Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Attitude of Gratitude
I am a crazy cat lady. I don't have a whole lot of cats although I often have a whole lot of crazy going on in my world. But I have this one sweet, adorable kitty cat. After a hard day at work coming home to see him sitting at the door waiting for me is such a great thing. He really has been a perfect addition to my life and such a joy to have. As I write this he is laying on the back of the couch just watching me. Yes, having Wilson in my life is something for which I am very thankful!
Determination
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Have you heard about Cha Sa Soon? I heard about her on the radio this morning and didn’t know whether to be amused or inspired.
According to the radio report Cha Sa Soon is a 68 year old woman in South Korea who was determined to get her driver’s license in order to support her business. She took the written test which required 60 out of 100 correct t in order to pass. She took it once and failed, twice and failed, three times and failed. Turns out she took the test 950 times before passing!
She does still have to pass an actual driving test before getting her license. Can you imagine, though, the perseverance it took to continue going to take that test? She knew what she wanted and she went after it. Cha Sa Soon certainly has an indomitable will.
While I am not sure I would want to drive the same roads as someone who had to take a driver’s test so many times I tip my hat to this spunky lady. Her story should be a lesson and encouragement for us. She never gave up and finally attained her dream. So, the next time I try and fail I will remember Cha Sa Soon and try again.
Have you heard about Cha Sa Soon? I heard about her on the radio this morning and didn’t know whether to be amused or inspired.
According to the radio report Cha Sa Soon is a 68 year old woman in South Korea who was determined to get her driver’s license in order to support her business. She took the written test which required 60 out of 100 correct t in order to pass. She took it once and failed, twice and failed, three times and failed. Turns out she took the test 950 times before passing!
She does still have to pass an actual driving test before getting her license. Can you imagine, though, the perseverance it took to continue going to take that test? She knew what she wanted and she went after it. Cha Sa Soon certainly has an indomitable will.
While I am not sure I would want to drive the same roads as someone who had to take a driver’s test so many times I tip my hat to this spunky lady. Her story should be a lesson and encouragement for us. She never gave up and finally attained her dream. So, the next time I try and fail I will remember Cha Sa Soon and try again.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Attitude of Gratitude
Today I am grateful for new attitudes and good friends to encourage me through the rough spots.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Attitude of Gratitude?
So, here’s the deal, today was a stinking hard day. It started out with an impossible email and got tougher from there. All day I chewed on thoughts of this post and it was just like chewing on shoe leather. Not that I have ever chewed on shoe leather mind you, but I imagine it would be tough and stringy and the more I chewed the tougher it would get. It was just one of those kinds of days.
All the way home I considered gratitude and my attitude toward it. I have much to be thankful for. My life is full and I have everything I need. I have a good job, a house, a car, clothes on my back, food on my table, money growing towards retirement, the love of my Savior, a very sweet kitty cat, a loving family, many friends, etc, etc, etc. Do you see what I mean? How could I not be grateful?
And I am thankful for all these things and so much more. But here at the end of the day I sit in front of my computer and wonder at the fact that I have had trouble with posting something to be grateful for each day. And, it’s only the 9th of the month; there’s still 21 days to go.
As I read back over my Attitude of Gratitude posts they feel trite and simple. I wrote them and still I wonder if there is any true sentiment behind them or if they are just words on a computer screen. It makes me kind of sad really. My heart should be brimming over with everything.
How is that we can be so quick to forget the good things and take them for granted, but hang on to the bad things? As I drove home I tried to feel something other than the frustration of a day full of trials. Try as I might everything that came out of my mouth fell like rocks into my lap. (Yes, I was talking to myself about this during my commute….it’s one of those crazy things about me.)
I cranked up the music and sang along with the praise music on the radio station. When that didn’t work I turned the radio off and talked to God. I explained to Him how I felt and my guilty feelings at not mustering much thankfulness today. I know He heard me and I was a little disappointed that my confession didn’t produce the cup runneth over feeling I was looking for. But then again, I think God is trying to get something across to me through this. I am sure it has so much more to do with than this little blog. What it is I am not yet sure; someday, hopefully soon, I will understand. Until then I remember that my Jesus loves me even at times like this and for that I am grateful.
All the way home I considered gratitude and my attitude toward it. I have much to be thankful for. My life is full and I have everything I need. I have a good job, a house, a car, clothes on my back, food on my table, money growing towards retirement, the love of my Savior, a very sweet kitty cat, a loving family, many friends, etc, etc, etc. Do you see what I mean? How could I not be grateful?
