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I have been reflecting on the special moments when my kids look at me. I thought a quick video would be a good reminder for me the next time I don’t pay attention to the depth behind each expression my child shares with me. During the process God met me. I love how He interrupts our journey to speak and remind us of truth. For me it was that even though I quickly forget the special moments He gives me with my kids, He has never forgotten anyone of the expressions of my face when I look to Him. He is faithful, He sees me, enjoys me, is proud of me, and loves to laugh with me. He has never forgotten.

I hope that my kids will always know how much their dad loved and loves them and that he treasures every moment with them.

I trust that He will also encourage and remind you of special moments with Him and others.

A big shout out to Carlos Whittaker and this post. It was the still images in his video that started me down this road…

Recently I  finished reading Makoto Fujimura’s book “Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture.”

It reminded me how much I love to be moved by some kind of medium. For instance, I love minor, somewhat mystical, cautious music. For the classical lovers, “A Night on Bald Mountain” by Mussorgsky would fit that genre for me.

Fujimura reminded me how much Art, in its various forms really inspires me on some visceral level.

For instance, I have never been able to get enough of Bateman’s “Midnight Wolf”

"Midnight - Black Wolf"

While reading and finishing Fujimura’s book I was left wondering if i spend enough time being inspired. Somehow I don’t think so.

So, what inspires you? Do you spend time allowing yourself to be inspired?

Just something I’m pondering

dh

PS. If you love pictures that capture the rawness and beauty of life. “The Big Picture” is one of my favorite sites.

So yesterday I wrote about my one sentence mission. Or my “OSM.” I recommend you take the time to create one for yourself. It’s hard, takes time and yes it can change over time. For me, at least, it brings clarity to the here and now.

Often people have asked me, “Where do I start.”  Here are my thoughts based on my own journey. I have divided this post into 3 parts.

A – The 4 simple steps I used

B – Further/deeper explanation of the steps

C – Example of the Stephen Covey Mission Statement tool. I copied my results as the example.

Part A

4 steps to creating your own one sentence descriptor (further explanation below)

(If you’re in a rush, just do step #3 as a starting point)

1. Know your strengths. Take a personality assessment. (Read about my thoughts on StrengthFinder here)

2. Write down any and all your thoughts about this topic concerning you.

3. Use a tool like Stephen Covey’s Mission Statement Builder as a good starting point.. (See my results below)

4. Craft, Reshape, Edit, Finalize, and do it over again.

Part B

Further Explanation on the 4 Steps

1. I find that personality profiles didn’t actually help me in creating my one sentence mission. However they were and continue to be a great creative starting point and reference tool. Your profile helps to explain the “how” you will achieve your OSM.

2. I can’t emphasize this enough. For me this process took a long time. Mostly because I was never satisfied with my results and I actually never took enough focused time to put it all together. However I did save virtually any type of descriptive mission statement that piqued my interest. I used Evernote to save all my notes.

3. I didn’t do this initially, but think it is a great tool for people to help shape their thoughts and key passions, desires and wants.

4. This is by far the most important step. This takes time and for most lots of it. For me personally it took about 4 edits and revisions, which happened over about 4 months. (Remember I didn’t plan specific time for this) However one benefit of me taking so long is that I had more exposure to other creative ideas, experiences, etc.  Going forward I have now created a yearly reminder to review my OSM. If nothing else to serve as a good reminder of what God has called me to do.

So, with all that said please share your OSM and/or your Covey Mission Statement. I love reading the “mission” of others.

Part C

Example of my results form the Stephen Covey Tool

For kicks, I copied my mission statement as generated by the Covey tool.  I left it in its unedited form so you have an idea of the “product” and what kind of information you would receive and have to edit.

I am at my best when asking questions creating big picture.

I will try to prevent times when i have to be social admin work.

I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can plan organize lead.

I will find enjoyment in my personal life through read, play sports and spend time anywhere tropical .

I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as decision making, planning and leadership.

I can do anything I set my mind to. I will help consult and equip Christ following organizations on how to better lead and make tangible differences in society..

My life’s journey is about Jesus Christ and creating environments for people to choose to follow or deny Him.

I will be a person who Darren was authentic, real and influenced millions for Christ..

My most important future contribution to others will be That they are strong followers of Jesus Christ and strong leaders who influence others.

I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

• spending more time with my family and kids
• to expand our life experience by living internationally for at least some time

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Leader
• Wisdom
• Discerning

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• work out
• scripture reading
• spend time vacationing with friends and family
• spend time reading and with friends

What would you add in the process of creating personal full blown mission statements, like the Stephen Covey one, or simple one sentence missions? If you have one, how did you create it? Also, please share what yours is.

I’ve finally written down a one sentence descriptor of God’s call on my life.

…create space for authentic relationships and transparent community through which people have the opportunity to encounter and decide how to deal with Jesus Christ.

I’m still in a slightly “tweaking” mode so, feedback?

Have you spent time to define who God has called you to be? Intuitively you most likely know what it is. I encourage you to write it out.

You’ve probably seen the many surveys people pass around on facebook. I’ve actually never filled one out. However Naomi did a little survey with Esther (Our 5 year old daughter) about me. To be honest I was a little nervous to read it. Why? Kids are brutally honest and they know you better than most. Maybe something for you to do with your kids.