seis de mayo

Sure, everyone has heard of Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for May 5th), but I contend that Seis de Mayo is more worthy of celebration. Here are some reasons why:

1. Good day to be born - I was born on May 6, 1983. That's right, I continue my march toward 30 as I turn 28 years old today. I am undeniably in my late 20's. My wife will have a field day with this for sure. I, of course, am not the only person who claims May 6 as a birthday. In fact, I think I fill out the standard "Types of people it's cool to share a birthday with" Checklist pretty well. See for yourself*:

1. Random girl who's not really famous but has played a lead role in a movie and shares the exact same birthday as you...√ (Gabourey Sidibe, 1983 - Precious in "Precious")
2. Future NHL Hall of Fame goaltender with multiple Stanley Cup titles to his name...√ (Martin Brodeur, 1972 - New Jersey Devils)
3. Famous heart-throb TV actor turned famous heart-throb movie star...√ (George Clooney, 1961 - Dr. Doug Ross, "ER"; Danny Ocean, "Ocean's Eleven")
4. Television host of multiple shows who's always creeping on women though not nearly as badly as Pat Sajak...√ (Tom Bergeron, 1955 - America's Funniest Home Videos; Dancing with the Stars)
5. Former world leader...√ (Tony Blair, 1953 - Former Prime Minister of Great Britain)
6. Musician who likes that old time rock & roll and has a #1 album to his credit...√ (Bob Seger, 1945 - "Against the Wind" in 1980)
7. Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player who is mentioned among the greatest players in the history of the game...√ (Willie Mays, 1931 - New York Giants; often referred to as the "Say Hey Kid")
8. Writer, director and actor in a movie consider among the greatest of all-time...√ (Orson Welles, 1915 - "Citizen Kane")
9. Famous British actor...√ (Stewart Granger, 1913 (King Solomon's Mines)
10. Italian actor acclaimed as one of the best during the silent film era...√ (Rudolph Valentino, 1895 - "The Sheik"; known as the "Latin Lover")
11. Author who wrote a well-known novel turned into popular film and stage productions...√ (Gaston Leroux, 1868 - The Phantom of the Opera)
12. Crazy nutcase who is credited as the father of modern Psychology...√ (Sigmund Freud, 1856  - Psychiatrist and founder of psychoanalysis)...hey, can't be proud of them all.
13. American explorer who likely made up a claim about being the first to reach a significant destination...√ (Robert E. Peary, 1856 - Geographic North Pole on April 6, 1909)
14. Leader of a major revolution...√ (Maximilien Robespierre, 1758 - French Revolution and Reign of Terror)

2. Some interesting historical events occurred on May 6th†:

1. 1312: Pope Clement V closes Council of Vienna.
2. 1626: Dutch colonist Paul Minuit buy Manhattan for $24 in trinkets.
3. 1835: The first issue of the New York Herald newspaper is published by James Bennett.
4. 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act - U.S. Congress ceases Chinese immigration.
5. 1898: Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public, coinciding with the Exposition Universelle (commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution).
6. 1915: Babe Ruth hits his first major league homer for the Boston Red Sox baseball team in a game against the NY Yankees.
7. 1935: The New Deal's Works Progress Administration is instituted.
8. 1937: The dirigible Hindenburg explodes while landing in New Jersey after a transatlantic flight, killing 36 people.
9. 1942: In World War II, the Japanese take Corregidor in the Philippines.
10. 1954: Roger Bannister runs the first sub-4 minute mile.
11. 1987: PTL's Jim Bakker and Rick Dortch dismissed from Assemblies of God (significant to me as I am a credential holder within the Assemblies of God).
12. 1994: The Channel Tunnel , linking England and France, is inaugurated.
13. 1997: Michael Jackson and Bee Gees inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

There are other birthdays and events that fall on May 6, but I just thought I'd touch on some of the more interesting ones. When you consider the fact that there are only 366 days of the year on which all of the events in the history of the world could have occurred, it's no doubt that every date will have its share of interesting history. I still think May 6 is pretty cool.

