Ignite the Promise

Benefits of Sequestration, Cost Reductions, and Furloughs

Americans seem to excel when we are faced with a crisis!  My view is that unless we face a crisis with our backs against the wall, or we are between a rock and a hard place we don't take action to do what's needed.  Until then, we are too busy with life and personal things than to focus on others' needs.

The onset of across-the-board reduction of funds for federal agencies via sequestration may be the 'crisis' that helps us all pay attention to doing what is needed and what is right.  From that perspective, I am optimistic that this crisis is a great blessing in disguise to get smart about funding needed activities, while eliminating less needed ones.  With limited funds, we must focus on the things we need and on the people who are going to be impacted.  This task-people framing should be maintained in order to keep the ship upright, i.e., a Task-People balance is required. It is about focusing on the most critical activities and expenditures (task side), along with the people needed to work the tasks or who will be affected by the activities.

Forcing the U.S. to critically look at the use of funds has a sense of traversing Maslow's needs pyramid all over again from the bottom up.  We are pushed to move from all the things we love to have when at the top of the pyramid to now looking at only the things we need to have at the bottom of the pyramid.  The challenge is to determine what we need to have in order to continue to provide products and services to customers.

Before sequestration and the across the board cuts in funding of our government occurred, I was seriously concerned about the financial impact on my business and my life style.  Now I view the required reductions in spending a positive thing.  I see a silver lining in belt tightening.  What is it?  It's about getting rid of unnecessary costs, whether in spending on things, projects, or personnel.  In a word, we are forced to improve efficiencies and effectiveness.  This will require improving leadership performance and work performance from all persons involved.  Given the requirement to reduce costs and yet perform one's mission, I suggest that we will find improved Returns-on-Investment (ROI) opportunities throughout the government -- improved returns from less spending!

However, we cannot be mindless about cost cutting.  We cannot be arbritrary.  Furloughing air traffic controllers would be necessary if all other options were first considered.   Such options were not considered and the controllers' furlough was set in place and then rescinded.  Doesn't it make sense to determine both the tangible (reduce cost) and the intangible (impact on people) side of a cut before making the cut??  Someone please help our leaders think before acting!! 

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Get More Hours Out of Life

Living continues to be challenging, hectic, and tiring if we don't find ways to offset the constant need to work and to achieve.  We need a break!  A vacation would be nice, but then it takes money and time to get away.  Besides, a vacation, unless long enough, only gives us a momentary break from our daily routines.  So what can we do in between vacations?

A recent article in Government Executive ("Get More Hours Out of Your Day by Looking at Something Awesome" by Susan H. Greenberg, Government Executive,April 16, 2013) encouraged me to once again take a moment to share thoughts about taking breaks in the course of getting work done. 

Greenberg reports a study led by Melanie Rudd of Stanford Graduate School of Business that if we are exposed to something awe-inspiring, we can perceive time gained from  that experience.  Rudd's article published with Kathleen D. Vohs in the journal Psychological Science tested subjects to one of two 60-second ads:  One depicted awe-inspiring views (water falls, whales, space exploration) and the other depicted happy people.  Following the showing each of the two groups was asked a set of questions around a series of beliefs such as, "I have lots of time in which I can get things done." 

Those who felt awe agreed more strongly with the statement that they had more time to get things done than those who watched happy people.  Rudd suggests that the difference is that feeling awe captivates you to focus on the present moment and which expands time with it. 

This relates well with the concept of mindfulness, the act of focusing in the moment by adsorbing everything about the moment -- sight, sound, smells, actions, and feelings.  (See blog, September 02, 2012, Mindfulness Improves Work and Life.)  The capacity of our minds to perceive, receive and catalog multiple inputs gives us the perception of 'more time.'  Why?  I understand that our minds have enormous capacity that we use very little of.  Each time we 'challenge' our minds with new ideas, thoughts, and awe-inspiring situations, we expand our minds.  Thus, we have more to think about.   

This suggests another concept that helps refresh the mind and free it to be more creative and innovative.  As a means to be refreshed, seek a new place with a new pace in order to gain new perspectives.  It may not be awe-inspiring, but the change may accomplish the same thing to 'slow time down' and give use more hours out of life.  (See blog, January 05, 2009, New place + New pace = New perspectives.)   

In the final analysis:  "Get out of the rut!"

 

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

A Patriotic Visit -- Gettysburg Battle at 150 years

For the first time, Madeline and I visited the July 1863 American Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address.  This is another situation where you have to be there to absorb the sights and sounds and place to fully feel and appreciate what the battles meant to a divided nation.  The enormity of that period in American history doesn't even sink in without reflecting on the meaning of the sacrifices of the 51,000 dead and wounded soldiers from both the Confederate (south) and Union (north) sides. That number represents over 30% casualties from Union (93,000) and Confederate (70,000) armies.

On the third day of this three-day battle, 12,000 Confederate soldiers advanced across an open field believing that the Union Army was weakened at the center.  They were wrong and this action, known as Pickett's Charge, cost the Confederates over 5,000 casualties in one hour. It is very sobering to consider the passion and fierce determination of both sides in sacrificing so much for 'just a hill.' That was the high water mark of the Confederacy and the turning point of the war that would linger on for another two years.  After three days and on July 4, 1863, General Robert E. Lee led the remnants of the Confederate Army on a retreat back south. Of interest to us were the monuments from different states, both north and south, placed as markers on the battlefied to note where large numbers of their soldiers died in battle.  A highlight of the visit was the Battle of Gettysburg cyclorama, a 377x44-foot circular painting from 1884 by Paul Philippoteaux depicting Pickett's Charge.  From your vantage point, the entire set appears like a 3-dimensional scene! Awesome! After visiting Gettysburg, it sets me up to go see the current movie by Stephen Spielberg about Lincoln.  Lincoln, the movie, won an academy award for Daniel Day-Lewis as Best Actor in portraying Lincoln.

Lincoln's address on November 18, 1863 in dedicating a Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg was short and captured the essence and purpose the war was being fought.  Lincoln was not the keynote speaker that day in dedicating the national cemetery.  The keynoter was Edward Everett, a renowned American orator of the time.  Everett spoke for 2 hours in his address.  Lincoln spoke for about 2 minutes.  We do not remember Everett's address, but know well Lincoln's address.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great  battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a  final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might  live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot  hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have  consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what  they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the  unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It  is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us --  that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for  which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve  that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall  have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people,  for the people, shall not perish from the earth."  [Bliss copy]

"Lincoln's speech transformed Gettysburg from a scene of carnage into a symbol, giving meaning to the sacrifice of the dead and inspiration to the living."

