This month is always amazing and exhausting. In addition to the holidays, we have two daughters that have December birthdays. By the time Santa gets here I feel like an ATM machine buried in some smoke-filled casino.  A few years ago I made a conscious effort to try and fight back the Grinchy tendencies by reducing December commitments and focusing on what’s important.

Most recently, my oldest daughter Madison turned sixteen. Madison is the type of kid that makes you feel like a good parent. She is smart, beautiful, and grounded. So, what does a smart, beautiful, and grounded young woman want to do for her birthday? Go stargazing of course. At her behest, my wife, Madison, and her three best friends loaded up the RV and headed to Joshua tree.

Due to Covid restrictions, we were forced to stay at a private campground in 29 palms. This extremely remote location was nothing but sand and stars. The new moon laid the black sky bare for us to see. This particular day was the Geminid meteor shower which was gracing us with nearly 100 shooting stars an hour.  

There we were sitting with our lawn chairs leaned all the way back in the middle of the desert. We piled up blankets, crammed hand warmers in our pockets, and simply stared off into the great unknown. As the minutes passed, my mind began to move away from analytical and into observation. Stars seem to be falling on top of us and I simply felt small. Better said, I felt like a should feel.  

Often times, we think we are bigger than we are. We think if this goes right or if this goes wrong life is over. Yet, there I was with my wife, my oldest child, and her best friends realizing that I am small. I require help, I don’t control every outcome.

Getting small means to see yourself rightly. Nature always does that to me. I feel like I’m in control until I get into the ocean. I feel strong until I walk amongst trees that have survived the past 200 years. I feel noteworthy until I stare up into the sky. Anytime I stop thinking about myself, I become more creative and think bigger.

Your Chief Encouragement Officer hasn’t figured anything out. I’m on a journey just like you. My encouragement this week is simple. If you feel Big, Get Small. If you feel Small, Think Big.