Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Look past the water stains

Here comes the sun!!!
Despite the streaked window, the sunrise was beautiful.  I would have missed it had not a co-worker said "Come see"  Another guy sitting there, who actually has the best view, looked up as we gathered and said "I am so used to it now, I sometimes don't even notice.  Yet, even through the water stains on the window, it is beautiful."

When I was walking back to my office I thought, isn't that true about life?  Despite those times when we travail more valleys than peaks, shed more tears than laughter, or feel we have lost more than we have managed to hold on to, we still have so much to be thankful for.

It is like the "other side of the coin".   And when the coin is "flipped" that is all we tend to focus on.

Examples....it is only when we become ill, that we fully appreciate how much good health means to us.  And after a serious health issue, the appreciation is often life changing.  A new way in which we view the world.  Because it definitely looks different when suffering. 

Grieving is the same way.  We physically feel empty.  The world is bleak...and lonely.  Yet when we grieve, it is only because we have first loved.  Not a lot of time is spent appreciating that during those initial dark days.  Our thoughts are consumed with the loss.  And we don't stop loving who is gone.

Those are the big things.   But every day there is something to be thankful for.

These past few weeks, the area my sister lives in (Hi Katy), has experienced severe storms.  Not only were these folks lamenting the loss of good weather, at times the storms were so severe, they might have experienced fear.  And then.....power loss....for days!  Nothing like losing electricity to remind us of how much we rely on it.

At work, for several days our break room had no water.  I was irritated every time I had to walk up a flight of stairs to fill my water glass.  Yet those steps are nothing compared to many countries who don't have access to clean water and may walk miles to get it.  If it is even available.

It is easy to take things for granted when everything is going well.  So, today I will remind myself; I enjoy all the creature comforts (food, clean water, housing, education, employment), I love (and am loved by) many people, my health is good and my faith is strong!  If we take a moment to think about it, our lists can get pretty long.   And I want to consciously remind myself of all these things on the good days, so I will remember them should my path go dark.

Some days (more than others) I miss those who have gone before me.  It is like a physical pain in my heart.  On those days, I will remind myself of the love and many good times we shared together.  Until we meet again.

Until next time,
#thisworldisnotourhome
#makememoriestolastalifetime

your pal,
Kari












Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Somebody....but not me.


I was talking to someone the other day (who will remain anonymous) and this person shared with me a story.  On the way to the store, a behavior was observed that the driver did not like.  It wasn't just an annoyance, but something that could be dangerous.  The driver said, "Somebody should call the police."  My person asked "if you feel that way, why don't you call?"  The answer was "no, somebody else, not me."

And it made me think.

How many times do we see something, and don't say something??  For a variety of reasons.  It doesn't have to be a behavior that is publicly dangerous, but how about a behavior that has personal repercussions.

We don't want to rock the boat.  We don't want to make someone mad.  So we turn a blind eye (or keep our mouth shut).  And the time will come when the consequence of the action arrives, and then we can say, "Ha.  I was afraid of something like this."  Or, "I knew that would happen."  And everyone nods in agreement.

But following those type of statements, the next question should be "did you share your concerns?"

Now that is not near as satisfying as saying "I knew it" but somewhere along the way, we need to take responsibility for perhaps choosing that road less traveled.  It doesn't have to be a confrontation, but a gentle observation.  This works well with kids and adults.  Sometimes we need to play the "what if" game to create awareness.  Talking through things can be an amazing thing!

I know I am guilty of this myself.  I would much rather avoid any potential of confrontation.  But that doesn't make it right.

Lord, please give me (and others) the direction and strength to say the hard things.

Until next time,
#speakingwithlove

your pal,
Kari

Thanks (in) Giving Giving (in) Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving.  Almost considered a designated time of year, we all like to gather as a family in a variety of celebrations  (sometim...

Never a dull moment; Look past the water stains; This is out of order, there is no coincidence