If one wanted to consider counterfactual history, and looked at one moment in time that could have changed the course of history, it was on the battlefield of Gettysburg.  IF the South had won just one more battle that third day, we might have had two separate nations.  Some say that it might even have been three nations with the West moving out on its own.  The world would not be the same without a United States of America.  Were it not for one battle victory, everything would have changed!

From this perspective, Gettysburg has emerged as a national defining moment for me.  Maybe those who fought the battles recognized the significance of the fight and stayed to fight to the end.  It was worth the sacrifice to them. It makes me grateful to them and proud to be an American!

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Faith, Heaven, Books, Miracles, Easter

THIS entry completes the historical collection of topics around spiritual topics from 2009.

Two years ago, I removed this set of blogs in order not to imply that my Firm was endorsing my philosophy.  My spiritual topics are not meant to influence others, but to share my personal faith and maybe have others discover useful messages.  Now that we have included a clear disclaimer on our company website about the blogs being solely my thoughts, I no longer feel the need to censor my thoughts around spirituality.  That is why I have returned all my prior blogs in the past two blogs ending today, Easter Sunday 2013. 

May 23, 2011

"Heaven is for real"

Heaven is for real, by pastor Todd Burpo (Thomas Nelson Publisher, 2010) is the account of the experiences of Burpo's son, Colton, when he was less than four years old.  This is a story about a young child who did not know how to read or have any theological training describing his experience in 'going' to heaven and returning.  It is a hard-to-believe story with situations that are unexplained, yet documentable.  For example Colton was able to describe what his father and mother were doing when he was in surgery.  He was able to describe a grandfather that he never met (since he had not yet been born).  He spoke of angels, Jesus, and God in childlike but matter-of-fact terms consistent with what is in the Bible.

Colton Burpo, not yet four years old, was in surgery for a ruptured appendix and apparently left his body and spent a 'moment' in heaven.  His recounting of what he saw is shared in this inspiring book.  A very short and compelling read.

Colton told his dad that, while he was in surgery, he saw his dad praying in one room while his mom was in another one.  Colton spoke to angels and they sang to him.  And he sat on Jesus' lap.  He met his sister who died in his mom's tummy (miscarriage that his mother never spoke about) and a great grandfather who died before Colton was born.  His mother never knew the sex of the baby and felt comfort knowing it was a girl.  Colton said that God adopted his sister.  All people have wings except Jesus.  Jesus did not have wings because he just floated up and down, said Colton.  Jesus told Colton He died on the cross so we could go see his dad. Jesus sat at God's right side and the angel Gabriel was on God's left side.  Colton also said that the Holy Spirit shoots down power to his dad when he preached.

This was an amazing read for me.  It has strengthened my belief that there is a heaven.  Just as I expect the sun to rise tomorrow, this reading about heaven reinforces my expectation of heaven.  Why do we believe anything?  Because if what is not 'provable' continues to occur, then the expectation is that it will occur again and thus is real.  While we cannot prove the sun will rise, it does!  We have faith that the universe is set up with some predictability.  Faith is being sure what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb 11:1). 

It's a lot like believing in miracles, those impossible circumstances that cannot be reasoned, but happen.  The more we witness miraculous things, the more we expect them.  The more we expect them, the more we are witness to them. Faith is strengthened by the re-occurrence of the unseen and offers the assurance of more to come!

In the same way, the more I hear about heaven, the more I believe it to be real.  Importantly, this reading enhances my ability to deal with life's difficulties with greater calmness knowing that there is a heaven waiting.  Don't believe in heaven?  Read this book and see if you can explain what happened to Colton. 

PS:  According to a recent report from the Christian Broadcasting Network, the book is to be made into a movie by Pastor T.D. Jakes.

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 04:56 AM

April 25, 2011

He is Risen!

Easter is a touch point for many Christians.  It is for me -- a focal point that anchors my source of joy, strength and comfort in living. Easter is when most Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ each year.  It is a ritual that begins with a 40-day period, called Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.  During the 40-day period many believers give something up for Lent.  For the first time this year, I gave up watching television during that period, missing American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Glenn Beck, and the National Hockey League playoffs.  It was a peaceful period as I had more time to read and do other things than sit in front of a TV.

Easter is a pivotal reminder of the many expectations and beliefs I have as a Christian:  I expect divine intervention when I am in need of a solution; I expect divine appointments when I need someone to help; I believe that all things work for our good; I expect miracles (see my Feb. 21, 2011 blog, "Miracles and the Impossible!"); I believe we all have a purpose in life; I hold to God's promise to never leave us or to forsake us.  Having faith in these beliefs makes life easier to live because when earthly help is exhausted and there is nowhere else to turn, I have a powerful Source yet to tap!

Easter makes me feel great!  When Christians meet each other on Easter Sunday, you will hear one say, "He is risen."  The response will be, "He is risen, indeed!"  The beauty of Easter from Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection -- from death to life -- is also a metaphor for getting rid of those things that we should not be thinking or doing to begin anew, with a new beginning.  Thus as I grow my Christian faith, renewing my life is an ongoing effort, not just at Easter time.  

You know I believe in miracles since I have personally been a part of them.  But do I believe in going to heaven when I die?  I'm pretty sure, but am still working on that one.  Maybe after reading a recent book, Heaven is for real (by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent; Pub. Thomas Nelson, 2010), I will be certain about heaven!  This book tells the story of a three-year old boy who went to heaven and back!  I can't wait to read it.

I often wonder what expectations non-Christians have in dealing with the vicissitudes of life.  What is their spiritual anchor?

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 02:58 AM

April 11, 2011

"I am what I was" -- Soulprint

The rest of the quote from Mark Batterson's book, Soulprint, is: "I am what I was and what I am destined to be."   (SOULPRINT –discovering your divine destiny, by Mark Batterson; Pub. Multnomah Press, Colorado Springs, CO, 2011.)

If you want to feel good about yourself and gain ideas that will help you discover your God-given destiny, then this is an important book to read.  Mark Batterson spells out in a systematic way the components in your life and living that will provide you serious food for thought and things to do.

The thesis of Soulprint is that each of us has a purpose in life.  However, because we are immersed in life, it is sometimes difficult to sort the path to take. 

