Observations

A very close friend of mine, Scott, moved to California a few years ago for a new opportunity.  We haven’t been able to stay in close contact as either would prefer. We try, but with the time zone difference and life’s speed we have struggled to keep a rich level of friendship.

This week he revisited Michigan, and we spent time catching up. Soon our conversation moved to another level. A level I will phrase as heartstorming. This included questions like “what excites you?”, “what are you dreaming of?”, “if you had five extra hours a week what would you rather be doing?”

In corporate America, marketing departments and advertising firms have brainstorming sessions. That tends to be cerebral, logical, statistical. What Scott and I entered into was heartstorming. What was stirring our hearts. What kind of difference did we wish to make. Where did we yearn to spend our energy, talents, and time.

In Proverbs 27:17 (Holy Bible) the verse says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” In a real sense, heartstorming is that. Scott and I shared, encouraged and challenged each other to think with our heart, to think differently, to think big.

With the pace of work and life, the tendency is to brainstorm – think, debate, use a calculator, and do. Instead of heartstorm – pray, contemplate, dream, and risk.  

I am very blessed because of my friendship with Scott. Of course our friendship involves our family, sports, and faith. The level of friendship that I experienced with Scott again this week was heart focused, heart inspring, heartstorming.

What’s in your heart?