blog

Little Differences

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:12:53 -0600

There are ordinary people, and then there are extraordinary people. The only difference between the two is that extraordinary people are willing to do the extra little things that ordinary people won’t.

Frying Out

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:31:01 -0600

Ah...spring! Truthfully, it's not quite spring yet, but starting to feel like it in my geographical area. The awesome thing about spring, aside from the retreat of winter? The Brat Fry. But how could that be something positive? In our area, Brat Fry's are often held for a purpose; not solely to feed folks. Around here, they're almost always tied to some sort of a benefit: someone who's racked up medical bills they cannot afford to pay; maybe a non-profit organization that helps the less-fortunate. There's nothing like seeing a community come together. The world needs more of that.

Community Spirit

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:54:38 -0600

It was no secret my mom's next-door neighbor had been having health problems; he used to enjoy spending a lot of time in his garden, and this was the first year out of ten that she's been living in the neighborhood where he didn't bother to plant one this year; ailing too much. So each week, the neighbors get together and help the man with whatever he needs around his house: shoveling, lawn care, grocery shopping, general maintenance, whatever. It's the true manifestation of community spirit. If the world could just embrace it as a whole, how far we could go.

Viewpoints

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:22:02 -0600

Sometimes being a little pessimistic can help – if nothing is ever good enough for you, you always have something to strive for. However,don’t take the pessimism overboard; be just unhappy enough that you can always makey our life better.

“Beautiful people,” by ElisabethKübler-Ross

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:13:49 -0600

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

When's the Last Time?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:04:39 -0600

When's the last time you did something kind for a stranger? I have a challenge for you: next time you're in line at the grocery store, leave some money at the register for the patron in line behind you, even if just a couple of dollars if you are able. You'd be amazed as to how impactful small, anonymous kindness can be.

Unexpected

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:29:27 -0600

The other day, I received a package in the mail from a far-away friend, containing what she called “a gift for you, for just being you.” It was a wonderful present, and a touching surprise that made my entire week.

True Gifts

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:43:16 -0600

Last week, I went to an impromptu birthday party held for the mother of a long-time friend. The get-together was extremely informal; she'd sent out an email to her family and friends letting them know she'd be meeting a small group of people the day prior, inviting them all to join in the celebration. However, she specifically told us not to bring gifts. Instead, she asked that we bring non-perishable food items to give to the Salvation Army. I thought that was a really cool, unselfish thing to do. Especially on your birthday.

Just a Little Thing

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:54 -0600

I was running errands yesterday and came to an intersection with a stop sign just as a pedestrian arrived at the crosswalk perpendicular to my direction. I stopped, he stopped, he looked at me and I at him. I waved him ahead, allowing him to cross before I accelerated through the intersection. I noticed a slight smile on his face as he crossed the street, at first not looking at me. When he got to the point directly in front of my car, he looked directly at me, wore a huge smile and gave a little wave. I smiled and waved back. He went on his way, I went on mine.

And it felt great.

Change

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:42:17 -0600

I find myself spending a lot of my free time just thinking – about things I want or want to happen, about how a situation could have gone better, evaluating myself and others. A good deal of this over thinking drifts into negativity, which in turn alters my mood for the entire day. I challenged myself to squash any negative thought as soon as it came into my mind, and so far I’ve been successful – and my attitude through out the day has reflected it!

Slice of Life

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:46:19 -0600

Sometimes it’s nice to go back to the simple joys of childhood. Remember when pizza was the best food in the world? When you could spend the whole day inside a blanket fort? Channel your inner child one day – do everything you used to love doing as a child.

Learning from the Loss

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:06:21 -0600

My favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers, were knocked out of the playoffs yesterday afternoon. It was a tough game to watch; one of those where you know the team is not playing anywhere near their potential. Getting so used to seeing them at their best at times throughout the season made it even more difficult to see them at what seemed like their worst. Early enough in the last quarter of the game, it was evident the momentum wasn't going to shift in their favor. Following the game, several of the Packers players were interviewed to get their thoughts on what had just transpired. I was struck by how positive they were; they knew it was their own fault for playing the way they did. They made sure not to take any credit away from the opponent who had just bested them. They indicated they would let this loss settle, and sting a little, because it would provide them the necessary perspective to pick themselves up and go for the championship next year. That, my friends, is a positive attitude.

