My last blog took off and had a life of it's own. I planned to write about being too hard on ourselves. Instead, I ended up venting about people who are blind to both sides of very important issues in our society.
I get very frustrated at narrow-mindedness. So, I had to get it out. My family always told me that you need to pick sides. That when you are in the middle you will be ran over. I say, that when you are in the middle you can reach out to others who come to the middle and get some things done. I believe it, so I say it. On top of that, I want to try to teach it! That is a part of my very fiber.
I have the gifts of evangelism, teaching, and preaching, and creative communication. This is according to two different gifts activities I have done through the years. If you have never taken a gifts class or read a gifts book, then you may not understand what I mean. In the Christian faith, we are taught, in the Bible (yes, I capitalize it!) that we all have gifts; not everyone can be a hand, a foot, or a head. But, when the gifts of believers come together to be the Body of Christ, in this world, we can get things done -- This is what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. Anyway, there are things you can do to discover your gifts if you do not know them. I have always known I have strength of compassion. I have always been told I wear my feelings on my sleeves, that I am too sensitive, and care too much about others. But, I didn't know about the evangelism, teaching, preaching and creative communication until 15 years ago or so.
Evangelism is the ability, almost NEED, to share what you know, feel, and believe. I am always sharing facts about the body (I have a degree in biology and PE/Health), bacteria, something I read and so forth. Joey and the girls call these "Regina's facts!" :-) I get so excited that I want you to know it too. This is closely related to teaching, preaching, and creatively communicating.
If I understand it, I can teach it. Don't know why, I just can. Math, I do not understand, so I cannot teach that. But, science, history, reading, writing… I understand. I don't think I ever made anything but A's, and maybe a couple of B's, on the papers I wrote in undergrad and grad school. I have taught all three of my girls and hundreds of biology and health students how to write a sound essay or or research paper, even though my degree was not English. Now, I bet you have found mistakes, especially typos, I always prefer an editor because I am a big picture person and can look over details. Details… NOT MY GIFT OR TALENT. Sharing, teaching, creating artistic dances, paintings, poems…Those are gifts or talents for me. Teaching and sharing are in my blood. Thus this blog. I want to share the things I know and feel. Maybe, by doing so, I can help someone, either with a problem or help them to think. All of the gifts above, strength of compassion, teaching a so forth can be put to use on the page!
Joey has the gift of administration. He can keep things organized, scheduled, and under control (but not in an OCD, sick way). I tease him about being a control freak. He even laughs at the need to control things. But, he doesn't do it to the point of being mean or pushy. He just takes care of things! He likes to, almost needs to take care of things. He also helps his girls take care of things. A friend says Joey has been swimming in a river of estrogen since we had our first daughter. But, he is calm and handles it. The drama, the tears, the scatter-brained wife and couple of girls. He is a born leader. He is a thinker and a get 'er done kind of man! And, yet he has a gift of patience. He may not admit to it, but you live with three drama queen daughters and one drama queen wife and see if YOU have the patents for it. We all adore him! That says a lot.
Knowing our gifts as well as our weaknesses is important. If you know what you are good at and then learn to accept the gifts and use those gifts, you will feel so much better about yourself. Knowing your weaknesses will let you know when to ask for help so you will not royally screw something up and then beat yourself up for days, weeks or years! The Bible says that you can ask for gifts and that to you can receive more gifts as you perform well with the ones you start with. That is the basis of the story of the talents. The men who did something with their gifts/talents (money) were given more in which to be entrusted. The one who buried his, no go. His were taken away.
As far as weaknesses, accept those too. OOPH! That would make you vulnerable. Well, I have news for you! WE ALL MESS UP! WE ALL HAVE WEAKNESSES. WE CANNOT DO EVERYTING!
ONe of the things I can't stand the most about myself is my scattered-ness. I get caught up in the NOW, and then forget what I want to do AND what I ought to do. For example: I can have something on my calendar. I can talk about it and plan for it and then forget five minutes before. On Wednesdays, I have a memo that pops up on my calendar that I have bus duty the next day. I stop, immediately, jot down a note, and tape it to my purse. Then, when I get in my car, I stick it to the radio and then come home and stick it to the coffee pot. I even ask Joey to remind me (He has a steel trap in his brain for details like that). This I do every week. Why? Because I forgot bus duty one week. I was awake. I could have been there, I just forgot. It is a different routine than the other days.
