Stephen M. Hannemann

Better Today

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

I spend a fair amount of time reading, about 50/50 between novels for stimulation and pleasure, and books for self improvement. For me, both genres are for pleasure because I enjoy and learn from both. I am a believer in continuous personal growth.

My favorite author is Robert James Waller, most noted for The Bridges of Madison County. His writing style is nearly lyrical. His words flow like a quiet stream around moss covered rocks in a contemplative garden. For me, his books don’t come often enough. Currently, I’m rereading High Plains Tango for the second time. The story centers around a semi-reclusive young craftsman named Carlisle McMillan. I ran across a line in his story that struck a chord with me and I think should be the mantra for everyone’s life. In the paragraph, Carlisle is a lad of 12 years, and in this particular sentence the author mused Carlisle’s philosophy: “It had always seemed to him that after living another twenty-four hours, you ought to be a better person than you were when the day began.”** What a tremendous perspective to have in one’s life at a young age. Granted it’s only a story but what a great message in those few words.

Our first tendency after taking that thought to heart would be to look at a weakness in our life and try to fix it. I’m not sure that was the point. Not that if we have a bad habit we shouldn’t strive to correct it. But Carlisle wanted to become a craftsman and learn to build things that would last. He possessed an inherent aptitude, then nourished it by becoming an apprentice to a master craftsman. He wasn’t happy with his condition and took steps to change his circumstances.

Only you know what subtle or maybe not so subtle urgings are gnawing within you. Oh here comes that word again. Take action. Take some steps to follow those urgings. When we nurture those urges, we become better and some of the other noise in our lives either disappears or no longer matters. Or maybe your life is perfect and nothing you could do would make it better. If that is true in your life, revel in your good fortune and share it with someone in your life who could use a bit of encouragement. Everyone has a God given talent or gift. Share it and make everyone you come in contact with each day feel special. There is no greater joy than having a positive impact in someone’s life. Life is a grand journey and each day, as we navigate our way along, we should be a bit more fulfilled, a bit stronger – a little bit – “better today” than when we woke.

Create a memorable day…

Stephen

Stephen M. Hannemann – © 2009 all rights reserved

** High Planes Tango by Robert James Waller © 2005, publisher Shaye Areheart Books.

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Morning Walks

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

On one of my morning walks a while back, I remembered marveling at God’s creation. I see Him in creation everywhere, from the earth that nourishes the grasses, flowering shrubs and trees, to His breath of life in every living creature. Walking down our country road I am warily watched by birds, rabbits, coyotes, and deer as I take them in along the way. To see the waters of Puget Sound and witness the glory of a sunrise over the North Cascades is truly breathtaking and I feel privileged to walk in the midst of it all. Of course, it’s spring again and the fragrances and colors always put me on sensory overload.

Every morning I walk past a farmer’s field and this year I had the good fortune to witness two of five calves birthed. What a gift – to observe life emerging. The field and cattle brought a fleeting memory of the dairy field behind the property where I grew up in Portland, Oregon. Actually we moved well outside of Portland on a rural road when I was two years old. By the time I left home to marry and start a family, our home was well inside the city limits. The farm, dairy, and nursery land had been swallowed by tract homes.

A bit farther along in my morning walk, along a side hill plateau, then down a shady country lane, I came upon a scattering of alder cones in the road. I bent down to collect one and found myself catapulted back in time. Back where the rear boundary of our property joined our neighbor’s dairy field. Alder, maple, scrub hazelnuts and other brush grew along the border, the location of my secret fort. I held the small object in my hand, once again a six year old. I examined the intricate structure of nature and remembered my days filled with awe at the discovery of new bits of nature.

After recovering from my reverie, I began to wonder if technology and urban sprawl have done away with a part of life that we and future generations will never retrieve. I can’t help but feel sad that our youth have, in a sense, become desensitized to the marvels of creation. Plastic toys, video games, cartoons of Transformers and metallic super heroes are some of the first things to which our children are exposed. Don’t misunderstand, I am not against progress, but I think our offspring may be losing the appreciation of substance. I believe the parents and educators of today are faced with the challenge of how to bring our young people into contact with the wonder, awe, and appreciation of nature and creation.

