How would you like to be able to have the answer to every question you had about finance, business, relationships, wealth creation, gardening and car maintenance? Alright, what if you just wanted an awesome marriage. You will after you read this and take action on the advice below.
I was at the C.I.C. meeting this morning. Christians in Commerce meets at 6:45 am every Tuesday. The meetings have always been a source of renewal for me. We begin by singing songs of worship and praise, followed by a prayer and individual prayer intentions. We make time for coffee and doughnuts and segue into our reading, thinking and sharing time. There is a business theme in every reading that follows the motto of CIC, “Christ in the Workplace.” http://www.christiansincommerce.org/
The men’s reflection deviated a little from a commerce situation this week. The title was,” Saving Marriages,” By: Curt Montgomery.”
Typically, we alternate who reads aloud as we follow along and this week, George read. George is a soft-spoken, retired man in his eighties, I think. He is one of those guys who listen a lot and when he talks, he has something profound and well-said that holds the attention of all in attendance. He’s a little like Gandhi, only more hair and he doesn’t use reading glasses. He has a melodic, sing-songy voice and is quick with a laugh and wears the same pleasant, contagious smile every time you see him. Every week, he gets to the meeting early, makes coffee, serves the coffee at the break and cleans up the coffee pot and cups at the end of the meeting before heading to mass. George doesn’t drink coffee. He is a servant-leader in the truest form. He just celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary. It was fitting that he lead the reading this morning about a man who had marriage challenges and with the help of his friends and the grace of God persevered and now has a great marriage of 25 years today.
We then had a reflection and discussion question. “The Lord gives us grace for every situation and every relationship. Have you been tempted to give up? How do you find the grace to persevere?” We then had some very candid conversation that was enlightening. You want to know what George said? I bet you do. What happens at C.I.C, stays at C.I.C. Plus, get your OWN mentors and group of wise men around you that can be like irons that when they rub off on you, you are left a little more-sharp. Hopefully, this blog can be something like that for you. You can get in the mix with some sharp individuals and you can help to create an edge on them and you can leave a little sharper yourself.
By the way, I often think it is funny that we sometimes aren’t very selective of where we get our counsel, if we seek wise counsel at all. If we want to know how our car runs, we ask a mechanic. Our plants are dying, we ask a gardener. If we have financial or marital trouble, we seek the counsel of our divorced, broke-ass friend. What the hell?!
Oh yeah, this new blog is PatrickMcIntosh.com. It is not going to get pulled down because of its content. Feel free to say things like “ass” and “hell.” Use these words sparingly though. You don’t want to be a big pain in the ass or end up goin’ to hell. I just ask that you keep your political views to yourself because it’s a big pain in the ass to listen to somebody claim that they know all the answers.
I read a tweet today from somebody that said, ““Pain is temporary, but quitting is forever.”- Lance Armstrong.”
So ask yourself, about your current endeavor your dream or goal that you are working toward, maybe your marriage: Have you ever been tempted to give up? How do you find the grace to persevere?”
Don’t be a pain-in-the-ass. Please comment on this post- maybe even with the answers to the questions.
Dude, This is the best blog post you ever made! way to go dude!
I feel tempted to give up halfway through a set of chin-ups. But I continue on by humming the Rocky theme song under my breath. I am always feeling more powerful and happy after a set of chin-ups. My record is 21.
Good morning, bumped into this site and enjoyed the uplifting thoughts to get the day going. Thanks for the kick-in-the-pants from Lance Armstrong, well said! And thanks for the reminder that God gives us the help we need.
Good morning, bumped into this site and enjoyed the uplifting thoughts to get the day going. Thanks for the kick-in-the-pants from Lance Armstrong, well said! And thanks for the reminder that God gives us the help we need. (does this mean I have to start chewing?)
Hi Pat,
Thanks for the heads-up about your new blog. And I like today’s topic, too. I know that I always put my effort into the “squeaky wheel” issue of the day, and other things don’t get the ongoing attention they need. Marriage is such a priority. And continual work-in-progress. Thanks for the link and things to think about.
Send that Big League Gum to Portland! Love, Mare
What an ass kicking post. Hellishly good.
Hey Patrick! Great post. The part I have feedback for is the seeking counsel of our divorced, broke ass friends. That’s funny. But I was surprised one day when I was particularly over my head with parenting issues and my brother-with-no-children (and therefore no idea about how hard it is to raise a child) called. I boiled over with my list of parenting grievances. First he commented that calling me was the best birth control on the market, but afterwards he gave me some sound advice. I can’t for the life of me tell you what that advice was anymore – it may have just been that on that day I really needed someone to listen and my brother who has no clue on parenting issues was a great listener. He gave me what I needed that day. I was so surprised I even told him. I think wisdom can come from unlikely places – so I wouldn’t completely discount the drunk ass, broke and divorced three times friend. For example, one of my favorite, wisest authors is Anne Lamott and she happens to be a recovering alcoholic/ wise cracker herself. Her wisdom comes from learning the hard way. Anyway, great post friend. Keep it up.