Bottomline, there is no one like you and never will be.  You are unique and if you do not seek to fulfill your destiny, you will feel regret when your time on earth is over.  In this book Batterson walks you through the different aspects of living that help you discover who you are destined to
become. 

Good news!  God is concerned about who you are becoming.  Thus our objective in life is to seek to do what we are supposed to do.  The soulprint is like a code that ties our identity to our true destiny.

The key to discovering your future destiny is to dig into your past.  Who were you?  There are moments in your past that were defining moments – events or situations that changed your thinking or your life course. Defining moments can be a marriage, a death, a new child, a job loss, an illness, a new friend, a word of encouragement, etc.  These moments serve as launching pads to your new future.

In searching our history, we may find that our greatest advantages may be found arising from our greatest disadvantages (and disappointments).  Have you ever lost a job opportunity and then found one that was much more desirable?  God is preparing you, but the steps are not obvious.  The divine appointment to a new position may require you to get ready, to fail and to lose before the new dawn.

Batterson says that your current frustrations will be cause for future celebration if you hang in there.  Because you are His child, God wants you to succeed.  You must have faith that He is setting you up for success!  Don’t even short-change the skills that you may now have.  God uses anything and everything you have done and gone through to fine tune you to become the person you are destined to be.

In order to discover your soulprint, you have to mine your memory for your defining moments.  You will need to think about those events and circumstances that changed your thinking or your life trajectory.  There may be five or ten defining moments.  Whatever the number, you will be able to connect the dots among those moments.  A pattern will emerge to point to your destiny.

If you collect keepsakes, those will remind you of some important event or moment.  Batterson calls these physical reminders lifesymbols and spiritual milestones.  “They are reminders from the past that give meaning to the present and holy confidence for the future.”   Lifesymbols serve as the thread that ties who you are (identity) to what you will become (destiny).

Finally, Batterson notes that we have to have a fine-tuned conscience that gives us integrity, plus humility in order to fulfill our divine destiny.  Says Batterson, “Integrity is making the right decision no matter when, no matter where, no matter what.”   Humility is important because if you
build monuments to yourself, then you will not focus on what God will want for you and not reach your divine destiny. 

Your destiny is your legacy.  It’s never too late to be who you are destined to be.   “Your mistakes may define your past, but they don’t have to define your present.  And they certainly don’t have to define your future,” notes Batterson.  Importantly, your legacy will influence the destiny of your children and their children.  Your soulprint:   It is who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming.

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 02:03 AM

February 21, 2011

Miracles and The Impossible!

Miracles are the solutions to the impossible.  Impossible refers to things that happen with no 'earthly' explanation.  We might call an impossible happening coincidence, chance, or serendipity.  Calling it a miracle is just as plausible.  Since I believe in miracles and that these are divine interventions, I will share my thoughts from that perspective.  When there appears to be a
pattern in impossible happenings, the alternative explanations of chance or coincidence are implausible to me.

We are fundamentally spiritual beings.  When unexpected (seeming impossible) things happen and there is a pattern, we begin to believe there is something more to this than random chance, because it is not random.  Rather, the events are controlled by some force, a divine force.  If each of us reflected on past activities and events, I am convinced that we can find situations where the impossible occurred.  If we were to collect the set of impossible events, we may even find that they are connected to each other.  Let me share a set of such events.

When we moved our business to Washington, DC from Houston, we did not have work nor a network.  I needed a local person willing to help us navigate the business environment here.  That person was referred to me by a university business director out of Houston.  He called my Houston number, which I had transferred to DC, to remind me about my annual volunteer teaching in the university's executive program.  When he discovered I was in DC, he realized he could not fly me out for the day session.  Instead he told me about Ron, another instructor in his program, but from DC.  I called Ron and he invited us to lunch with him.  At the lunch, he offered to shepherd us in establishing our business in DC.  We did not know him nor him us, yet he did not hesitate to take us on!  Now that's a divine meeting!  [Sequence:  Just as we needed help, the call comes in.  The referral is spontaneous. We make the phone call.  Without hesitation the stranger invites us to lunch the next week.  The stranger effectively 'adopts' us on the spot. That stranger was Ron and he is still our advisor.]

For the first year, we did not have any work in DC, but we met Chris who had a company and wanted to sell his assets and 'turn over' his two federal contracts. In the classical 'we met him sitting on a stool at the counter at the corner diner' situation, this was another divine moment.  My first encounter with Chris was at the corner diner where he was sitting on a stool by the exit.  I was paying my bill and leaving.  I just said, "Hello" since he was in my line of sight as I left.  If he responded, I did not recall.  Several weeks later, I was at the same diner and Chris sitting in the same spot.  This time I said, "That must be your reserved seat."  There was no response.  However, I then asked a question.  "What work are you in?"  Chris said he was a government contractor and I said we are trying to be one.  He then said that if we became certified as a minority firm, I should talk to him.  Well, we had already applied for the minority status that was approved several months later.  We called Chris and discussed taking over his assets and contracts and with this action, we went from zero revenues to nearly $1 million revenues for the year.  Without doubt, this was another divine appointment!!  [Sequence: Go to eat and say, "hello" to a stranger.  Run into same stranger in same spot a second time who turns out to want to sell his business and sells to us.  That was twelve years ago and the start we needed.] 

I believe in miracles because I like the idea that they are solutions to what I would consider impossible.  Yes, it is hard to expect (maybe that's the problem) something unbelievable (like the perfect solution from some unexpected circumstance) and expect it to happen.  But now I tell
myself, I cannot do it, but the divine can.  Over the years, we have been part of a number of impossible events that occurred in our favor.  Thus, for me, I keep the faith and expect even more
miracles.  You should too!!  God brings together things that do not belong together -- people, events, actions. 

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 02:08 AM

 

More Thoughts around Spiritual Matters

THIS entry is a collection of topics around spiritual topics.

Two years ago, I removed this set of blogs in order not to imply that my Firm was endorsing my philosophy.  My spiritual topics are not meant to influence others, but to share my personal faith and maybe have others discover useful messages.  Now that we have included a clear disclaimer on our company website about the blogs being solely my thoughts, I no longer feel the need to censor my thoughts around spirituality.  That is why I have returned all my prior blogs in last week's and next week's blogs ending on Easter Sunday 2013. 

January 03, 2011

Expectations for 2011!

