My List
Sometimes I forget to be thankful. I was told recently that it’s easier to be negative than positive, easier to frown than to smile, and I’ve given that a lot of thought. Is it? Probably. We tend to see the things that aren’t perfect quicker than we see things that are good. Notice the contrast I used there – perfect vs. good. Even for those of us who are “glass half full” types, like me, we can get into a rut where we focus on things not being perfect in our world.
Silly us! Who said perfect was all it was cracked up to be? If everything were perfect, I suspect we’d get bored! Think about that…
Today I want to quickly jot down some of the things that are good. If you’ve been in a rut, try this out yourself. Each day, make a list at the end of the day of the things that are good, things you are thankful for, things that make you smile. Pick 5 or 10. The next day, make the list, but no repeats! See if this doesn’t make a difference. (I’m not going to post each day’s list, but know that I will be making my lists!)
1. I’m thankful for my family. This one feels like cheating, because if you know me, you know that already. They are my inspiration and the very best of me.
2. I’m thankful that God gave me challenges so that I will seek Him. Yes. I do mean this. Not usually in the middle of the challenges, but I always end up here.
3. I’m thankful that my Great Dane adores me. There is something pretty special about the way she leans into me and stares up at my face with sheer loyalty and devotion when she thinks I need it.
4. I’m thankful for my iPad. I know, how shallow, right? But really, it allows me so much freedom in my business that I don’t know how I survived without it. C’mon iPad 3…!
5. I’m thankful for my new shoes. Who knew that a new pair of “sassy” (that’s a quote from someone else) shoes would be so fun! I’ve decided that I’ll be wearing them quite often in order to put a little spunk back into my step – pun intended!
What’s your list?
Off the Menu
If you follow my blog at all, you’ll know that I’ve been away for awhile. Part of this is because of my business that I’ve been working hard to grow, and part of this is because I haven’t had anything nice to say, and that’s the truth. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve thought, “I need to blog,” and immediately I’ve had one of two thoughts pop into my head –
- Why? Who cares?
- I’m not ready to be upbeat yet – better wait.
These thoughts hit me in random order, depending on the day, but sadly, both are true.
Today, however, I decided to catch up a little bit – just a little. You know how you go to a restaurant and you want more than one item, so you create something new by ordering off the menu? That’s the idea behind this blog. I’m going to hit a couple of topics, and you can pick and choose what to read, depending on your mood…
Valentine’s Day
I don’t really like Valentine’s Day. There’s too much pressure to do something “wonderful” and “big romance” when I would rather have daily moments of tenderness. A husband who lets me cry into his chest when I wake up, no longer able to “fight off the mood” after months and months of pent up emotion on all sorts of topics…I also feel a great deal of pain for those adults who aren’t married or dating, wish that they were, and can’t get through the day without feeling uncomfortable about it. I wish I had a magic wand with stars that float around and singing bluebirds….
Sports
I was tagged in another blog by a friend, and the challenge was to repeat the process. Remember I’m ordering off the menu, so I’m breaking the rules. However, I do want to respond to the challenge. My question (#6) was, “What’s your favorite sport to play? And to watch?” I don’t know. I used to like to play racquetball and volleyball, but not really anymore, and I don’t like to watch sports at all. Would bowling count? That’s fun, as long as it doesn’t ruin my nails…I thought question #7 was pretty interesting, though, so I’m answering it too…
Pet Peeves
“#7 – What’s your pet peeve of the moment?”…People who ————————– the relationship but are unwilling to ————————————, or even ————————————————- better. That would be perceived ————————– and they would ——————. See my problem with this one?
Accountability
Don’t you hate it when things you say come back to you and you realize, I said that? Really? If I said that I believed it, now I gotta’ own it. Following our own advice can be no fun, and even Dr. Seuss said, “Fun is good.” He should have said, “Fun is good, when good is done, but doing good is both fun and unfun.”
Laughter
The easy answer to many problems is laughter. My husband makes me laugh. Stupid jokes make me laugh. Sometimes we just need to laugh. It doesn’t make the problems go away, but it breathes new momentum into them, because it gives us new breath. Laughing makes us exhale in large quantities and then you have to inhale. Inhaling brings new oxygen into our bodies and brains, and we think better, more clearly. So laugh. Laugh a lot. It helps.
