"Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes -- God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don't skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love. Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it." -Ecclesiates 9:7-10 (Message Remix)
Seize life, because God finds joy in our joy. Seize life, because colors are better than black and white. Seize life, because there is nothing greater than love. Seize life, because adventures call your name. Seize life, because being bored sucks. Seize life, because you only get one. Seize life, because it's not about stopping something, it's about becoming someone. Seize life, because there is so much more than empty substances. Seize life, because the creator of the universe says so. Seize life, because laughter is better than boredom. Seize life, because you are forgiven for your mistakes. Seize life, because your heart aches to. Seize life, because video games just aren't enough. Seize life, because it isn't about money. Seize life, because I don't want to seize it alone. Seize life, because you were born to fly. Seize life, because you are in the midst of eternal romance. Seize life, because we can change eternity. Seize life, because why should the angels be the only ones having fun? Seize life, because you can. Seize life.
If we stack hands and do this together... who can stop us?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Human Potential
The Olympics are pretty much the coolest thing in the world. And while I hate to admit it, it is easy for me to sit in front of my TV for hours on end watching these athletes do incredible things. How incredible is it that they can do some of these things? Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive... ever. Micheal Phelps won 8 gold metals, and was the only person in the history of the world to pull it off. There are Gymnastics, Diving, Running, Swimming, Fencing, and a lot of other crazy things that I've never heard of. And we sit here and we watch, and something inside of us is set ablaze when we get to see the amazing things that they do.
I think it is absolute crap to believe that we are any different. The human potential is incredible. I have spent a lot of my life afraid of my potential. Because if I don't try as hard as I can, then people will still say, oh yeah Sean is good at this, he just doesn't try. Expectations are horrifying. But Phelps could be sitting at home, having his friends say, "Oh Phelps could be a good swimmer, but he just doesn't try." No. Instead he competes on the world level, and does things that have never been pulled off before. Instead he puts it all on the line, and gives it everything that he has. He works hard, he trains hard, and he puts all of his heart into the gifts that he has been given.
I believe with my whole heart, that we all have amazing human potential. I will never be in the Olympics. I never expect to be. But I have been given gifts to make a difference in this world. I have been given the ability to do things in this world that have never been done. And so do you. We have such incredible opportunity!! You can do things that have NEVER been done before in the history of this world. You can do things that will change the course of history forever. You are good at who you are, and who you are is exactly who you need to be. Stop running away from your potential. Let's do this. Let's change the world. Let's change the world forever, and lets do it together.
I believe in you. You are amazing. You can do this. And I need, need you to believe in me as well. Because it is time for me to stop running.
I think it is absolute crap to believe that we are any different. The human potential is incredible. I have spent a lot of my life afraid of my potential. Because if I don't try as hard as I can, then people will still say, oh yeah Sean is good at this, he just doesn't try. Expectations are horrifying. But Phelps could be sitting at home, having his friends say, "Oh Phelps could be a good swimmer, but he just doesn't try." No. Instead he competes on the world level, and does things that have never been pulled off before. Instead he puts it all on the line, and gives it everything that he has. He works hard, he trains hard, and he puts all of his heart into the gifts that he has been given.
I believe with my whole heart, that we all have amazing human potential. I will never be in the Olympics. I never expect to be. But I have been given gifts to make a difference in this world. I have been given the ability to do things in this world that have never been done. And so do you. We have such incredible opportunity!! You can do things that have NEVER been done before in the history of this world. You can do things that will change the course of history forever. You are good at who you are, and who you are is exactly who you need to be. Stop running away from your potential. Let's do this. Let's change the world. Let's change the world forever, and lets do it together.
I believe in you. You are amazing. You can do this. And I need, need you to believe in me as well. Because it is time for me to stop running.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Perpetual Motion of The Human Heart
The older I get, the more of an attempt I make to understand how life is changing. I want to remember how life was, realize how life is, and dream about how life is going to be. But as we get older I understand the term 'childlike faith' more and more. Because from my observation, the older we get, the more destructive we get. We become destructive to ourselves and to the ones that we love.
One of the things that I am seeing more and more everyday, is that more and more people love with expectations. What a bummer! People are constantly deciding what people owe them, what people deserve from other people, and who people should be to them, and around them. I would be lying if I said that I haven't fallen into this, and I would be willing to guess that anyone reading this over the age of 21, could agree.
It is really heartbreaking. It really is. On the receiving end, I have had people tell me that I haven't offered them enough; I have had people tell me that I didn't act a certain way, when I should have; I have had people tell me that I didn't live up to certain 'social responsibilities.' And when I heard those words from people, it literally tore me apart. It IS my desire to love people with all of my heart. It IS my desire to take care of people, and give people an opportunity to take care of me. And when people tell me I didn't do a good enough job, it literally causes me to ache.
