Dobie Road Collective

02/01/2022

Gratitude, Thankfulness, Appreciation. All of which, when applied, have the power to bring our perspectives up to the top up of the highest mountain. Conversely, when the light of these foundational simplicity’s of life are dimmed we’re inevitably plunged down to the deep dark abyss of despair.
These last few weeks I’ve found myself dealing with things that I didn’t know were still lingering around in the shadows of my life. Things I’d long forgotten. Feelings of pain and rejection that if left alone could cripple me to my core. These last few nights I’ve laid awake at night, my mind spinning, feeding on all the disappointments, regrets and failures of my life. My only peace has come from the word of the Lord. The Psalms have been my lifeline. Constant worship fills my ears and my mouth as I speak the promises of God over my life. I’ve shed more tears than I care to admit. But, today, I choose to focus on gratitude. As I fix my mind on Thankfulness, I begin to see the sun rise over the horizon (Psalms 46:5b), shining light on what was once empty pitch-black nothingness. I see the beautiful garden that God has planted me in. I begin to feel hope again with every ray of sunshine that lights my pale withered face evaporating my tears of sorrow. But most importantly, I see the truth. I see who God has created me to be. I see and Appreciate my gifts and talents that he’s given me. God’s words of truth silence the voices in my head pointing out everything that I’m not, reminding me of every failure. All of which are true. But, my failures are NOT THE TRUTH of our life and they do not define us. They only prove all the more that an old rugged cross has the power to save all who dare to trust in the Lord’s redeeming grace.
If you’re struggling today with anxiety and depression. Start to list what you’re grateful for. I’m willing to bet that you wouldn’t trade what you’ve already been given for what you’re lacking. I know I wouldn’t. Life can be very difficult at times. But, God promises that he will be with us through it all (Hebrews 13:5-6). You WILL get through this difficult time! God has given you manna for today, so eat it. He’ll have more for you tomorrow and the next day and so on. Don’t let this world tell you all the things you don’t have. Don’t fall for the comparison trap. Sure, you aren’t perfect, but never forget, God made you perfectly!
Start by listing 5 things you’re grateful for in your life and thank God for blessing you with those things. I promise, you’ll start to feel the Lord’s ever-present peace.

A company dedicated to helping strengthen the foundation of family through coaching, products, photography and our podcast.

12/23/2021

10 years ago today, I was fired. I’ll never forget that day. It was such a mixture of emotions. On one hand, I absolutely HATED my job and loathed being in the presence of my employer. On the other hand, Ashleigh & I were in our first year of marriage and the stability my income provided was a welcomed comfort. Especially since it had only been a few months since my Father had passed away and those wounds were still very fresh. As scary as it felt in the moment, deep down I was relieved. At that point in my life, I never would have left a seemingly “steady” job to embark into the unknown. But, as fate would have it, my employer made that decision for me.
At my core, I’m very optimistic, so I bought a bottle of champagne and brought it home to my band new wife to celebrate how I was finally free of my soul-sucking job. You can imagine how that conversation went...😂
Needless to say, I drank alone that night...
My journey of employment has been an interesting one. Some jobs I’ve loved, most I’ve hated. But one constant theme has never changed, a search for meaning in my work. The sense that what I do matters. That if I were gone, things wouldn’t just keep going as normal, that I’d be missed. When I’ve found the most meaning in my work, it’s been when I’m able to add value to people’s lives. When I’ve provided them a service that they couldn’t have done on their own and they’re happy to pay for. That’s a win/win!
As I look back at that day, I’m so grateful I was fired. It’s easy to die inside working a job that’s unfulfilling. I’ve been there many times. What’s consistently brought me out of that dark place has been a sense of the possibilities that exist if I don’t give up when everything in me wants to. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to pick your head up from the ground to see it.
What are you interested in? What makes you come alive when you talk about it? What do you dream about when you’re working the job you hate? What can you do today to bring yourself closer to that dream? I can tell you what won’t bring you there...going home every night and watching TV, Social Media, Video Games etc etc etc for 6 hours until you fall asleep. I recently heard a quote that resonated with me, “You’re not tired, you’re uninspired”.
As tough as it’s been to work terrible jobs over the years, I’m glad I did. It’s a constant reminder that I never want to go back to that way of life and to keep moving forward. I’d much rather shoot for my dreams, with the possibility of failure, than to have never tried at all and live with the knot of despair in the pit of my stomach, eating away at me.
If you’re in that dark place, you don’t have to stay there. Keep moving forward. It may feel like you’re walking through mud, but just keep moving. Eventually, you’ll reach dry ground.

12/20/2021

For those who grew up in Okemos, MI, Dobie Road is pretty important road on the east side of town. It’s also the road I grew up on.
Like most of us, from time to time in my life I’ve found myself devoting too much time and energy to things that, at the end of the day, really don’t matter much. Family will be the most important relationships you will ever have in this life. If you’re far from “HOME” and your relationships with your family have taken a backseat, we want to help guide you back.
My wife, Ashleigh & I started Dobie Road Collective to help pave the way that leads back to “HOME”. Wherever you may find yourself, don’t waste another day emotionally apart from your family. Put down your phone, turn off the game, close your laptop and re-connect. Make your way back “HOME” where you’re loved and needed more than you know.

A company dedicated to helping strengthen the foundation of family through coaching, products, photography and our podcast.

12/19/2021

12/19/2021