I use post-it-notes religiously and love that my Outlook sends entries to my phone! But, I still make mistakes and have to apologize and move on. The good news is that I have learned to laugh about this weakness MOST OF THE TIME! And, so have the people who love me and know me best.
Strength of compassion can make others think you are too weak or too sensitive, because you wear your feelings on your sleeve. It can also help you be an excellent counselor, teacher, nurse, or doctor. The gift of service can help you make food for people that are sick or struggling. That is the gift I want most, but thus far, with my scattered brain I don't remember until I am in bed or at work. I get so caught up in the moment it is hard to for to think ahead. I guess I could put things on my calendar and then tape a post-it to my purse!?!?
What are your gifts? Do you know? Ask others. They know you. You can think about the ways in which you have been complimented. Buy a book about gifts and talents. Develop your gifts. Share them, even if it means sharing about left and right wing issues that could make people get angry with you!
We could get into a debate as to which traits are gifts and which ones are talents. I don't like to split hairs like that. If you read my last blog you know that. Gifts, talents, abilities… six one half a dozen the other. But, give yourself credit for your gifts. Believe in your gifts. they were given to you to use! You are amazing. You have gifts and experiences like no other person! Yes, someone may have experienced this or that like you, but… YOU ARE THE ONLY YOU EVER!!! That is pretty amazing and awesome!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Right, left, right , wrong???
"Sometimes right or wrong is just a right or left." I heard that years ago when I was trying to decide something. It obviously was not a major "right or wrong" issue in my life. For a while, I had made it out to be -- I can't even remember what I was agonizing over. Anyway, a friend used the quote above and I stopped my agony and made a decision. It's funny that I cannot remember the issue at hand BUT I do remember the quote and I use it with myself and others.
I am often amazed at people who can make statements in a matter-of-fact, right vs. wrong way when there are others who see the other side or sides of an issue. It must be nice to live in a world where EVERYTHING is cut and dried, right or wrong, black or white! I guess life would be simple if we ALL could see right and wrong the same way, but we do not. Life is actually full of many gray areas.
Don't get me started on the far left and the far right politics! Too late! Here I go!!!
There are some people who can only see it their way -- OR -- you must take the highway. It's funny that the majority of Americans are somewhere in the middle, or right on some issues and left on others but the fringe tries so control EVERYONE else!
I have friends on the left with huge houses, who take frequent vacations, and/or have lots of toys! They think everyone should pay more taxes to help others. Why don't they give more of what they have to needy? Not to mention Al Gore, movie stars, and such who scream about helping the poor and about fossil fuels and then jet off in their jets. Heck, even the First Lady and President Obama take two planes to the same location sometimes! And before you say I am trashing this president, I bet other First Ladies and Presidents did too. But did they have a mantra about Global Warming and the poor having more and rich spreading the wealth! They eat caviar which is a rich person's food if I ever heard of one!
Some on the left would love for us to be a socialist or communist country. Really? What would they do if they had to stand in bread lines and couldn't have the world wide web or their cell phone and video games. THOSE things come from a free market. People driven to make money. Not people who get hand outs! What would they do if the government determined what the news shared with us? Sounds like Russia or China to me!
I have other friends so far right they can't see around the corner! They believe in "God and country" and NO abortion, BY-God, and less taxes, and let everyone, and I mean everyone buy a gun! NOT a lot of empathy there. As matter of fact, I have heard some FAR righties say we should just "nuke the Middle East. They can't get along anyway. That way we can turn all of that sand into glass and then take the oil for ourselves!" That is no better than the lefties hijacking the country and cramming socialist health-care down our throats! Yes, we need to do something, but my husband works for the government. I work for the state. There are too many folks who work in these places that collect their check and DO NOT do their jobs! The government isn't very efficient now is it?
