A window seat and my iPod create a sacred space where I’m unreachable. It is one of my favorite places for reflection. My 13-hour flight from Dulles International Airport to Addis Abba provided plenty of reflection time – and I found myself thinking about lessons I’ve learned in 2011.
Here are the top three ways I missed the mark in 2011 and how I desire to make progress in 2012.
- Faker. I love interacting with people and ideas, and find that Q&A sessions are always the most engaging. However, there are a few specific cases this past year when I was asked to comment on issues that I knew nothing about. The right response would have been to say, “That’s a good question, and I have no idea.” Instead, I thought it best to skate onto some thin ice and attempt to do a few awkward pirouettes that made it clear that I was outside my expertise. I promise to say “I don’t know, but I’ll try to find out” more in 2012.
- Details. As HOPE continues to grow—something I’m very grateful for—I spend more of my time looking at the big picture. But in the process, I have neglected the details: “Never lose sight of the numbers” is a lesson that founder of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer, said in his book, Me, Myself, & Bob, about the rise and fall of his company (best book I read last year!). In 2012, I need to carve out more time to plunge into the details instead of just reading summaries.
- Unplug. Earlier this year, I was eating breakfast with my youngest son. I was also reading a work email on my blackberry. “Daddy, no phone, no phone,” he said to me. I was physically present, but my mind was in another country. I’m so thankful for my son’s wake-up call to put family first when it’s family time. Two thousand twelve will be a year that when I’m home, I will do my best to be fully engaged with my family at this key stage.
It’s helpful to look back, just long enough to influence the future. Here’s to a great 2012 – and to the fact that God’s mercies are “new every morning.”
January 11, 2012
Enjoy the honesty.
January 12, 2012
Well said. when I get home I don’t pull the iPad out of the bag and my phone goes on the Mantle until after 8. (bedtime). physically present with the family, physically distant from the inter-web.
January 12, 2012
Refreshing!
January 13, 2012
Thanks for your honesty, Peter. The phone challenge from your son resonates with me and I need to do the same ith my phone and iPad. I love my job very much, but need to do a better job about not bringing it home.