One might say that I am in the zone or maybe that I have tunnel vision. I have this habit of focusing on the task at hand to the point of being somewhat oblivious to other things around me. Sometimes this can be a huge asset and other times it can be rather embarrassing. I find it rather humiliating when my tunnel vision takes over and I don’t see or acknowledge people that I know when I am out and about running errands. Partially at fault is the fact that my corrective eye surgery is wearing off. But more…
What makes a day great? What makes one day better than another? What is it that energizes us to smile and say, “That was a great day!”? How can we make our days as great as possible? We often tell each other to have a nice day or maybe even a great day. Although those are pleasant comments that I use daily, I also like to challenge myself to, “Make it a great day.” The one-word difference makes us put action into our day. It assumes that we are going to set out to turn the day into something…
Sometimes doubt prepares us for what is ahead, sometimes it produces fear, and sometimes it offers an opportunity to change direction. Have you ever experienced feeling apprehensive about something you are about to do or say? It is that feeling of doubt that sends out a warning signal, almost like an SOS, giving one an opportunity to stay on course or change direction. Preparing us for what is ahead. As uncertainty sets in so do the feelings of discomfort. What am I getting myself into? Suddenly a feeling of panic and the question, am I doing the right thing? That…
I will never forget the day that I was painting the master bathroom. I had just finished with the last of the painting. It was late, I always painted late at night when the kids were little. Of course, I was tired and thrilled to be finished with the room. All that was left was to clean up. As I went to remove the ladder from the bathroom, I was unaware that I had left the open can of paint on the top of the ladder. I carried the ladder out of the bathroom into the bedroom so I had…
Although I have numerous acquaintances and very good friends, there have been times in my life when I have spent time alone. A time when no other adults or friends were around. On one hand, I treasure the time I have had alone, and at the same time, it was always a challenge. I remember feeling very alone while getting my master’s degree. I was in a dorm filled with graduate students, primarily those studying law. I had friends and people all around, but I still managed to feel alone. I was not lonely, I was too busy studying…
Somehow God has always shown me ways for which I can be very grateful for all that I have been dealt. When things appeared to be unsettled or off track, I have always found a path that brought me back to a grateful place. Feeling fenced in? What is it that makes us wonder what it would be like to have something different than what we have chosen or the life we have been dealt with? To want something different in life than what we currently have been experiencing. A different job, better health, more suitable spouse, more caring children…
We are quickly approaching a day that for many people is filled with expectations. Some of our expectations are realistic and some are not so realistic. Although I have high expectations for myself, I work hard at not forcing those expectations on others. It is not that I set the bar low for others; but when I don’t have preconceived expectations, I find myself grateful and able to enjoy the moment. Clearly, there are commitments, job requirements, etc, where a level of expectation is necessary. However, I am writing about daily preconceived expectations. My expectations of my husband were…
So often I stumble over the question, do I go to the hospital to visit someone who is sick? Every case is different, there are no rules, and there are so many variables in the equation of “to visit or not to visit” someone who is in the hospital. For me, I usually ask myself three questions: Am I following the patient’s request? Am I supporting the family or caregiver? Have I prayed for the right opportunity to bless the patient or family? Am I following the patient’s request? There have been numerous times in my life when…
Our actions immediately give first impressions to all those around us. Recently after a soccer game, I saw a coach walk off the field over to a group of parents. Before he spoke to the group he looked around four times making sure nobody was around to overhear what he was about to say. The look on his face made him guilty before he even opened his mouth. He was giddy with excitement over what he was about to tell the parents. It was unfortunate for him that he didn’t know one of the club’s major supporters was…
Just like cutting down a tree, once your words are spoken or your actions are seen, they can’t be taken back. You can be forgiven, but the words will always have been said, and the actions will have been seen. Most of the time I am very careful about how I answer or respond to someone. Particularly if I am aware the person is uncomfortable or difficult. I don’t rush to react or feel pressure to respond. There are those times when I am caught off guard and say or do something I regret. It is during those…