Just a Little Bite
Women may get this one more than men, but you know that cookie or dessert that lurks from your kitchen? The one that you say, “I’ll just have a little bite…” and before you know it, you’ve had 15 little bites and the dessert is gone? That one.
That “little bite” could be an analogy for so many things in our lives. It could be the one or two Sundays that you skip church to sleep in and before you know it, you haven’t been in two months. Or, it could be the two or three nights you work late just to catch up, and a few weeks go by before you realize you’ve missed dinner at home more times than you’ve eaten dinner at home. Maybe it’s missed exercise, skipped meetings, too much of things that aren’t healthy for you…Whatever it is for you, there’s probably something in your life that has fallen victim to the “little bite” syndrome.
I have my areas, a few of them, actually. There’s always an excuse for that first little bite, isn’t there? Is it just that I lack self-discipline, or is it that I’m not motivated enough? Whatever it is, once I make that decision the first time, it’s easier and easier to make that decision again and again until whatever it is that I’m taking little bites of has taken me so far away from my starting point, that I don’t have the energy or motivation to get back to it.
But what are those areas? What little bites are eating away at me and the person I’m capable of being, the one I want to be? If I think about the result of too many samples of dessert, I’ll find extra weight. Using the same principle and looking at my life, what seems out-of-order? Where are there extra burdens that I’m carrying? If I’m feeling unloved, could it be that I’ve been taking too many bites of criticism? If I’m feeling “unspiritual” could it be a result of too many bites of worldliness? Lonely? Perhaps I’ve skipped too many opportunities to comfort others?
I don’t want to be a victim of the “little bite syndrome” any longer, but with all of the clarity that I see this analogy right now, I’m just as likely to forget it tomorrow. Paul’s voice echoes in my imagination, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” (Rom. 7:15)
We all do it. It’s not just me. We all fall short of our own expectations. Sometimes we pick ourselves up and try again, and sometimes we carry the extra weight. I want to skip this kind of dessert. Oh, Lord, help me – help us, Lord. Make us to be the people you want us to be – in spite of ourselves!
What do you do to avoid the “little bite syndrome?”
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6)
Who’s Angel Year Is It?
Traditions…things that keep us comfortable, keep us safe, and give us a sense of all is well in our world. I can’t arrive at this time of the year without thinking about traditions. Every family has traditions at the holidays, so today I thought I’d share some of ours in hopes that you’ll share some of yours. It fun to compare traditions, and sometimes, it’s fun to start new ones…
For instance, about the time Thanksgiving dinner is over, my family begins discussing the Christmas Day meal. Just like Thanksgiving has a certain menu, so does Christmas. We haven’t always had the same one, but about four years ago, we stumbled on a Prime Rib recipe. It is awesome, to say the least. It is now our “tradition” and you’d think we’d never done Christmas dinner any other way. The side dishes are pretty rigid, too, and if ever we opt to add something new, it’s an add-on, not a replacement, because part of the tradition is that each person gets one personal favorite at the meal.
Before that special day arrives though, there are the decorations to do. We decorate as a family. Everyone comes home, cancels plans, etc, and we decorate together. It’s not without stress or tension as we discuss burnt out lights, trees that need extra fluffing, “should we or shouldn’t we hang this up,” or will there be a theme for the tree this year, but we’re together. While we decorate, we “picnic.” That means we put out a spread of chips and dips, cheese and crackers, fruit and veggies, and other nibble foods. We nibble and decorate, decorate and nibble. So, decorating can take hours, but we make a private family party out of it. And did I mention that certain Christmas songs must be played throughout the day?
Another tradition we have is manger baskets. We’ve never done stockings as a family. Instead, we have straw baskets of hay that remain empty until Christmas morning. It’s the favorite part of Christmas morning for a couple of my kids, and it’s one of my favorite sets of gifts to plan. This one is probably our most unusual tradition.
There are other traditions we have as a family, but these are a just a sampling of our holidays. As our kids grow, have families of their own, etc., we’ll adjust to “blended” traditions, and that’ll be fun, too. But, I’ll be fascinated to see which of our family traditions “make the cut” when my kids develop into their own family traditions.
So what makes the holidays “comfortable” and ” traditional” for you?
