What is Standing In The Way of You Reaching Your Peak?

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with this phrase repeating itself through my mind, Don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of reaching your peak!

I am not one to believe that dreams are special premonitions that come from God or a psychic realm. Yes, I do believe that God can influence our thoughts and dreams, but we may be just as likely to have certain dreams because of stress, past experiences or something we consumed that gave us a reaction, like pepperoni pizza.

I do have some idea of what inspired this post. Recently I received a copy of my Social Security benefits and projected retirement earnings. The summary was very inclusive from the year I first filed taxes at age eighteen until last year. In the chart you could see the gradual increase in annual earnings from then until now. It was very interesting.

Let's look at the following graph. It is fictional and generic, and could represent many different things.

The points on the graph could represent the stock market, home finance spending or the number of tomatoes you picked in the garden. Consider this. Is it possible that the graph could represent even a wider range of ideas for growth and decline? Could it represent human virtues such as happiness, spirituality or self-confidence?  I think it can.  Let us suppose this scenario for an example using the human trait (or way of being), Self Confidence.

Let us say Point A is when I was nineteen years old, and had all the hope and confidence in the world. I climbed through life until point B, where I was laid off from my job. At Point C I found a new source of employment until I discovered I wasn't emotionally fit for that line of work (D). Point E represents another beginning, going toward Point F which represents the future.

This could all hold true, but it is also very subjective. We cannot quantify emotions simply by the numbers, and we could have just as appropriately used Emojis on the vertical axis, like they do now for measuring pain in the hospital - but I think you understand my point.

If we spend some time contemplating our personal (or familial) growth or happiness we can begin to see trends. Using the information that comes to us from within, counseling with others and from the Still Small Voice of God we may be able to make different choices that can stem-off potential future low points in our lives.

Now back to my question. What is Standing In The Way of You Reaching Your Peak? Is it life style changes that need to be made, or relationships that need to be mended? Perhaps a job change or restructure is in order, or you need to re-evaluate your social and family life priorities. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that doing the same thing over and over brings us the same result, and until we're ready to raise ourselves up to new heights by making new and different choices, we can expect the trends to repeat themselves.


gus

My Love of Knot Tying

In recent months, I have been able to implement my love of knot tying into the 4-H Youth Development program. In the next upcoming weeks I am offering a knot tying class that is completely booked; and I have had great success and satisfaction in teaching kindergarten children how to tie their shoes.

My knot tying began when I was a boy, and my dad taught me how to tie knots on our sailboat.  Later, I perfected those skills as a Boy Scout. A few years before he passed away, he gave me his well-used Ashley Book of Knots, by Clifford W. Ashley, which is the world standard for knot tyers everywhere. Recently I found this poem which warmed my soul.

Ode to Rope
As I cast off for that very first time,
The “rope” in my hand has now become “line”.
And hauling the sails to the top of the mast,
That “rope”, now a “halyard” holds strong, taught and fast.
Then sailing in brisk winds full force on a beat.
The sails are trimmed in by that “rope” that’s a “sheet”.
And now at my anchorage with sails safely stowed,
I trust in that “rope” that now serves as a “rode”.
Through all my life I will never lose hope,
Of a reason or time to play with a rope.

By Lt/C Barry Briggs, S, of the Durham, NC Power Squadron, published in the August 1999 edition of the National Power Squadron magazine, The Ensign.

gus

Targeting STEM through 4-H Shooting Sports

Targeting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in education started to become a mainstream in American schools from about 2001 to 2005, and some speculate as early as 1985 (Education Week Archives, 2015). Naturally, 4-H being at the forefront of research based science education, and positive youth development (PYD) started to implement STEM into their programming.

4-H Shooting Sports, a major project area in the program became popular in the 1980’s, because it is a quintessential example of 4-H’s “Learning By Doing” approach. In addition, 4-H Shooting Sports has a unique ability to attract and retain teens of both genders. The major disciplines (sports) within the program include archery, rifle, shotgun, black powder and hunting.

