I’ve been getting back into gaming a little lately… at least as much as limited time allows.  I played a demo of Wallace & Gromit on the computer yesterday that was fairly entertaining, but what was really enjoyable about it was that Eliana sat on my lap and played it with me.  There seem to be very few games that can appeal to both a child under 2 years old and simultaneously be just as entertaining to a gamer such as myself.

I’m planning on dragging Michelle to Transformers 2 this coming weekend.  She thinks they are a bit ridiculous, and while she’s probably right, my nostalgia for Transformers keeps me interested.  I think the same way women want romance and emotion from a movie, guys crave explosions and giant robots. If you were a boy growing up in the 80s, you know and respect the voice of Peter Cullen, aka Optimus Prime.

My dad was strong and his love was always evident growing up.  Reflecting on that I think about our Heavenly Father. He is the source of all wisdom. On this Father’s day I ask Him to teach me a greater wisdom and strength to lead my family. I look at my little girl everyday and thank God for entrusting me with the task of taking care of her. I can’t do it on my own strength, so I must learn to always rely on God.

I heard that recently in a song by The Fray.  For a fairly straightforward statement, a lot of meaning can be found.  It seems these days it has become increasingly difficult to stand firm without compromise in this compromising world.  Our government which was once founded on firm set of beliefs seems to be compromising left and right whether to fit the agenda of a certain demographic or to seek the approval of other countries and peoples.

I tend to avoid politics in a conversation.  I don’t say much of the topic; I always figured there were enough talking heads on both sides of the aisle.  I began typing this post without the slightest thought of politics in my mind.  But perhaps that was lazy and ever irresponsible of me.  Getting back to the quote from the beginning, it seems for me, and perhaps many others, the hardest thing to do is to speak up.

I’ve learned through working many years in offices that it is true that the squeaky wheel does in fact get the grease. But if we extend the metaphor further, remember that for that one squeaky wheel, there are three wheels quietly doing their job, doing what is expected of them and no more.  Why is that? Why do we keep our heads down and go about our business?  Are we afraid? Are we just lazy?

Perhaps we have already begun moving in the right direction.  I look around today and hear a lot of squeaking and I applaud those who are willing to speak out.  But then I think about the wheels again and I wonder how many others are just going through the motions, saying nothing.  I know I have been guilty of it.  It is time for us to stop doing what is expected of us by the world and instead start  EXCEEDING those expectations.  Be heard.  Voice your opinion.  But before speaking out in words, speak out with love.  Demonstrate a love like no other to those around you.