At risk of becoming a huge political force in the blogosphere, I’m gonna go ahead and say it.

What are you doing?

I’ve watched from the sidelines for a bit with this whole Occupy [insert perceived evil] movement has drawn on for a month or so, and I’m confused.

The name of my blog is Assume the Best, and I am working hard on doing so, but I just don’t get what exactly it is you are trying to accomplish. After searching around on the always-correct internet, this is the best I can find regarding a mission statement for the OWS bunch.

Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants.

This #ows movement empowers real people to create real change from the bottom up. We want to see a general assembly in every backyard, on every street corner because we don’t need Wall Street and we don’t need politicians to build a better society. (Taken from occupywallst.org)

…so what does that mean?

I’ll take it one line at a time:

You are a leaderless movement. That’s code word for a mob. Mobs rarely do anything productive. A leaderless movement is an oxymoron, a flock of gnats furiously storming about their four cubic feet of airspace. You are moving, but you aren’t going anywhere.

You are the 99% But you look precariously like the 11% unemployed. Here’s where I agree with you: the income inequality between CEOs and workers seems absurd, when you look at the numbers over time. Where I disagree is that you have any right to claim somebody else’s money. If you don’t like the disparity between a company’s workers and it’s CEO, don’t do business with that company. If all 99% of us stop doing business with a company, they’ll get the memo.

Furthermore, do you really think that all people with large incomes (or large net worths) got there by greed and corruption? You watch too much TV. Go read a book. In fact, read anything by Thomas J Stanley. You might be surprised to find that integrity ranks pretty high among the 1%. The wealthiest people in the country are the ones with whom you could do business over a handshake.

You are using the Arab Spring tactic to achieve your ends Aligning yourself with people who have been literally imprisoned by their governments and walled off from society for their views is a precarious position, having walked from your Manhattan apartment through 13 free (and unfiltered) wifi hotspots to get to your constitutionally protected protest area.

If you would let us know those ends, you might be surprised to find that we are eager to achieve some of them, too. You want more money and more employment? You want healthcare coverage for more people? So does the 1%! Launching a campaign against something as vague and universal as greed and corruption is like announcing a campaign against unhealthy living. Everybody agrees, but nobody does anything about it.

1. What is your perceived end of the Occupy Wall Street Movement?
2. Where would you have those with whom you disagree take a plausible next step?
3. If everything went your way, what would the country and world look like?

Martin Luther King had a dream, a vision, a direction. Every single one of us knew how to gauge when we had achieved it. Because once that dream had been fulfilled, people would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. His movement had a direction and a destination.

All of us in this country want change on some level. Some of us are looking for it in the political realm, some in the business realm, and some in the spiritual realm. So you Occupying Wall Street for “change” without defining that change is only going to be effective at getting the gnats to more furiously circle the airspace.

Have you ever tried to change something or someone (or yourself) only to see the change last about as long as a daytime talk-show?

I know I have. So when I picked up “Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard” by Chip and Dan Heath, I was skeptical to say the least.

Change is often tough. This would be a better book cover, methinks. Creative Commons image courtesy of L. Marie

Instead, they gave me a framework on which to hang the tough process of real, lasting change.

This book is hope cleverly disguised as practical, well written advice on the forces at work when real change happens. It may look like just a book full of stories and principles–but the Heath brothers are selling hope.

I thought this book especially useful for those in leadership of any type. If you have ever wished for a student to actually grasp what you are saying, or a coworker to stop slacking off, or a child to behave, this book has answers. Not easy answers, but a paradigm-shift in your approach to those questions.

So instead of Dr. Phil platitudes (that create change until the next commercial break), we’ve got a real opportunity to create change in our lives.

What is the one area you’d like to see changed? Comment below!

Next time you get your net worth to nearly half a billion (with a B) dollars, having started from nothing, let me know. Until then, I’m gonna read up on the life of Shawn Carter.

Shawn Carter, who you might know as rapper, entrepreneur, and business (man) Jay-Z, has an estimated net worth of $450 million. So when I stumbled across his book “Decoded” in the digital library, I was intrigued.

