Today in church the priest was talking about healing. He said we pray for many things, sometimes being delivered from pain or illness. Something he said that hit me like a ton of bricks was that "sometimes God's grace is our delivery". He indicated that we seem to look for cured illness as the proof that the prayer was answered when death is sometimes God's answer. When someone loves and wants to be with God in heaven they may be prepared for that.
It was more than I could take in at the time. But it was something I have been thinking of a lot since.
God's grace may be answer enough?
February 15, 2009
February 11, 2009
Brian
I was listening to the radio this morning when I heard a song that brought back memories from 13-14 years ago. Back then I believed I was in love with this man who was nice enough but was not interested in a relationship as much as just dating or hanging out. I listened to those words in a different way today. There was a line in the song that actually said, "I don't care if you don't care as long as you don't go". Okay, how sick was I exactly?
Today I laughed at myself. I don't sit around regretting the past much but it was a lesson to me. I spent most of my early 20's being broken hearted over things I didn't have instead of enjoying the things I did have. Recently I heard a speaker who said that people who are successful realize what they have WHILE they have it. That is what I strive for today. As much as I am driven and have a desire to constantly succeed and attain more (not things usually, but I do still have that desire in the way of education and career still) I hope at the end of the day I am satisfied with just that -- the day. Having lived it, having enjoyed it and having soaked up every little bit of what it had to offer me.
I threw in my All American Rejects song as soon as I could get to my computer and feel like I must be in a much better place today. (http://www.lyrics.com/index.php/artists/lyric/the-all-american-rejects-p-535218-lyrics-gives-you-hell)!
Thanks for the memories.
Today I laughed at myself. I don't sit around regretting the past much but it was a lesson to me. I spent most of my early 20's being broken hearted over things I didn't have instead of enjoying the things I did have. Recently I heard a speaker who said that people who are successful realize what they have WHILE they have it. That is what I strive for today. As much as I am driven and have a desire to constantly succeed and attain more (not things usually, but I do still have that desire in the way of education and career still) I hope at the end of the day I am satisfied with just that -- the day. Having lived it, having enjoyed it and having soaked up every little bit of what it had to offer me.
I threw in my All American Rejects song as soon as I could get to my computer and feel like I must be in a much better place today. (http://www.lyrics.com/index.php/artists/lyric/the-all-american-rejects-p-535218-lyrics-gives-you-hell)!
Thanks for the memories.
February 08, 2009
Transition
The last 12-13 months of my life have been about change and transition. Change and transition are good but very tiring. I seem to learn most in the midst of change but it usually comes after the transition is complete. During this period I haven't written as much as I would have liked to and I haven't been as honest as I usually am. I foresee this year being one of change and transition, as well. Because of that I want to prepare myself and learn from the last year.
I think people just get frustrated with life and forget to focus on what it is and what it can bring. I recently heard someone say two really important things that I have been hanging on to: 1) Successful people appreciate what they have while they have it. Mediocre people only realize what they had when it is gone. 2) If you aren't sure if you know who you are you can find out by asking yourself if you are jealous. Jealous people don't know who they are.
Maybe this is just rambling. So I will stop.
I think people just get frustrated with life and forget to focus on what it is and what it can bring. I recently heard someone say two really important things that I have been hanging on to: 1) Successful people appreciate what they have while they have it. Mediocre people only realize what they had when it is gone. 2) If you aren't sure if you know who you are you can find out by asking yourself if you are jealous. Jealous people don't know who they are.
Maybe this is just rambling. So I will stop.
February 07, 2009
January 30, 2009
Radio
Neil Scott from recovery coast to coast interviewed me last week at the conference. The radio broadcast was on Wednesday night. I just got to listen to it. Very cool. And many of my friends are on there, too. You can stream it at www.recoverycoasttocoast.com and visit past shows.
Great program!
Great program!
Doctor again
So, I am well. The cardiologist said my heart was "beautiful". Yippee. HOWEVER, I am going to remain on my eating plan and keep taking my supplements.
January 28, 2009
Doctor
I went to the doctor yesterday. I had everything checked out. It seems I have some irregular thing going on in my heart. I am going to see a cardiologist on Friday to check it out. No one seems concerned about it. Apparently, it isn't a huge issue. I will believe them. Many people were just happy to hear I still have one.
With everything checked they started me on the "old people" plan. I began taking every vitamin and supplement known to man today (no prescriptions, only natural stuff). I began a high lean protein, low carb, low sugar, low everything common to my taste buds eating regimen. :)
I am actually pretty happy about it. It is time. I even got a B6 and B12 injection. Apparently, my iron isn't the only thing discombobulated. As much as I am sure I will pretend this is a beating, I am actually happy about it. These are changes I have been talking about for two years. It is time to get it started.
Wish me luck.
With everything checked they started me on the "old people" plan. I began taking every vitamin and supplement known to man today (no prescriptions, only natural stuff). I began a high lean protein, low carb, low sugar, low everything common to my taste buds eating regimen. :)
I am actually pretty happy about it. It is time. I even got a B6 and B12 injection. Apparently, my iron isn't the only thing discombobulated. As much as I am sure I will pretend this is a beating, I am actually happy about it. These are changes I have been talking about for two years. It is time to get it started.
