Information Overload?

My computer has troves research, information, presentations, talks, articles, blogs, pictures, and posts with lots of potential. Like a lot of people, I have gathered a lot of information that I want to share with the world. 

Some of this knowledge I have gained through investigation, study, instruction, and my years of experience. There are thoughts and ideas, things I have written that need to be tweaked and edited, and then there are those articles, posts, and blogs that are ready to be published somewhere at sometime.

The question is, “Why haven’t I been aggressively been getting my work out?” It is a real challenge that I realize that I am not the only one who feels this way. 

I was talking to my sister Pam, and she brought up something I honestly did not know existed, “Imposter Syndrome”. Then she proceed to tell me about a lady executive of a social media company, who had talked about this idea and how she battled with it. 

So I decided to do a little research, and add a little more to my trove of information in my Everynote. 

I started by looking for what the definition of this syndrome was. I found one that I felt really nailed it. It is “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” 

I sat and studied those words for a long time. Reading and re-reading that definition. 

The words inability to believe success is deserved. That seemed to be right where I was at despite my education, experience, and accomplishments in my field of expertise. 

My research lead to to a statement made by Erika Livingstone, “Imposter Syndrome doesn’t effect our ability to shoot, but affects where we aim.” That was me. I am shooting, but where am I aiming? 

I am a golfer. When I look down a fairway of a par four, I have a goal. It is simple to get the ball in the hole in four shots or less. In order to accomplish that goal I stand on the tee box, look down the fairway to see where the obstacles are at. Those things that could hinder me from accomplishing my goal. 

I look to see where the sand traps or trees that could get in my way of the goal. After I make my assessment of my situation, I look for the best  angle to set up my next shot to the green. When I have a good picture in my mind, I go through my pre-shot routine and prepare myself to trust my swing that will produce the results I see in my mind.

Does it alway go where I picture it? No it doesn’t. But does it stop my from getting the picture in my mind on the next shot. No! I just play the ball where it goes and then on the next shot go through the the same process, but this time I am aiming at a specific target the pin with the goal of getting the ball into the hole in the few shots as possible. 

That is golf the game I love! 

But this afternoon I was asking myself, “Why can I do that shot after shot, hole after hole, and round after round, put aside doubt and trust what I have done for years on the golf course, but it is not so easy with my field of expertise? 

This is a real question. So it is the fear of failure or the real fear of success for something you have worked your life to achieve? 

Despite the accomplishments, experience, and knowledge in my field of expertise. What ever it is. I realize you are never too old to push through to try to achieve the goal. 

So, why does it take so long to figure out some of these things in life? 

If I can visualize putting a 1.68 inch ball in a 4.25 inches in diameter hole, that is 400 yards from where I am standing in 3-4 shots, I can figure out and push through this “Imposter Syndrome.”

So let’s go! I want you to hear my voice in world(s) that I know and I am passionate sharing with you and the world. 

So here we go! Get ready! We are coming! 

No more Imposter syndrome for this boy. I believe I have the ability and I believe my success is desired and legitimately achieved through my efforts, talent, and developed skills in life. 

I am not going to be help back by self doubt, but hope as I use my education, experience, and stories of accomplishments, it will encourage you to TAKE A LEAP in your journey of life and defeat the imposter syndrome. 

It Only Takes Someone!

I was watching America’s Got Talent when the Detroit Youth Choir came out on to the stage to perform in their audition. After their performance, something extraordinary happened. It was very moving and reiterates my passion, vision, and message I have been sharing for years about youth.

Terry Crew, the host of America’s Got Talent said, 

“I was one of these kids. Every man and woman on this stage (referring to the Detroit Youth Choir) represents me and where I came from. (With tears in his eyes). I remember sitting looking out my window in Flint, Michigan and dreaming I wanted to make it, I wanted to be here and they are here.” 

Then he said these profound words I want you to think about!

“All it takes is one person to believe in a young man or woman for them to reach their dreams and you are that man, sir.” Then he hit the “Golden Buzzer. He was referring to Mr. White the director.

Check out Terry Crews, the new host of Americas Got Talent was emotionally moved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVqly9G2P9 (skip to the 7:38 mark of this video and then listen to the end.