Have you ever checked out significant events and birthdays on your birthday? Do you even care? I'd like to say that I don't, but this blog proves that I do.

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Source Notes:

* Famous Birthdays compiled from famousbirthdays.com and worldalmanac.com

† List of historical events compiled from worldalmanac.com and brainyhistory.com

birds chirping vs birding pooing: a matter of persepective

I stepped outside Friday morning to warmer weather and the sound of birds chirping. This is the first time this year I have walked outside to such a beautiful sound. The chirping of the birds got me excited for the fast-approaching Spring.

I carried this joy with me to work. I was engaged in conversation with a co-worker when this sentiment came up. I commented on how beautiful it was outside. He agreed. I told him about how happy I was to hear birds chirping again. He had a completely different perspective from Friday morning.

When this gentleman went out to his car, he couldn't help but notice a white splatter on the windshield. He was annoyed by the birds being back because the reality of his windshield becoming a target for bird poo again.

So, you see, it was the same morning with two separate individuals noticing the return of birds. For one (me) it was a joyful reminder as the birds chirped while for the other (my co-worker) a frustrating reminder as the birds pooed on his car. Same morning...same birds...different emotion evoked. It's a matter of perspective.

Such is life.

major change

I was excited to get back into blogging at the turn of the year. I had in mind to keep "such is life." going for a long while. I have blog post ideas lined up and even some written. But with all that said, I am making a huge change.

Moving forward, I will be focusing my blogging efforts on a different blog. The address for my new blog will be the same as the current address for this one: http://pastormikebrown.blogspot.com and "such is life." has moved to this one: http://mikebrownsuchislife.

Here are answers to some questions some may have:

What's the purpose of the change? I have decided to focus my attention on more inspirational blogging vs. the random blogging I currently do. I might still add stuff on "such is life." (much less often), but the new blog will be my main one.

What should be expected? I will still blog a lot about Genevieve, but will look to make more effort to bringing more meaning and application to it. Aside from that, I will spend time reflecting things happening in my life, digging into the word of God, reviewing a good book, sharing poetry, etc.

Won't this limit the amount of people who read this blog? Maybe. I don't care. I'd rather do what I think is the right thing to do.

Why am I making this change? You'll have to read the first blog on the new http://pastormikebrown.blogspot.com to find out what caused me to make this decision.

I hope you will be able to follow the new blog and I hope you can get something out of it.

time for a little r & r

Rest and relaxation. Who doesn't love the sound of those two words?

Unfortunately, however, for most people those words have become synonymous with "vacation." It's as though vacation time is the only time we can afford to rest and relax. I mean, after all, the name of the game in non-vacation time is go, go, go! There's simply no time to rest and relax. This, however, is not a healthy approach.

Our bodies were designed to rest. And they were designed to rest because we need rest. This is a physiological fact. Simply put, we will wear ourselves down if we don't rest.

This concept is also supported biblically. In Genesis 2:1-3, we see that God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh. In Exodus 20:8-11, we see God institute the practice of the Sabbath. According to this law (one of the 10 commandments), a man was to work six days a week and rest on the seventh. Rest was not optional for the Hebrews, it was mandatory.

We also see the importance of not overworking ourselves through Jethro (Moses' father-in-law)'s advice to Moses in Exodus 18. Moses was working day and night judging among the people. When Jethro heard this, "Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.'" (Ex 18:17, 18 ESV)

My life can be so hectic and busy at times. If I'm not busy with one thing, then something else is sure to swallow up my time. It feels like I'm constantly on the go. There's always something else to be done. Rest can become an afterthought. But the more I push forward, the more I drain my body, mind and spirit.

It can be difficult to relax without feeling guilty, lazy or bored. But I think that's because our rest is not typically true rest. I know my relaxation usually includes TV, video games, computer time and the like. But that's not relaxing our mind, body or spirit at all.

I think true relaxation comes from spending time in the presence of our Creator.