On the receiving end there is really nothing that you can do about it, except for ask God for healing, and hope and pray that people do appreciate the strides that you make to chase after who they are. But there is plenty I can do on the giving end. And in the past I have been critical of people. In the past I have gotten upset because people didn't 'offer' me something that I was 'owed.' Here's how I look at it now:
No one owes me anything. I am so thrilled to have people in my life who offer me love and who offer me time spent. But everything above zero from people is a bonus. And I need to start looking at my relationships and asking myself... what do I appreciate about you? People ARE going to mess up! I AM going to mess up! And I often do. People need grace when they screw up. And while I think real and big and deep issues need to be confronted... let the little stuff go. Consider what others might be going through themselves when they treat you a certain way. Ask questions, don't point fingers. And sometimes, yes, just let things go. Relationships are the most important thing in the world. Lets take care of each other. Love with all of your heart. Love until it hurts, even if it means someone hurting your pride.
Trust me in this: I love you so so much. I will screw up. I need grace. I love you so so much.
One of the things that I am seeing more and more everyday, is that more and more people love with expectations. What a bummer! People are constantly deciding what people owe them, what people deserve from other people, and who people should be to them, and around them. I would be lying if I said that I haven't fallen into this, and I would be willing to guess that anyone reading this over the age of 21, could agree.
It is really heartbreaking. It really is. On the receiving end, I have had people tell me that I haven't offered them enough; I have had people tell me that I didn't act a certain way, when I should have; I have had people tell me that I didn't live up to certain 'social responsibilities.' And when I heard those words from people, it literally tore me apart. It IS my desire to love people with all of my heart. It IS my desire to take care of people, and give people an opportunity to take care of me. And when people tell me I didn't do a good enough job, it literally causes me to ache.
On the receiving end there is really nothing that you can do about it, except for ask God for healing, and hope and pray that people do appreciate the strides that you make to chase after who they are. But there is plenty I can do on the giving end. And in the past I have been critical of people. In the past I have gotten upset because people didn't 'offer' me something that I was 'owed.' Here's how I look at it now:
No one owes me anything. I am so thrilled to have people in my life who offer me love and who offer me time spent. But everything above zero from people is a bonus. And I need to start looking at my relationships and asking myself... what do I appreciate about you? People ARE going to mess up! I AM going to mess up! And I often do. People need grace when they screw up. And while I think real and big and deep issues need to be confronted... let the little stuff go. Consider what others might be going through themselves when they treat you a certain way. Ask questions, don't point fingers. And sometimes, yes, just let things go. Relationships are the most important thing in the world. Lets take care of each other. Love with all of your heart. Love until it hurts, even if it means someone hurting your pride.
Trust me in this: I love you so so much. I will screw up. I need grace. I love you so so much.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I Just Got Knocked Off My Rocker!
I love to go out of my way to surprise people. And not just like, "Oh my gosh, Sean, cool birthday gift." No, I like to do things where people are like, what the crap just happened. And Daniel, and Lance, always join me in these adventures, and we always talk about how cool it would be if people did something along those lines to us... Well today I got mine:
Keep in mind that there is no exaggeration when I tell this story. Today at a dinky little stop light, on Simms and 74th, there were 40 kids, yes 40, dressed up in capes, wigs, costumes etc. I got stopped at the light and all of them were frantically waving at me. I was royally confused, but didn't want to let them see my weakness or smell my confusion, so I frantically waved back. Then some kids began pretending like they were honking a horn. So I honked my horn, and the kids erupted in clapping, laughter, and some even went as far as to jump up in down in the air with glee. Then they subsided, and began making honking motions again. History repeated itself.
I drove away absolutely confused. I have no clue what happened, or what was happening. There wasn't any big buildings nearby, just a neighborhood. This will probably haunt me for the rest of my life. But I have to say, well done kids. You one upped me, and you one upped me good.
Keep in mind that there is no exaggeration when I tell this story. Today at a dinky little stop light, on Simms and 74th, there were 40 kids, yes 40, dressed up in capes, wigs, costumes etc. I got stopped at the light and all of them were frantically waving at me. I was royally confused, but didn't want to let them see my weakness or smell my confusion, so I frantically waved back. Then some kids began pretending like they were honking a horn. So I honked my horn, and the kids erupted in clapping, laughter, and some even went as far as to jump up in down in the air with glee. Then they subsided, and began making honking motions again. History repeated itself.
I drove away absolutely confused. I have no clue what happened, or what was happening. There wasn't any big buildings nearby, just a neighborhood. This will probably haunt me for the rest of my life. But I have to say, well done kids. You one upped me, and you one upped me good.
Monday, June 30, 2008
I'm A Bear!
Lyrics by Sean Garton
Performed by Drew Geoddeke
Notice how he is reppin Detroit! Yeah Baby!
