Day 5 - Two Little Words - Pay Attention

​Did you know that it used to be, uhm, illegal to say the word "God"?
 
Also…
 
Did you know that is used to be illegal for people of color to join certain faiths?
 
Absolutely true:  Up until 1978, certain religions enforced a policy that forbid the ordaining of people of color priesthood. Though certain churches professed an open membership policy for all races, some did not allow people of color into the leadership positions.  Then, as abruptly as it was inane, in 1978, new trailblazers within the church’s senior ranks announced an earth-shattering revelation: They had been instructed (by god) to allow men of color into the “clergy” of the religion.
 
                    Really?
 
               I mean really?!
 
Okay, the headline of this e-course is “Two Little Words.”  
 
And, to be sure, I have pressed us all to dig deep, reach far, and push ourselves into a far-out place called reality.  Moreover, this e-course is brought to you by The PIE Group – an organization dedicated to sharing (and exchanging) positive information.
 
So why this?
 
Why this latest e-note on the touchy subject of religion (and race)?
 
Well… I’m glad you asked.
 
As the two-word title suggests, today, I encourage you to focus your hard-earned efforts on an entity that we don't see… yet we know is here... and there.
 
Am I talking about God?
 
Or am I talking about the belief in God?
 
Actually... I’m talking about your attention.
 
Attention is the literal definition of NOW.
 
In case you don’t believe me… Ask yourself what you are doing right NOW.
 
You are paying attention to these words.  Period.
 
A few hours ago, you were paying your attention to (fill in your activity here).
 
And tomorrow, you will pay, pay, and pay some more attention to whatever your heart desires.  But make no mistake: When you pay attention, you spend NOW.
 
So why the racial and religious reference to kick off a note about attention?
 
Well, if I need to paint that picture for you, consider this:
 
Religion, race, and personal politics have accounted for more deaths than just about any other form of war.  
 
                  Why?  
 
Who decided which religion was best; which race was worst; and whose politics were superlative?
 
Ironically, you and I pay penance into a painful pot of purported preferences.  
 
But those preferences are just that: inclinations toward inklings; preferences for preaching a certain way; and legislation that leans toward corporate welfare of social welfare, both or neither of which have their merit.
 
And in the final analysis, we are broke, bankrupt, and ruined as a (human) race… all because we didn’t pay attention… we simply gave it away to the pandering people who seek not just your attention… but also all of your SELF, including your mind, body, and (dare I say) soul.  Oh… and your hard-earned money, too.
 
But today, I ask you to step back from the fray… and see life for what it is.
 
Life is... Now!
 
Life is… Wow!
 
Life is… How?
 
Life is not made by a god who changes his or her mind about who can be a leader in the church. 
 
Life is however you make it, mold it, mend it, and send it.
 
Life is made up of whatever you pay your attention to.
 
Just don’t give it away.
 
PAY attention.
 
Oh, and…
 
Accept what is.
 
Adapt to a changing landscape.
 
Achieve the best possible outcome.
 
Aloha,
John
 
Accept. Adapt. Achieve. ®

John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.

Principal consultant at The PIE Group, and Executive Director of TeenBuilding USA, [a non-profit 501c(3)], John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life, a teen-focused guide, Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens, and the Christian-based book, God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life.
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner: