Quit Stewing and Start Doing

‘PERFECT’ EXECUTION MEANS YOU NEVER EXECUTE
 
Stop trying to be perfect.  You don’t worry about being perfect when it comes to doing 80% of what you do.  But when it comes to growing, trying something new, pursuing a great dream — all of a sudden you put on the brakes until and unless you have everything lined up, and you can proceed with the perfect approach, at the perfect time, with the perfect funding in place, with the perfect feeling, etc.
 
Stop it!  Stop stewing and start doing! 
 
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength”

[Corrie ten Boom]

Busyness vs. Accomplishment
It is time to get honest with yourself - that means you must stop lying to yourself!  Are you valuing every minute in the day as being precious and fleeting? Are you consistently eliminating distractions that are preventing you from working on your goals and high-impact priorities?  How often are you saying no to the good so you can stay focused on the great?
 
Have you talked about writing a book, or traveling the world, or running a marathon, or _______ you fill in the blank.  Now is the time, do not delay, make a three second decision to change your habits and your schedule so you can pursue and accomplish what you were put on this earth to do. 
 
Cross the Line from Stewing to Doing
Set crystal clear expectations and embark on the great adventure of execution.  Remember how we started this message - don’t try to be perfect, just do.  As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, perhaps a fitting story about doing (even the little things) is a good way to end this week!
 
It was raining “cats and dogs” and I was late for physical training. Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too slowly.  I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient.

The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier’s memorial plaque.

My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.  All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped.  A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove.

I couldn’t believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking. I waited to see the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late. 

He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs were plastered to his frame.  I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again.  Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and drove off.

I’ll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures.  That simple salute — that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag — encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, “I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier.” 
 
I thank God for examples like that.  And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them.
 
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said
“The heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

DAILY PRAYER  
Father, help us to take a brave step towards the destiny you created for us.  Help us to stop stewing and start doing.  Help us to take advantage of taking a mere three seconds to gain a better perspective and to move forward with a step of faith.  Lord, thank you for those willing to give their life to give us freedom - may we remember and honor them this weekend.  In Jesus name, Amen.
 
Happy Memorial Weekend - be thankful for past memories, celebrate those that lost their life on your behalf, make many new memories.  Most of all - no stew, all do!
 
Grace and peace multiplied to you.