30 Days...

Think back over the course of your life. Think about all the people that have done you wrong and all the bridges you may have burned because of hurt feelings and relationships gone bad.

Yeah, take a few HOURS here to think back on all of them.

Fact is, we all have them. Even if we would consider ourselves a forgiving person, we have torched a few bridges along the course of our life. But that's not exactly a healthy or even scriptural way to live. It's something that has been heavy on my mind for the last several days.

Why is "forgiveness" so important. It's a question that I really wish I knew the answer to. That's right, I don't know. I understand it's not your typical blog post. No one posts a deep question like that and just leaves you hanging with sense of closure. But I'm man enough to say "I Don't Know".

But it's not all for nothing. Today I stand to issue a challenge to everyone reading this post. 30 Days. Take the next 30 days to reflect on forgiveness, reconciliation, re-building those bridges you tore down. For some, you will find that you lost friendships over nothing. For others of you will very vividly remember why you parted ways. But no matter what direction you go, make it a point to find peace with it in your heart.  You don't have to like the person, just forgive.



Don't believe me? Check it out  - Col. 3:13


Dream Big,
Craig

10 TV Shows We Want Back...

We all have TV Shows that we think ended too soon. We wanted more but instead the cast, producers, or the darn TV Networks pulled the plug before we were ready to say goodbye. Here are my top 10 shows that I would love to see back on the air...

#10: "Friends"

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... I know. But who can't help but love these guys. Everybody wanted Ross and Rachel to get back together (for good), we all loved the contrast between Chandler's wit and Monica's cleanliness, we loved how beautifully weird Pheobe was, and we all shared Joey's love for sandwiches. 

This show was well written and the cast had a great chemistry. Plus we wanna know if Ross and Rachel stuck it out this time or not... 

#9: Scrubs

Unfortunately for the writers of this show, NBC gave this sitcom the run around after star Zach Braf tried to bolt for a (lackluster and short lived) movie career. Another show that had great writing and a fantastic cast, but toward the end of the series run kinda fizzled out a bit. They tried to continue the series after some of the stars began to bail, but they ended up pulling a "Saved by the Bell" by trying to relocate and add characters. It didn't work, and they got the axe. 

#8: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

I know what you're thinking. "CSI isn't off the air?". I know this, but since Grissom (William Peterson) left the show, it hasn't been the same. In fact, I think I've only seen one episode since he made his departure. There are constant rumors that Peterson will make a triumphant return, until then, rest in peace CSI... 

#7: Las Vegas

Look at this, another NBC Show (I see a trend). Set in Vegas, this show went inside the world of a major hotel and casino. Heck, Tom Selleck was in this show, how can you not like it! A lot of wit and clever writing gave this show a very "Oceans 11" feel. 

#6: Whose Line is it Anyway?

This show brought improv to the world. Each week Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, Collin Mockery, and Wayne Brady used their comic genius for good (and sometimes evil). Not only do I want to see this show back on the air, but in longer segments. The show was only 30 minutes long, but always felt like it had just started... I think America still longs for a good ole "Ho Down"... 

#5: Frasier

Not only was this sitcom a "Smart" show, it was arguably the greatest spin-off of all time. Of course, it's predecessor ("Cheers"), was also one of the most iconic television shows ever made. I bet you didn't know that the shows theme song was sung by show's actor: Kelsey Grammer. He also played the piano for that opener.

#4. Better Off Ted

This series only lasted 2 seasons. But as so many shows these days, if they don't produce right away... they don't last very long. There aren't many shows that make me laugh as hard as this one did. Thanks to Netfilx, I don't have to hold my breath on if they ever decide to wise up and bring it back. 

#3. Heroes

I'd like to thank my brother for introducing me to heroes. Just in time for NBC (yeah, them again) to cancel it. This is one of the most addictive TV Shows ever made. Based around a group of people who realize they have "special powers" and the government officials that want to hunt them down and eliminate them... too bad "saving the cheerleader... didn't save the show". There are several rumors going around that they will make a mini-series later this year to wrap up the show. If not, it will forever be in limbo whether or not the world comes to an end... 