Wish me luck.
January 27, 2009
Fat?
I just listened to a radio station talk about how "fat" Jessica Simpson has become in the last couple of months, some even speculating that she is pregnant. Out of curiosity I googled her most recent concert photos (January 2009) to take a look for myself. Well, she is bigger than she was in Duke's Of Hazard and she should be slapped for deciding to wear what she did...but fat? If she is fat, I need to stay out of the media.
I am Fluffy.
I am Fluffy.
January 25, 2009
January 24, 2009
Tired
I am home from the NOVA 2009 conference. It was great. It was filled with many wonderful speakers and networking. I realize this time is the only time each year I see many counselors I have known a while. I even ran into one of the first program directors I ever had in the field. That was 15 years ago. Wow. So much time has gone by.
It was fun. I feel inspired. I feel energized. I feel engaged. I am physically tired but mentally prepared. There are so many things I would like to share about the four days but right now I am going to spend some time with my son.
Until tomorrow.
It was fun. I feel inspired. I feel energized. I feel engaged. I am physically tired but mentally prepared. There are so many things I would like to share about the four days but right now I am going to spend some time with my son.
Until tomorrow.
January 20, 2009
More Options
Today I overheard someone in the office making a call to a business with one of those automated systems. She said at least three times, "more options". I thought....wouldn't it be great if there was some great big automated system in life where I could just pick up the receiver and shout, "more options"?
Bring em!
Bring em!
January 18, 2009
January 16, 2009
Long week
Maybe I shouldn't call it a long week as much as a busy week. It went by quickly with little time to sit.
Sunday was my son's 8th birthday. He had a bowling party that he enjoyed very much. We had family visit over the weekend, my mom included. My sister and I laughed so much and enjoyed planning our trip to Italy.
Work has been fast and furious. The program is growing by leaps and bounds and brings all of the fun that comes along with that.
I am leaving in the morning for South Texas. I am doing a training there on Monday. I look forward to that because I really liked the staff when I was there last year. I also look forward to the 24 hours of alone time I will have.
The NOVA conference begins on Wednesday. This isn't the most opportune time for that since the office is so busy, but it is just like Christmas. It comes the same time every year and it is always on my calendar....and even though there is a lot of work beforehand, it is always a fun time.
It was during NOVA last year that I got the call about my mom having cancer. I think that was the final straw of one of the most difficult periods of time in my life. Many things are still "undone" that were spinning out of control last year. There are many things that still need to be dealt with but this year is very different from last in many ways.
Mom is better and we are all better for it. I am in a job I love again. I have the best son in the world. We are preparing for his first communion this year. There is some emotional stability that had been missing.
Sunday was my son's 8th birthday. He had a bowling party that he enjoyed very much. We had family visit over the weekend, my mom included. My sister and I laughed so much and enjoyed planning our trip to Italy.
Work has been fast and furious. The program is growing by leaps and bounds and brings all of the fun that comes along with that.
I am leaving in the morning for South Texas. I am doing a training there on Monday. I look forward to that because I really liked the staff when I was there last year. I also look forward to the 24 hours of alone time I will have.
The NOVA conference begins on Wednesday. This isn't the most opportune time for that since the office is so busy, but it is just like Christmas. It comes the same time every year and it is always on my calendar....and even though there is a lot of work beforehand, it is always a fun time.
It was during NOVA last year that I got the call about my mom having cancer. I think that was the final straw of one of the most difficult periods of time in my life. Many things are still "undone" that were spinning out of control last year. There are many things that still need to be dealt with but this year is very different from last in many ways.
Mom is better and we are all better for it. I am in a job I love again. I have the best son in the world. We are preparing for his first communion this year. There is some emotional stability that had been missing.
January 04, 2009
Humility
I recently had a conversation with someone who lacks a little humility. The conversation was riddled with negative comments in relationship to their belief that others were somewhere beneath them educationally, thus on life's to tum pole. They didn't even say that. They just made many derogatory comments related to licenses and education of others in comparison to themselves. Comments about behaviors of others in a condescending way...the "oh, you do that, interesting." way.
I struggle with people in the counseling field being so closed minded. It is such an oxymoron. Closed minded, locked into their beliefs about what they think the "right way" to do something is. I am committed to my way of doing things, absolutely, but I am aware that my way isn't the "right" way. That my ideas and beliefs about how to make changes or grow won't work for everyone. That the decisions I make aren't right for everyone. I thought that is what counseling was about....but the longer I do it the more I see that a lot of screwed up people believe counseling is about making someone do it their way or believe their way.
I have a problem with that. I know that means it is a problem with me. I want to search for the answers to that.
Insane.
I struggle with people in the counseling field being so closed minded. It is such an oxymoron. Closed minded, locked into their beliefs about what they think the "right way" to do something is. I am committed to my way of doing things, absolutely, but I am aware that my way isn't the "right" way. That my ideas and beliefs about how to make changes or grow won't work for everyone. That the decisions I make aren't right for everyone. I thought that is what counseling was about....but the longer I do it the more I see that a lot of screwed up people believe counseling is about making someone do it their way or believe their way.
