Genuine Faux Leather

I was at T.J. Maxx browsing the purse aisle when I came across a purse that boasted: Genuine Faux Leather!

I'm not sure how this phrase made it past their marketing department, it seems so ridiculous. Imagine if any of the slogans below were used?

Genuine fake pearls!

Real false teeth!

True forged checks!

It's interesting that even a fake reproduction is still a real product. So just because the word genuine proceeds the noun, doesn't make it something of value.

Similarly, we all spend our time, money, thoughts, and words, towards something. The question isn't whether or not these efforts are genuine, but rather, do they lead to something of value?

Island life- vacation or home?

My husband and I were driving home yesterday when we heard an intriguing song called Knee Deep by the Zack Brown Band.

The part that really makes me laugh is this line. "Wrote a note, said be back in a minute, bought a boat and I sailed off in it." And he keeps sailing until he reaches an island where he hangs out knee deep in the water sure he's found paradise.

Unless he's part Swiss Family Robinson, I'm not sure how he plans to survive on this island. Perhaps he has tree-house building skills and has found an island of endless fruit...regardless, the long term situation is blissfully left out of this song.

Maybe that's why the song is so appealing. Its audaciously ridiculous to imagine renting a boat and sailing into the ocean until you land on an island that you deem your new home. But there's something a little appealing in the thought, nonetheless.

I imagine that while some listeners may be inspired to go on a cruise or plan a trip to the beach after hearing the upbeat ode to the waves, few if any would actually attempt what the song suggests.

But perhaps what could be attempted is a bit of self reflection. Do I enjoy my life? Would I be tempted to sail away and try again elsewhere if I had the chance? Is something missing? If so, what? What steps could I take to add more meaning and joy into my time?

Perhaps instead of sailing away to an unknown island, we need to simply sail ahead, adjusting to the winds, enjoying the clear waters and the bright sun, and living with gratitude for those sailing with us.

How is your personal screener?

This week I had the privilege of speaking at a recruitment vendor conference about ways to screen information to get to the best candidates faster.

For example, there are certain questions you can ask to understand if a candidate has the right skills for your particular position.

While this is helpful in a business setting, I wonder if a similar concept can be applied in a personal setting. Are there questions that we can ask to help screen the activities that we allow into our lives or the thoughts that we allow to dwell in our minds, thus yielding better decisions and better outcomes faster?

Philippines 4:8 says

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

This sounds like a pretty good job description for a positive outlook.

Full of Grace

"Tuesday's child is full of grace." The inspiration for my blog's title comes from a nursery rhyme published 19'th century. While I don't subscribe to the belief that your personality or life destiny is determined by the day of the week you enter this world, I do find this phrase captivating.

Wouldn't we all like to be full of grace? How much would we enjoy the ability to see more grace and beauty in the world?

Psalms 27:13 says this: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Let's look for footprints of goodness, grace, and beauty as we go about our days.

p.s. To read about this poem you can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monday's_Child