First, let me clearly state that the language in this book will offend sensitive eyeballs. He doesn’t shy away from profanity or the “n-word.” So if those words offend you, perhaps skip this one.

If not, I’d suggest picking up a copy.

I was fascinated to get a look into the mind of easily one of the best creative minds in hip hop. Here are three lessons I learned:

1. Write it down. When he and a friend sat down to start a record label, they wrote down specific goals. If you want something to happen, and you didn’t write it down, you can pretty well count on it not coming to pass. A written plan gives you a finish line. It’s far easier to race when there’s a finish line!
2. Know your blind spots. Jay-Z is at his best in this book when he is talking about the creative process or the mind of a rapper. Here’s my only criticism: When he starts talking politics, things become very polarized. He fails to assume the best (or even assume anything but the worst) about people with whom he disagrees. It is supremely disappointing when a superstar with the influence of Jay-Z says publicly that George W Bush intentionally meant harm specifically to African Americans in the aftermath of Katrina, as though there was an internal memo that said “only save the white folks” that came down from POTUS in the hours following the tragic collapse of the levees.

   I certainly don’t claim to understand the mentality of an ethnic minority, and that’s not the point. Jay-Z seems to equate everything with race–i.e. all black people vote this way, all white people vote this way, all black people feel the same way about this issue, etc. That’s a ginormous blind spot in his worldview. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream was that we would be judged not by the color of our skin, but the “content of our character.” That means that for Dr. King is was as much about getting beyond race as it was about equality.

3. Hustle. To succeed in business, you have to be intentional, passionate, and work extremely hard. The myth out there is that wealthy people are all trust-fund babies who don’t know how to work, especially among Christians who confuse waiting on God with waiting on the couch. Faith does not equal Cheetos. Aside from being patently false according to the numbers (and numbers lie about as frequently as Shakira’s hips), it is laughable in light of how hard Jay-Z worked (and still works) to be where he is. Jay-Z doesn’t just rap these lines:
   

   Put me anywhere on God’s green earth… I’ll triple my worth.

Jay-Z is polarizing, especially among conservatives (both politically and theologically). But anyone who can’t see the sheer genius that goes into his lyrics would be well served to pick up this book and look behind all the typical rapper bravado into the mind of a brilliant man who might well live to be a billionaire from writing rhyming couplets.

What books are you reading? Link me to reviews in the comments!

I have a new favorite smartphone app: OverDrive Media Console.

Having been accused of both penny-pinching and a slight case of nerdery, it is only fitting that my new favorite app is a free ebook reader. It’s a fantastic app that gives access to both audio and written content from the local library, all on my phone.

This is not my local library. This is a fabulous library in Stockholm. Creative Commons image courtesy of Marcus Hansson

Today I downloaded “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath. I just finished the first chapter and can already tell I’ll like it just as much as the other book of theirs I’ve read, “Made to Stick.”

By far the best part of this app is that the books are free and legal to download. I have 7 days to read them. I can assure you I’ll be wearing out the battery on my phone multiple times over using this treasure trove.

Here’s my quick and dirty guide for getting started:

1. Download the OverDrive Media Console App. For Android, click here. For iOS, click here.
2. Get a library card. My wife recently got the look-over-the-top-of-the-glasses treatment from our local librarian for not having her library card, and this app is no different. Gotta have a card. You use the card number and pin to access your specific local library’s files for download.
3. Get a free Adobe membership. Once you’ve successfully navigated the labyrinth that is the library system and downloaded your first book, you’ll need a free Adobe membership to actually open the otherwise locked-down files. It’s pretty painless. Click here to go ahead and set that up.

All in all, the Overdrive Media Console app is blazing up the charts of my favorite apps, by scratching the “free” itch as well as the “need for good books” itch. Chime in below with what books I should search for next!

If you don’t put your 3-year-old into Christian school that costs more than a Mercedes, they are probably going to do drugs, or listen to death metal.

I know, because my kid has a thriving illicit drug business going out of his cubby at the YMCA preschool. But we are saving some serious coin, so I’d call it worth it.