Tonight was the finals of America’s Got Talent and Detroit Youth Choir was standing on stage as one of the two finalist in the competition. They finished second to young man named Kodi Lee, but they were all winners.

The reason they are all winners is because someone stand with them. Kodi Lee has his mom and family. The Detroit Youth Choir their director Mr. White who loved, believed in these young people, and gave them an opportunity to develop and display their talents before America.

All it takes is just Someone!

• Think about when you have just one person who recognizes you. 
• Think about when you have just one person who sees your potential.
• Think about when you have just one person who listens to you.
• Think about when just one person who prays for you.
• Think about when just one person who takes a risk on you.
• Think about when just one person who sees your talent.
• Think about when just one person who believes in you.
• Think about when just one person who cares about you. 
• Think about when just one person who ___________________.

It makes all the difference in the world when you know that there is someone who is in your corner. Someone who has an interest in you, reaches out to you, and believes in you!

Someone to encourage, equip, and empower you to pursue your dreams and find your passion. Someone who can ignite your faith. Someone to help you find purpose in life. Someone who can help you to align your priorities, teach you to manage your time and activities so that you can reach your potential. Someone to help you be great at you!

We all need someone. We all need a Mr. White!

Do you have that someone? Are you that someone? Could you find someone? Could you be that someone? #Ripplestarter – Let’s start some “ripples” by being the someone (Mr. White) that someone in your world needs. 

Learn about being a #RIPPLESTARTER

What Can You Do?

This generation is in a world of hurt. A school is no longer a safe place. Young people are experienced abuse, hurting themselves and killing themselves and with the many school shootings, they have watched their friends be killed by others.

Our world is a mess! You might not feel like you can do much, but you can do something!

There are four questions this next generation is asking adults:
• Do you really love me?
• Are you really real?
• Can I trust you?
• Does your philosophy of life really work?

So, if you want to impact a teenager, ask yourself these questions:
• Do I really love kids?
• When a teenager looks at me do they see someone who is real?
• Am I a person who can who can be trusted?
• Is my philosophy of life really working for me?

There are many philosophies in the world, but when a young person looks at your life, do they see a person who has built their life on Godly principles?

Jesus tells a very simple, yet profound story about two builders. They both built houses; the difference was the foundation they built on. Jesus says one man used sand and the other built his house on the solid foundation of a rock. What are you building on and how is that working for you?

This generation needs you! They are looking to people who can answer those four simple questions they are asking. Will you be someone who really cares? If so, you can impact the life of a teenager and can make a difference for a lifetime.

#NeverAgain! Students Send Message

#NeverAgain!

That is what this generation is saying to the leadership in our country. These young people have stood up because they saw 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High High in Parkland, Florida High killed. As this week as progressed on every news outlet we again saw the pictures and video of students streaming out of their high school. We have heard the horror stories of students from inside the school. The signs missed by the FBI or even how the perpetrator escaped with other students running out of the school.

In just matter hours after leaving the school, students began to come together. Student leaders stepped up like Jacklyn, a seventeen-year-old who was heading up the students charge to go the Florida State House said, “We are leading the charge for change.” It only took student leaders pulling together, 48 hours to organize a rally with 100’s of students at the Statehouse in Tallahassee, Florida and to get students on a bus to go to the Whitehouse. Wow! You saying that Students did all that in that short amount of time?

There have been many students interviewed, but it was the interview with Alex Wind, one of the organizers who said,

“We need to take a stance. Since we have the limelight on because of this tragedy. We have to seize that opportunity so we can assure there is going to be changed in the future. Now it stops! Never again will this happen in the country or any other country for that matter. We are the future. We are the ones that are going to make the change. You know, If Congress or the state or anyone doesn’t want to do anything, you know what, we’re going to do it.”

That statement reminded me of an event that we had in the 1990’s at River Rush. The in that video it students talked about their generation. But the statement rang in my ear was a message sent to the Church and to youth leaders. It was simply this, “If you don’t lead, we will.” That is the same tone that is coming out of Parkland students.

In the spring of 2008, Allies had an outreach event called, GO M.A.D. (Go Make A Difference) at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota. The speaker was a young man named Ben Strong. He was the student leader (preacher’s kid) of the prayer group at his school a student shot into their group on December 1, 1997, where he killed three young ladies and injured another 5 students. At the event, he shared his story with 3500 students and challenged 3500 students to Go Make A Difference in their school and world.

