May « 2007 « Public Safety Ministries Inc.

An Office “On The Road”

By Dan Carlson, on May 30th, 2007

After the well guy came to install my new pressure tank this morning, I figured I’d drive up to my folks cabin and cut the lawn since no one has been there for a couple of weeks. It is on Lake Sullivan, just west of Onamia Minnesota. It’s about a 2 hour drive so I planned on heading up, mowing the lawn, and driving back to be home in time for the families evening activities (even though Cam said there was no hurry to get home since there wasn’t anything big on the family schedule).

After I finished mowing, I decided to sit on the deck and read for awhile. Then, I made the 2 mile trek to “Gross Store” for a frozen Heggies pizza for lunch. Then I sat on the deck and read for awhile again. Then I wondered if by chance my wireless worked up here. Signals usually are not good here for some reason, and I usually avoided connecting up here when I was with the EPPD, but now things are different and …… well here I am!

So I’ve checked my e-mails, connected with a few people, worked on a project and now I’m writing this post. Here is my office for today, my favorite spot to sit at the cabin:

and here is my panoramic view:

My career transition has been great, but it has been hard. I’ve made several posts lately that describe my days and the variety of wonderful locations I’ve had the opportunity to office in. The stories come off very relaxing as intended, but I have to work really hard to appreciate them and take the time to enjoy them. I don’t think I am unique in the fact that I am drawn to activity and getting things done and creating things that need to be done. Today I had to force myself to stay up here and not run home to work and studies and activities. It’s only a difference of a couple of hours, but sitting here and being in the moment has been good. I am slowing down, but it is work not to revert to the demanding pace I’d grown used to.

So, a spiritual exercise for us all (again), take some time, slow down and enjoy where you are.

A Memorial Day Tradition

By Dan Carlson, on May 28th, 2007

Every year the City of Excelsior hosts a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. Over the years we’ve had a kid or two in the parade as Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts etc. This is the first year I’ve had office space on Water Street (as traditional a main street as you’ve ever seen). I started my day from there.

My office is in the small building in the middle of the picture.

Here is a view to the left from my building doorway. That’s Excelsior Bay of Lake Minnetonka in the distance.

This is a view to the right…..

And the parade begins….

And continues, my daughter Sophie is in the Girl Scout troop in the last shot…

And the finale at the cemetery with some good words and some nice music.

Thanks to all families who have lost loved ones to war. Loved ones who gave their lives protecting.

Broken Stuff (but don’t forget to exercise)

By Dan Carlson, on May 24th, 2007

As I sit this morning and sort through the things I need to do (I still don’t have a routine of comfort) I am preoccupied with broken stuff. Stuff around a 27 year old house, original house stuff that has lived a good long life, stuff we’ve been patching together through the wonders of “Service Plus”, stuff that is nearing the point of “time for new”. The AC iced up the other day, the dishwasher doesn’t hold water, the release valve on the water heater is leaking and now a valve on my well water pressure tank is leaking. It is great to has service plans, some home maintenance skills, and the resources (ie: credit) to replace if necessary to deal with the inevitable broken stuff around a home, but I don’t have my new routine down yet, and HEY! I like Routine!!!! (except when I don’t!).

Well, it will all get done, and you know what? It doesn’t all have to get done yesterday, or even today, or even tomorrow. We all need to practice slowing down.

Right now I’m reading “the not so big life” by Sarah Susanka.

A paragraph on page 71 is one I relate to:

In addressing the issue, I’ve also uncovered one of my underlying beliefs. I’ve been conditioned to believe since childhood, that an effective person takes care of problems as soon as they arise. That doesn’t sound like a bad thing. But it does have unintended consequences, the most obvious of which is that if you’re always attending to problems that arise, you get around to what really matters to you only after you’ve taken care of everything else.

I too, am not sure this is a bad thing, especially for those of us in the public safety professions where taking care of problems is what matters to us.Â But it is good to look at how we spend our time, and sometimes things can wait.Â We won’t need the AC the rest of the week, washing dishes by hand isn’t so bad, the bucket under the water heater release valve isn’t filling…..but I got a call into the well guy, we need that leak fixed sooner than later.

So today, take a few minutes to slow down.Â Stop and see if how you are spending your time is how you want or need to be spending your time.

An Invocation: MCPA 05/17/07

By Dan Carlson, on May 21st, 2007

Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Board Meeting
051707

Dear God,

We thank you today for this opportunity to gather in the spirit of law enforcement leadership. We ask for guidance as we carry out our leadership roles in this association.

Specifically today we ask for blessings upon the new leadership of this association. Let them know they are welcome and appreciated. Be with us as we develop a new collective identity to carry out the common mission to lead the association. But donâ€™t let us forget the importance and value of our individual personalities, experiences and perspectives. Bless us with strength, peace, wisdom and humility in the coming year.

Bless the food we receive today as nourishment for our bodies, the information presented as nourishment for our minds and the fellowship we share as nourishment for our souls.

Amen