Urban Renewal

I must admit before getting started that I am not a fan of the Florida Gators. In fact, I kind of dislike them. It probably stems from the fact that they clobbered my beloved Buckeyes in the national championship game several years ago. I know, I'm a sore loser (and I probably need to get a life).

With that being said, I do respect what they have done. I also respect Urban Meyer, their very successful coach.

This weekend he shocked the college football world by announcing that he was resigning at the age of 45 to take care of his health. Then, within 24 hours, he announced that he will take the offer the university gave him of a sabbatical before returning to the team.

The impression I got from hearing his press conference was that he was burned out. It also appears that it is all or nothing with Meyer and that he clearly works way too much. Some reporters said it was a true 24/7 job with him. This had apparently caught up with him causing him to collapse after this year's SEC Championship Game.

Over his five years at Florida, Meyer has won two national championships and has the highest winning percentage of any active coach--quite impressive. So, this could not have been an easy decision. He is at the top of his game. Plus he makes $4 million per year. He has "success" in the world's eyes. Yet, he is stepping down. He obviously sees that all this "success" isn't worth much if he doesn't have his health or his family to share it with.

I applaud Urban Meyer for making this decision.

Heading into this new year, this can be a great lesson for all of us who are driven personalities. Balance between work and life is so important. We must make time to live, laugh and love...and to rest and renew.

Carpe Diem!

Workaholics Anonymous

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on all the incredible blessings God has given us. One of those incredible blessings is our families.

Many of us, especially the men, have a tendency to want to work too much, all under the guise of "providing" for our families. If we were real with ourselves, we would know that there is another reason for this drive. Success, achievement, praise or something else. Whatever it might be, one thing is almost certain. Our families would rather have us home more.

Check out this video which will drive this point home: click here to watch.

Lunch Date

Yesterday I had a great lunch date with my wife, Connie. We had a very tasty meal and some awesome conversation about what God is up to in our lives. It was very enjoyable.

I know, this seems quite unremarkable. But for me this is out of the ordinary. Especially when you look at my calendar and see that I had a lunch date with her last week also!

You see, I'm one of those people who feels like he can't play until he gets his work done. I was this way growing up too. Believe it or not, I would come home from school and finish my homework before going out to play. I know, I know...quite strange.

Once I had my work done, I found that I could play much better. I didn't have anything looming over my head. No deadlines. No pressure.

I have obviously carried this over to my life. On one hand, I believe this can be a positive trait. With me, however, I'm not so sure. I tend to get too caught up in my "to do" list and I allow myself to get stressed when things are not being checked off my list the way I would like. As a result, some relationships may suffer at the hands of my list of "have to dos." As if the world might end if I don't get them done.

I guess the key phrase above is, "the way I would like." As if it's all about me. Pretty selfish.

Well...this is one area where God is dealing with me. So, yes, going to lunch with my bride in the middle of the workday (when I still had stuff to do!) is a big deal--at least for me! And guess what? The world did not come off its axis!