From the inception of the program and to this day 4-H Shooting Sports instructors are taught to primarily teach safety, but also taught how to provide PYD activities with an academic focus including:

• To increase the knowledge, skills, competencies, attitudes, literacy and interest of youth in Science 
• To increase the number of 4‐H youth pursuing post‐secondary education in Science, and 
• To increase the number of 4‐H youth pursuing careers in Science (B. Kwang, P. Brewer, Colorado State University, 2011)

A few examples of STEM in 4-H Shooting Sports include:

• General – Mechanics of propulsion and engineering design
• Archery – Energy stored and released, body mechanics
• Black Powder – Chemical reactions, technology evolution
• Rifle – Physics of flight and trajectory, human optics
• Shotgun – Mass, velocity and distance of flight
• Hunting – Wildlife biology, conservation

Whether on the range, in the field or classroom 4-H Shooting Sports gets kids involved in healthy, challenging, outdoor activities that not only stimulate their minds but also reinforce a healthy lifestyle. The project also supports team (pro-social) interaction as well as individual achievement, goal setting and evaluation. Florida is fortunate to have support to provide these activities, and UF/IFAS Extension in Brevard County is doing its best to implement them with the help of volunteers.

If you are interested in participating as a youth or volunteer, be sure to watch our events page or contact Gus Koerner for more information Tel: 321-633-1702, Ext. 229 or email: gkoerner@ufl.edu.

gus

My Scouting Resume'

I think more than any other event or occurrence, my Boy Scout experiences had the greatest influence upon me. Therefore, I see it important to include what significance it had upon my life.

Now at age 54, as I begin to enter into this program again, I wish to share my history in the Boy Scouts of America program. I'll try to include as much detail as possible.

Please bear with me as I write and update this journal entry, as it may take a while...

The Sub-Cub Era

Cub Scouting

Scouting

My Eagle Scout Project
I refurbished and repainted the house which held our local Scout Round Table meetings with the help of a dozen volunteers. I couldn't have done this without the support of my parents.

David, Chuck and I
David Sturdivant and Chuck Jaecks were in my Troop 326 and were my best friends.  David passed away about 2015.

My Philmont Experiences

As a Cub Scout

Trek 1

Trek 2

My Wilderness Survival Merit Badge Experience

My Trip to the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base

My World Jamboree Experience in Oslo, Norway
Primary Source: Wikipedia

After being selected for the World Jamboree, I became a member of Troop 32, representing Texas. I was one of about 30 scouts.

The 14th World Scout Jamboree was held July 29 to August 7, 1975, and was hosted by Norway at Lillehammer, on the shore of Lake Mjøsa.

King Olav V and Harald V of Norway, who then was crown prince, opened "Nordjamb '75", as it became popularly known, in the presence of 17,259 Scouts from 94 countries. The slogan was Five Fingers, One Hand, an example of international cooperation on the part of the five Nordic countries responsible for its organization.

This slogan stood symbolically for:

Five fingers separately are small and weak, but together form an efficient and strong unit

• Scouts from all five continents meet at the World Jamboree
• The five Nordic countries jointly host a world event
• The slogan for the Jamboree was represented in a number of ways, including one event that brought all of the Jamboree participants together into the central arena, where they formed a giant hand that was photographed from aircraft flying overhead.

The British contingent, led by Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell, included Scouts from Branches in Bermuda, Hong Kong and Rhodesia.

The program of this Jamboree included excursions in the mountains by international patrols, activity areas, Nordic trail, choir, visit to Maihaugen cultural museum, and the Jamboree Country Fair. The relationships that developed were in large measure due to the warm hospitality given to almost every visiting Scout in the homes of the hosts. This Jamboree included in the program several activities involving modern technology, as well as traditional pursuits such as hiking, orienteering and camping.


The Jamboree was also visited by Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden and Crown Prince Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Order of the Arrow

My Tapout

My Ordeal - I remember this event well, but the only parts I can recall is being very sleep deprived and sleeping on the ground under my pancho in the rain.  I highly recall the feeling of brotherhood and belonging I felt. After my Ordeal was complete, I was a member of the lodge Nishkin Halupa A Pe Lachi, Lodge # 489.  The lodge was since reorganized, and is now Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk, Lodge # 209, Warriors of the Rivers with Outstretched Arm.