You would think that after a series of school shootings that there would be change. But we all have etched into our memory April 20, 1990, the pictures of Columbine Massacre. The minds behind this school shooting were, two seniors, who killed 12 students and 1 teacher, and injured 21 others, and even shot 3 more as they attempted to escape for school. You would have thought just maybe enough was enough.

But do you realize the 21st Century student has lived in what is called the “Columbine Generation”? It is estimated that there have been over 200 school shootings since that day. Do you remember what we used to fear and have drills for? Well, today’s students it isn’t the fear of polio or fear of a nuclear attack. It is the fear of dying from a shot of a rifle.

We saw students running out of school and jumping out of windows. There were many stories that came out of yet another school shooting. Many were very sad and greatly affected many families forever. But one of those stories, of Rachel Scott, the first young lady shot outside of the school talking to a fellow classmate who just wanted to talk about his life. Her story has impacted, inspired, and challenged the lives of millions. Through her writings, a school assembly program called, “Rachel’s Promise” and the movie, that was in movie theaters last year called, “I’m Not Ashamed”.

If you have followed my writings, you understand that for years I have been saying, “America’s Greatest Mission Field is the middle, junior, and senior high schools.” Now the mission field is not just a school, but has become a “War Zone”! Both in the natural and the spiritual.

I have been in the youth ministry world for a very long time. Honestly, I have truly seen a lot of stuff happen in society and in the church. As you know and understand, in both areas of life there have been enormous changes.

When the students organize to get to the state capitol and the Whitehouse to bring their concerns and to say, #NeverAgain. Because of what has happened and a few students leaders who stepped up, I believe that we are going to see change. This really came to a head and there has to be a change.

So, here is my question to the Church and leadership in our churches!

Do we too need to make some changes? Just how seriously have we take the youth in our church. For the most part, I have observed youth in church leadership as an insider, pastoral positions, and as a leader in the church as an outside leader without the title. I have seen and experienced a lot over my the past six decades in the Church world.

The older I have become the more I have seen just how important the younger generation is to a church. For my entire ministry life (four decades) I have been involved in ministry to youth. It is not just something that I have done, but it has been my passion. I love to see young people develop in all areas of their lives and grow up to be great leaders.

I remember the very first video that I made for Allies Ministries, in 1990, We decided to shoot it outside of the high school that I graduated at Anoka. As I sat by the Anoka High School sign, I said something like this, “This is my high school. I graduated from here in 1974. And this is America’s Greatest Mission Field. I walked these hallways, just like you did in your school. Just like every CEO, salesperson, athlete, CEO, lawyer, pastor, mayors, school teacher, administrator, every person who sits in a boardroom, is a representative in a city office, state house, congressperson, senators, or even the President of the United States.”

Just think if we in the Church really believed this what could happen!

• Students – go to school and make Christ the catalyst in their lives and schools.
• Adults – pray for, pour into, and provide the needed resources
• Youth Workers – equip and release student to go into their world and make a difference

Young people are making a difference. Every day thousands of students are making a difference as they tell their story of faith to people in their world. They are the Church’s  missionaries on America’s Great Mission Field. Let’s pray for, pour into them, and support them as they make their mark in their world and the Church.

 

It’s Not Too Late to Get In The Game!

There are times in life when it is all teed up for you, (yes, I am a golfer).

This is one of those times!

CARPE DIEM

The eyes of the world were on the Twin Cities for Super Bowl LII, despite the fact that the Vikings did not play in the big game. People came for the festivities from across the country and were willing to shell out thousands of dollars just to be here. Companies used this event as a platform for their product and paid millions of dollars for just a 30-second commercial. 

Friends this was a big deal. You may have thought it was too late but it isn’t, get in the game!

Did you know that ministry leaders, churches, and ministries like Allies (for us 27 years) have been working on a vision and strategy to reach the next generation? 

So, your opportunity of the Super Bowl has passed but we, youth workers, are just getting started. Just think about what can happen. There are 180 high schools alone in the Greater Twin Cities area and 400 plus churches and youth ministries all are coming together.