I am full of optimism and expectations for 2011!  Why? Because I believe we have our collective work and personal lives under control. We have no new year's resolutions, but new thinking for a
new year.  We will expect great things to happen for us, for our family, and for our business. As a starter, this year ended on an upbeat note.  The following You Tube video played a role in firing up my spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE). It set an awesome tone for an expectant future. 

Our business took a hit from the economy and for most of the year it was a challenge staying positive.  Yet by year's end, I felt a significant swing, not because the economy jumped up, but because our staff came together to take steps to move forward and upward.  We submitted two major proposals and even worked to compete on a proposal that we believe is set-up for some other firm.  Now that's foolish or we know something!  On top of this, we started a prayer group for our firm and in our first meeting, we could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit working among us.

On the personal front, our children were with us this Christmas.  We had a Christmas dinner with them and our spiritual children, young folks from our church small group who did not have family in town.  It was great to see our daughter laugh and stay up late.  Because she has chronic fatigue, this is special and gives us hope that one day she will be fully healed.  Madeline's work as a Senior Chaplain with our firm and with others continues to grow.  She loves this work of compassion and has focused on supporting those in grief from any critical stress, such as death of a loved one.  Our personal prayer life grows as well as our dependence on God to guide us.  We feel that we are getting aligned with God's purpose for our lives and this gives us comfort and optimism that everything will work out as planned.

For this year, we expect our faith will grow.  We will believe that as long as we pray like it depends on God and we work like it depends on us, work and personal life will be fulfilling.  We will expect divine interventions all the time along the way, but will not expect the road to be totally smooth.  We will, however, be confident that as long as we continue to be faithful to God's Word, we will be OK.  We expect our staff to be encouraged this year and our firm to prosper.

We know there will be negative events and real struggles for our lives each day that, without a strong personal faith in a greater power, life would be a difficult struggle!  We have high expectations for 2011; it will be challenging, yet energizing and definitely worth the living. 
We pray that you too will find renewed faith in order to live positive tomorrows!

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 01:51 AM

December 22, 2010

Christmas, Family, and Memories

I thought I would just share my thoughts about the Christmas season and family.  Why is it that we feel sadness if we are alone during this season?  As youngsters most of us experienced holiday get-togethers with family, relatives, neighbors, or friends.  It was sometimes a hassle to get ready for the festivities, but we enjoyed the mingling, sharing of personal items, telling stories, food, song, etc. but couldn't wait to get home to 'rest.'  Years later as we moved from the old neighborhood, we no longer have the same closeness of relationships and no longer have the invitations and the parties.  Is it that we miss the parties?

Madeline and I have been removed from our families (in California) for over 30 years, so those family Christmas parties are mostly memories, although mostly fond ones.  We have had many acquaintances all those years, but not people we consider close.  After moving to the east coast 12 years ago, we pretty much stayed east and only in the past two years have we begun to establish a new 'family.'    

About 5 years ago, we left a mainline church in Washington, DC to find one that better fit our needs.  After eight visits to a mix of churches, we found one that was a breath of fresh air.  The messages presented by the young pastor resonated with us every week, not something that happened in our church going before.  We discovered the National Community Church that
met in theatres -- this one at the Union Station theaters.  In the past two years, we have had a study group -- Holy Spirit Group -- meet at our home.  As the reported average age of the church goers is 28 years, Madeline and I are like parents to the group.  Thus Madeline calls all the participants her spiritual children.  We even have two spiritual grandchildren now!  We support these children with whatever we can when they have needs.  It has been very satisfying to be able to be 'parents'
to them as many of them are away from their home towns. 

This Christmas our children will be with us so our family will be together.  We will be having a family celebration meal together with our 'adopted' family in DC.  Yes, it will be another moment to build memories of the season.  However, I believe that it is in the recognition that our celebrations are to remember the birth of Jesus Christ that makes Christmas special, not just the parties and gifts.

Inherent in Christmas is Jesus' promise that there is a better tomorrow.  Jesus' birth was not about a holiday, but about the expectation of new life for us.   If we accept this message, we can stand on His promise for an abundant life and new hope for a new year.  In a latest poll, 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas regardless of their religious beliefs, or even without belief.  While only 58% celebrate it for the birth of Jesus Christ, we all celebrate life and families!  As for me, I hold to this promise: 

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 
Jeremiah 29:11. 

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 03:28 AM

November 20, 2010

In Times of Distress, Move Beyond Fear

Fear is what stops us from success, from peace of mind, from life quality.  It is fear of death, of the unknown, of job loss, of what people say that stops us from doing what we know we should.  When we look at our fears, we will find that most of what we fret about is outside of our control, even irrational.  In fact, most things we worry about do not come to pass.  Yet we dwell on the fears.

The past year has brought with it a number of deaths of family members within our company.  We have had a father die, a mother die, a husband die, an unborn baby die, a wife die.  While we should know that life is life, this number of deaths surrounding people we know makes one stop to reflect.  For me, it is a bit more intense than usual because I also serve as the Chaplain for our firm working to support each of these members.  For them, there is fear of the future -- what do I do now?

We cannot know the anguish each person suffers from their loss as each will grieve differently.  All we know is that all have had their lives changed forever.  When they get beyond the burning pain, they will find that they will have to develop a new norm, a life without their loved one beside
them.  A new reality has to be established in order to move to a new beginning.  It will be important to take small steps in building the new life.

It’s all about change.  Change is often difficult as we have developed habits around our lives.  It will require that we adjust to the new norm by developing new habits.  We will need a new attitude about the future to help drive our new behaviors.  Getting to a new place will require both things to do differently and people (family, friend, counselor) to help guide the way.  The fear needs to be addressed directly to understand its source and its power to control you so you can take control back where it is possible.  Beyond displacing fear, it is important to fill the void with hope for the future.  You need to know that you are a distinctively unique individual with more you can do, and that through your spiritual strength, new light and a new beginning will emerge.

We recently attended the annual meeting of the American Association of Christian Counselors and heard some great presentations around grief and fear of the future. The most profound lesson we heard was that in order to move away from fear, one needs to move toward faith.  Fear is grounded around our life experiences and our physical universe; faith is centered in God the Father.  In order to overcome fear, we need to have faith that there is a greater tomorrow.  We need to know that the pain and suffering will become salved when we seek spiritual strength through faith in a higher being.  Also, professional counseling or joining a Grief Share group is highly recommended to work though one’s grief.