Victory

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:31:54 -0600

One of the greatest joys in life is cheering on a favorite sports team. I recently got the opportunity to see one of my favorite teams play, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Eventhough they lost, just being there, being a part of the wonderful energy of the excited crowd, was incredible. It’s not the result that matters so much as the spirit.

Loving Your "Enemy"

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:56:47 -0600

This might seem controversial, but it's not. My heart was warmed earlier today when I read a news article about how the US Navy had rescued about a dozen Iranian fishermen who'd been taken hostage by Somali pirates. Yep. I know. Iran's not up very high on the U.S. friend's list (or present at all). Tensions are running high, but believe me: the last thing most people want is more fighting. Most people would rather live in peace; live in safety, and not live in fear. Despite the rhetoric and rising tensions, the U.S. military looked past all of that and broke the situation down to its simplest elements: people were in need, and they were in a position to help those people in need. And they did just that. The pirates were arrested, the fishermen set free. I can't even imagine how grateful the fishermen and their families feel for the care and generosity of their rescuers. But it must be a significant amount.

And Many More...

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:44:07 -0600

New Year's Eve. Spent the earlier part of the evening outdoors with a couple of friends, then went out to a predetermined meeting place afterwards to see some more friends. As the clock counted down to midnight, I looked around at everyone and realized that we'd done well this year. We'd done well for ourselves, we'd been good to each other, and as a result, were witnessing the fruit of our labors. It wasn't a very complicated recipe for success and the accompanying happiness. 1. Be good. 2. Do right. 3. Enjoy.

Getting By

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:38:25 -0600

It’s easy to let the little thingsin life get you down. On a bad day, everything can seem to pile up until it feels like it’s too much to handle. But just remember that years from now, you’ll never remember the little things—they’ll have no impact on your life in the long run.

Heroics

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:12:41 -0600

I read an article recently about a dog who saved its family from their burning house. He lead the parents and youngest child out, and went back for the older child, leading her through the collapsing house and into safety before the firemen could even arrive. Think of how loving and innately good that family must be to inspire such bravery and devotion from an animal.

Home for the Holidays

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:47:09 -0600

Holidays are truly a special time; they mark an occasion for people to get together and celebrate. It gives families the opportunity to get together in a world where parents and their adult children are often separated by great distances. With Christmas approaching, I'm sure most people have stressed over gifts and lists, and the hustle and bustle found while shopping in the lead up to the holiday. Hopefully, people will be able to take some time, slow down for the holiday, and truly appreciate the things that really matter to them in life.

A Returned Wallet

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:44:46 -0600

What would you do if late one night, after exiting a gas station having just paid for your gas, you look down to the sidewalk and see a wallet. You pick up the wallet, open the fold and see what looks like at least $1000 cash, multiple credit cards, and the ID of the owner. You look around, and realize no one has seen you pick up the wallet. Honestly, what would you do in that situation? What would you hope for in that situation were you the owner of the lost wallet? This scenario actually took place earlier this month in Michigan. A twist: the man who found the wallet was an ex-con, recovering alcoholic with seven children. He'd recently been released from prison, and admitted later that he could use the money. This man called police, and the wallet was returned to its owner. Would you have done the same? It's never too late to turn things around. The finder of the wallet knew this, lived this. He didn't just give the wallet owner his thousand bucks back. He gave the wallet owner the gift of faith in humanity; that people are inherently good.

Farewell

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:31:27 -0600

Goodbyes are never easy. It’s their nature. Whether it’s by the passage of time, uncontrollable events, or any one of life’s little changes, goodbyes are always one of the hardest things. But they are as much a part of life as the hello’s we treasure.