Getting it right

Remember the old adage that goes something like this: “There are three ways to do anything - the right way, the wrong way and my way.” And, if by chance you are unfortunate enough to work for someone who follows this adage you could find yourself standing out on the highway, as in “It’s my way or the highway.”

A slight variation of this adage could be classified as Sermon 101 in our house, which went like this: “If it is worth doing it is worth doing well.” I said it often enough that both of the girls usually finished it before I could … normally following the speech pattern of, “Yeah, dad, we know… if it is worth doing it is worth doing well.” This was usually followed by the rolling of the eyes, a heavy sigh and reluctantly, trying it again.

The “three ways” is very different than “well.” “Well” as in the best of one’s ability. “Well” as in giving it your all. “Well” as in going the second mile; not settling for just getting by; or moving beyond what you think you can do.

Life is moving very fast... too fast… faster than we can possibly handle or process. Our emotional, mental and spiritual system screams “tilt.” We seek to escape for no other reason than just to relieve the pressure, the stress, the anxiety. This permits us to get on to the next item on our life’s agenda that is demanding attention.

The result is that we end up doing not what is correct or what would measure up to the best of our ability, but what is absolutely necessary simply to get by and move on. The ultimate result is that we shortchange ourselves even failing those who God has placed in our lives.

Could it be possible that what is really needed for us to do something well is to simplify our life? Should we redirect our energy away from trying to get it all done and move towards doing one or two things better? Maybe it is time that on our over-filled calendars we make room for ourselves. After all, “if it’s worth doing it is worth doing well.”

Quote for today: “You keep on going until you get it as close to being right as the time and patience of others will allow.” Harrison Ford