And I am thankful for all these things and so much more. But here at the end of the day I sit in front of my computer and wonder at the fact that I have had trouble with posting something to be grateful for each day. And, it’s only the 9th of the month; there’s still 21 days to go.
As I read back over my Attitude of Gratitude posts they feel trite and simple. I wrote them and still I wonder if there is any true sentiment behind them or if they are just words on a computer screen. It makes me kind of sad really. My heart should be brimming over with everything.
How is that we can be so quick to forget the good things and take them for granted, but hang on to the bad things? As I drove home I tried to feel something other than the frustration of a day full of trials. Try as I might everything that came out of my mouth fell like rocks into my lap. (Yes, I was talking to myself about this during my commute….it’s one of those crazy things about me.)
I cranked up the music and sang along with the praise music on the radio station. When that didn’t work I turned the radio off and talked to God. I explained to Him how I felt and my guilty feelings at not mustering much thankfulness today. I know He heard me and I was a little disappointed that my confession didn’t produce the cup runneth over feeling I was looking for. But then again, I think God is trying to get something across to me through this. I am sure it has so much more to do with than this little blog. What it is I am not yet sure; someday, hopefully soon, I will understand. Until then I remember that my Jesus loves me even at times like this and for that I am grateful.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thank God for Little Boys
Today I am going to a baby shower for my friend whose baby is due in January. This sweet baby boy is a long awaited answer to prayer for my friend and her husband. They are so eager to meet their wee little bundle of joy.
I love babies. I don't have any of my own and probably won't ever have any of my own, but have thankfully been blessed with having many babies in my life through friends and family. There is something about a new baby that fills my heart with joy and hope in the future.
Thank God for little boys and little girls!
I love babies. I don't have any of my own and probably won't ever have any of my own, but have thankfully been blessed with having many babies in my life through friends and family. There is something about a new baby that fills my heart with joy and hope in the future.
Thank God for little boys and little girls!
Sunday Thanksgiving
Let us come before him with thanksgiving. Let us sing him psalms of praise. ~Psalm 95:2
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ft. Hood
I have been thrown off kilter. Yesterday was peppered with minor annoyances and as I left work I was frustrated. Driving out of of the parking lot at work I heard the first talk of things happening at Ft. Hood. My afternoon had been so full I hadn't heard anything prior to that.
As I drove home I gathered bits and pieces and my heart became heavy with grief for the people who were involved in the shooting and their families. Suddenly the drama of my day was revealed for what it was...petty and not worth stewing over.
When something like this happens it is hard to understand and it devastates so many....the people involved, their loved ones, the emergency responders, and indirectly all of us. We grieve and we wonder if anywhere is safe. We try to make sense, but there is no sense in an act like this.
My heart and prayers go out to the injured and the loved ones of everyone involved. As I considered my quest to be more thankful this month I contemplated what I could say today in light of this. There is one thing that I know is true today. I am thankful for the men and women of the Armed Forces who put themselves in harms way every day even as I am saddened that harms way came to what is supposed to be a safe place and at the hands of a fellow soldier.
As I drove home I gathered bits and pieces and my heart became heavy with grief for the people who were involved in the shooting and their families. Suddenly the drama of my day was revealed for what it was...petty and not worth stewing over.
When something like this happens it is hard to understand and it devastates so many....the people involved, their loved ones, the emergency responders, and indirectly all of us. We grieve and we wonder if anywhere is safe. We try to make sense, but there is no sense in an act like this.
My heart and prayers go out to the injured and the loved ones of everyone involved. As I considered my quest to be more thankful this month I contemplated what I could say today in light of this. There is one thing that I know is true today. I am thankful for the men and women of the Armed Forces who put themselves in harms way every day even as I am saddened that harms way came to what is supposed to be a safe place and at the hands of a fellow soldier.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Great Macaroni War
So, here’s a bit of truth about me – I hate surprises. Not all surprises, just the kind I know are coming. I certainly don’t mind the ones that comes out of the blue. “You’ve done such a great job; here’s a ginormous raise to show our appreciation.” (Phil, Gary are you reading this!?!) I’m quite all right with those unexpected events.