Why? To reach youth for Christ! To challenge young people to reach out to their friends with a message of hope and healing. During this season people are praying, leaders are meeting, planning, and dreaming of seeing U.S. Bank filled with 33,100 young people who bring 31,100 of their pre-Christian friends to an event that can shake our city for Christ. 

Just think about 400 churches and 10,000’s of people praying for, pouring into, and providing for a generation who is hungry to see a revival in their personal lives, schools, homes, and communities. 

James says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman is effective and powerful.”

When God’s people pray, God moves. So be part of an army of youth workers, moms, dads, grandparents, administrators, teachers, coaches, and concerned adults who do more than just care.

GET IN THE GAME

Can you hear the team of adults yelling for the next generation? “What time is it? It is game time!” You may have missed the Super Bowl opportunities, but don’t miss this!

Are you ready? If you are a leader don’t miss this!

Never Give Up On Your Dream

It was Monday morning and I had just come out of a very important meeting at Cedar Valley Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. This meeting had been called because of some big changes in the plans for a citywide youth event scheduled for May 2017 at the new U.S. Bank Stadium.

You see, just a few days earlier the senior pastor lead team for the event had met and it was decided the best course of action would be to postpone the event till May of 2018. This would give time to extend this season of unity, prayer, and outreach we were experiencing in the Church of the Twin Cities.

It was just in September, at U.S. Bank Stadium, where over 400 pastors had gathered. As we all look out from the from the Hyundai Club, overlooking the new field, we heard Nick Hall, from Pulse share a “big” vision to fill the stadium in May 2017. Now it is February 16, 2017, and the momentum has been building in the city. On this day over 830 ministry leaders, representing over 350 churches were meeting at Cedar Valley to hear more about the “big” vision. All 66,200 seats with young people to hear simple, yet life-changing the message of the gospel.

But with the unexpected changes in plans for the biggest youth outreach we had seen in years in the Twin Cities, the youth pastor lead team met. In the meeting, I shared the verse from Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart at man plans his course, but it is the Lord that determines his steps.” Yes, we have been planning and taking action on what we felt we should do, yet all along, have had a sensitive ear and listening to God as He has direct each step. So, at this time God was leading us to set aside our timeline for his timeline.

But what can we do with this kind of momentum?

Not only with our strategic efforts with youth workers of the region, but too, continue to capitalize on the incredible support the senior pastors are giving us, in this season, to reach this youth for Christ.

Here is a reality! 

Those of us in ministry to youth in this region have been blessed over the years by the unity we have experienced. We have come together around a common vision, strategy, and actions that goes beyond just the excitement of big events. This vision has propelled us to work together as allies building a foundation of collaboration in our communities and across the entire region in our efforts to reach youth for Christ.

Historically the big events like: 1992 Super Bowl Outreach; 1994 NBA All-Star Outreach; 1996 with the Greater Twin Cities Billy Graham Crusade; a few See You at the Domes and Go M.A.D.’s in the late 1990’s; the 2004 Luis Palau Festival; and Rock the River in 2009 have all fueled seasons of greater unity of the Church of the Twin Cities.

Now many of the youth leaders from those seasons of the big events are senior pastors in Twin Cites churches. Too, many of the current youth workers who have never experienced this kind of unity of the Church in the Twin Cities. Honestly, in my 27 years of these kinds strategic events and initiative, I have never seen this kind of support of the senior leadership.

The Church of the Twin Cities has entered a new season

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly, immeasurably more that we can ask, think, dream, plan, or even imagine. According to the power of God that is at work in us.”

This new season of unity of the Church gives us, ministry leaders, an incredible opportunity in leading this next generation. So, let’s dream big dreams. Let’s accomplish great things. Let’s climb many mountains with God. For with God, we can do anything who gives strength to us. So, let’s dream big dreams for God.

What are we in youth ministry going to do with this momentum and opportunity?

How can we help youth workers from over 350 churches and communities across the region, develop relationships, strategy, and create action plans to keep building on this momentum in their local church and community?

15 months is a longtime in the youth ministry world. When the average stay of a youth worker is only 18 months, typically during this season there could potentially be major leadership changes in the youth ministry landscape in our communities and this metropolitan region.

