Bob Dylan

Lately I’ve been listening to Bob Dylan, my lyrical hero and great uncle. My parents named me after Ol’ Uncle Dylan actually. Not actually.

But anyways…I’ve been blown away listening to Bob Dylan. I wonder, How can a man pack so much thought into a single song?

In the song “Hurricane,” for example, Dylan talks about a real court case full of racial injustices. The wrongful imprisonment of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter revealed the problems with bad juries, bad judges, bad cops, and bad witnesses. In the song “Shelter From the Storm,” Dylan writes ten stanzas full of metaphors to get across the single idea of receiving comfort in times of distress. “Times They Are A Changin,” “Tangled Up in Blue,” and “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” will certainly make you think, as will “”All Along the Watchtower,” “You Gotta Serve Somebody,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.” 

In my opinion, the more you listen to Dylan, the more he grows on you. It’s not that he’s a great singer or even a great musician. His talent is with words. I’m praying for that kind of talent. It’s not here yet, but it’s on its way. It’s a “Slow Train Coming” if you know what I mean.

PS: If you’re interested, a brief biography on Rubin “Hurricane” Carter can be found here: http://www.biography.com/articles/Rubin-Carter-9542248 .

7 Habits for The Good Life (7)

Last, but certainly not least–

Dream.

I don’t mean sleep a lot. I don’t mean daydream during important classes or meetings. I mean dream as in setting goals and planning toward those goals. Plan toward your dream. Execute your plan. Work hard. Study hard. Figure out what it takes to accomplish your dream, then do it.

If you need guidance, ask people who are already doing what you want to do. Read books from the best in that field. Learn from them. And if nobody in the whole wide world is doing exactly what it is you want to do, or they aren’t creating exactly what it is you want to create, then do the research and connect the dots and find a way to make it happen. Hope for the best; plan for the worst. Keep the big picture in mind, but pay attention to the details. Work at it. Be patient. Persevere. Do everything to the best of your ability and pray that the efforts go further than you could ever hope or dream. Soon, dreams will be coming true in small ways, and who knows, maybe you’ll start to see them come true in big ways.

DREAM. And in the meantime, do a kind deed everyday. Go out of your way to do something kind. Hold a door for someone behind you, pick up an item for someone who dropped something, call a friend, visit a grandparent or relative, wash the dishes for your wife or roommate, pay for someone’s meal. People will remember it. You’ll remember it. And when dreams start coming true, keep up the habit of kindness. People will remember you.

So there it is…7-ish habits for The Good Life. Practice them. Do them so often they become second nature. Peace be upon you.

7 Habits for the Good Life (6)

Once upon a time, there was a boy who loved to play sports. In fact, as a boy, he played every sport he possibly could. As a youth, he played four sports. When he moved into middle school and high school, he dropped down to three. By the end of high school, he played two. In college, one. By the time this man finished college, he no longer played sports.

As life and responsibilities piled up, the man grew more and more depressed. He couldn’t figure out why. He had straight As, plenty of friends, a nice apartment, a wonderful wife, and a child on the way. He even had Jesus. But something was missing.

…

…

Then one day, this man hopped on a bike. He peddled hard and he peddled far. Far, far away. When he finally returned home, he realized what he had been missing. And the man lived happily ever after.

7 Habits for The Good Life (5)

Perhaps my last post was too brief.

Showering is what helps me stay sane. Every day. If I’m not showering, you can be sure my sanity is reaching its end. Why? Because a shower makes for a clean body, a fresh vibe, and a clear mind. My wife often asks why I take such long showers and honestly, it’s because I love showers. I like hot water, soap, and a clean body. A massaging showerhead…I call that a slice of heaven. But more than that, my time in the shower is like my time in the think tank. Dots connect. Ideas come together. Things become clear.

But that’s enough about Habit #4. Let’s talk about Habit #5.

Eat healthy.

Remember that old food pyramid in grade school? Get back to it! So often, as adults, we forget what the pyramid demanded. Lots of grains, especially those high in fiber. Lots of fruit. More veggies, less meats. A small amount of dairy. An even smaller amount of sweets.

I know it’s hard. Trust me, I love sweets. But without good grains, fabulous fruits, and vivacious veggies, we won’t last long. Here’s to the pyramid! 

(PS: Drink water too. Not carbonated, not sweetened, not flavored, not whatever. Just some good ol’ H2O. Your body will love you for it.)

7 Habits for The Good Life (3)

I’m fully convinced of the efficacy of this habit. Some may disagree, but that’s okay. The habit I’m speaking of is prayer–talking to and listening to Jesus.

Talk to him about everything. Talk to him individually. As a couple. With your kids. You’ll be glad you did.

And don’t forget about the second part–listening. It may be more important than the first.

7 Habits for The Good Life (2)

Read regularly.

Read broadly.

The Good Book is good. It is always worth reading. There are a good many other books worth reading too. Read numerous authors. Read numerous genres. Read in other languages if you can.

I try to have about four or five books going at a time. One in the Bible. One for pleasure. One for learning something new. One in Greek. One for meditations, like a Psalm or poem or lyric (which technically wouldn’t be a book, but you get the idea).

Reading is a good habit for a good life. It will expand your mind, broaden your interests, and expose you to other worlds. Reading has changed my life, and the change has certainly been for the better.