Getting past fear is about changing our behavior.  Do not accept fear into our thinking or in running our lives.  Replace fear with the knowledge that there is a better way.  It is a distinct attitude change that through our faith in a greater being we can displace fear with faith and that the pain and anguish will pass and life will move to a new plateau.

You are welcome to write to chaplainmadeline@tbgva.com for helpful information in dealing with grief and the fear of tomorrows.

Guest blogger:  Chaplain Madeline

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 04:16 AM

August 23, 2010

Divine Networking makes the Impossible Possible!

If you are a believer, you are not surprised that people and opportunities present themselves to help you when you least expect it.  If logic tells us it would be impossible for us to have engineered those appointments with our own abilities and network, one might consider those as 'divine appointments.'

Here is why divine networking is the ultimate network.  God knows everybody!  He can bring into play anyone He chooses to intervene on your behalf.  He can make the impossible possible!  Has this happened to us?  Absolutely!

Divine Appointment #1: Madeline and I moved to Washington, DC from Houston without any business contacts or work.  We moved with the faith that our call to Washington was ordained.  Shortly after arriving, I received a call from the director of the executive program at the University of Houston.  He said that it was time for my annual teamwork presentation to the executive class.  He had called my Houston number that was transferred to DC so he was surprised to hear I was no longer in Houston.  Since this was a volunteer effort, there were no funds to provide me airfare to do the training.  Instead, he said that there was another volunteer for his program and he lived in DC.  He suggested I contact him.  I did and this gentleman became an adviser to our business and has helped us grow 500 fold in 10 years.

Divine Appointment #2: I was at lunch at a neighborhood diner and struck up a conversation with a stranger.  He was not interested in talking.  A week or so passed and I was at the same diner where the same person was sitting in the same place and I asked him what he did.  This time he said he was a government contractor.  I said that we were just getting started along that path as well.  He said that if we got our 8(a) certification, that he wanted to speak with us.  We did get certified and I called him.  What happened was that he was winding down his company and turned over his government contracts to us.  Those were worth about $1 million dollars!  We had no contracts until then and certainly there was no way we could have planned the meeting.

We continue to have miraculous interventions in our lives -- meeting people who help us, who make introductions that turn into new business and personal opportunities.  I needed to find a trainer and through Madeline's physical therapist, I was led to the assistant trainer for the Washington Wizards basketball team.  He worked with me for a year and got me on the right
health track.  He is now the Washington Mystics women's basketball team's trainer.  I also believe our company is growing because we claim Jesus as our CEO and depend on His guidance in helping me run the business.

I also believe that if we continue to pray specifically for what we need, more divine interventions occur.  In fact, I look each day for what new impossible events will occur in my life.  It makes life interesting and exciting!  By the way, what we get may not be what we ask for, but often it is better or meant to direct us in a different path.  God knows better what we need.  Yet, we need to work like it depends on us and pray like it depends on God. Follow this core value (adopted from our church) and life will be more than you could ask for or possibly imagine.  That has happened to us!

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Posted at 02:42 AM 

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Spirituality - My Journey and Thoughts

THIS entry contains part of the historical collection of topics around spiritual topics from 2009.

Two years ago, I removed this set of blogs in order not to imply that my Firm was endorsing my philosophy.  My spiritual topics are not meant to influence others, but to share my personal faith and maybe have others discover useful messages.  Now that we have included a clear disclaimer on our company website about the blogs being solely my thoughts, I no longer feel the need to censor my thoughts around spirituality.  That is why I have returned all my prior blogs in this blog and the next two blogs ending Easter Sunday 2013. 

August 31, 2009

Reading a Classic, the Bible

In the past year, I have begun to find reading this classic, the Bible, an interesting worthwhile effort.  Yes, it is still an effort for me.  As of late, I have been struggling to get daily readings done.  One approach is to use a daily reading guide. Well, I am reading February assignments and here it is September.  I continue to drop behind because I have not dedicated the time to read.

I am writing this blog because I want to share my Bible reading journey.  It takes time to see the value in reading this text.  For me, the words and messages I am reading have often been so
timely as to be providential.  The more I read and believe that I will find answers, answers surface.  At the least, I feel comfort for the moment and often for the rest of the day through the reading.  My guess is that I am only half-way to finding my ideal approach to reading and benefiting from the messages. If my approach were ideal, I would not fall behind the reading dates.  Here are my current thoughts.

1.  Years ago, I believed that the King James Version (KJV) was the authoritative Bible.  Then came the Revised Standard version, then the New Revised Standard one.  Soon I found that there were dozens of different versions.  I was somewhat confused why so many.  After all, I got used to the 'thees' and 'thous' of the KJV.  Until one starts to read the Bible and tries to understand what the verses are trying to tell us, we cannot appreciate the need for other Bibles.  Early on, I thought that it was important to learn lessons from the KJV Bible only.  But because of the old language, it was very difficult.  Hence, I stopped reading.  Over the years, Madeline and I have accumulated about twelve different types of Bibles because we found that different versions have been rewritten to help us better understand what is being said by the words.  My favorite now is the Archeological Study Bible because it fits better my scientific background and my interest in 'proof' of things.  Reading inserts about a tangible place or item helps me better appreciate what I am reading.  It brings to life what would merely be old history, versus old lessons worthy of application today.  So at least I have found a Bible that works for me now.  I have, however, pulled out other versions because even in the Bible I am using, there are phrases and expressions that don't make sense to me.  When that happens, I do what a scientist does, check out another source to see if one can make sense of the passage.

2.  Talk about readings with others to gain their perspective or to realize others are also not clear on the meaning.  It's helps the psyche to know you are not alone in being confused!

3.  Listen to sermons or read about the books in the Bible interpreted by others.  This also serves to help one understand the nuances of your readings.

4.  Actively consider how the old examples serve as new ideas for living today.  The challenge is to ask yourself, "How might this apply for me?"  Do not ask, "Is this relevant?"  In other words, be sure to ask open ended questions that cannot be answered by a 'yes' or 'no' response.  This forces one to give thought to the question.

5.  Don't beat yourself up if you don't get to the reading.  I now have a peace about reading the Bible.  If I don't get to it, I no longer fret.  For example, the fact that I am months behind a planned
reading schedule does not cause me angst as it once did.  I will persist but not be distressed about it.