Creative Commons image courtesy of D Sharon Pruitt

To listen to some folks talk, ___________ [insert the method they chose to school/preschool/wean their children] is the only Jesus-sanctioned way to school/preschool/wean, and people who choose the alternative are intentionally harming their kids.

Might be time to back off of the daytime television there, mom. You are going all Judge Judy on us.

I call it the leash syndrome.

Before I had children, I was appalled that some parents (though they call them harnesses) would even consider using a leash to restrain their kids. Then God blessed me with a kid who thinks I’m playing a fun game when I scream “STOP” as he steps off the curb into traffic.

Yeah, for some kids a leash is a sign of a seriously over-controlling parent. If, however, you see my kid on a leash, it’s because he’s actively trying to become a speed-bump if he’s not on one.

So in my mental note to my 20-year-old self, in addition to suggesting I wedgie myself, I think it might be best to Assume The Best about those parents with harnesses on their child.

And if you have equated Public Schools with Nazi Internment Camps, maybe you should try employing the ATB method as well.

For some kids, the Christian school is the best fit. For others, homeschooling with mom and dad are by far the best. And though it may not be for everyone, some parents are perfectly justified in deciding to go the Public School route.

What say you? Christian School? Public School? Living Room School? Discuss below.

I just finished EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. The thing is downright depressing. In fact, to be perfectly honest with you, it made me sick.

Sick and tired of working for somebody who hasn’t read this book.

Don’t get me wrong–for what it is, my entry level retail sales position pays well, is relatively fun, and provides a decent challenge. This is not a slam on my current employer.

This is a standing ovation for Dave Ramsey, on multiple fronts.

First, I applaud his tenacity and hustle to create a thriving business, without cutting corners. He’s done it the right way. This book is a treasure trove for anyone looking to use business in a way that positively impacts the world. In a world where business gets a pretty bad name, Dave Ramsey and his team are a shining example of capitalism operating under moral restraint. Bravo.

Second, I applaud that Dave is not content to let his legacy be merely “upstanding businessman” (though that would have been enough!). He’s gone gracefully from player to player-coach. He is coming alongside others in business and giving them a roadmap to success. With this book, he’s traveling back down his own business road putting traffic cones over the potholes that flattened his tires. What a gift to those wise enough to drive with their eyes open.

I can’t more highly recommend this book to anyone in any role of any type of business. I guarantee it’ll make you sick.

It made me so sick I created a facebook fanpage. Become a fan today!

Once when we were relative newlyweds we decided to “swing by” the pet adoption clinic, because we had a free afternoon. That turned out to be a great way to come home with a lovable dog.

A similar thing happens when I browse the books available for the Kindle app on my phone. I end up bringing home a book to read. Yesterday was no different.

Image stolen without permission from FireSomeoneToday.com. But this glaringly positive review was also written without permission, So I think Bob will let it slide.

I’ve read business books before, even books about running your own business, and this one is different.

It is written with the tone of a seasoned pro leaning over a table telling you something he shouldn’t be: In your face truth that clearly comes from a guy who did things the exact wrong way and lived to tell the tale. Examples include hiring an accountant who is a pessimist, and firing jerks even if they are outperforming everyone else in the company.

So feel free to swing by the Amazon store and pick up a copy of Fire Someone Today. On the bright side, it’s way cheaper than a puppy.

What books are you reading these days? Why should I be reading them? Comment Below.

The family at church that parks in the far corner of the lot? It’s not because they have drugs in the car. They aren’t “ridin’ dirty” as the prophet Chamillionaire would have you believe.

And even if they are, at least they are at church, am I right?

For what it’s worth, I bet they park there for the shade. Shocking, I know.

Although, now that you mention it, that girl does look a little suspect. Creative commons image courtesy of Dale Gillard

Humans are looking for a story, and very VERY prone to connect dots that don’t even exist so that the three pieces of a story they do have fit into a plot line that jives with their preconceived notions and assumptions.

I saw them at the grocery store, near the beer, and so it follows logically that they are recreationally smoking marijuana on their back porch. Because Pastor said last week that some people at church are not walking with the Lord.

Logically.

What would happen if we started Assuming The Best about the people in our church? If instead of assuming they started going to another church because of an egregious sin in their life, we assume that they are adults who made the decision they felt was best for their family?