But could it all of this be a win/win? Both, for the church where a youth worker serves and the Church of the Twin Cities. A win for churches and for senior pastors where the youth worker stays in their leadership positions longer, simply because they are connected other youth workers and something bigger than just their youth ministry.

It is a proven fact and I have personally experienced it to be true over the years. A youth worker who is connected to other youth workers in a network in their city, will stay longer at their church.

The discussion around the table, at our youth worker meeting, quickly began to move to building relationships and having strong networks of youth workers in cities. Networks where the leaders can build relationships in their cities. Where they, collectively, could challenge their students to unite with other Christ followers at their school. We all realized this could be critical to continue to build the momentum for the U.S. Bank event in May 2018 and way beyond.

We also looked at events on the calendar where we could focus to continue to build the momentum.

• See You at the Pole, September 27, 2018 at every school
• Super Bowl, February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium

Youth workers in community networks challenging, training, and mobilizing students in their ministries to lead and participate in these opportunities.

Just think what could be over the next 15 months with the 350+ churches? So, what if…

• Every youth worker was connected to other youth workers in their community.
• Every student from every church were to unite as the (Church on the Campus) to impact every school for Christ?
• Every school staffer from every church was engage in this mission impact their school for Christ?
• Concerned adults (parents, grandparents, church small groups, etc.) in every church prayed for every student in the youth ministry by name every day.

Carpe Diem. Let’s seize the moment!

With all the support and the momentum, let’s lead the charge with a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), an Ephesians 3:20 vision, a Kingdom vision for ministry to youth in the Twin Cities and beyond.

• A vision big enough to capture our city
• A vision simple enough to grasp
• A vision de-centralized enough it can be owned
• A vision relational enough it can actually work

So, it was a “Big Meeting” and a “Historic Day” for Church of Twin Cities!

Nick Hall made the announcement of the change of plans. He challenged us all that it isn’t a delay, but an extension of a season. He defined delay, as cause to be later or slower than expected or desire. But instead of a delay in our plans. This time is an extension, a lengthening, stretching out, or enlarging the scope of something. It has never been about one night at one venue, but a movement of the Church. At this time, we all are being invited, as the Church of the Twin Cities, to prepare, enlarge our scope, and increase our impact during this extended season.

This historic day is just the beginning of a new season for the Church of the Twin Cities. We are all, followers of Christ, invite into this season to see God change our city and the world.

Jesus prayed in John 17, for His Church would be one, just as He and the father are one. Why? So, the world will know the simple yet powerful message. We believe we are going to see the Twin Cities changed and the world will see the His Church united.

Dan, why is this so important to you? 

As I came out of that all-important youth pastor meeting, I ran into and introduced myself to the Lead Pastor at Cedar Valley Church, Neal Rich. We talked for a few minutes about his journey to Cedar Valley. Then I shared with him my story. I told him, his Church was part of my journey. You see, his predecessor had played a big role in my life and the history the ministry I founded Allies Ministires.

I told him I had a conversation with their Senior Pastor 27 years ago, Jerry Strandquist. I was just starting Allies Ministries and was needing an office. So, I asked Jerry if I could get some space for my office at Bloomington Assembly of God (now Cedar Valley Church). He graciously found a room on their campus for first office of Allies Ministries.  Not only did I have the office space, but could use of the choir room as my prayer room.

At that time in 1990, the Church looked very different and not many churches worked together. There were many things that seemed to divided us; our denominational walls, our theology and dogmas, ethnic backgrounds, and our egos. We were not a united Church, matter of fact, we were a divided church in our own little silos.

But as a youth pastor, in churches I served in Ohio, Colorado, and Texas, God had put in my heart a desire to work with other youth workers. Leaders who were outside of my circle and denomination, with a goal to reach youth for Christ in our city. So that is exactly what I did!

When I left my church position in Colorado Springs, Colorado and moved to the Twin Cities in in the late 1989, God gave me a vision for Allies. As I sat in my rocking chair in my living room on December 4, 1989, He dropped three things in my heart as pillars for the ministry.

1. Network youth communicators (school assembly speakers) with a vision to reach the youth of America.
2. Network youth workers in communities with a vision to reach the youth in their communities.
3. Network the students on the campus with a vision to reach a friend.

