Stimulation Is Good But Beware the Fakes

Get to know genuine accomplishment and real satisfaction

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” – Psalm 119:37 We have spent the last several weeks considering the importance of the psychological and emotional needs Identity, Stimulation, and Security. In this post, I’d like to discuss the consequences of the misplaced or unmoderated need for stimulation. […]

Prepare Yourself Now for the Work of the Future – Updated

Can you be replaced by a robot?

“When we are out of sympathy with the young then I think our work in this world is over.” – George McDonald Recently, I ran into a former colleague and her high school aged son. As we caught up, I asked the young man about his plans following high school. He replied: “College, of course!” […]

Update: There are Seven Days in the Week — Someday Isn’t One of Them

Cultivating a systems approach can help you succeed in the new year

“What lifetime are you waiting for?” – Bill Hybels I hope you had a great celebration on Christmas Day, and that you are still enjoying the joy of this season. Today, I want to encourage you to think about your plans for the new year. I have written before about setting SMART goals, and I […]

Re-Post: The Best Advice Was a Stern Rebuke

Do the work -- it will pay off eventually

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend;     profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:6 (ESV) The story I’m about to tell you is true. While I am not particularly proud of certain aspects of this story, I think it has a happy enough ending, as well as a useful moral, so I’m […]

Re-post: The Fence That Me And Shorty Built

Cowboy wisdom that city-slickers can put to work

Here’s a trip back to the poetry corner.  If you’re discouraged about the kind of work that’s available to you currently, you might find this helpful.  Here’s cowboy poet Red Steagall: The Fence That Me and Shorty Built We’d picked up all the fencing tools And staples off the road An extra roll of “bob” […]

Re-post: Masculine Initiation – A Field Report

Listen to the guy who's been there

A note from the host: The following is a first-person account of masculine initiation, written by my son, Samuel.  I’m proud and honored to welcome him as the author of this site’s first guest post.  Here’s Sam: The summer before my tenth birthday, my Dad took me on a four-day backpacking trip. This was the start of […]

Re-post: Man Proposes, God Disposes

Be careful what you wish for

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” -Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) What we wish we had and what the world actually contains are often two different things. As I have written previously here, ambition and restlessness — what some have called divine discontent — can […]

Desire is the Word for This New Year

Live 2016 Like You Mean It

“The starting point of all achievement is desire.” – Napoleon Hill Happy New Year, all you Ontozoans! You’ve very likely made some resolutions and/or established some goals for 2016 — I’ve been refining my own list — and I hope you’re taking to heart some of the things we discussed here and here. Rather than […]

There Are Seven Days in the Week — Someday Isn’t One of Them

Develop a solid system for the new year

“What lifetime are you waiting for?” – Bill Hybels Christmas is soon approaching, and we will do some talking and thinking about it presently. Today, though, I want to encourage you to think about your plans for the new year. I have written before about setting SMART goals, and I won’t repeat myself here, but […]

Sometimes All You Need Is the Right Equipment

Do you have what it takes?

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” – Henry Ford It’s been some time since we visited the poetry corner. Here for your enjoyment is a poem by Edgar A. Guest: EQUIPMENT Figure it out for yourself, my lad, You’ve all that the greatest of men have had, Two arms, two […]