I have been amazed the last couple of days. I am helping conduct interviews for a vacancy and one of the questions is something like, "tell me what the best co-worker looks like to you." uh-oh. I've really got to raise the bar. I think I'm failing miserably and for that, I am truly sorry.
There will soon be a laminated card at my workspace that indicates what all those qualities are that people look for in a good co-worker, so that I can be the best that I can be. For so many years I have existed in my own bubble, and now it is time to make a change.
There are so many changes on the horizon. Just like my last posting with shedding the leaves and preparing for re-birth, I will attempt to make changes in who I am as I move forward this season to make myself into a better co-worker, wife, mother, friend, and Christian. There is always room for improvement & now is the time!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Autumn Leaves
Fall is, I think, my favorite season.
The Autumn leaves fall so freely from the trees, a shedding of the old, a preparation for what is to come.
In order to have new life, we must rid ourselves of what we hold on to. Let go of hurt, of pain, of grudges. Just as the tree lets go of the drying leaves, we too shed that which causes us trouble.
~Below is a different thought on letting go ~
Generosity has such power because it is characterized by the inner quality of letting go or relinquishing. Being able to let go, to give up, to renounce, to give generously — these capacities spring from the same source within us. When we practice generosity, we open to all of these liberating qualities simultaneously. They carry us to a profound knowing of freedom, and they also are the loving expression of that same state of freedom. Fall, then, is the perfect season to give generously of your time and talents to others.
May you find inner peace during this most beautiful season.
The Autumn leaves fall so freely from the trees, a shedding of the old, a preparation for what is to come.
In order to have new life, we must rid ourselves of what we hold on to. Let go of hurt, of pain, of grudges. Just as the tree lets go of the drying leaves, we too shed that which causes us trouble.
~Below is a different thought on letting go ~
Generosity has such power because it is characterized by the inner quality of letting go or relinquishing. Being able to let go, to give up, to renounce, to give generously — these capacities spring from the same source within us. When we practice generosity, we open to all of these liberating qualities simultaneously. They carry us to a profound knowing of freedom, and they also are the loving expression of that same state of freedom. Fall, then, is the perfect season to give generously of your time and talents to others.
May you find inner peace during this most beautiful season.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Slow Down
Photo credit - Doug Glaze
This kid has shown me how to slow down and take life one day at a time. He appreciates all the little things in life and recognizes the big things too & how important each person is to him.
So as I was nearly run over in the crosswalk today by someone too eager to get to work -- i could have touched her car -- I thought to myself, "Why such a hurry? Why not leave the house five minutes early so you can get to work on time without killing someone?"
I love my job, but I can't imagine that it is so important to nearly kill someone in a crosswalk for. I don't like to be later either, and I'm thinking I would have been really late had I not stopped and let her make her turn.
So, please, this weekend slow down; sit down and talk to someone you haven't chatted with in a while, hug your teenager, enjoy coffee with a friend, or as I like to do, admire God's handiwork in nature. After all, he created this world because of his love for us! He gave it all to us so we would be happy. Isn't that enough reason to take it easy?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
For Better or for Worse
I was listening to the radio this morning and people were calling in and telling the story of their craziest dates. I was amused as I thought back to my first date with my handsome husband almost 23 years ago. (I will spare you the boring details of dating) This fall we celebrate 20 years of marriage, something almost unheard of these days.
As I look back, I'm caught in thoughts of our own parents. Mine were married 42 years at the time of my mom's death, and my in-laws lived happily ever after for 48 years when she lost her battle with cancer. What amazing testaments of love, what great examples we have had. Many of our friends have been married 20, 30 years, some longer (and a few less). As our own son grows, we watch him in relationships. My prayer is that he, too, will find love that lasts.
But what is the secret to lasting love? Holding your tongue? Putting up with little idiosyncrasies of your loved one? Giving up and giving in? For me it is the choice and decision every day to love my spouse with my mind, heart and soul just as Jesus asks us to do and as He has done for us. Some days it's a bit of a struggle, but over the years, I've made that decision over 7,000 times, so it must not be that difficult. It's a choice that I'm glad I made, and I wouldn't give it up for the world.
Don't get me wrong -- we've had the "better" and we've had the "worse." Of course, the tough times are what stand out, but it's the day-to-day cruising happily through life that makes it great! It's a feeling of comfort -- like old, worn jeans that fit just right. It's the "better" that helps you through the "worse." It's knowing that your partner is right there with you, walking every step of the way that makes it right. How would I have ever made it through difficult times without my beloved and God by my side? And to share the joys and happiness too -- ahhh, that is bliss!
As a midlifer, I'm pleased with this aspect of my life. I've known my handsome husband longer than I haven't known him!
Here's to another 20 (or more) years!
As I look back, I'm caught in thoughts of our own parents. Mine were married 42 years at the time of my mom's death, and my in-laws lived happily ever after for 48 years when she lost her battle with cancer. What amazing testaments of love, what great examples we have had. Many of our friends have been married 20, 30 years, some longer (and a few less). As our own son grows, we watch him in relationships. My prayer is that he, too, will find love that lasts.
But what is the secret to lasting love? Holding your tongue? Putting up with little idiosyncrasies of your loved one? Giving up and giving in? For me it is the choice and decision every day to love my spouse with my mind, heart and soul just as Jesus asks us to do and as He has done for us. Some days it's a bit of a struggle, but over the years, I've made that decision over 7,000 times, so it must not be that difficult. It's a choice that I'm glad I made, and I wouldn't give it up for the world.
Don't get me wrong -- we've had the "better" and we've had the "worse." Of course, the tough times are what stand out, but it's the day-to-day cruising happily through life that makes it great! It's a feeling of comfort -- like old, worn jeans that fit just right. It's the "better" that helps you through the "worse." It's knowing that your partner is right there with you, walking every step of the way that makes it right. How would I have ever made it through difficult times without my beloved and God by my side? And to share the joys and happiness too -- ahhh, that is bliss!
As a midlifer, I'm pleased with this aspect of my life. I've known my handsome husband longer than I haven't known him!
Here's to another 20 (or more) years!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)