From the early days of Allies, we have been a leader in ministry to youth. We have faithfully worked with youth workers in the Twin Cities building partnerships and assisting the church leaders to reach and mentor the next generation by pursuing those three simple objectives.

Over the years, I have learned a few things. 

There is going to be change. Ministry leaders come into the city and they also leave the city and their youth ministry positions. Think about the change I have experienced. If a youth worker stays in their position for 3 years, I have seen the Twin Cities youth ministry landscape turnover 9 times. But though out all the changes there has remained a foundation of unity in this region to reach the youth for Christ.

Another thing I have learned is, how to live by faith. Yes, you can have little faith like a mustard seed, or big faith that can move mountains. On our journey, my wife Rachel and I have definitely experienced both those kinds of faith. But a time we have just called it stupid faith. Why? Because it just didn’t make sense.  Yet, as the late Dr. Mark Buntain would say, we just kept “pressing on”.

There were times when we would felt like we were just hitting our heads against a brick wall. The vision stretched our marriage, impacted our family, our health, and our finances. But despite these all the obstacles, barriers and challenges we faced we continued to pursue the vision God gave us. I guess what I am saying it hasn’t been an easy journey and it would have been a lot easier to give up!

But I am glad it didn’t quit. Because just a few days ago on February 16, 2017, guess where those 830+ ministry leaders from 350+ churches gathered? You guessed it? Cedar Valley Church (the old Bloomington Assembly of God Church).

I am sure that very few of those leaders had any idea of what I had envisioned over a decade ago just down the hall in that building. They never knew about the early morning pray times I had with Clarence St. John (Superintendent of Minnesota Assemblies of God) where we would pray for God to unite His Church to reach a generation for Christ. Now that room is packed with hundreds of leaders who are uniting with the purpose to reach a generation for Christ.

You might call me crazy, but it wouldn’t be the first time. But I believe we, the Church of the Twin Cities, are on the crest of a really big wave of unity that the world is going to notice. My friends, it all focuses on our mission to reach and mentor the next generation for Christ.

So, don’t tell me perseverance doesn’t pay off. I could have never even imagined that my vision would go full circle all the way back to Cedar Valley Church or Bloomington Assembly of God Church where it all started for me. 

Don’t give up on Your dream, it might be 27 years later, but #never, never, never give up on your dream!

God, do it again!

17 years ago, Allies gave 10,000 Students this Challenge 2000 Card!

Overcoming Against All Odds and even the USGA Officials

Dustin Johnson overcomes another potential ruling by the PGA officials and goes on to win the 116th US Open at Oakmont Country Club.

But it wasn’t without a little drama.

All week the three putts on the 72nd hole of the 115th US Open at Chambers Bay was the topic of conversation. Whether it was in a press conference at Oakmont, Golf channel shows, or anywhere there was talk about collapse in sports or Dustin Johnson and his chances to win this championship on Father’s Day.

You see it wasn’t just the missed but last year, it was also the 2010 PGA Championship when he was about to go into a playoff, but on the 18th hole his tee shot was way to the right and landed on some sand. When he assessed the situation in his mind it was just a waste bunker and so when he hit his shot to the green he grounded his club. Meaning before he hit the ball he touched the sand behind the ball, and because all the sand had been declared blunders and you could not ground your club, he was assessed a 1 stroke penalty which eliminated him from what he thought was a playoff.

Now on Sunday deemed a on the fifth green, before he was going to stroke his ball to the hole, Dustin Johnson took a couple of practice strokes by his ball. At that point he called in a PGA official he deemed his ball had moved. Which under the old rules of golf would be a penalty. Once the play has ground his club, when it is the wind or gravity the player would be assessed a penalty stroke. But with the rule change, now the players has to do something to cause the ball to move. All Dustin did was take a couple of practice strokes and the ball moved.

The USGA’s senior director of the rules of golf Jeff, Hall said, “After he put his club down, within a second the ball moved.” He went on to say, “You have to weigh all the evidence.” Hall felt, “more likely then not” that Johnson had cause the ball to move. But when he had called over the official on the 5th hole, the ruling was that Johnson has not caused the ball to move.

He played 6 more holes, but on the 12th hole was officially told by the USGA that his score was possibly on less than the scoreboard was showing. But they would not know until he was in the scoring tent and they together had a chance to review the video.