6.  Attend a "read the Bible in 90 days" program.  Madeline and I did that about 12 years ago.  It was a Bethel Bible study program.  It did not cover every passage, but skimmed over all the
books at a rapid pace.  It was interesting because the sections were illustrated with pictures and stories to bring the selected passages to life.  As a result of that program though, I determined to read the Bible from cover to cover.  Thus, I read the entire Revised Standard Version, verse by verse, in about 8 months.  It was an exercise in reading, not in studying.  While I was pleased to have done this, I missed most of the lessons I probably needed to learn.  I am still naive about
reading to understand, to study, to consider, and then to apply what I read.  I am still working on this study part.

7.  It has been said that as we mature in each aspect of reading, understanding, and applying lessons from the Bible, we continue to uncover layers of new lessons along the way.  It's as if each moment and place in time impresses their unique nuances on the messages to give them new meaning.  This means that it is the context in life in which we read that meaningful messages surface.  Hmmmm...Interesting!

Here is my summary of my Bible reading: 1) Must believe that messages and useful lessons will be revealed to help me better live and do my work; 2) Must believe that life is more than working without some higher purpose; 3) Must enjoy the challenge of seeking interesting ideas and lessons; 4) Must believe that divine things (appointments and interventions) happen when we ask and when we least expect it; and 5) Must be undeterred in keeping up with the reading. 

Posted at 05:49 AM

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

July 13, 2009

Christian Principles Founded a Great Nation

In the past few months, I have travelled from hotel to hotel.  I have checked for a Bible to read my lessons.  At the Hyatt Regency Cambridge they had no Bible.  At the Embassy Suites in Charleston, I asked for a Bible, and one was delivered to the room.  On the other hand, the Marriott Tremont in Boston had a Bible in the room.  When did the removal of Bibles begin?  There was a time when there was a Bible in every hotel room in every hotel and public lodging.

When around 80% of the U.S. citizenry professes to be Christian, this removal of the Bible suggests a disturbing trend.  What concerns me is that, while we are a melting pot for all types of people with different faiths and that we fight for our freedom to express ourselves, we are forgetting our roots -- a nation founded on Christian principles.  Our founding fathers depended on biblical principles to establish the United States.  

Here is what David Barton wrote in The Spirit of the American Revolution. "The American Revolution was a dream of the unthinkable: fifty-six men with no army, navy, or military of their own, pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to defeat the world's greatest military power."  Most of the Founding Fathers were Christians and the spirit that sustained them was found in the Bible.  When America's first congress convened in 1774, the first order of business was to open in prayer.  Early in the American Revolution, Samuel Adams (cousin of future president John Adams), helped communicate across the colonies through the Committees of Correspondence, an alternative news source since there was no trust of the British-sympathetic
news media.  In 1772, Samuel Adams wrote, "The Rights of Colonists," in which he qualified this as the rights of colonists as Christians and, further, that one should read the New Testament to
understand the divine right of people to seek freedom.  George Washington, when he was chosen to organize a new army, made it clear that all officers and men were to act as Christian soldiers. This was practiced when 5,000 British prisoners from the Battle of Saratoga were given a choice to return to England or stay in prison. They opted to leave and were escorted to ships to send them home.

Why is America great?  Alexis de Tocqueville of France in the 1830s wrote in "Democracy in America" that the United States' greatness comes from the Christian spirit that permeates the country.  I agree with de Tocqueville.  The question in my mind is why are some discounting
this?  Is it because we have forgotten?  It is crucial to have roots.  Roots remind us as to who we are and how we became a great nation.  Roots serve to anchor us by guiding our actions today. 
Importantly, roots serve as a guidepost to return to a time when greatness was in hand.  We need to stand for something that is grounded historically, something that sets our present on firm footing. 

Posted at 05:31 AM

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com 

June 08, 2009

Faith is the anchor to take control

When our lives seem out of control, when we find that there is too much work and not enough time, when we are overwhelmed and become paralyzed in our actions, or when we feel 'lost,' we need to take back control of our lives.  Just today, I was thinking that there are three ways to take control.  First, we need to believe in ourselves.  Second, we need to believe in others, such as parents, mentors, and friends to guide and help us.  Thirdly, we need faith in an almighty God. 

Here is my thesis.  If you have strong faith -- faith in yourself, in others, and in God -- you will feel in control.  Then you are better able to deal with the stresses of life.

Faith in Ourselves.  You need to have a strong sense of who you are and what you are capable of doing.  You need to believe that you can 'do it' in order to weather the daily challenges.  You need to learn your strengths and weaknesses so you can accentuate the positive and minimize (or
address) the negatives.

Faith in Others.  You can't do it all alone.  You need others who have been there and done that to provide you the counsel and guidance when you need it.  You need people as a sounding board to bounce off ideas so you can gain perspective.  You need people to share your victories as well
as to commiserate in your defeats.

Faith in God.  While having faith in self and others will serve to solve many of life's challenges, there are times when none of the above is sufficient.  That is the time you need to believe in a higher authority who has been shown to believers to be a powerful and faithful ally.  God can change the course of your life.  With faith in His power, all sorts of divine appointments and divine interventions will occur to guide and sustain you.  Just ask Madeline and me about our move from Houston to Washington, DC when we had no work, nor contacts.  We trusted that God would
provide.  He did -- BIG TIME!

It is my conviction that this three-fold approach will provide the best structure for you to take to help maintain control of your life.  It works for me!

Posted at 05:52 AM

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

 

December 22, 2008

Christmas and the life we live

The Christmas season is special for many of us.  It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

I just finished reading a new book by Rick Warren (author of "The Purpose Driven Life") entitled, "The Purpose of Christmas" from Howard Books (Simon & Schuster). I like his preface which I paraphrase here.  Warren says that if we gave thought to it, it is truly amazing that the birthday of a peasant baby 2000 years ago in the Middle East can generate so much human activity nearly everywhere in the world every year to celebrate his birthday!  There is no other birthday that causes this massive, worldwide celebration that lasts over a month, with family dinners, parties, television specials, special worship services, gifts, shopping, sending out greeting cards, decorations, and travel.  On the negative side, there is the stress in 'preparing' to celebrate Christmas and the depression that comes from not being involved in the activities.  Unless you live in a cave somewhere, you cannot miss the
Christmas season.

Warren's book answers the question, "What's the big deal about Christmas?"  I picked up this book because I wanted to be able to answer the question for myself and others who may wonder.  Also, it has been said that we may remember how to celebrate, but have forgotten why. This book reminds me why we celebrate. 

Warren notes that there are 3-whys to answer the above question. 

