Getting recharged

Hectic lives. Weighty responsibilities. Multiple roles. Work and family unending issues. The press of life can take it's toll on our lives as we negotiate it day after day, month after month.

Vacations are good and necessary if we are to recharge the battery of our life. Seen as an unnecessary expense and waste of time, most people running at a fast pace will eventually lose their sharp edge in living life to the max as it relates to overall success. Not only have I observed that in my peers who neglect vacations, but I observe that in our own family as well.

So here we are on vacation, away from most of the normal pressures of life in a different city, on the coast of Florida. The boat has had electrical issues, requiring the recharging of the battery and other issues requiring repair and maintenance -- alternators, fuel filters, etc. (Doesn't it seem like sometimes we exchange some of our normal pressures for other pressures while we are on vacation?)

Recharging our mental and emotional batteries by getting away from the norm is incredibly healthy. Reading a new book, living temporarily in a new place, seeing new sites, journaling fresh thoughts, and "feeling" relaxed is an amazing balm for healing the soul. That word "recharge" really is descriptive of how I feel right now.

Take time to vacation. Your body, your mind, your heart, your family and your co-workers will thank you!

When honors and awards come

Yesterday the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce awarded me the Businessman of the Year award for community service and business leadership for our area in Northwest Orange County. What an honor, and certainly one that I feel both shocked and humbled by, when considering all the other worthy potential recipients.

At the annual banquet, a couple other awards were given to various community leaders, and then they started to read the bio of the one who would be named Businessman of the Year. Obviously after they gave some of my stats, I knew it was me that was about to be introduced.

So what do you feel when you are about to be singled out to receive an honor?

My thoughts went to our team at Reliance Media, Apopka Printing and New Book Publishing who work to help build the amazing businesses that I am privileged to lead. I thought of all the other great people in the Chamber who in my mind were more deserving to receive this award. I thought of my 87-year-old dad who built an amazing business over many years, and who was sitting at the banquet. And above all, I thought of my wife Sheila who has been with me through it all. Her intellect, determination, wisdom, motivation and skill has been right there with me in building our businesses and our life together. She certainly is more deserving of honor for putting up with me and for what she has accomplished on her own.

Unfortunately I wasn't given the microphone to comment or I would have expressed these thoughts to the large gathering. But I think what I need to take away from all of this is that God has been the one who deserves all the credit. He has supplied the gifts, talent, opportunities and work ethic to be the steward of all he has given me responsibility over. He alone is the one to be honored for the opportunities He brings our way.