart). Help me learn and become better at hearing and appropriately respond to you every moment from now forward." When evidence--including 1.0 correlation with scripture--proves I did hear and appropriately respond, I praise Him for opening my heart and mind for this occurence. How do you respond to Him upon recognition or your inaccuracy or accuracy? While walking tonight, I passed several muslims. I strongly felt a prompting to lovingly smile and pray--while walking--for their recognition and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior for eternal life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--the one true God (not my specific words, rather my prayer message). Are you continually developing your ability of how to think? Does this development increase or decrease wisdom, knowledge, and understanding? I am blessed from associating with those whom share their experience and maturity to enhance my ability to think--yes, my room for improvement remains. Thank you for your past, present, and future endeavors in sharing and teaching others in your life how to think. See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve Thinking with Christ! Rick E. Meyer See, Believe, Achieve Inc. www.rickEmeyer.com

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