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40 + 500 = more wood, less arrows

I saw this phrase on a Google article a few months ago.  It was stuck in the middle of an announcement from Google labs about a change in their direction. To describe their change they said they were”putting more wood behind fewer arrows.”  I have spent time since then trying to figure out what that really means.  I think it means something about placing more time and energy on less things, but I am still looking for someone you can fully explain this metaphor to me!

But anyway, today I will roll with it, as I roll through a very significant milestone age wise and post the Buffet’s 500th post. And today, I am thinking that I want(need) to put more wood behind fewer arrows and really really focus in on the important things in life.

As you now, there is one certain thing about birthdays – they keep coming, until they don’t.  And there is no going back – only going forward.  I sorta of sit in the middle of life today, strengthened by my past, but faced with the heavy realization that I don’t have as many days to waste as I had when I was 15.   I have referenced these few verses many times in the last few months, but they seem best to help describe the arrows that I (we) should put my(our) wood behind.  Not those of career advancement, not those of accumulation, not those of entertainment, but these.

 8But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,

   what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.  Micah 6:8 The Message (MSG)

and then this one about number our days

 12-17 Oh! Teach us to live well!
Teach us to live wisely and well!
Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—
and treat your servants with kindness for a change.
Surprise us with love at daybreak;
then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.
Make up for the bad times with some good times;
we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime.
Let your servants see what you’re best at—
the ways you rule and bless your children.
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,
confirming the work that we do.
Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!  Psalm 90:12 The Message (MSG)

 

It’s very similar to what my father use to say to his sports teams  – “Go out, have fun, do the right things and winning will take care of itself.”  If we focus on love, mercy and humility, those other things will take care of themselves.Those are the arrows I want to focus my self on.

So today I am putting more wood behind fewer arrows, I am numbering these days, and I am looking forward to what life as a mature person actually is.!!!!!  🙂

And as Coach Gundy says “I’m a man, I’m 40!”