Performed by Drew Geoddeke
Notice how he is reppin Detroit! Yeah Baby!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
I Can't Explain The State Of My Heart
I don't really understand what it is about me, but something inside of me aches for relationship. Something inside of aches to be with people. It probably has something to do with my childhood, and how i grew up. But in moments of silence my heart drifts to a place filled with the people who I love with everything in me.
Often I lose credibility when I state that someone is my best friend, because it comes out of my mouth so often. But in all honesty, I feel that way about a lot of people. I fall in love so quickly (in the non romantic sense) and nothing in life soothes my heart more than being with the people that I adore.
I guess some people consider this to be an unhealthy thing. People will tell you that you need time to be alone, and that you need to be okay with the time that you have to be alone. In some sense I do agree, but if it is unhealthy I wouldn't have it any other way. To live a 'healthy' life and not ache for people every second of the day, or to live an unhealthy life and have your heart burst for all of the people who have been put in your life. I'll take the ladder of the two every single time. Although it might be the biggest burden I have to bear, although it might put me in a depressing place time and time again... it is my greatest gift. And it is something I pray, wish, and hope never changes. If you are reading this: I love you, spend time with me, because I am aching for it.
Often I lose credibility when I state that someone is my best friend, because it comes out of my mouth so often. But in all honesty, I feel that way about a lot of people. I fall in love so quickly (in the non romantic sense) and nothing in life soothes my heart more than being with the people that I adore.
I guess some people consider this to be an unhealthy thing. People will tell you that you need time to be alone, and that you need to be okay with the time that you have to be alone. In some sense I do agree, but if it is unhealthy I wouldn't have it any other way. To live a 'healthy' life and not ache for people every second of the day, or to live an unhealthy life and have your heart burst for all of the people who have been put in your life. I'll take the ladder of the two every single time. Although it might be the biggest burden I have to bear, although it might put me in a depressing place time and time again... it is my greatest gift. And it is something I pray, wish, and hope never changes. If you are reading this: I love you, spend time with me, because I am aching for it.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
I Love You
I am growing up. Day by day, week by week, I am continuing to grow up. And despite my best efforts of resistance, I cannot fight it. There are so many things that you learn through age (20, going on 21), experiences (MarioKart), and mistakes (getting your car towed and paying $220 to get it back). And even though I hate to admit it (and probably never will), I am growing up.
I've learned a lot of things. I've learned that you have to cover stuff when you put it in the microwave. I've learned that Mandy Moore is not only beautiful, but she can sing too. I've learned that you have to take care of yourself (even though I haven't quite figured out how). And I've learned that a lot of my views on life are changing constantly.
The cool thing about it all, is that there are some things that haven't changed at all. I have gone through plenty of health dilemmas, hard lessons, and discouragement. And yet through it all there is consistency in my heart:
People are the most important thing to me. People are more important to me than my grades, money, my job, sleep, my mood, and success. To me success is taking care of the people I love the most. My biggest dreams are doing life with the people God has given me. I ache, every single day, for the people that I care about. I've never understood it completely. I still haven't quite learned how to use it well, or how to maintain it. In a lot of ways, I am growing up in my love for people. But no matter how many times someone tells me I have screwed up, no matter how busy I get, and no matter where this world takes me... nothing inside of me will ever give up on giving everything I have. I want to love so much it hurts. I want to learn what it looks like to do it well. But most of all I want to be the best I can be for the people who are the most important to me.
-The biggest thing that defines you in life is your heart, and the actions that stem from it. People are such a big part of my heart, so I want to learn what it looks like to be defined by the actions that stem from that. That is the man that I want to be in life. Let's see where THAT takes us.
I've learned a lot of things. I've learned that you have to cover stuff when you put it in the microwave. I've learned that Mandy Moore is not only beautiful, but she can sing too. I've learned that you have to take care of yourself (even though I haven't quite figured out how). And I've learned that a lot of my views on life are changing constantly.
The cool thing about it all, is that there are some things that haven't changed at all. I have gone through plenty of health dilemmas, hard lessons, and discouragement. And yet through it all there is consistency in my heart:
People are the most important thing to me. People are more important to me than my grades, money, my job, sleep, my mood, and success. To me success is taking care of the people I love the most. My biggest dreams are doing life with the people God has given me. I ache, every single day, for the people that I care about. I've never understood it completely. I still haven't quite learned how to use it well, or how to maintain it. In a lot of ways, I am growing up in my love for people. But no matter how many times someone tells me I have screwed up, no matter how busy I get, and no matter where this world takes me... nothing inside of me will ever give up on giving everything I have. I want to love so much it hurts. I want to learn what it looks like to do it well. But most of all I want to be the best I can be for the people who are the most important to me.
-The biggest thing that defines you in life is your heart, and the actions that stem from it. People are such a big part of my heart, so I want to learn what it looks like to be defined by the actions that stem from that. That is the man that I want to be in life. Let's see where THAT takes us.
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