The liberals have a motto of live like you want to live! But, don't live like you want if you are conservative! Especially, if you are a conservative woman!
The conservatives tend to think you have to believe like them because they are so very right about EVERYTHING! They ban together for now, but if they were solely in charge, they would begin to fragment and separate from other conservatives whose beliefs were not conservative enough or just like their own. Look at what they say about moderate conservatives! That is what happens in countries where the far right religious folks take control.
Seriously? I am sick and tired of it all!!!
Don't get paid millions of dollars for movies and commercial endeavors and then come out in full support of the protestors at Wall Street! Likewise, don't say you care about others and are a Christina and then not have the slightest bit of compassion for the illegal immigrants who have been here for years.
That is what I have been dealing with this week at my school counseling position. Maybe that is why I am off in this diatribe?!
I HAVE SAT WITH CHILDREN and seen their heartbreak and tears! White students and black students crying about their friends having to leave Alabama. Hispanic students scared to death about moving back to a country they have NEVER known! Afraid that all of the states are going to have laws like this now. And, me, not having any words to comfort any of them. When they ask why, I try to explain that the laws are there because illegals don't pay taxes but drain the system. I try to help my kids who have illegal parents or are illegal too, that they can still chose to be the best they can be no matter where they live. I try to tell both groups that they can stay connected via mail, email, the web. But, that does't change or help their heartbreak! Mostly I listen and yes, sometimes cry with them. Most of our students do not even read Spanish!
"Well," I can hear some people now, "their parents are to blame!" Blame for what? Leaving a country with no hope and coming here to work hard and make a living? Yes, I know that some are criminals. So, when we catch those, let's send them home! Yes, we need better border control! But, we should do something to let the ones who have been here and been a part of this society, for years, to become citizens. What is wrong with that? Yes, they came illegally. Their country and our country may make it nearly impossible to come legally if you are very poor. But they came for a better life! All of us, unless we are Native American had family/ancestors that did the same thing.
I read articles in the paper where Alabama farmers can't get their crops picked. That hurts the farmer and will hurt the buyer too! Are you ready to pay more for your veggies? How about for the new houses you buy? Some of the labor is done by illegals!
Can't we find a middle ground? A right and left instead of yelling about right and wrong. If those illegals who have been here, had children here, and been productive law-abiding (with the exception of breaking the law by coming here), could have an option to become citizens, it would be the RIGHT thing to do. Then, if they do not want citizenship they go home! "Be American or leave!" I can see that. Temporary Visa, then OUT if you don't want citizenship! I can even see that. The far lefties and far righties need to meet in the middle and come up with a solution!
But, NO! They are too busy trying to have it their way that all we do is fight and use tailing points.
How would you feel, if, suddenly, America was not a good place to live? Pick a reason, any reason! Would you be willing to pack your family up and move to another country to provide the good things that life can offer? I would. If the U. S. were to become unsafe, I would move "hell or high water" to be somewhere better! Even if I had to do it illegally! For a home and food and an education for my family, YES I WOULD!
I don't have all of the answers. I just see that we need to come up with a right or left because the Righties and Lefties are taking not right but WRONG! COMPROMISE people!
It's funny. This is not where I was headed with tis blog entry, but it is where I went? HMMM? Should I post and offend my left and right friends? My heart says yes but my head says no.
I guess I'll just sum up by saying: If you are fretting over some big decision. Is it right or wrong? Or, ask if maybe, it is left or right instead. If you are a far leftie or rightie, try to move a little towards compromise. Then, let's get the word out to the politicians that we want something done. Or, even better, lets get rid of all current politicians and start fresh in the next tow elections!? that is one reason I plan to vote for H. Cain for President. He is new to the program!
Left says tax more. I say, get rid of loop-holes so the filthy rich and huge corporations don't pay so little. Right says get rid if illegals, I say, let's let the ones who have been productive and hard working folks have a way to apply for citizenship!
Those are some right, no change that to, correct things to do. Not rightie or leftie just correctie!