Hey Pat,
Great start on the blog!
I love your first topic. I often hear people congratulate couples on the length of their marriage. I do it myself…as if the expectation is to end the relationship with a divorce. I find this odd. Marriage IS for life. Is it congratulation on not being dead?
Heather and I are “celebrating” 11 years this month. We dated for 5 years prior and are very happy. Here’s the secret…love each other every day…I do not love Heather the same as the day I “met” her. I love her more. The saying, “I love her as much as the day I met her,” should not apply! The relationship has grown. We have grown – together. We have gone through hard times (mostly me being a jackass) and we have gone through great times. We are happy together, we are sad together…we get angry with each other…but in the end we talk, love each other, and fill our lives with honesty and trust.
As for the religious side…yes, we pray together, we even work together at an Episcopal school (chapel EVERY day!). We attend our Catholic Church every Sunday and we even sit in the second row on the right…just like my family did every Sunday at SI.
Thanks for the prompt,
Dan
Pretty cool!! Congrats!!!
looking forward to seeing more…
Patrick, I enjoyed reading this. I think everyone can relate to being a little stagnant at certain times, whether in a relationship, work, or just life in general. Change can be difficult and sometimes a scary proposition, especially as we get older. It is necessary, however, to re-motivate and find that inspiration that sometimes eludes us. Where is it you ask? Deep within ourselves……so start looking!!!!!!!
Hey Pat,
Great start on the blog!
I love your first topic. I often hear people congratulate couples on the length of their marriage. I do it myself…as if the expectation is to end the relationship with a divorce. I find this odd. Marriage IS for life. Is it congratulation on not being dead?
Heather and I are “celebrating” 11 years this month. We dated for 5 years prior and are very happy. Here’s the secret…love each other every day…I do not love Heather the same as the day I “met” her. I love her more. The saying, “I love her as much as the day I met her,” should not apply! The relationship has grown. We have grown – together. We have gone through hard times (mostly me being a jackass) and we have gone through great times. We are happy together, we are sad together…we get angry with each other…but in the end we talk, love each other, and fill our lives with honesty and trust.
As for the religious side…yes, we pray together, we even work together at an Episcopal school (chapel EVERY day!). We attend our Catholic Church every Sunday and even sit in the second row on the right…just like my family did every Sunday at SI.
Anyway, thanks for the prompt.
Dan
A great philosopher once told me on my wedding day. That there are three a man can say to keep a marriage happy:
1) Yes dear.
2) I’m sorry.
3) You are right dear.
Exciting new site, please continue to keep it clean with fewer mentions of ass and more about making mad $$.
YOu rock! I just wanted to say that I love you and I love being married to you!
Your Awesome kristin!
Thanks for the comment. I am going to get this thing up and running more today. Joey Wilson visited last week. He is doing great.
I hope you are well. You crack me up!
Love Pat
Hey Patrick,
Great Blog. I look forward to reading more. Your life experiences can be a great source for others to live vicariously. I just had my coaching staff place these quotes in their binders to use as additional tools for themselves and our athletes.
Mediocrity is the path of least resistance.
“Being average means you are just as close to e bottom as the top.”
o “Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details.”
o “The best way to improve the team is to improve yourself.”
o “He who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.”
o “Don’t mistake activity for achievement.”
o “Pain is temporary. Pride lasts forever.”
o “If you don’t find the time to do it right, you will find the time to do it over.”
o “If your life is too hard, how easy would you like it”?
o “Practice makes perfect.”
o “Perfect practice makes perfect.”
o “Practice makes permanent.”
o “You may forget how you behaved when the going got tough, but others won’t.”
o “We find comfort among those who agree with us, growth among those who don’t.”
o “There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.”
o “Pay now, play later. Play now, pay later.”
o “We first form habits. Then habits form us.”
o “Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be mended.”
o “Don’t ask for a light load, but rather ask for a strong back.”
o “If the going is easy, beware, you may be headed down hill.”
“He who seeks rest finds boredom. He who seeks work finds rest.”
Raining down knowledge bombs like grapefruits on Tree House Lane!
It’s a blog & it’s a start! Congrats!
I don’t really understand why Prop8 can’t be discussed- you blogged about marriage and, heck, as a fellow Catholic you know the sanctitity of marriage is SO important to society.
As Catholics we have to inform our consciences, we cannot decide issues based solely on what we “feel” or what we see on t.v. or read in the media. Lucky for us we have a solid Bishop & he wrote a great article about marriage & prop8 (www.diocese-sacramento.org/herald/hopeandjoy/080705hope.html)
ANYWAY, regarding marriage, a great www site with LOTS of great info & tips is found here: http://www.foryourmarriage.org
Pat, it’s great to see your marriage blossoming!
God bless,
Steve
Patrick,
Congrats on the new blog. Great opening topic. Good thoughts about marriage. I’ve been married 31 years and every day I realize that love is a decision we have to make every day. God Bless to you and all the best for future success.
P.S. See you at a Christians In Commerce meeting soon.