This is why I will be enjoying my weekend at Youth Pastor/Youth Leader Retreat. Retreat is defined by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary as "3 : a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study or instruction under a director." This is a pretty good description of what I'll be doing. But even better than that is personal retreat.

For anyone reading this who is like me, do yourself a favor. Spend some time withdrawn from technology and media and everything else that keeps us from resting. I would encourage you to meditate on the things of the Lord. It is then that you will find true rest.

i went to a fight and a hockey game broke out

This is a classic Rodney Dangerfield joke. But, like most jokes, it was birthed out of a truth. Fighting has always been and continues to be a big part of hockey (though it's certainly not as big a part as it used to be).

I love hockey. It's my favorite sport to watch, hands down. I love it because of the physicality. I love the toughness and the fighting. My favorite player growing up was Cam Neely. He was both talented and physical. My favorite player currently is Milan Lucic. He is also talented (not as talented as Cam) and physical (he was lacking in his toughness in the beginning of the year, but has been turning it back up lately. The Bruins (Go B's!) have always been and are still an incredibly physical team. They do not back down from a fight. And I love the fighting.

I'm not alone in my love of hockey and love of fighting in hockey. In fact, there is a web site dedicated to tracking every fight in hockey (www.hockeyfights.com). I would be lying if I claimed that I never check out that site.

But the question has become, in this new age of concussion awareness, should fighting still have a place in hockey? Polly often asks me what the point of fighting is. I tell her it's important for tone-setting, momentum-swinging and accountability (if you want to play cheap, you will pay for it). I do not want to see fighting gone from the game. But, is this selfish of me? I mean, I'm not the one facing potential brain damage. Claiming it could cause brain damage might seem extreme, but Boston University Medical School just released some findings based on the study of the brain of Bob Probert, a former NHL enforcer who died at age 45. Researchers at Boston University said Thursday that Probert had the degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

So, now, I don't know what to think. I mean, on one hand, how can you ignore the recent medical data regarding the dangers of fighting? On the other hand, I love the fighting in hockey. It's a huge reason why I watch it. But is that as barbaric as watching NASCAR for the crashes? I'm so torn.

What do you think?

tip of the week: be grateful

"I've got nothing to wear!" How many times have you uttered this phrase as you sorted through a full closet?

"There's nothing in this house to eat!" How many times have you made this claim as you looked through full cupboards?

"Others have it so easy while I have it so hard?" How many times have you said this to yourself as you barely "squeak by" another week?

I know I've been guilty of each of these phrases (though not as often on the first one). What's worse is that we often don't think twice while making these statements. It's so easy for us to take things for granted.

But the reality is that compared to many others, we've got it so good. There are many people in this country and especially around the world who don't have proper or adequate clothing. There are many people in this country and around the world who don't know where their next meal is coming from (if it's coming at all). There are many people in this country and around the world who have it much harder than us. In fact, when they see it, they think we have it easy. Ironic, no?

How about these heart-breaking facts (taken from the book "Radical" by David Platt, a Christian book I highly recommend):

• Over 1 billion people live and die in desperate poverty. (p 108)
• Nearly 2 billion people live on less than $2/day...less than $2!!! (p 108)
• More than 26,000 children will die today due to starvation and preventable diseases (p 108)
• "If you and I have running water, shelter over our heads, clothes to wear, food to eat, and some means of transportation (even if it's public transportation), then we are in the top 15 percent of the world's people for wealth." (p 115)

I didn't even realize how self-centered and selfish I had become. I never realized how ungrateful I can be. But any time I have complained about my "lack" of anything has been a disservice to those who are far worse off than I am.

This goes beyond the poor though too. Last week, I was complaining to Polly about how I hadn't seen Genevieve smile yet as I always come home during her fussier times. I wasn't mad at Genevieve (how could I be?) but I felt like I was missing out a little bit. Then it hit me. How could I be so ignorant. There are plenty of people who would give anything to have a baby. There are many others who would give anything to have their baby healthy. I was taking that for granted. I felt so disrespectful toward those people with my mindset. I needed to repent and change that mindset.