I later became a Brotherhood Member. This was about 1973.

My Parent's Service
My Mom and Dad, Karl L. and Irene J. Koerner were long time leaders in the Scouting program. My Dad receive his Silver Beaver and my Mom her Silver Fawn.

Experiences With Different Troop Sponsors

Remembering Mom On April 7

This is a loving memorial to our family Mom, Irene Lillian Johnson Koerner who passed away in 2001. This story contains no special messages, just thoughts and memories...

==========================================

To my kinfolk, :)

Today is Mom's birthday.  Do you have any special thoughts, memories or photos you'd like to share with the group?

Earlier today I recalled to a friend that Mom received her Silver Fawn from Scouts.  Although a precious memory, more so are the memories of how she helped me and my other fellow scouts progress and stay active in Scouts and there was never a critter, cool rock or beautiful stick I couldn't bring in the house and receive the same admiration from her as I had for that "slice" of nature myself. Remember my cactus garden?

I also remember her sitting on my bed in the rain listening to my then favorite song by Willie Nelson, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.  She seemed to love it as much as I, and I appreciated that.

Follows are some notes from my brothers and sisters...

​Your brother. - gus
-----------------
Gus,
Thanks for being the first to share your thoughts with everyone.
I always know that around Easter time (next week) and General Conference it will also be Mom’s birthday.
Without her love, warmth, and caring I would be a different person - and not for the better.
I remember in Dayton going on a hike and bringing back a cocoon on a stick early in the spring.  A few weeks later, it hatched to release about 2-300 baby praying mantis babies in my bedroom.  Thank goodness for the Electrolux vacuum.  I was about 11.

Love,
Karl
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Mom's Obituary

Irene J. Koerner
Sep 2, 2001

INKOM, Idaho Irene J. Koerner, 80, died Aug. 31, 2001, in her home of Inkom, Idaho where she resided with her daughter, Julia Cushman and family.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2001, at Cranney Mortuary and Funeral Home in Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held before the funeral at 11 a.m.

Irene was born on April 7, 1921, in Logan, Utah, and lived in Preston, Idaho, until young adulthood. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Mathew Lee Koerner, and devoted husband of 52 years, Karl L. Koerner.

Irene and Karl resided in Ft. Worth, Texas, for 35 years and were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ft. Worth 3rd Ward.

Sister Koerner held callings in various church auxiliary programs throughout her life. They included: Relief Society, Young Womens, genealogy extraction, Primary and Boy Scouts of America. Her diligent efforts as den leader and den leader coach for BSA earned her the prestigious Silver Fawn award.

Survivors are: her children, Karl R. Koerner, Kristi L. Bennett, Julia L. Cushman, John A. Koerner, Irene M. Koerner, Gus A. Koerner; 33 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Carl Johnson and Darold Johnson.

She will always be endeared to her family for her gentle manner, love for God and family and exemplary spirit of good will.

Source: The Herald Journal.

My Soul Is Well

As the reader, I hope you remember I write this blog as my journal; not for you per se, but for me and my family and I give you a glimpse of what is important to me through my stories. This song is one of the most important pieces of poetry (hymns) in my life, not just because of the words, but the story behind it all.  What do we have to fear that someone else has not experienced? Mr. Spafford is one of the top 5 people I want to meet if I go to heaven because of this faith building song.

Here is the story behind this song...

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family — a wife, Anna, and five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year, much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet, God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more.


On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. Among the passengers were Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would join her and their children in Europe a few days later. His plan was to take another ship.

About four days into the crossing of the Atlantic, the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Suddenly, all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her four children to the deck. She knelt there with Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie and Tanetta and prayed that God would spare them if that could be His will, or to make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the Ville du Harve slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including the four Spafford children.

A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.

Another of the ship’s survivors, Pastor Weiss, later recalled Anna saying, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why.”

Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.


According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” while on this journey.

Anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. In August 1881, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem. Mr. Spafford died and is buried in that city.

Here are the words written by Mr. Spafford on his journey to meet his grieving wife.

It Is Well With My Soul
by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

Sources:
The Saint Augustine Record
UMC History of Hymns