Things for Which I’m Thankful
In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow, and the fact that I’ve been feeling a little “introspective” lately, I want to list some things for which I’m thankful. There’s no order to this list; it’s just a list, but I hope behind the list you’ll see a few patterns.
I’m thankful for 21 houses to live in over 48 years and a sense of no permanent “home.” I think I’ve learned a lot about meeting new people, being open to new experiences, and I’ve certainly gained an appreciation for the scriptural understanding that this earth is but a shadow of our eternal home.
I’m thankful for our very odd Turkey Stuffing that mixes all sorts of things you might never put together. If I’d never tried this odd recipe a few years ago, I would never have liked stuffing, and this one’s incredible!
I’m thankful for every job that frustrated me or ended in tears. These experiences proved to me that I am not a good match for every situation, and I’m okay with that, as I bet all of my former bosses are. Those jobs also forced me to look beyond what was “available” in order to craft something of my own that suits my need to create and recreate.
I’m thankful for Garlic Mashed Potatoes that have to boil in steaming hot water and are best when peeled right away. They burn my hands and the steam ruins my makeup, but the process does work miracles on an awfully ugly vegetable.
I’m thankful for every time someone has hurt me in friendship or shut me out of one. It’s allowed me to “weigh” the friendship over time and see whether I was really a friend or just someone who was convenient. I can be someone’s “convenience,” but I’d rather be a friend; real friendships can withstand an argument or two.
I’m thankful for our Cranberry Orange Relish. The bitter and the sweet form a perfect dish – one of my favorites. Letting them blend for a day or two brings out the better flavor, too.
I’m thankful for every time that God didn’t do things my way, including the death of my son. Without that, I would never have learned how to hope, how to look forward, how to know in my “knower” that there’s no limit to what I can walk through with God, or how to understand loss – an emotion that gives us compassion for others in ways that no other experience can do – if we allow that to happen.
I’m thankful for Turkey. It’s not my favorite meat, and in fact, I could do without it. I don’t like to think about the fact that it was once living. I don’t like to prep it, and I don’t like the mess of it, but I know that it nourishes me and makes me stronger, so I eat it.
I’m thankful that my husband lost his job about 23 years ago at a time when we had a brand new baby, a brand new home, and a brand new car. It changed everything about where we thought we were headed, but we had to say goodbye to the first phase of our lives before starting the new life ahead.
I’m thankful for Pie – Pumpkin or Apple or Pecan. These sweet treats that come at the end of the meal after all the cleanup is done and the work is over. They’re always better than all of the anticipation or the preparation combined.
I’m thankful that we’ve made and lost small fortunes a few times. Okay, maybe not fortunes, and not really lost, but money has come and gone from our bank account over the years, and I’m glad for that. There’ll always be another go ‘round, so I’ve learned not to rely on money. You have to be a lot more creative that way, and for that, I’m very thankful.
I’m thankful for the Dinner Rolls on our table. We almost never have the same kind and sometimes I don’t buy enough, but we enjoy the variety of them, and we ration them out when they’re scarce so that everyone gets some. Everyone’s happy that way.
And, I’m thankful that I know less now than I did when I was 30. I’m glad I don’t have all the answers nor do I feel the need to make them up all the time. What I know, I know more fully, and what I don’t know, matters less.
I’m thankful that we have the same conversation every year – “Which china?” “Do we want china?” “Is anyone decorating the table?” “Who’s coming over?” I never quite have all of these answers figured out when I wake up Thanksgiving Day, but somehow, by the end of the day, where we sit and what kind of plates we ate off of don’t matter anymore. It’s about the conversations and time we’ve had together.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11) ………I pray you’ll be blessed this Thanksgiving and full of gratitude for all of the life events that have shaped you – they are so much more than the food on your plate.
CANA Gallery Event – Announcement
(In lieu of a typical blog post, I am posting the Press Release on an upcoming event. Please share this information freely. CANA Gallery is a unique ministry of Christian Aunts and Uncles, Inc., and this event is unique in nature.)
December 10, 1p.m.-3p.m. – CANA Gallery
7801 N. Lamar Blvd., Bldg C – Ste. 71, Austin, TX 78752
For Immediate Release: When I Die – On Being, Living, and Having the Last Word, Author Event
“If you could attend your own funeral and listen to what is said about you, what would you hear? Are the memories you’re leaving reflective of the legacy you’re building? What is your exit strategy?” A new book, written by Camille Rodriquez, asks this very question. Looking at life through the lens of a funeral, Mrs. Rodriquez, challenges readers to look at life with the end in mind.