In our fast paced, mechanized and electronic world it becomes increasingly difficult to challenge and stimulate our youths’ imaginations. I don’t claim to have the answers. I am barely smart enough to ask the questions. For myself, I do realize that the memories I experienced that long ago morning, although wonderful, are difficult to insert into the hyperactive minds of today. It is not possible to turn back the clock on our youth. But I do believe we must be wise stewards in how we get ahead of the progress curve in relation to rearing our young. At first blush, it seems incongruous to try and see a relationship between our technology and nature and creation. But it’s not. I think, more than ever, relationship must be a bigger part of daily life. Nurturing, mentoring, influencing by example – one on one – are ways to inspire the minds of our young people. Slowing a bit – setting an example of reverence for the beauty of nature and all creation would be a start. That’s easy for me to say as I look out of my office window and see a green forest. Or view Possession Sound with the backdrop of the North Cascades from my morning prayer nook. However, the attitude of reverence for nature and creation can be fostered in any environment, urban or rural. Every city has its parks, sidewalk plantings and garden shops. An excursion to the closest zoo can be an exciting experience for children or people of all ages. I consider myself in the first category.

A friend and long time educator shared a comment that rang true as we discussed this challenge. He said, “We have had a fundamental shift in our culture and it is what it is.” That statement enlightened me. We will continue to progress and that is good for all of us. The key is not to get so wrapped up in the technology and so fast-paced in our jobs that we lose sight of our home planet and the marvels of nature and creation. In the midst of all the turmoil and crises in our country and the world, there is still time for reflection on the earth upon which we walk and the marvels of what it produces. It is where sound relationship and one on one mentoring must have a place of prominence in our culture. Hence the commitment for us, the persons of influence.

Create a Memorable Day.

Stephen

Stephen M. Hannemann – © 2009 All rights reserved.

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Influence

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

We seldom think about influence. We see people who we deem “influential” but rarely think of influence in terms of ourselves. Allow me to add a bit of perspective. We are all persons of influence.

One morning many years ago, “Good Morning America” had invited an astronaut to preview a new book, a collection of photographs taken from outer space by American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts. Every year they would gather in Switzerland and share experiences, information and photographs. The book, titled The Home Planet, showcased their collection of spectacular photographs. During the interview, the astronaut made a profound comment while one of his images of Earth filled my television screen. His statement went something like this; “As I took this photo, I was filled with the irrefutable knowledge that a supreme being created the planet before me. I could see it in its entirety from my vantage point in space. In that moment I knew I was viewing the home of the human family. And as human beings, we are all interconnected in such a way that anything we do will affect all of humanity in some way.” I sat awestruck by the power of his statement. Unfortunately, at nearly age 50, I did not have the maturity to do anything with it.

We have been given a grand opportunity with the gift of life. If you are a fairly normal human being, you don’t often enough think about this gift or the influence you have on your brothers and sisters. You may think you have no influence at all.

You are wrong.

I love watching my wife Yvonne. She blesses me more than she will ever know. I love introducing her to others because of their response to her. They delight in her and respond and mirror her gregarious spirit. She influences people without being aware of it. And they remember, without knowing their day is better for the experience.

As a writer and speaker, I have also become a fulltime observer. I observe the little things that influence others. I do this because my latest goal in life is to pick up the thread the astronaut spoke about nearly 20 years ago. My goal is to share what I observe and learn with my family – the family of humanity – and in some small way, make my family healthier and happier. Sometimes I observe unhappy people, negative and sarcastic, and I witness the atmosphere deteriorate around them. I refuse to let them have a negative effect on me. As I have learned from Yvonne, “Why waste your energy?” I’ve witnessed how prolonged exposure to negativity erodes a happy spirit and energy.

Yvonne and I live on an island and we often ride the ferry together. Once in a while we come across a ferry booth worker who is grumpy for one reason or another. That’s when I bet Yvonne I can make him or her smile. I have to be quick, because generally, there is a line behind us of people trying to get to work. I am pretty good at getting grumpy people to smile. And Yvonne will always take my bet and is always happy to lose.

I am very fortunate in that I recently received some feedback from someone who heard a brief talk I gave. It moved her to take action. She had contemplated an issue for some time and grieved that nothing was being done about it. A one or two minute portion of my talk stimulated her to take action. I can’t deny how gratifying it is when you learn you’ve had an influence in someone’s life. It is rare you get the feedback.

With certainty, I can tell you that you do influence others, and you will influence others in the future. Count on it. A simple smile, a cheerful greeting, a helping hand, opening a door, all just little things, but they make a difference. Bigger opportunities will come and they are continually in front of all of us. Let’s not fail to recognize them. They may come disguised as Commitment.

Remember, the most powerful influence of all is love. Love your self. Love your life. Love your family. And in loving others, you will be an influence.

Live well.

Stephen

© Stephen M. Hannemann – All rights reserved

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