I have a problem with that. I know that means it is a problem with me. I want to search for the answers to that.
Insane.
January 03, 2009
Grew up in the 80's
I guess I was 11 in 1980 but the 80's are my "remember when" years. This was funny....
You know you grew up in the 80's if:
1. You used to buy cassette singles… and still have some stashed somewhere…
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
3. You hold a special place in your heart for "Back to the Future."
4. You know where to go if you "wanna go where everybody knows your name."
5. You've heard of Garbage Pail Kids.
6. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
7. Two words: Hammer Pants
8. You watched "Fraggle Rock"
9. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokies or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
10. You watched "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
11. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
12. You (your sister, cousins) wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
13. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names.
14. You know all the words to "ice ice baby".
15. Poltergeist freaked you out.
16. You ever had a Swatch Watch.
17. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
18. You Believed that "By the power of Greyskull, you HAD the power!"
19. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
20. You wanted to be a Goonie. ("Goonies never say die.")
21. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
22. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
23. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
24. Your first Walkman weighed about as much as a brick.
25. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
26. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
27. You knew "The Artist", when he was humbly called "Prince".
28. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up. (Many 80's kids have informed me that this would be incest so scrap that)!
29. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
30. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 31. You were a Cub Scout, brownie or girl guide but now you have no idea what all the badges you got were for.
32. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
33. If you ever said "I pity the fool".
34. You have ever played with a Skip-It or Elastix
35. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
36. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
37. You remember when cellular phones weighed 15 lbs. and had to be carried over your shoulder.
38. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
39. You wore socks scrunched down
40. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
41. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
42. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
43. You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
44. You had to come in the house when the street lights came on.
45. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
46. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
47. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
48. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - "SHOT THROUGH THE HEART AND YOUR TO BLAME.. YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME"
49. You just sang those words to yourself.
50. You have a tendency to turn the collar up on your Polo shirts.
51. Your first computer was a Commodore 64 or an Atari 800.
52. You know what movie the phrase, "Number 5 is alive!" is from.
53. You played with Lego’s when they were just blocks of various sizes, not any of the special little parts.
54. You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school.
55. You remember that "Up above the streets and houses,Rainbow climbing high. Everyone can see it smiling over the sky. Paint the whole world with a rainbow"
56. You played and or collected "Pogs"
57. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
58. You played British Bulldog or Man hunt
59."You went to a chinese restaurant to buy a loaf of bread, bread, bread. They wrapped it up in a five pound note and this is what they said, said, said.....
60. You sang " One, two, Freddy's coming for you. / Three, four, better lock your door. / Five, six, grab your crucifix. / Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. / Nine, ten, never sleep again."
You know you grew up in the 80's if:
1. You used to buy cassette singles… and still have some stashed somewhere…
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
3. You hold a special place in your heart for "Back to the Future."
4. You know where to go if you "wanna go where everybody knows your name."
5. You've heard of Garbage Pail Kids.
6. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
7. Two words: Hammer Pants
8. You watched "Fraggle Rock"
9. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokies or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
10. You watched "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
11. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
12. You (your sister, cousins) wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
13. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names.
14. You know all the words to "ice ice baby".
15. Poltergeist freaked you out.
16. You ever had a Swatch Watch.
17. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
18. You Believed that "By the power of Greyskull, you HAD the power!"
19. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
20. You wanted to be a Goonie. ("Goonies never say die.")
21. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
22. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
23. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
24. Your first Walkman weighed about as much as a brick.
25. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
26. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
27. You knew "The Artist", when he was humbly called "Prince".
28. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up. (Many 80's kids have informed me that this would be incest so scrap that)!
29. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
30. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 31. You were a Cub Scout, brownie or girl guide but now you have no idea what all the badges you got were for.
32. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
33. If you ever said "I pity the fool".
34. You have ever played with a Skip-It or Elastix
35. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
36. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
37. You remember when cellular phones weighed 15 lbs. and had to be carried over your shoulder.
38. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
39. You wore socks scrunched down
40. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
41. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
42. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
43. You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
44. You had to come in the house when the street lights came on.
45. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
46. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
47. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
48. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - "SHOT THROUGH THE HEART AND YOUR TO BLAME.. YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME"
49. You just sang those words to yourself.
50. You have a tendency to turn the collar up on your Polo shirts.
51. Your first computer was a Commodore 64 or an Atari 800.
52. You know what movie the phrase, "Number 5 is alive!" is from.
53. You played with Lego’s when they were just blocks of various sizes, not any of the special little parts.
54. You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school.
55. You remember that "Up above the streets and houses,Rainbow climbing high. Everyone can see it smiling over the sky. Paint the whole world with a rainbow"
56. You played and or collected "Pogs"
57. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
58. You played British Bulldog or Man hunt
59."You went to a chinese restaurant to buy a loaf of bread, bread, bread. They wrapped it up in a five pound note and this is what they said, said, said.....
60. You sang " One, two, Freddy's coming for you. / Three, four, better lock your door. / Five, six, grab your crucifix. / Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. / Nine, ten, never sleep again."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)