Tag: influencers

Iron Men

~ Richard Solano ~ Leave a comment

I was good at cross country running when I was young.

In High School, I rode my bike so much that I had a hard time finding pants that fit. Pants that were skinny enough for my waste were too skinny for my thigh muscles.

You know what I liked about those sports?

I could be isolated when I did them.

By nature, I’m an introvert.

I crave alone time.

It’s how I recharge after a day of dealing with people.

Nowadays, I find my alone time in my “cave” (a spare room with no windows in the basement).

The bike tires are flat, so my gut isn’t. Pants that fit my waste have plenty of thigh room now.

So, what’s with the title? Am I writing about superheroes?

Maybe someday.

Proverbs 27 has a verse that says,

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

(ESV)

As much as I love my alone time, I can’t do life alone.

I would flounder, lose my motivation. Life would stink.

Since I was a teenager, I started intentionally reaching beyond myself. I purposely sought to get to know other people.

The friends I’ve made over the years have challenged me in so many ways. They’ve encouraged, challenged and corrected me enough to keep my on the right path for my life.

When I’ve strayed from that path, they’ve guided me back to it.

Hopefully, I’ve guided a few of them in return.

All this comes to mind now as our church is getting ready to kick off small groups for the fall season. I’ll be leading a men’s breakfast every Saturday morning in Brighton, Colorado. We have dozens of others groups in the area. Email me if you want any information about them.

If you aren’t in this area, I strongly recommend getting involved in some sort of small group.

If your church does not have them or you don’t go to church, start one of your own.

People grow better together.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).

Let’s get to sharpening.

Teach On

~ Richard Solano ~ Leave a comment
Frank Peretti, one of many teachers in my life.

At a men’s breakfast not long ago, we were asked two questions:

At the end of your life, what do you want people to say about you?

And

What are you doing now to make that happen?

Makes you think, huh?

I sat next to a teacher who wasn’t sure how to answer that second question. He was so wrapped up in the daily duties and pressures of teaching and raising a family that he hadn’t thought in those terms.

After his weak unsure answer, I had to speak.

“I never told Mr. Arnot of the impact he had on my life. Nor Mrs. Fender. Nor any of the other many teachers that profoundly influenced my life. You are making a difference just by being there and teaching faithfully.”

I didn’t get a college degree. I could have completed an education program but, after 3 years of college, I didn’t want to make the transfer and borrow yet more money to make it happen. Instead I took a career path in the technology field.

That hasn’t stopped me from teaching. I’ve trained new hires. I’ve instructed less experienced techs.

Over the years, I’ve also had the privilege of teaching in children’s church, Sunday school, and youth groups. While I was one of many voices that spoke into their lives, I’ve seen many of those kids grow up to be excellent men and women. I’d like to think I had a part in that.

All this is to say,

TEACH ON!

Those of you who are teachers by profession, realize that, even when it seems like your words are falling on deaf ears,

you are having a profound impact.

They may not admit it but students are learning from what you say and do and especially from how you say and do.

If you’ve never been a teacher, realize that you are one whether you like it or not.

You influence those around you by what you say and do and how you do it.

We are all teaching those around us.

What is it that you want to teach them?

What are you doing now to accomplish this?

Feel free to comment here or or my Facebook page how you have been influenced by others and how you would like to influence others.