Camille Rodriquez, author, homeschooler, business owner, and mother of four children, was inspired to write this devotional based on the funerals she has attended over the years. “In every funeral I’ve attended, I’ve learned something new about the person I was there to honor. What inspired me though, was the thought that if I had learned something new, then I imagined others had, too. If we all shared our stories, would we have known that friend any better? That made me think about the people in my life, and what they might say about me at my funeral years from now.”
When I Die encourages readers to look at the relationships in their own lives to see what it says about their priorities and their living. Dotted with humor and anecdotes, the book takes a lighter tone than you might imagine, yet makes thought-provoking statements about accountability and intentional decision-making. Glenn Smith, founder and president of New Church Initiatives, Inc. says, “What an enlivening adventure to read Camille’s book. She speaks from the heart and takes you on a journey deep into the human experience. By beginning with an exit strategy, she helps us to discover how to live a full and meaningful life. Her transparency and wit are refreshing and inspiring.”
When I Die would make an excellent choice for any church or Bible study group, as well as for personal enrichment. There is a companion Reflection Journal, also authored by Camille Rodriquez, only available through book signings and venues where she speaks.
• From 1-3p.m., Mrs. Rodriquez will be greeting Gallery guests, sharing in the work of fellow artists, and signing copies of her book.
• She’ll also share a reflection – “Polka Dots of the Heart” – during her time at CANA Gallery.
For more information:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WhenIDie.Book – RSVP under “Events”
CANA Gallery: http://canagallery.org
iPhone Insights
Some things just make me happy. It can be a good day, a bad day, an average day, whatever, and if I see or do one of those “favorites,” the day always gets better. You know the feeling? As of this week, I have a new favorite photo to add to my “happy things” list.
I think everyone should have happy things. They don’t have to be extravagant or elaborate. In fact, the more simple they are, the better. But what a pleasant surprise it is to stumble upon those happy things – when you least expect them. In doing the “mundane,” sometimes God creates a moment…When I was sorting through my iPhone photos, looking for one in particular, I found this one. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my daughter had been playing with my phone one night after dinner, and she caught this moment.
In the case of my newest photo, it makes me happy because it speaks volumes to me without “saying” anything. It’s like a snapshot into my life but in a little random iPhone photo. Lots of life’s most telling moments, those profound moments, happen by accident like that. The trick is to keep your heart open to them.
Not to be trite, but “Maria” in Sound of Music was on to something. Our favorite things can also be our happy things…I hope you have a few of your own…
“…if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
Titles for My Next Book
I was writing a new blog yesterday, and when I went to save my file, I was reminded of the other blogs that I’ve written and not posted. Yes, I’ve written quite a few blogs that were more about the writing process, the putting to paper of my thoughts, than the process of sharing those thoughts. Sometimes they’re just not meant to be shared.
That led me to think about the book title that I would write next, and I have to admit, I got a little silly. The titles that ran through my mind ranged from the sarcastic to the serious, the funny to the not-so-funny. One thing I know to be true though, if you write a book, you’ll likely be challenged in the ”life area” of your topic. For instance, write a book about saving money, and you’ll probably have to spend money shortly after. Write a book about auto safety, and you’ll probably have to replace your car tires. You get the idea…
So, in random order, here are some of my working titles for books that I’d like to write (or have already started) and a little bit about them, for the ones that I can share with you, of course. Depending on the challenges I’m up to, though (or not), I may never finish any of them!
1. Manna, Mission, and Ministry – Why 3M Is a Tape Company Bearing No Resemblance to Real Life – This one is about the call to doing ministry – any ministry. Go ahead and take the vow of poverty if this happens to you. Nothing will “stick” to you, especially money (manna), and you’ll probably question your mission repeatedly – rightly so.
2. Yes, Honey, I’d Totally Love to Drop Everything I Was Already Doing and Pay Attention To Your Needs Right Now – Okay, so I cleaned that one up a bit, but can you tell it’s about marriage? This is one of the secrets to my successful 26+ years of marriage.