1) It is a time for celebration.  "I bring you good news of great joy for all the people."  God sent a son, Jesus Christ, to walk among us.  Regardless of who you are or what you believe, it is an opportunity to rejoice that God loves you, is with you, is for you!  There is great comfort in knowing someone deeply cares about you and in your success.  "I know the plans I have for you," says Jesus."They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you."  This also means you are never alone, you have a powerful partner.

2) It is a time for salvation. A savior has been born, come to save you from your self-made problems, your concerns, your disconnectedness, and your guilt of the past.  Free you from rejection by others, from discouragement, bitterness, resentment, expectations of others, addictive habits, and fear of death.  "Even before the world was made, God loved us."  You are being saved for a purpose -- to be significant in someone's life.

3) It is a time for reconciliation.  Our world is in continuous conflict somewhere.  Peace is not universal.  Civilization is losing its civility ('good will toward men').  What is it that is causing this disjointed world, where conflict seems the norm -- in families, communities, between races, nationalities, religions, rich and poor?  Thus the third big deal about Christmas is that it signifies a solution for peace.  Reconciliation is the restoration of peace and Jesus was called the Prince of Peace.  Jesus taught us how to live together, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Madeline and I are grateful for living a life filled with the promises of  Christmas.

Have a blessed Christmas and we pray your life be filled with positive anticipation!

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Stay Young Like a Child!

Trust you know we are living longer, but sicker.  (Blog of February 03, 2013; FLASH -- We are living longer ... but sicker!)  So what are you doing about living longer and sicker?  Here's a thought, focus on living longer by staying young. 

As one gets older, we cannot change the loss of our youthful, physical look without surgery.  The skin wrinkles more, the body succumbs to gravitational pull, the walk is slower, and the joints don't lubricate as they did in years past.  The one thing that helps one deal with or ignore many of these realities is if we have a childlike approach to living. 

When childlike, we will stay young in mind, spirit, and relationships.  If we want to play with youth, we also gain in physical health (body).  In the end it's still about body (exercise), mind (anticipating the future), spirit (excited about the future), and relationships (with youth).  Here is what I read in ID: The True You, by Mark batterson (Xulon Press, 2004) that inspired this blog.  In speaking about aging, Batterson quotes Mitch Albom about embracing aging.  "The truth is, part of me is every age.  I'm a three-year old,  I'm a five year old, I'm a fifty year old.  I've been through all of them, and I know what it's like.  I delight in being a child when it's appropriate to be a child.  I delight in being a wise old man when it's appropriate to be a wise old man.  Think of all I can be!  I am every age, up to my own." (Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom).  I find Albom's view about aging inspiring.  It gives me a way of appreciating who I have been and am over the years! 

Here is my list to be more childlike: 

1) Body: It's about being physical.  Have you noticed how adults behave when they play with children, for example grandchildren?  For a moment they become childlike in play.  Ever consider competing with youth?  I joined a dragon boat team where the average was 25-30.  As the 68 year old paddler, I aimed to compete with those 30-year olds.  It kept me working hard to stay with them.  Guess what, I did.  I did not stop paddling until they did.  I did all the warm up exercises.  I did more push-ups than most of them.  It was the challenge that kept me younger.  Without the challenge, I would not have worked as hard, nor accomplished as much -- 15 medals in four seasons!

2) Mind:  Ask more questions.  Why?  How come?  Children ask 10x more questions in a day than adults!  With inquiring minds, we can imagine the future rather than sit with our memories, we expand our minds.  Energizing our minds makes us 'younger.'  Using our imagination means we will take more risks in life.   Visioning is a form of imagining.  If you articulate a vision and move to achieve the vision, you will find new energy in life.  This will help generate a youthful spirit.  I have commented about youth having visions and adults having dreams  (Blog October 26, 2009 Visions
& Dreams -- Youths & Elders ).

 3) Spirit:  Want to lift your spirit?  Do something you have never done before that challenges you.  If you take risks in your life, you stay vibrant, young. Why?  Because to risk means to be doing something that you have not done before or have gaps in understanding all the nuances.  By keeping on one's toes in risk-taking, your brain/mind is expanded by building new brain connections i.e., more neurogenesis occurs.  Your brain is like a muscle.  It grows stronger with use. 

4) Relationships: This is about interacting with youth.  Find activities where you have a chance to share your wisdom with youth.  Coach a youth team, tutor children, mentor young adults, compete in a sport (like dragon boating).  What Madeline and I have done is 'adopt' young people from our church.  We interact with them like parents, celebrating marriages, new children, along with comforting them in times of crisis.

"Think of all I can be!  I am every age, up to my own."  Albom had it right!

Here are my addition blogs around living younger and forever:  January 17, 2011: Getting
Younger is a Viable Option!   and February 07, 2011: Living Forever -- Your Legacy and March 28, 2011: Live Longer - 5 Ways.

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

 

Related articles

Growing Old Positively!

A Transplanted Heart Remembers!

In a prior blog I spoke about getting hives for the fourth time in the same places on my body.  I concluded that my cells had memory even for allergic responses and that is why there was specificity in the recurrence.  Just the other day, I read a comment to remind me of a more significant aspect of cellular memory.  It is that the medical community has become aware of cell memory being transferred from one person to another via the transplanted heart.  This reminded me that I had read a book, The Heart's Code, years ago which I thought interesting, but did not command my attention as it does today.  Although I worked 10 years as a clinical immunologist in Organ Transplantation Units at two medical schools, it is because of my current interest in quantum medicine that I wanted to re-read it and share the information. 

The Heart's Code (Paul Pearsall, Broadway Books, NY. 1998) gives a powerful dissertation about the mind of the heart.  Pearsall says that it is important to rethink our focus on the brain as the only organ that 'thinks' and that the heart may do so as well!  Terms like field of "energy cardiology" and stored "info-energy" are used in describing this area of inquiry.  My summary:  As our body's systems consist of electrically charged cells and particles with specific functions, they are thus information-containing energy reservoirs which interact with other systems.  These systems constantly exchange memories -- thinking! 

The idea that heart transplant recipients receive more than just a mechanical pump and nothing more is being debunked by transplant patients speaking out about their changed interests and tastes following transplantation.  One patient quoted by Pearsall told of her accurate dreams about her donor, about changes in food tastes and even her style of dancing (coming from the donor heart). 

