Presby-Musings

I read once that the great architects are always intentional about the placement of windows in the buildings they design, but not always for the reasons you might think.  Designers ultimately want to create experiences, and sometimes a wall of windows looking out over a beautiful view might seem like a way to do just that.  But when a view is discreetly framed, it can enhance the experience by narrowing the focus.  You see, a broader view through lots of windows might give you more of what you think you want, but it also might distract you from what really matters, and your experience would be diminished.   Urban designer Matthew Fredrick writes,  "As a designer, work to carefully shape, size and place windows such that they are specific to the views and experiences they address."  Fredrick's quote got me thinking about recent conversations I have been having with friends and church members about the problem of pain.   When things are not...

Years ago, when I was working at Walt Disney World, I was on the fast track to being promoted from hourly supervisor to salaried manager. I was the youngest person to be admitted into Walt Disney World's prestigious management training program--a program that almost assured that you would be promoted, and be ushered into the hallowed halls of middle management .  Hey man, it ain't bragging if it's true. Then something happened on my way to the almost-top.  WDW experienced a hiring and promotion freeze due to the massive economic downturn of the late 1980's. When the dust settled and people started getting promoted, I saw all of my peers receive positions, but there were none for me.  I finally was informed that the area manager who had once favored me had soured on my prospects and thought I wasn't worthy to promote.  I was unceremoniously transferred to another department to start all over again.  It crushed me. To this day, I still think about ...