You see, I think it can be easy for us to take things for granted. I think it can be easy for us to be ungrateful...and we don't even always know we are. So that's my tip for this week: be grateful. Take time to appreciate the things you do have instead of focusing on what you don't.

This isn't an easy thing to hear. It wasn't for me. But that doesn't make it any less true. Whatever you do today, be grateful! Be grateful to God who gives us all that we have. Be grateful to your parents, spouse, children or any others who are a blessing to your life. Be grateful.

new sheriff in town

I wanted to stay at the restaurant longer so I could talk with old friends. She wanted to go home.
I wanted to watch TV sitting down on the couch. She wanted me to stand up.
I wanted to eat dinner. She wanted to be bounced.

The conclusion to these three situations: We went home, I stood up and I waited to eat while I bounced her.

There is no doubt about who the boss is in the Brown household these days. What Genevieve wants, Genevieve gets. And why shouldn't she? She's 5 1/2 weeks old and cannot do anything on her own. Polly and I were the ones who decided to have a baby. And we understood that putting our needs secondary to our child's needs would be one of the results. So we're not complaining at all.

Even though my life is impacted, I would be ignorant to think that Polly and I have been impacted equally. In fact, when people ask me how I'm doing with the adjustment of having a baby to look after, I often joke about how it's been easy on me and that Polly's the one they should talk to.

I mean, let's break it down: I sleep all night, go to work, come home, eat dinner, care for the baby, hand her off to Polly whenever she's hungry, help put her to bed and relax on my own before I go to bed again. Polly, on the other hand, wakes up a couple of times of night (thankfully Genevieve is a good sleeper) and then spends almost all day with the baby with no real reprieve. So, yes, my life has been affected since Genevieve was born. But Polly's life has been invaded.

Think about it. Even if we set aside the fact that Genevieve took over Polly's body for nearly 42 weeks, Polly's life has still be drastically altered. Here are a few examples:

1. Polly's Job

Polly went from being a "full-time" teacher, putting in 40 hours a week, to being a FULL-TIME mom, putting in 168 hours a week. Aside from working more hours, she doesn't get an un-interrupted lunch break, sick time, vacation time or any of those other benefits (though the benefit of raising our child far outweighs those benefits anyway, as she herself would tell you) while making 100% less for her salary.

2. Polly's Diet

Polly is more restricted as a nursing mom than she was as a pregnant woman. Polly cannot eat anything high in fiber, anything spicy, anything acidic (even tomato sauce) or anything with dairy. The dairy is a tough pill for Polly to swallow because ice cream remains her favorite food. I told her I will give up dairy with her (for the most part) once our current dairy products are gone. We tried a dairy-free ice cream the other day. One word: yuck. Polly also loves cereal. She now eats it with soy milk. She doesn't mind it so much in the cereal, but she cannot drink a glass of it. (For some reason this reminded me of when Forestdale Elementary School began serving flavored milks. I tried the grape one. Disgusting.)

3. Polly's Routine

Polly is an incredibly routine-oriented person. This does not necessarily go hand-in-hand with a newborn baby. Genevieve decides when mommy can eat, sleep, take a shower, etc.

These are only three examples of the many ways Genevieve has impacted Polly's life. And after all this, Polly says she feels bad when I take the baby when I get home from work because I worked all day. What? Compared to what Polly's doing all day, I have it easy.

I will tell you one thing. After seeing what Polly has gone through already, I have a new-found appreciation for mothers everywhere. Most of all, I have a great respect and appreciation for the mother of my baby girl. I have always thought Polly was amazing. I never knew that I could think it any more than I already did. Then she became a mom. She's so incredibly amazing. I am so blessed.

So, you see, even though our lives have changed (and Polly's significantly more), one look at Genevieve reminds us why we would never trade it for a second.

There's a new sheriff in town. And Polly and I wouldn't have it any other way.