Wow! Another blow to Dustin Johnson in trying to win his first major championship!

So from that point all Johnson did was bomb massive drives straight down the middle of fairways. Then put a stamp on his victory with a birdie on the challenging 72nd hole of the 116th US Open. It was a putt to seal the deal and win his first major championship, but it won’t be the last for this long bombing athletic man.

Talk about overcoming difficulties, pressures, and a feeling of anxiety that could have him to collapse under the circumstances that were totally out of his control. The only thing this 33 years old man could do was turn up his game on the last five holes and win this championship and not worry about the ruling of the USGA in the scoring tent.

You see this man, everyone questioning if he could ever win at this level and then the again the USGA up in the air ruling, he answered all the questions and overcame all odds. Now Dustin Johnson has put all the talkers behind and proven he is an overcomer and stood proud holding the 116th US Open trophy.

What difficulties have you had to overcome in life to get where you want to go?

Now I am 60 Years Old

June 4, 2016 – Surprise!

My day began with Derek, my son surprising me at the golf course. Derek was taking a little video of me warming up on the range and this guy walked up and said, “I believe the starter paired me with you today!” Wow! What a surprise. It was Eric, a friend of ours from Dallas who had come to play and celebrate my birthday.

After our round of golf and a little chipping contest, the plan was go home and grill some burgers and hangout with these friends from Dallas and my family. But on the way home I got a call from Derek telling me that I needed to stop at the grocery store and pick-up some baked beans for supper.

Then came the second surprise of the day.

When I got home I walked into a a house it was filled with 50 people saying, “Surprise, Happy Birthday!” I was greeted with a happy birthday sign, two big gold balloons (one was a “6” and the other was a “0”), and many other balloons. On the table a beautiful cake with a picture of me playing the 18th hole at Harbor Town at Hilton Head.

Yes, my wife, Rachel, had pulled off a huge surprise “60th Birthday Party” and I had absolutely no idea.

June 5, 2016, Now I am almost 60 years old. 

Tonight I sit at my in my chair contemplating the big day. It is when I move from living five decades to beginning of my sixth decade of life. You guessed it, tomorrow I turn 60 years old.

So this night is about reflecting on my life. I can remember the many of those milestones along my journey to this number. Whether it was 20, 30, 40, or 50 years old I took time to sit and think about where I was at an where I wanted to go, do, and be in life at those ages. Well, I have to admit, tonight is a little different.

I have now lived 21,900 days. In sports terms I am just starting the fourth-quarter. I have played the first three quarters (three at 20 years) and now it is time to start the fourth-quarter. It is the time in the game of life when a person’s practice, conditioning, experience become the most apparent. You have prepared for this time. There has been hours and hours of learning and trying to master those things that are important in life.

Just like I had to mastering the art of dribbling, passing, and shooting to be effective on a basketball court. A person in life needs to understand the their passion and purpose and then align their priorities to reach their potential. When you know your “Why” you then can align you priorities to reach your potential and learn to be great at being you. In my case I have tried to learn to be great at just being Dan.

There were those intense times of conditioning when you left the court and your legs felt like rubber and could hardly take another step. But it was that conditioning which separates you from the competition in the fourth quarter.

It is through those times of walking into the gym to practice your skills, run drills or do “killers” to get you in playing condition, or stepping on to the court to play the game, that you gain the experience needed to play in the fourth quarter.

Because of your experience and the wisdom (grey hair to go with it) you now are ready for the pressure you will get from the opposition. This isn’t your first time to the rodeo. You have been here before you know what you need to do in the fourth quarter to win the game. It is time to say, “Give me the ball, coach!” Let’s “Finish well” in the fourth quarter of this game of life.

When writing this I was reminded of songwriter Lukas Graham in his song, “Once I was Six Years Old”. There are a few very powerful parts in those lyrics. The song starts out, “Once I was seven years old my momma told me, Go make yourself some friends or you’ll be lonely. Once I was seven years old. He goes on to say, “Once I was eleven years old…” then states some advise he got from dad. “Once I was twenty years old…I see my goals, I don’t believe in failure.” He progress on, “Once I was thirty years old…” talks about how his career, traveled, and still learning about life.