3. Thank You, My Kids ARE Normal – This is about homeschooling, its effects, and the standard response, “Thank you, yes, they are pretty normal. Does that surprise you?”
4. Notes to Self – Short notes about ways I can creatively mess things up again and again, and reminders of ways to avoid those mistakes…Note to self…I probably won’t remember to avoid them.
5. I’ll Raise You One – For Pastor’s Wives and People Who Know Them – This one is focused on the emotional state of pastor’s wives. No matter what the needs are for them, someone else will always have a more pressing need or bigger crisis, and that presents some challenges. It’s a statistical thing – there are more of them than there are of us. (Very limited readership.)
6. This Is the Day – Finding joy in the day, every day, no matter what…I’m so relieved that I don’t feel compelled to call it “This is the Week” – sometimes even a si
ngle day is really pushing it!
7. I’ll Never Say Never – Try telling God “never.” G’on, I want to see what happens next….We all need the laugh…
8. When All Else Fails, Take Up Skydiving – This one is focused on that jump. Getting out of the plane is sometimes the very best thing to do. Ignore reason. Yield to risk. Change your altitude….Don’t forget the chute, though.
……Now, can you guess which 4 of those I’ve already started?
“Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.” (Psalm 51:8-10, The Message)
Playing Commander Keen
A friend me told today that I was fearless. It was an innocent remark, but it couldn’t have been more untrue. I am definitely not fearless. I do a lot of second-guessing, a lot of the time. However, I learned a life-changing lesson a few years ago, and maybe that’s why I occasionally come across as not-so-afraid on the outside.
There’s a lot to be said for trying.
Sometimes you’ll do it well, and sometimes you won’t, but there’s a lot to be learned in the midst of the process. In a sense, that was also the subject of the message in church today. Yes, there’s a cost for following Christ, but the rewards outweigh the cost.
Recently, my daughter found a way to resurrect an old computer game from the 1990′s. It was one that I loved, and I rarely play computer games, so that’s quite an endorsement. It was called Commander Keen, and I would play it for hours. My favorite part of it was the hidden passageways. The trick to most of the levels was doing the “non-sensical” running into walls, jumping into pits, etc. in order to unlock a new portal. Behind that new path was a “fortune” in jewels, life-giving raindrops, and candy gum-balls; sometimes, there would even be a key to a new level, which would never have been found without that risk, and you never knew what feat you were going to have to attempt to find the entrance. A theme in my life right now?
There’s much to be gained from trying.
So am I fearless? No. But, I’m looking for that next level, and I’m sure of the fact that the rewards are going to be really cool! In fact, there are already rewards all along the way. Sometimes I fall in the pit, and sometimes I learn a new route. Sometimes the slimy worm gets me, and sometimes I get him. In the end though, I learn something new every round, and I get stronger along the way. As long as I’m willing to try, again and again, there’s much to be gained from trying.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
Forced Smiling?
There will be no frowning, no grumpiness, no whining, etc. in my home tomorrow. That’s a rule. I have it on good authority that it’s actually against the rules tomorrow not to smile. Know why? Tomorrow is “World Smile Day,” that’s why.
You know the familiar yellow smiley face that people use all the time? Did you know that someone actually “invented” it? Who knew! There was a commercial artist named Harvey Ball. He designed that memorable yellow icon in 1963, and it’s been with us ever since. Long story made short, tomorrow is the day that celebrates acts of kindness as hosted by (are you ready for this?) the “Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation.” Yep. There’s a foundation for this.
I’m not saying this is a bad idea, you understand, but I have to wonder about what the foundation spends its money on. Maybe nothing. You can get the free “Smiley Face Song” to help brighten your day, or you can send a free e-Certificate that says, “You’ve Been Smiled” to anyone you want to. You can like their page on Facebook, also free, along with the other 1,900+ people. I guess these are all good things.
But do we really need a foundation for this? I would love to see their tax returns. This is where the cynical side of me gets a little more so. Wait, did I mention that if you hurry, you can attend the “Harvey Ball” tonight for only $125 a ticket?
Okay. I’ll stop. Maybe, as the foundation suggests, we can all just “do an act of kindness” tomorrow to help someone else smile. Seems like we might want to do that more regularly than once a year, though…I’m just saying…
