Rest and Relaxation and Rules of the Red Rubber Ball – I spent the last week in New Mexico with the family enjoying a little "R and R." Nothing like a little change of scenery and the lack of a schedule for a week to recharge the batteries. I think it is important for people to schedule regular times away from “the grind.” I don’t think it is an accident that our Creator told us to keep the Sabbath and that throughout history we have learned that leaving the ground fallow for a period would result in a greater harvest later.

With an entire week away from work, I was able to read a couple of books and take in a movie on opening day. I want to share with you a key take-away from one of the books and the movie and then drill down into a little more detail about the other book.

The Most Important Little Boy in the World - This book by Dean Briggs, brings to life the idea that greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friends. The Most Important Little Boy in the World is a “ripped from the headlines” type novel that describes a dramatic bioterrorism plot. It is well worth the read. The story is a thinly veiled allegory of the crucifixion story. The average person will probably embrace the story all the more because of that. However, if you have an allergic reaction to proselytizing, be forewarned. Take away – "What have you done lately for someone else?"

Evan Almighty – I had high hopes for Evan Almighty since it had a production budget of $175 million and a total budget including marketing of around $250 million. Knowing it would likely be the most expensive comedy ever made, I think caused me to set my sights too high. Don’t get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. The CGI at the finale was great. Frankly, my favorite part was the closing credits. I think that director Tom Shadyac would hope that we walk away knowing the importance of Acts of Random Kindness (ARK). But my most important take away was “Do the dance!” Evan Baxter, played by Steve Carell, occasionally throughout the film would celebrate small victories by spontaneously breaking into a little jig and telling those around him to “Do the dance!” During the closing credits we are treated to multiple clips of the cast and crew “Doing the dance!” In order to remind myself to be thankful of the blessings I so often take for granted, my mantra for the remainder of the summer is likely to be “Do the dance!”

Rules of the Red Rubber Ball – I had read Kevin Carroll’s creative and simple little book last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Something last week caused me to pick up the book and reread it. I think part of the reason is that Carroll’s book epitomizes what this site is all about. Carroll uses the metaphor of a red rubber ball to describe the thing a person is most passionate about. He sums up the entire book in a quote by James Michener.

"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both."

Thanks Jimmy M. for writing so well what I have been trying to communicate via What are you passionate about? Carroll goes on in his book to suggest seven rules to keep people focused on their own “red rubber ball.”

- Commit to your own red rubber ball and it will fuel decisions about what you study, where you work, how you live, whom you befriend, and how you act.

- Build and nurture relationships, and others will help you pursue your red rubber ball.

- Be creative and you will discover new opportunities.

- Do the lonely work – those unglamorous tasks that no one asks you to do and that others may never notice – and you will surpass expectations.

- Speak up and challenge boundaries and you’ll overcome them.

- Expect and respect the unexpected, and you’ll achieve your goals sooner.

- If you maximize each moment and focus on the present, you’ll create the future you desire.

As we approach the midpoint of summer, I hope that you will find some time for some "R and R." I hope that if you haven’t yet, you will discover your own "red rubber ball." When you do find that thing about which you are passionate, others will not be able to tell whether you are at work or at play. What an incredible feeling that is! Makes one want to “Do the dance!

What are you passionate about? What are you doing about it?