He goes on to say, “Soon I’ll be sixty years old..my daddy got “sixty-one” (Wow!)” Aill the sudden the tone of the song changes to thinking death and dying. “Soon I’ll be sixty years old…will I think the world is cold or will I have lots of children to keep me warm.” Then ends the song going back to the original theme, “Once I was seventy years old…my momma told me go make some friends or you’ll be lonely. Once I I was seven years old.”

June 6, 2016, So now I am 60 years old. 

You see at this milestone I have started counting days and not years. Turning 60 you have a different outlook of the fourth quarter that is different than playing a game. When you play a game you get many fourth quarters. In life you just get one fourth quarter. All the conditioning of those challenges, failures, difficulties, and pain has prepared me for now. Many years ago there was a term that I used to motivate my leadership teams, “Carpe Diem”. It simply meant “Seize the Moment”. That is what I am going to do as I begin the fourth quarter.

I am glad that in this period I do have somethings figured out. I do understand my purpose. I have worked to alleging my priorities so that I can reach my potential. I too, have learned to balance my time and manage my activities with the priorities of my life. For the first three quarters I have worked hard to be the best I can be. So that in a world that isn’t about just about “me” I could learn to do be good at we. I learned years ago, their is no I in TEAM and I am a team player.

This is not the time so slow down it is time to reeve up the engine it is the most important part of the game it is the fourth quarter and it all about finishing well. That is exactly what I plan on doing!

Checked Your Heart Beat, Lately?

When was the last time that you checked to see if your heart was beating? Up until eight years ago, I am not sure if I hardly knew how or where to even check. But February 17, 2009 my life changed forever.

I was rushed from a Park Nicolett Clinic to Methodist Hospital in a ambulance. After going in for a check-up all the sudden the doors were opened with nurses and doctor told me that I needed to go immediately to Methodist Hospital and they had call an ambulance. They took me to a room and put a 12 lead on to monitor me heart, as soon as the ambulance arrived I was wheeled out on the gurney, put into the vehicle and I was on my way to the ER.

When I arrived they ran a echocardiogram and the test came back that my ejection fraction (a measurement of how much look the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction) was 10%. He told us that my heart was enlarged because of the fluid and that I had a heart value that was leaking. Not such good news. Matter of fact one of the first things he told us was that he had contacted the University of Minnesota and that he was putting me on the heart transplant list. I wasn’t sure is that was better or worst news.

That was February 17, 2009 and now today I am happy to say that I am still alive and functioning. Yes, things have changed a lot in my life and for my family. There have been times through out our almost 39 years in our marriage when we might be in a tough season. At those times I could tell my wife, “Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine”. Well, even that changed that day because of new fears of future and what that would mean moving forward. But with the medications that my cardiologists have me on, for the most part, I have maintained a pretty good quality of life.

Yes, I still battle arrhythmia. It is a condition where my heart will go out of sinus rhythm and will beat irregularly. Why that happens is a mystery to us and the cardiologists.  But it is a reality we live. Just in past 12 months my heart has been out of 35 times, where a episode will last anywhere from 8 to 24 hours usually. But with what I call “my pill in a pocket” it will (the pill) shocks my heart back into rhythm. But if that does not work within a 48 hour period from the time the arrhythmia begins,  I have have a procedure administrated to me called cardioversion.

This procedure is done by a electrocardiologist who places PADDLES on the heart and administrates electronic voltage to shock the heart back into rhythm, hopefuly. This all needs to be done in a timely manner within a 48 hour period from the time the arrhythmia begins. If not there is greater risk of stroke.  Over the years I have had this procedure performed four times, but in the past few. The pill has worked for me every time within the time perimeters that have been set.

So all in all I have been able to maintain a pretty good quality of life. When my heart is functioning and beating right I feel really good. When it isn’t well that is another story. I really just want to do nothing. When I stand I am dizzy and get hot and honestly most the time I just want to go and crawl in bed. I will drive myself crazy at times checking my wrist every few seconds, hoping and praying that my heart will go back in rhythm soon.

So that is why I asked the question, “Have you checked your heart beat lately?”

Yes, I have shared a little of my journey physically. But for you it might not be physical.

What vital sign do you need to check in in your life, leadership, or passion to see if you are healthy and beating right?

Do whatever you have to do to keep it your heart beating, even if it means PADDLES!