I am often amazed at people who can make statements in a matter-of-fact, right vs. wrong way when there are others who see the other side or sides of an issue. It must be nice to live in a world where EVERYTHING is cut and dried, right or wrong, black or white! I guess life would be simple if we ALL could see right and wrong the same way, but we do not. Life is actually full of many gray areas.
Don't get me started on the far left and the far right politics! Too late! Here I go!!!
There are some people who can only see it their way -- OR -- you must take the highway. It's funny that the majority of Americans are somewhere in the middle, or right on some issues and left on others but the fringe tries so control EVERYONE else!
I have friends on the left with huge houses, who take frequent vacations, and/or have lots of toys! They think everyone should pay more taxes to help others. Why don't they give more of what they have to needy? Not to mention Al Gore, movie stars, and such who scream about helping the poor and about fossil fuels and then jet off in their jets. Heck, even the First Lady and President Obama take two planes to the same location sometimes! And before you say I am trashing this president, I bet other First Ladies and Presidents did too. But did they have a mantra about Global Warming and the poor having more and rich spreading the wealth! They eat caviar which is a rich person's food if I ever heard of one!
Some on the left would love for us to be a socialist or communist country. Really? What would they do if they had to stand in bread lines and couldn't have the world wide web or their cell phone and video games. THOSE things come from a free market. People driven to make money. Not people who get hand outs! What would they do if the government determined what the news shared with us? Sounds like Russia or China to me!
I have other friends so far right they can't see around the corner! They believe in "God and country" and NO abortion, BY-God, and less taxes, and let everyone, and I mean everyone buy a gun! NOT a lot of empathy there. As matter of fact, I have heard some FAR righties say we should just "nuke the Middle East. They can't get along anyway. That way we can turn all of that sand into glass and then take the oil for ourselves!" That is no better than the lefties hijacking the country and cramming socialist health-care down our throats! Yes, we need to do something, but my husband works for the government. I work for the state. There are too many folks who work in these places that collect their check and DO NOT do their jobs! The government isn't very efficient now is it?
The liberals have a motto of live like you want to live! But, don't live like you want if you are conservative! Especially, if you are a conservative woman!
The conservatives tend to think you have to believe like them because they are so very right about EVERYTHING! They ban together for now, but if they were solely in charge, they would begin to fragment and separate from other conservatives whose beliefs were not conservative enough or just like their own. Look at what they say about moderate conservatives! That is what happens in countries where the far right religious folks take control.
Seriously? I am sick and tired of it all!!!
Don't get paid millions of dollars for movies and commercial endeavors and then come out in full support of the protestors at Wall Street! Likewise, don't say you care about others and are a Christina and then not have the slightest bit of compassion for the illegal immigrants who have been here for years.
That is what I have been dealing with this week at my school counseling position. Maybe that is why I am off in this diatribe?!
I HAVE SAT WITH CHILDREN and seen their heartbreak and tears! White students and black students crying about their friends having to leave Alabama. Hispanic students scared to death about moving back to a country they have NEVER known! Afraid that all of the states are going to have laws like this now. And, me, not having any words to comfort any of them. When they ask why, I try to explain that the laws are there because illegals don't pay taxes but drain the system. I try to help my kids who have illegal parents or are illegal too, that they can still chose to be the best they can be no matter where they live. I try to tell both groups that they can stay connected via mail, email, the web. But, that does't change or help their heartbreak! Mostly I listen and yes, sometimes cry with them. Most of our students do not even read Spanish!
"Well," I can hear some people now, "their parents are to blame!" Blame for what? Leaving a country with no hope and coming here to work hard and make a living? Yes, I know that some are criminals. So, when we catch those, let's send them home! Yes, we need better border control! But, we should do something to let the ones who have been here and been a part of this society, for years, to become citizens. What is wrong with that? Yes, they came illegally. Their country and our country may make it nearly impossible to come legally if you are very poor. But they came for a better life! All of us, unless we are Native American had family/ancestors that did the same thing.
I read articles in the paper where Alabama farmers can't get their crops picked. That hurts the farmer and will hurt the buyer too! Are you ready to pay more for your veggies? How about for the new houses you buy? Some of the labor is done by illegals!
