Steve Hallblade's Blog: Steve's Goodreads Blog

Quite a while ago, I took some time to catch up on a few of my favorite movies--one of the advantages of Netflix. A dialogue towards the end of one of these movies really resonanted with me, so I thought I'd share a few of these thoughts.

One of the characters in this particular film made the statement that "time is a predator that stalks us all of our lives." My initial response after hearing this statement was to agree with the character's evaluation. It seemed to make sense to me. Time, the ultimate antagonist, stalking each one of us, moving ever so quickly, while we try our best to slow its pursuit.

However, in a later scene in the movie, another character offered his view point on the forementioned subject. "Time is a companion that goes with us on the journey. It reminds us to cherish every moment, because they will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived." What a sharp contrast this was to the first character's seemingly dark outlook.

It's amazing to me how God can speak to our hearts, even through secular entertainment media. Most of you would probably laugh if you knew the source of these two statements, but I am thankful for the perspective they provided.

Are you living as if time is your predator, or your companion?

I recently re-read the Philip Yancey book, Prayer. The insights and ideas outlined by Yancey were fresh to me. Prayer is not simply thanking God and offering requests, it’s a conversation. Prayer is as much for me as it is for Him.

We are made to be in communion with Him which requires conversation and interaction. I find that when I draw close to God and lay out my heart in this type of conversation, He gently speaks to my spirit. He calms me and blankets me in His peace, which are incredible gifts.

Commune with God. Pray to Him and let His peace wash over you.

Perception is reality. Think about it. Although I believe that truth is absolute, especially as it relates to my faith and core beliefs, it seems to me that one's perception of a truth, or a situation, defines that person's reality.

There's an older movie that I watched a few years back called Vantage Point. I believe the movie's premise illustrates my point. The characters of the movie all witness the same event, but from different "vantage points." Because of their differing perspectives and perceptions of what has taken place, each character's reality of the situation is a bit different.

I know this truism also plays a role in my life. As I perceive different situations at home and in the workplace, I'm sure that I react according to the reality I've created. But what if my reality is not shared by others involved, what then? I submit that this is how many misunderstandings and conflicts get started. How then, can one be better equipped to handle such situations?

Getting the proper perspective is essential, both in life and in specific situations. If our perception is indeed our reality, it would follow that we should take great measures to insure that our perspective is accurate. The old adage of putting yourself in someone else's shoes, or looking at the issue through their eyes holds true. We could all benefit by Dr. Stephen Covey's fifth habit of "Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood."

If our 'vantage point' was different, would we react in the same manner...?

On my way into work quite a few years ago, a familiar song came on the radio and... *poof* ...just like that, I was transported back in time to a day that past October. It was a sunny, yet brisk, Autumn day and my wife and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin. As I listened to the song, all of the fond memories of that October day flooded my mind (I thank God that He created us to multi-task or I may have needed to pull over).

That experience made me ponder the overwhelming power that God created in the seemingly simple art of music. If you will, think about it with me for a moment. Music has the ability to do, or be, so many different things. A song can be a prayer offered or a means of praise and worship. Music can also have the ability to motivate one during a work-out (especially if it has driving beat). Certain songs can comfort, encourage and even speak to the soul, while others are simply good for relaxing and/or meditating. And, as eluded to earlier, specific songs have the uncanny ability to draw the mind back in time to a specific place or event. What a treat we have been given by our Creator.

I think this is why I have such a strong draw to all different types of music. I've been told many times that with all the 'noise' in today's world - we need to sometimes separate ourselves and plan for silence. I still believe this is a good practice, but more often than not, you will find me with some sort of background music playing. Maybe its because on some sort of subconscious level my mind is trying to create 'virtual time stamps' so that I can experience moments like the one I had on my way into work that morning so many years ago.

Regardless, I'm thankful for the power of music

Many years ago while on a flight to Columbus, Ohio, I noticed a man in my row reading the Bible. As I used to travel quite a bit, I would always find it encouraging to see others reading Christian literature - especially the Bible. Many times, I would try to strike up a conversation with these individuals. However, I remember that as I watched this particular person, it struck me that he seemed very distant and almost unapproachable. His body language and the permanent scoul on his face made me wonder about my own demeanor.

I never did manage to speak with the gentleman, so I do not know context of his situation. Perhaps he was going through a very tough ordeal and looking for encouragement or comfort in his reading.

The experience made me ponder about how others see me. Granted, we all have those days when things are not going well - but it's tough to be a "light in the darkness" if we can't show a bit of joy in even the mundane.

It may seem like a small thing...but I for one believe that a smile can be very powerful. It has the ability to welcome others into conversation, and it can even help lift one's own spirits. My thought for the day..."put on a smile, and see what happens."