Crawford's Corner

I saw a quote this morning that caused me to step back and reflect.

You must take personal responsibility.
You cannot change the circumstances,
the seasons, or the wind, but
you can change yourself.
- Jim Rohn

It’s so easy to have resentment in life when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances. Sometimes we can change these situations, but at other times they are like the seasons or the wind that Jim Rohn mentions. We can’t change these; we can only change ourselves.

We can change ourselves by the way we respond to the unchangeable condition. After all, it’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we react to what happens to us.

W. Clement Stone became a wealthy insurance executive and publisher by adopting the policy of being an “Incurable Optimist.” He used to greet even the worst news with the statement, “That’s terrific!” Then he would set out to find what could possibly be terrific about the bad news. By using this outlook with everything he faced, he would indeed find something positive or at least a good solution to a bad circumstance.

Let’s challenge ourselves in the coming days to be “Incurable Optimists.” When we greet unfavorable obstacles with a “That’s terrific!” attitude, we will find an encouraging outcome and be on our way to a positive life’s destiny.

jrc

I’ve heard stories and witnessed hundreds of these teaching moments, and profited from all of them. There is the story of this high school teacher sitting in a barn, and reasoning with one of his students all night as the young man contemplated quitting school. As the sun rose, the student decided to stick it out. He later graduated and went on to forge a wonderful career of helping others to learn valuable lessons. I know this story to be true because I’ve seen the gentleman, now in his late 60’s, relate it himself with tears in his eyes.

This hero volunteered years of his life to a Christian organization in his area. He never took a paycheck, but acted as the program’s Director for 25 years. The lives that were touched by the nights of laughter, fellowship and learning, number in the thousands. I watched this hero stand in front of groups of hundreds and lead singing, even though he couldn’t carry a tune in sack. Some people just know how to do what it takes, while others would say a circumstance is beyond their limitations.

A very successful church pastor and Christian leader choked up as he told me how my hero hounded him as a teenager and would not allow him to quit on a talent that was recognized by the hero. That talent was public speaking. I have watched in the years that have passed as this pastor went on to speak before countless thousands and change their lives for the good.

Fortunately for me, I also had many opportunities with this hero of mine to learn in one-on-one situations. He taught me how to throw a ball, and to catch it—always with two hands. He taught me how to drive a stick-shift, trim an apple tree and care for animals. He taught me how to lead and yet be humble in success. Most of all he taught me how live a life of character and consistency.

Obviously, the learning is never over. I feel that I fall short of my hero in many ways, but in that is another lesson he taught me—resiliency. Never give up. Find a way. Keep coming back. I saw a quote by H. Jackson Brown the other day that sounds like something this hero of mine would say. “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins—not by strength but by perseverance.”

To my hero, Captain James Philip Crawford: “Happy 90^th Birthday, Dad. Thanks for everything. I love you.”

jrc

Sometimes it’s easy to think of holidays as just a day off from school or work; a day to sleep in or an excuse to eat more. I encourage you to this year, spend a little time reflecting and talking to your family and friends about the importance of this date.

We live in a nation that is the big brother to the world. While people from other nations may have many negative things to say about America, they sure look forward to having us step in when the neighborhood bully starts to pick on them. There is plenty that is wrong with our country, but there is a whole lot more that is right. Let’s remember that.

My dad, Captain James P. Crawford will turn 90 years old in a few weeks. I still love to sit and listen as he reflects on flying his dive bomber into enemy territory. The anti-aircraft fire would light up the sky as he literally took a nosedive toward the earth. Upon releasing his load of bombs he would pull back on the stick and the plane would once again head towards the safety of the heavens.

He speaks with tears in his eyes of the boys who didn’t pull back on the stick in time or whose plane was hit by the ground fire. He has often retold the story of riding a train bound for St. Paul as he escorted a friend’s coffin to its final resting place; then presenting the grieving mother with the flag that had draped it. The stories can go on for hours and the tears continue to flow. That’s because dad, along with so many others in our country know the price that freedom demands.

Over the years the venues and politics have changed, but America is still willing to answer the call. This Fourth of July take a moment to offer two prayers; one of “thanks” for living in this nation, and a second of “guidance” for the people of this great land.

We have been granted the privilege of living in America where we have freedom to become anything we want to become. Use that privilege wisely as you determine your life’s destiny.

jrc