But surprises like Christmas presents under a tree? It drives me absolutely batty. I am not a patient person and all those wonderfully wrapped presents beckon to me and torment me. As a child Christmas time was torture for me.
Yes, every year I would try to find new and clever ways to find out what my presents were. I would scope out all the hiding places in search of unwrapped gifts. Once they were wrapped it became a little more challenging, but I persevered. I soon became quite adept at unwrapping presents and then rewrapping them so no one would know that I had peeked. To this day you can find me shaking gifts as soon as they appear under the tree.
Several years ago my brother had my name in the family gift exchange. My gift came with a warning to open upside down. It was heavy – I had asked for books – and it rattled; an intriguing combination for sure. When I opened the package macaroni spilled out explaining the rattle and marking the start of The Great Macaroni War. My brother may have won that battle, but the war was far from over.
I retaliated the next year with a sweet little box loaded with macaroni. To keep it from rattling I folded a piece of cardboard and stuffed it on top of the pasta. I taped the lid down, tied a blue bow around it and sent it off to my unsuspecting brother. Silly boy had become complacent and had no idea what was about to happen. Cue evil laughter…
Later my brother’s son took up the fight and packed one of my presents with macaroni. You gotta love a kid like that! But, he was no match for me. I fired back on his next birthday with a gift card encased in a CD jewel case, filled with birthday candle confetti, and super glued closed. He vowed his revenge and began plotting.
That Christmas I received a present on which my nephew had very sweetly written, “To my favorite aunt.” I beamed with pride as I pulled the paper off to find a package wrapped in duct tape. Under the duct tape were several layers of plastic grocery bags, more duct tape, and more grocery bags. I laughed as I unwrapped and unwrapped and unwrapped…
I definitely have a formidable opponent, but I am crafty. I am wily. I will not be outdone. Every year around this time darling neph and I begin trading jabs about macaroni. No one knows when the next scrimmage will happen, but the anticipation hangs in the air.
The Great Macaroni War seemingly has become a family tradition. Family traditions are not only fun, they tie us together and strengthen our bonds. Because of our traditions and strong bonds our family has supported each other in tough times. It is comforting to know I can always rely on them. And I don’t even mind not knowing what will happen next in the Great War!
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12
But surprises like Christmas presents under a tree? It drives me absolutely batty. I am not a patient person and all those wonderfully wrapped presents beckon to me and torment me. As a child Christmas time was torture for me.
Yes, every year I would try to find new and clever ways to find out what my presents were. I would scope out all the hiding places in search of unwrapped gifts. Once they were wrapped it became a little more challenging, but I persevered. I soon became quite adept at unwrapping presents and then rewrapping them so no one would know that I had peeked. To this day you can find me shaking gifts as soon as they appear under the tree.
Several years ago my brother had my name in the family gift exchange. My gift came with a warning to open upside down. It was heavy – I had asked for books – and it rattled; an intriguing combination for sure. When I opened the package macaroni spilled out explaining the rattle and marking the start of The Great Macaroni War. My brother may have won that battle, but the war was far from over.
I retaliated the next year with a sweet little box loaded with macaroni. To keep it from rattling I folded a piece of cardboard and stuffed it on top of the pasta. I taped the lid down, tied a blue bow around it and sent it off to my unsuspecting brother. Silly boy had become complacent and had no idea what was about to happen. Cue evil laughter…
Later my brother’s son took up the fight and packed one of my presents with macaroni. You gotta love a kid like that! But, he was no match for me. I fired back on his next birthday with a gift card encased in a CD jewel case, filled with birthday candle confetti, and super glued closed. He vowed his revenge and began plotting.
That Christmas I received a present on which my nephew had very sweetly written, “To my favorite aunt.” I beamed with pride as I pulled the paper off to find a package wrapped in duct tape. Under the duct tape were several layers of plastic grocery bags, more duct tape, and more grocery bags. I laughed as I unwrapped and unwrapped and unwrapped…
I definitely have a formidable opponent, but I am crafty. I am wily. I will not be outdone. Every year around this time darling neph and I begin trading jabs about macaroni. No one knows when the next scrimmage will happen, but the anticipation hangs in the air.
The Great Macaroni War seemingly has become a family tradition. Family traditions are not only fun, they tie us together and strengthen our bonds. Because of our traditions and strong bonds our family has supported each other in tough times. It is comforting to know I can always rely on them. And I don’t even mind not knowing what will happen next in the Great War!
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12
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