Michigan Adventure: Day 5

Day 2 Michigan Adventure

Day 1 Michigan Adventure

Helping vs. Hurting Those in Need

John Wesley said, ​“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” Talk about social responsibility!

This morning I was reading something from Rick Warren and he said that we are not responsible FOR people but we are responsible TO people. This got me thinking about ways in which I have tried to be responsible TO people - helping them in any way I can. The challenge is to find the balance between doing things for people and expecting them to do it all for themselves. 

As a white, middle-class, American man, I am a member of undoubtedly the most privileged class in the world and with that come a great deal of responsibility. I’m amazed at how many people I encounter who believe that they are a product of their own hard work and don’t understand why people are struggling in this world. They are the cynics and would fall into the, “do it for yourself” category.

​ Then there are those who are the bleeding heart, mercy-minded people who, if the truth be told are probably more co-dependent than caring and compassionate. Those who believe that the poor need them are not doing anyone any good.

If your definition of poverty is defined by physical, emotional or spiritual lack then helping people depends on your ability to provide these things. Unfortunately when we try to provide for these deficiencies we only compound the problem. Poverty is about lack of relationships; access to people who are a voice for their plight. The lack of physical, emotional and spiritual things is only a product or fruit of lacking relationships that can reconcile people to themselves, their neighbor, their Creator and to all of creation.

When it comes to helping people, the key is in relationship. Personally, I am very reluctant to give anything to anyone with whom I don’t have some sort of relationship or affinity. I am much more likely to pay my friend’s electric bill than I am to drop money into a bucket of a man collecting funds for some cause at an intersection.

Here are a few questions that I ask myself before I jump in to “help” someone:

1. How well do I know this person; do I know someone who knows them?
2. Is my, “helping” giving them a hand up or a hand out?
3. Is this person taking personal responsibility to overcome their circumstances? 
4. What is the best use of my social, emotional, financial, spiritual capital in helping this person?
5. Am I giving out of pity or because I see myself as a partner in their plight?
6. If I don’t have what it takes to help them do I know someone who does?

It’s amazing how differently we look at people who are caught up in the cycles of poverty once we put a name to their face and we are personally invested in their lives. What are ways they you are helping those around you? You might be surprised at how many people are in need who live right down the street.

A Life Worth Memorializing: Living Courageously

Why do we memorialize people and events? It’s the day after Memorial Day and we, as the United States of America have dedicated a day to remembering all of those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms of which we are the beneficiaries. But why is it necessary?

I spent quite a bit of time driving back to Chicago yesterday and drove through quite a number of small towns. Most of them had a park or plaza with a monument dedicated to something, a statue or bust of someone. There were lots of cemeteries with American flags, headstones and mausoleums; buildings and public places were named after people, but why?

My thought is that we want to honor those who have left a positive legacy and we never want to forget those who have left a negative one. We are surrounded by reminders of the people who have gone before us because quite frankly, humankind has a very short memory.

Throughout history we have repeated cycles of atrocities because we didn't learn from the past. We forgot what we were supposed to do to break these cycles of destruction and we forgot the people who inspired us to be better as well as those who demonstrated the depths of human depravity.

We are surrounded by reminders of where we've been, where we want to go and who we want to be. A tour through any nation’s capital is filled with reminders of that nation’s history, just as digging through an attic or basement in most of our homes would be.

My grandfather recently died and while helping my grandmother move out of their home I was amazed at the things that she put the highest value on at her yard sale. They weren't the things that actually had the highest value, they were the things that SHE valued the most; the things that had high sentimental value because I’m sure she really didn't want to see them go.

We cling to things because we never want to forget. God understood this. That’s why he allowed the Israelites to go through the wilderness for 40 years. He never wanted his people to forget His faithfulness. Jesus also understood this. He told his disciples to break bread and drink wine in remembrance of Him; for his sacrifice for them and for all humanity. 

We have to be intentional if we are going to remember the past; to learn from those who have gone before us and to honor them and what they taught us about living courageously. It is certainly my life’s ambition to live a life that inspires this and future generations and I hope that it is yours as well.

Increase Your Quality of Life: Live Simply!

It’s amazing to me the stuff that I accumulate.  Of course I don’t even notice until I’m are in some kind of transition, i.e. moving, renovating, organizing, etc.  Where does this stuff come from and why do I have it?  After a while I start to feel a little overwhelmed with managing it all; where to put it, how to maintain it; keeping it clean, remembering that I have it!  It’s crazy making.  

I happen to be in one of those places right now, hence the inspiration for this post.  I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who struggles with the, “space invaders”.  The way that I look at it, the more that I can simplify my life, the higher the quality of life that I can live.  Simplifying doesn’t necessarily mean eliminating but oftentimes that’s the best option.    

Here are some ways that I’ve found to simplify my life and remove much of the self-inflicted stress that creeps in.

Simplifying “Stuff”:  I find myself asking this question quite a bit these days, “Do I really need this?” It’s good to determine the difference between a need and a want.  If I have clearly defined the goals that I have for my life, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, etc. then I have a good foundation for deciding whether something will move me closer to or further away from those goals.  For example, I want to read more so for me, purchasing a television and cable would probably lead to spending more time watching TV than reading.  

Simplifying Finances: A good formula for simplifying your finances is to save 10% (or more), give 10% to God and never spend more than you have.  Sometimes this is easier said than done but it can be done.  Oftentimes this has more to do with how much we’ve extended ourselves with our house, cars and toys.  How big of a house do we really need?  How luxurious a car?  Some studies found that Americans typically spend more than they save whereas the Chinese save about 30%, Germans 13% and Swiss 14%.  Try paying cash; it hurts a little more than handing over a plastic credit card.

Simplifying Meals: Keep cooking simple and healthy!  I rarely spend more than 30 minutes cooking a meal and really enjoy cooking.  Preparing meals can be a bit stressful and eating out can be costly.  Look online for healthy meals that are easy to prepare and that you can freeze and save for later.

Simplifying Health: Try committing to 5 minutes of exercise a day.  You’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel if you get out for a walk, do push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups or jumping jacks.  Don’t smoke, drink in excess, take illicit drugs or abuse prescription medicine. Eat small, healthy snacks throughout the day and drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water to stay hydrated.  

Simplify Relationships:  Spend the most time with the people you love; who energize you and who help you be a better person.  Don’t get too caught up in building social capital with virtual friends. Don’t entertain negative people.  Life is too short.  

There are so many things that need simplifying, I feel like I could go on forever, but I won’t.  Maybe I’ll save them for another day.  Do you have any suggestions for simplifying your life?

My Summer Adventure: Charlevoix, Michigan

A lot has happened these past couple months which is why I have decided to join my family this summer in Charlevoix, Michigan.  I see this as an exciting adventure and a unique opportunity to spend time with my parents helping them to get the studio / gallery in order.

For those of you who don’t know my story, I grew up in the beautiful city of Charlevoix nestled in among lakes, rivers, woods and hills. My parents started their business in November of 1974 and because of their incredible resourcefulness they have been able to do what they love to do for almost 40 years.  

Of course course a lot has changed over the past 40 years and despite having gone digital almost 10 years ago there's still a dark room with all of the equipment and a basement filled with an assortment of what nots.  Let’s just say it’s time to clean house.  

So this summer I will be helping mom and dad get organized as well as start a few new initiatives.  Of course I will keep you informed as things progress.  My goal is to create a progress report that I can share with people and hopefully we’ll see lots of positive changes.  

If you make it Charlevoix, Michigan this summer please stop by and see me at Aartvark Studio and Gallery - 413 Bridge Street. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. 



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