#2. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

In my opinion, the greatest show to ever get cancelled and one of the greatest shows of all time. Unfortunately not many people even know this show existed. It lasted one season. This show had heavyweight powerhouses in front of the camera such as: Matthew Perry, DL Hughley, Amanda Peet, and Steven Weber just to name a few. The most creative writing of any show... ever. Studio 60 gave eyes to the behind the scenes happenings of a sketch comedy show (like SNL). Clever, smart, comedy and dramatic, gripping moments made this the perfect mix for a TV series. From the opening scene of the first episode it grips you. Oh, and guess who had it and cancelled it... you guessed it. NBC. 

#1: Seinfeld

Duh. Did you think any other show would be at the top of this list? The greatest show of all time is obviously the #1 show that I want back. Curb Your Enthusiasm toyed with us earlier this year when they brought the quartet back together again for star Larry David's show. I think he proved to all of us that they still have it. And with all the things that have happened since the show ended in '98, the arsenal is huge. Even in the short "reprise" on Enthusiasm  George has become wealthy with his iPhone App that finds the best bathroom in your area. Yeah. Comic genius should reign again. It is the most syndicated and watched show in the world, and the world is ready for new stuff... 

Honorable Mention: 
(Shark, The Unit, Early Edition, Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, Journeyman, Boy Meets World)

That thing we have...

I don't know what it is. That burning desire inside each of us that fuels our hopes, dreams, and aspirations. You know what I'm talking about, that little machine hidden away behind our sternum that makes your heart beat faster and faster as you start thinking about that thing you love.

It's that feeling that I get everytime I pick up the phone to do an interview with someone like "Switchfoot" or when I'm about to step on stage and belt it out in front of a couple thousand people. It's that feeling that I'm sure to feel in a few months right before I say those 2 words that changes every guys life... "I Do".

It's that nervous energy, or at least that's what they call it. It's a seriously powerful feeling. One moment you think that your heart is going to jump right out of your chest, the next you feel like you could take on the world.

I'm one of those guys who like to think that it's God's way of telling me that I'm on the right track. Like a "metal detector" if you will. As I get closer and closer to where I'm suppose to be, the old ticker lights up and the butterflies come out telling me "that a way kiddo!"

But as with most metal detectors, once the ole indicator goes off, you have to dig. You have to go through plenty of nasty, filthy, dirt to get to that real thing you want. You may not enjoy the work it takes to get to it, but the pay-off is usually worth it.

So my advice to you today friends, follow your heart/dream detector. Then dig. It might take a while to get through the dirt, but in the end... it's worth it.


Dream Big,
Craig

Techno Geek...

If you know me, you understand that I am a tech guy. I despise paper and pens, little calendar books are not for me. It's nearly impossible for me to go a day without my macbook and iphone, and trust me, if I wasn't worried about life after our wedding, I would be typing this blog on an ipad.

It never ceases to amaze me the advances of technology. The things that we use everyday such as that phone in your pocket, we tend to take for granted. Just go back in time as little as 10 years ago, there was no such thing as Facebook, YouTube, or iTunes.

Yeah.

There was no iPhone, Blackberry, or 3G. The most impressive thing on a cell phone was "Snake".

HD wasn't even a thought, no one had ever heard of Netflix. We didn't know what an Xbox or Wii was. Cars didn't have backup rearview cameras, ipod connectivity (not to mention ipods), or build in navigation.

The point of the story kiddos, is that we are living in the biggest innovative boom since the lightbulb was featured on engadget.com... (for those of you who don't understand humor, that was a joke). We are a society that lives, eats, and breathes technology. It literally engulfs everything we do. From our entertainment, business, and everything in between.

So next time you search the Urban Spoon app on your iphone to figure out where to go eat dinner (in the town you've lived in your entire life) just remember the "olden days" of the 1990's. You could have to actually think about it.


Dream Big,
Craig Woodson