In mainstream medical practice, the idea that the heart transfers memory after transplantation is not only hard to accept, but definitely poorly understood.  Yet, with more and more testimonials of heart transplant recipients together with a growing body of knowledge about cellular memory, it is becoming clearer that cellular memory can be transplanted with our cells.  

If I have learned anything, it is that our bodies are constructed with an amazingly coordinated complexity of cells and electrical signals.  While I can't grasp how all this is managed, I should not be surprised that the heart will be proven to play more roles than just to keep the blood flowing!

Without question, we are awesomely made!

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Proof of Heaven!

My guess is that from time to time many of us wonder about life after death. Maybe we hope there is something to what religion tells us that there is a heaven, a place where we will live a wonderful life forever.  I’m one of those curious to know.  However, I was trained as a scientist where facts are the currency of my work.  That means hearing about heaven is great, but how could this be real?  With an open mind, I read up about those individuals who have ‘been to heaven and returned’ -- to sell books.  I try to be objective knowing that it takes an amount of faith to accept those stories.

In my blog of May 23, 2011, I wrote about a fascinating book, Heaven Is For Real, about the death and recovery of a 4-year old boy.  His recollection of his ‘journey’ to heaven was impactful.  He was able to recount visits with people he could not have known (because he wasn’t yet born), like a grandfather and a sister who was stillborn. He met Jesus and saw people floating about with wings, whereas Jesus did not need wings. Needless to say, I was spellbound by the book because it was too amazing and difficult to believe.  Yet, I could not see how a young child could ‘manufacture’ the story.  Sure made me more hopeful that heaven might be real since I like to think that when this earthly life ends, there is a new more glorious beginning of another.  I’m not smart enough to sit and ponder what this means except to just accept the possibility and leave it at that.

There is more.  I just finished a book, Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander (Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, NY. 2012), a medical doctor and highly trained neuroendocrinologist (study of the nervous and the endocrine system interactions), who tells of his clinical death, travels to another realm, and return to an earthly life (Proof of Heaven, Simon & Schuster Paperback, NY. 2012).  Now I'm paying focused attention!  What distinguishes this account  from other heavenly travels is spelled out by Alexander.  In his medical practice as a neurosurgeon (Duke University Medical School > Massachusetts General Hospital > Harvard), he had witnessed and heard numerous accounts of people who ‘died’ clinically to return to recount travel to an afterlife.  He determined that those experiences were all caused by the brain and not to any real heavenly life – until he ‘died’ and experienced his own out-of-body travels.  Until then, he never even read any of the published accounts of such near-death experiences (NDEs).  He confessed that he did not believe any of the stories and considered them brain-based phenomena and not some supernatural experience.

In this book, Alexander dissects his experiences and relates it to his medical understanding of brain function.  In order to avoid influencing what he remembered, he wrote down his recollections first before reviewing the writings of others.  What he found when he finally did a comparative review was that he had coherent similarities with others and concluded they also visited an afterlife.  Awesome!

Here are some of Dr. Alexander's findings about his NDE.  The neocortex (outer surface of the brain) is necessary for any brain function.  Without a functioning neocortex, the brain is dead.  What Alexander discovered from reviewing his medical records, while in a coma for 7 days, was that his neocortex was not functioning.  He was fully brain dead.  Alexander concludes that even when the body and brain are dead, there is still consciousness, or the human experience continues beyond the grave.  He provides descriptions of the three places he experienced during his NDE.  He started in a place underground, the Realm of the Earthworm's Eye View.  It was a dark, confined, scary place.  The best place he called the Core, where he experienced the Divine, God and angels.  Between the two places he called the Gateway. 

Once Alexander wrote everything down, he did a comprehensive study of reports of NDE from ancient times to the present.  He found many similarities to his NDE -- the dark tunnel that leads to a bright light and angels.  What he found that was unique in his experience was that unlike most other reports, he did not have interactions with people who were part of his earthly life.  In fact, Dr. Alexander said that during his NDE, he was free of bodily identity and had no idea who he was and where he came from, like amnesia.  He said this freed him from any earthly anchors and allowed him to see and experience all that was before him.  He felt he was a person of the universe.

Alexander describes his visit from the Core to the Earthworm's Eye View several times.  He was guided around by a girl on a butterfly wing.  He said your emotions in this other realm were both inside and outside.  If you were joyous the weather changed and clouds would disappear.  Alternatively, your tears would create a torrential downpour.  At one point he was heartbroken because the gates of Heaven (the Core) were closed.  In that moment, he could hear murmuring but not understand the words.  He tells of realizing there were prayers for him from 'below.' It took two full months after awakening from the coma to become 'normal' again.  In the appendix, Alexander spends time discussing the science and medical points to explain his experience.  No question that Dr. Alexander believes in life after death and a God in heaven!

I live with the expectation that there is life after death -- in heaven!  This gives me the joy of living day to day and the mindset that 'all is well.'   I can't prove it or dis-prove it so I might as well live with positive expectations.  Just as no one can tell you to believe or not to believe there is an afterlife, I just as well accept that heaven is for real.  I like this alternative better than to think we die and turn to dust and nothing more.  It makes me happy and gives me peace and that's what it's all about!

 © Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com

Growing Old Positively!

Growing old does not need to be the negative event we often consider it.  In a book by Mark Batterson (ID: The True You, Xulon Press, 2004), I read with great interest the perspective that those who have been around the sun multiple times can be a person of 'all ages.'  Aging is growth, not death.  In Batterson's book, he references Morrie Schwartz (Tuesdays with Morrie) who says that "part of me is every age."  What this means is that we can be a three year old playing with toys with youngsters like grand children; we can be a young adult worried about a job or finding a mate, or we can be ourselves focused on eating right and staying healthy.  The bottom line is about what can provide others because of our past experiences.  What do we bring to others' lives?

It's a very different way to think about growing older by participating in ages of the past.  This approach not only gives one a new perspective for living, but also a way to share what lessons we have learned along the way.

In part this framing for aging got my attention because Madeline and I 'adopt' young adults and interact in their lives with baby showers, baby presents, etc.  Those young adults (ages 20-40) are mostly away from their home towns without close family nearby.  We noticed it's not only fun to do, but also it keeps us young thinking!  Thus in Schwartz's terms, we are living our young adult years again.

It is actually a freeing feeling to not feel burdened by growing older, that we can look for opportunities to act whatever age we find we are needed!  Love the concept!

© Baldwin H. Tom CMC, FIMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com