Can't we find a middle ground? A right and left instead of yelling about right and wrong. If those illegals who have been here, had children here, and been productive law-abiding (with the exception of breaking the law by coming here), could have an option to become citizens, it would be the RIGHT thing to do. Then, if they do not want citizenship they go home! "Be American or leave!" I can see that. Temporary Visa, then OUT if you don't want citizenship! I can even see that. The far lefties and far righties need to meet in the middle and come up with a solution!
But, NO! They are too busy trying to have it their way that all we do is fight and use tailing points.
How would you feel, if, suddenly, America was not a good place to live? Pick a reason, any reason! Would you be willing to pack your family up and move to another country to provide the good things that life can offer? I would. If the U. S. were to become unsafe, I would move "hell or high water" to be somewhere better! Even if I had to do it illegally! For a home and food and an education for my family, YES I WOULD!
I don't have all of the answers. I just see that we need to come up with a right or left because the Righties and Lefties are taking not right but WRONG! COMPROMISE people!
It's funny. This is not where I was headed with tis blog entry, but it is where I went? HMMM? Should I post and offend my left and right friends? My heart says yes but my head says no.
I guess I'll just sum up by saying: If you are fretting over some big decision. Is it right or wrong? Or, ask if maybe, it is left or right instead. If you are a far leftie or rightie, try to move a little towards compromise. Then, let's get the word out to the politicians that we want something done. Or, even better, lets get rid of all current politicians and start fresh in the next tow elections!? that is one reason I plan to vote for H. Cain for President. He is new to the program!
Left says tax more. I say, get rid of loop-holes so the filthy rich and huge corporations don't pay so little. Right says get rid if illegals, I say, let's let the ones who have been productive and hard working folks have a way to apply for citizenship!
Those are some right, no change that to, correct things to do. Not rightie or leftie just correctie!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Live, laugh, love...
Live, laugh, love!
You see that on bumper stickers, shirts, dishes and more. But, how many of us are doing that in our day to day lives?
There is a new commercial for Chevy trucks that is great! A man asked another where he lives. The guy asks him how he makes a living and the owner of the Chevy truck has flashes, of fishing trips, hauling lumber, pulling a boat and more. The theme or message is that he lives life, lives work, and works life and that there is no separation between the two.
For 25 years I have worked with young people (kids, and teens) in public education and private endeavors. The one things that you see with them is that they know how to have fun! If we were to live like that once we become adults life would be so much more rewarding!
I can say, from experience, that fear and stress can trap you and suck the joy right out of your life. When I was in my twenties fear consumed me for a couple of years. Then, a few years ago, work and some people associated with work sucked the joy out of my life. Also, the migraines I suffered because of the stress and such made me and my family miserable! I had to learn and remind myself that I can only make my self so safe. The rest was up to God. I had to let the joy-sucking work-pace go and changed jobs.
As we become adults and are slammed with more and more responsibilities, we forget to take time for fun. Couples who fall in love no longer flirt with each other. Employees and employers no longer take time to play. Friends forget to get together just to visit, laugh, and share. Life becomes a chore instead of something to cherish!
The movie, "Second Hand Lion" or is it "Lions," is about a orphaned boy who has to live with two older uncles. The overall message of the film is that living a full life is important. The lion that arrives in a large wooden crate dies at some point while being out and about. One of the uncles tells the boy that "…at least she died with her 'boots' on!" In the end, the uncles do the same while attempting to fly a plane. The boy is grown and instead of being sad at the tragedy, realizes that his uncles died living life to its fullest.
About 8 years ago, Joey, you know Joey, he's my precious gift from God (my husband) bought his first Harley. He took me to dinner the first time I rode with him and I was scarred to death! Seriously, I was crying my eyes out! I prayed that God would take the fear away so Joey and I could enjoy the bike and have much fellowship and laughs on it. Now, I LOVE TO RIDE! I tell our girls that, should something happen to us while we are on the bike, that they should get some relief knowing that we were having fun! That, if we die on it, at least we would do it with our boots on.