What if, instead of second-guessing church leadership at every turn, we prayed for them, understanding that they have a very difficult and at times practically thankless job. By simply assuming the best about our church leaders and their motives, we could change the world!

Or, we could just assume that the pastors are dealing drugs out of their trunk. That’s always an option. I hear the pay is good.

The blogosphere has more fuel, ladies and gentlemen.

Behold, Pat Robertson, king of the soundbyte. This looks really, really bad, I have to admit.

But let me get this real straight: Pat Robertson finally says that he would not judge somebody for their actions and we all freak out? Pat Robertson has been flying off the handle pre-judging situations on-air for years!

So now, once in his life he says “I’m not gonna throw a guilt trip on him” about a guy in a really tough situation, and we all get out our fine-toothed theological combs to pick at all the nits.

Pat is reacting on-air to a question about a real person, who is REALLY already seeing another woman. He is counseling an emailer to not guilt-trip his friend. That’s actually pretty good advice. When he says “divorce her and move on” he’s encouraging a person who has already mentally divorced her to put his money where his heart is. What more shocking way to perhaps jolt the fellow into seeing the reality of his actions?

Maybe by divorcing her, this guy will really see that his heart has completely missed the gospel. He’s missed the point of marriage, as a self-sacrificial picture of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for his diseased bride. In light of a clear cultural taboo like divorce, the reality of Jesus’ gospel might actually be seen more clearly for this man.

Maybe that’s what Pat meant.

This is not me condoning Pat Robertson’s remarks. I think they were way off base and pretty much antithetical to the gospel. This is me not reacting as though a 2-minute video clip of Pat Robertson incorrectly answering a question is representative of his entire worldview. It’s as close as I can get to assuming the best.

Here’s the thing: All Liberals are not trying to take down our way of life. The guy who lives next door and has an Obama sticker is most likely a pretty nice guy. He just voted for a different guy than me.

I know I’m risking the entire operation here by starting with politics, but it was an easy target. What if, instead of yelling at each other, the two (or 3-5) sides of the equation actually started off with the baseline assumption that the other side ISN’T in cahoots with Satan, or the Chinese, or some other Asian/demonic alliance?

Scary Asian demon: Not equivalent to next door neighbor. Creative Commons image courtesy of Peter Rivera

But I’m not talking about the candidates. We’ll let them strut around in front of the cameras like peacocks in $950 suits and get the sound-bytes. I’m talking about the dude next door. It’s high time we had him over for dinner.

When’s the last time we had somebody who didn’t look like us over for dinner? There’s almost nothing that my wife’s corned beef casserole can’t fix.

I’m not saying we have to be best friends with people with whom we vehemently disagree on policy or even worldview issues. But to demonize their character — who they are as a person — doesn’t do anybody but the media any good.

It all starts with the baseline assumption that the people with whom we disagree are people first, and have complex worldview issues second. And they don’t have a red phone in their room with which they discuss ways to bring down capitalism with their North Vietnamese government contacts.

They most likely don’t even have a land line, and went over on their anytime minutes last month talking to their mom who lives out of state. They were talking about the uncle who moonlights as a hotel lounge singer. They didn’t even mention the debt ceiling.

Perhaps we could have them over and talk about sports? They were wearing a Braves hat the other day.

Here’s my prescription for being a part of the ATB revolution regarding politics, taken from my actual life:

1. Be quiet. It’s easier to confirm when somebody has less-than-stellar motives when I can actually let them speak.
2. Ask good questions. The worst thing I can do in this situation is to lead with the Fox News talking points: “Do you see any way out of this crisis?” It just puts them on the defensive and doesn’t actually start conversation. Get to know people, as opposed to their opinions. It’s tougher to hate a person when I know their kid’s names.
3. Stop being right. That’s going to be the toughie, because according to the prevailing sentiment in my own head, I actually AM right. That’s where a healthy dose of reality will come in very handy. Reading an article in the Economist doesn’t actually make me certified to speak into fiscal policy on an international level. So I should stop acting like it does, and instead ask good questions (see the previous point)

What methods have helped you to Assume The Best about another person’s political views?