Wow

I was in Taco Bell today when some friends whom we have know for a long time came in the restuarant. As I saw them, it was like this breath of fresh air. I was happy to see them! I hugged her - then hugged him - then had a flitter in my heart! It is good to have people like that in life. People that when you see them, you are genuinly happy! People that make you feel good to know. People that bring a smile to your face and a flitter to your heart when you see them. People that even if you don't see them for some time, it is like they were never gone. People who you wish were family, but are glad that they are not because your family would probably run them off. I have such people.

I hope that you can have a Cris and Polly in your life as well!

Finishing the race

I was thinking recently about the Olympics. If you were like me, you spent more then your fair share of time watching Olympic coverage into the late hours of the night. Much time was spent on the "under achieving" USA track team. There was much commentary about how sprinters were not winning races that should have been theirs and how individuals and relay teams were not even making it past their qualifying races.

BUT

I was taken back by the woman's 4 x 100 relay team. Like the men's team, they dropped their baton and were disqualified. Actually, let me rephrase that - the men were disqualified, the woman finished in last.

Here is the difference. When the men dropped the baton - they left it on the track.

The woman dropped the baton, but instead of letting it lie there standing around in dismay, they picked it up and ran to the finish.

Although they did not finish first, as a matter of fact, they did not even qualify for the finals, they still finished.

The truth is, the batons in our lives are dropped a lot. We yell at the kids. We fight unfairly with are spouse. We cheat. We lie. We think about what we shouldn't. We look at what we shouldn't.

We drop the baton.

Don't stand there and be dismayed that you dropped it.

Pick it up and keep running.

DON'T QUIT!

Loose Ends

The older that I get in life the more that I am finding importance in not having loose ends. If you are anything like me, you start a lot but don't complete. I am in a season of wrapping up "loose ends." Finishing house projects - getting things looking neat - etc. What are your loose ends? What are the things that you have started that are not complete? House projects? Education? Relationships? Jobs? Dreams?

Tie them up. Finish the race. Don't let the words come out of your mouth; "i will finish it someday."

Home Improvement

Someone once gave some good advice when it comes to handling paperwork. He/She/Whomever said that you should only ever handle paperwork one time. In other words, when the mail comes in, get it out of the mail box, open it, file what needs to be filed and throw away what needs thrown away. That way there is not a mess lying around, and you have dealt with it.

Okay, so here is the point. This adage is good for home improvement projects as well. Start the project and finish it. Don't let grass grow under your feet (another good adage)!! Get it done. I am currently trying to get some projects done that have been lingering for quite some time now.

Let's just say that the kudos that I so desire from my wife for getting these projects done would have come 2 years ago. Now she is just glad that they are getting finished.

In other words - DON'T BE LAZY!!!!

Ring the Bell

Ate at Arby's the other day! There was a new feature - at least I think that it was new - I had never seen it before; it was a bell. It was located by the exit, and had it not been for some over zealous college students, I may not have even noticed it on my way out. It was a small bell with a simple saying on it; "if we have done a good job, then let us know by ringing the bell." So I rung the bell!

When people do a good job - let them know!!!!

Random Musings

spent the afternoon printing off cover letters for my job search, and watching my wife puke! now that is fun! never knew that those two activities could be so fun.

Actually it is pretty miserable when your wife is sick. In this particular instance she had a terrible migraine which made her sick. She is doing better now.

It has been a long time since I have had to "search" for a job. I am learning a few lessons about "job searching."

1) It is difficult when there are more layoffs then hirings.
2) It is difficult when you are potentially leaving one career and looking into something else.

I truly am learning the art of "walking by faith and not by sight."

I would conclude by saying that I will "see" you along the journey, but honestly my eyes are closed and my ears are open to God's voice.

Blessings

Good Book

Currently reading:

"The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America" - by Jim Wallis

Only a chapter into it, but so far so good!