I never thought I would be a biker chick and here I am. It's like getting to dress up for Halloween all year long! WE were our leather chaps, do-rags, Harley shirts, and cowboy hats. We have made some amazing friends and get together with them almost every week, with or without being on our bikes. We watch college ball together almost every Saturday, share birthdays, and go on trips. The fellowship is great and much laughter is shared. We even help each other with home projects, and troubles in life.
A friend, who passed away from breast cancer (she and her husband biked with us) said that the original diagnosis helped her to"live like she was dying." That is from a country song. She was free from cancer for 7 or 8 years. It came back and killed her, but she didn't want us to treat her any differently. She never told us it was as bad as it was. It would be a different world if we all had that attitude. Live as much and as often as you can. Laugh often and deeply with good friends and family that you love!
Then, when you go… your light will be missed!
Yes, life is a struggle and we all have things to overcome. But, are you battling or losing? Have you given up? Are you living with your boots on? I want to do that. Live MORE. Laugh MORE… and LOVE with everything I have!
You see that on bumper stickers, shirts, dishes and more. But, how many of us are doing that in our day to day lives?
There is a new commercial for Chevy trucks that is great! A man asked another where he lives. The guy asks him how he makes a living and the owner of the Chevy truck has flashes, of fishing trips, hauling lumber, pulling a boat and more. The theme or message is that he lives life, lives work, and works life and that there is no separation between the two.
For 25 years I have worked with young people (kids, and teens) in public education and private endeavors. The one things that you see with them is that they know how to have fun! If we were to live like that once we become adults life would be so much more rewarding!
I can say, from experience, that fear and stress can trap you and suck the joy right out of your life. When I was in my twenties fear consumed me for a couple of years. Then, a few years ago, work and some people associated with work sucked the joy out of my life. Also, the migraines I suffered because of the stress and such made me and my family miserable! I had to learn and remind myself that I can only make my self so safe. The rest was up to God. I had to let the joy-sucking work-pace go and changed jobs.
As we become adults and are slammed with more and more responsibilities, we forget to take time for fun. Couples who fall in love no longer flirt with each other. Employees and employers no longer take time to play. Friends forget to get together just to visit, laugh, and share. Life becomes a chore instead of something to cherish!
The movie, "Second Hand Lion" or is it "Lions," is about a orphaned boy who has to live with two older uncles. The overall message of the film is that living a full life is important. The lion that arrives in a large wooden crate dies at some point while being out and about. One of the uncles tells the boy that "…at least she died with her 'boots' on!" In the end, the uncles do the same while attempting to fly a plane. The boy is grown and instead of being sad at the tragedy, realizes that his uncles died living life to its fullest.
About 8 years ago, Joey, you know Joey, he's my precious gift from God (my husband) bought his first Harley. He took me to dinner the first time I rode with him and I was scarred to death! Seriously, I was crying my eyes out! I prayed that God would take the fear away so Joey and I could enjoy the bike and have much fellowship and laughs on it. Now, I LOVE TO RIDE! I tell our girls that, should something happen to us while we are on the bike, that they should get some relief knowing that we were having fun! That, if we die on it, at least we would do it with our boots on.
I never thought I would be a biker chick and here I am. It's like getting to dress up for Halloween all year long! WE were our leather chaps, do-rags, Harley shirts, and cowboy hats. We have made some amazing friends and get together with them almost every week, with or without being on our bikes. We watch college ball together almost every Saturday, share birthdays, and go on trips. The fellowship is great and much laughter is shared. We even help each other with home projects, and troubles in life.
A friend, who passed away from breast cancer (she and her husband biked with us) said that the original diagnosis helped her to"live like she was dying." That is from a country song. She was free from cancer for 7 or 8 years. It came back and killed her, but she didn't want us to treat her any differently. She never told us it was as bad as it was. It would be a different world if we all had that attitude. Live as much and as often as you can. Laugh often and deeply with good friends and family that you love!
Then, when you go… your light will be missed!
Yes, life is a struggle and we all have things to overcome. But, are you battling or losing? Have you given up? Are you living with your boots on? I want to do that. Live MORE. Laugh MORE… and LOVE with everything I have!
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