Guatemala Photo of the Day – Ultimate Frisbee

Our kids brought down a couple of frisbees, and they came in handy with the children of Xenacoj.  Rosita and Jose treasured this simple gift from the United States.

For them it was an “ultimate” frisbee.

The Discipline of Laughter – 4 Ways To Develop The Discipline Of Laughter

A day without laughter is a day wasted.

Life can be challenging.  In fact, life can be downright depressing.

We have bills to pay.  We have deadlines to hit.  We have demands crushing us in from every side.  With all this pressure, it sometimes seems as though it would be easier to crawl in a corner and give up.

But we are called to so much more.

Life has so much to offer us if we learn to smile, if we learn to laugh, and if we learn to push ahead with a positive attitude.

I’ve always been known as a pretty serious individual.  I admittedly don’t smile enough.  I too often have tunnel vision on what I’m trying to accomplish (or what I’m trying to get through).  The interesting thing is that I also have a sense of humor.  I’d like to think it comes through my Grandpa Stolpe who also had a corny sense of humor.

Humor is a good thing.  We all need to laugh.

Developing the discipline of laughter is important to seeing the bright side of every obstacle.  It’s important to help us through when we can’t carry on.  And it’s good for the soul.

Proverbs 17:22 says:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

I don’t know what you are going through, but I’m guessing you could use some laughter in your life.  Here are some ways to develop the discipline of laughter in your life:

4 Ways To Develop The Discipline Of Laughter

1. Enjoy a funny movie or funny television show from time to time.  There are so many great comedies out there that will bring a smile to your face.  Here are some of my favorites:  Grumpier Old Men, Mrs. Doubtfire, Happy Gilmore, Cheers, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.  What funny movies or television shows make you laugh?
2. Attend a stand-up comedy night.  I’ve gone to a few of these, and they make me role.  One word of caution, some of the comedy can be pretty raunchy, so be careful with which comedy night you decide to attend.  I’ve attended a couple of these nights with Michael Jr., Tim Hawkins, and Gabriel Iglesias.
3. Hang out with friends who make you laugh.  There are friends who drag you down, and there are friends who lift you up.  Choose wisely, and make a habit of hanging around with friends who encourage you to laugh.
4. Watch other people.  People do and say the funniest things.  Sit on a bench in the mall.  Attend a kids sporting event.  Learn to observe what is going on around you.  You will learn, and you will laugh.

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of laughter?  How has laughter made a difference in your life?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Setting the Beam

When you build a house there are a few very critical things. First, the foundation must be firm. Second, the main beams must be level and secure.

In this picture, we are setting the back beam for the house. This step took longer than I expected, but it was absolutely essential to building a house that will last for a long time in Guatemala. The funny thing is that this beam is probably not even noticed now that the rest of the house is built up around it. But it’s still there.

Your foundation and your central beam is essential to living a life that matters. Have you spent the time necessary to lay a firm foundation and to set a level beam?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Not Just Standing Around

Honest, I was helping here.

Holding up the beam as others secured it didn’t seem all that challenging, but it was part of the process. It took us an hour (or a little longer) to finish this task. Once we got going though, the house started coming together.

Sometimes we have to stand around a little bit to see how things will develop. I’m not always good at waiting, but Guatemala provided several reminders that it’s okay to stand around.

Guatemala Photo of the Day – A Family Meeting

I’m not sure what was going on here, but it looks like El Abuelo is taking time to listen to two of his grandchildren.  This family meeting was one of many as we worked on their new home.

I’m guessing these moments were repeated time and time again before and after we left.

There is something powerful about a grandfather spending time with his grandchildren.  They may not understand now, but he has such amazing wisdom to pass down to these young ones.  These family meetings are essential to life!

Ice Breaker – First Job

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Today’s Stretched Ice Breaker is inspired by my daughter who started her first job last week working at a new Chick-Fil-A in our area.

Question:  What did you do for your first job?

My Answer:  I worked as the “caretaker” for the eleven acre property owned by an elderly couple from my church.  I worked my butt off cutting grass, splitting wood, raking leaves, and doing all kinds of other hard labor.  When I started they paid me exactly $3.15 per hour (which was minimum wage at the time).  I earned every penny of it.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Measure Once, Cut Twice…Or Is It The Other Way Around?

When we arrived on the job site the first day, German Espana had hired a couple of local workers to assist us with the house.

At first, I was a little bummed out that we weren’t doing this ourselves.  Then I saw what they were up to and how they navigated the roof of the house, and I was so thankful German made this decision.

In this picture, they are preparing the one of the two main beams in the house.  These were so long that they required marrying together several pieces of lumber.  They spent considerable time getting these two long beams together, and it was definitely worth it.  After taking the first beam apart, it was obvious we all would benefit from measuring twice and cutting once.  This is a lesson we would relearn as we built this first house.

The Discipline Of Taking Inventory On Our Lives

In fifteen days, I will be leaving for my annual pilgrimage to the Poconos with a few of my friends.  This is a tradition I have been keeping for over twenty years.  Each year about this time, I start reviewing my packing list.  I start with last year’s spreadsheet.  I erase the things I didn’t need last year, and I add new things that I think will be useful this year.  One of the things on my list is my tackle box.  This week, I’ll be doing inventory on my fishing gear.  I’ll take the opportunity to throw out a few items, and I’ll consider a few fishing lures and accessories that I think will enhance my fishing experience on this year’s trip.

Taking inventory on my fishing gear reminds me about another important stretching discipline.

It’s important to do inventory from time to time in our lives.

The discipline of taking inventory on our lives is a healthy opportunity to analyze our priorities, to consider our past, and to reset our vision for the future.

Many of us reserve this discipline for the new year (in late December or early January), but this is a discipline we need to practice with greater frequency.

I challenge you to take inventory on your season each quarter.  I challenge you to take inventory on your month every month.  I challenge you to take inventory on your week each weekend.  And I challenge you to take inventory on your day at the end or beginning of each day.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

If I could rephrase this verse, it would say:  We should practice the daily discipline of taking inventory on our lives, so we can stretch ourselves and grow in wisdom.

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of taking inventory on your life?  How has taking inventory on your life made a difference in your life?

Guatemala Photo of the Day – Proud Mama

Do you see the smile on Betty’s face?

She’s a proud mother.  She is blessed with five children who each have incredible personality and unique talents.  As she looks over the shoulder of her son, Fernando, she is full of happiness as her new home begins to take shape.

The Discipline Of Rest – For When You Feel Weary

Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.

Do you ever feel this way?

Weariness happens in this human life.  We all deal with it from time to time.  Part of it comes from our own misguided efforts to climb the ladder or to keep up with the Jones’.  And some of it comes from the trials and tribulations of life.

Whatever the case may be, I think we must take time to refresh and renew ourselves.  We must learn the discipline of rest.  For only when we rest (and find true rest in the Completer of Life) can we overcome weariness in our pursuit of stretching and in our pursuit of becoming effective – effective leaders, effective employees, effective friends, and effective family members.

As I was thinking about the subject of weariness, these passages came to mind.  May they encourage you to have hope when the weariness of life has you down.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:29-31

^” I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”  Jeremiah 31:25

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of rest?  How has resting made a difference in your life?