Only hours away.
2012.
And this year is going to be different. I can feel it.
Mind you ... I just turned 44. So things feel different now. I'm cool with that.
On my birthday a few days ago, my wife took me shopping for a new suit. Because I only have one. (Business casual work environment). And I was tired of only having one. Monosuit Me.
[Dramatic pause.]
I came away with three.
The other thing I came away with were shirt colors that are "out-of-the-box" colors for me. Purple (officially lilac), pale blue (officially "robin's egg") and some ties that I would have totally passed over. Why get ties that I wouldn't pick? Because I'm told they look great! And the salesman in the store put it well ... "I don't look at a tie that I'm wearing. Everyone else does. And if they like what they see, then I feel good about myself!" I can work with that notion.
This is good stuff. Because I had grown a bit weary of "me."
Now don't get me wrong ... I like me. Really, I do. What's not to like? (Don't answer that.)
Don't you ever find yourself in a bit of a rut? The kind of rut that will land you on "What Not to Wear" and having your precious wardrobe of faded golf shirts and 80s-era Levis on display for the entire world? And the button-downs ... a rack to themselves. I can see Stacy London tossing them in a trash can with the evil cackle emanating from under that white stripe of hair. Along with my two identical pair of brown Crocs. Well, that would be OK ... I've worn down the bottoms of those.
The end of the year is a perfect time for purging. I pulled out five white undershirts that need to be moved to the rag bag. I have two drawers of t-shirts that I have amassed over the years just waiting to be pared down. Many of the clothes I have hanging up in the closet are destined for Goodwill, where they will actually be worn and not just hang there in silent protest of being passed over again and again.
I think it's OK to re-imagine yourself every now and then. I don't call this a middle-aged crisis. A wise friend told me he has used job changes as an opportunity to re-evaluate and rebrand. Well, that really hasn't been an option for me ... not that I'm complaining! I'll choose to remodel in situ. It will be fun to see the reactions among folks who THINK they know me. Course, every time I do wear a suit to work, many folks want to know when the preaching will start and what the message will be.
I think a revival is about to break out!
A "new you" doesn't have to be a full demolition job. You stay true to the foundation, but you put on a new coat of paint. (Or three, if you shop well!) Redo the roof ... jazz up the hair a little bit (a tough proposition for some of us). And boy, how I'd like to get rid of the ol' gutter that's hanging over the waistline. Again.
I've got a new air about me (new cologne) and another one on the way. Some new shoes are also on order. And visions of dress boots are dancing in my head.
So 2012 is a new year. New beginnings. I'm going to dress better at work, regardless of the relaxed policy. I find that I walk a little taller when I feel like I'm dressed better. And I think folks treat you differently when you're showing a little confidence in yourself. And confidence is key.
Perhaps it's not an outward appearance that's been slowly bogging you down into a funk. Is it time to purge some inward baggage that's overdue for elimination? Why don't you start 2012 afresh with me ... head held high, a spring in your step? Let's make folks think, "Whoa ... what's got into him?" (Or her.) Perhaps we can all enjoy some newly discovered confidence as the year unfolds.
Swagger ... I'm claiming it. Watch me.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
SuperWomen and Thanksgiving
Yes, yes, yes ... we all know it's Christmas. The dinners. The family gatherings. The parties. The gifts. The church services in multiples. More food. More gifts. Strange ... it's only Dec 23!
And of course, we know the real meaning behind the season, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who would eventually give us the greatest gift we could ever receive. And never have to take back to a store because it's the wrong size. Because it's perfect. No gift receipt needed.
But what I want to shed some light on is another aspect of Christmas for me. It's the re-introduction to the fact that my wife is a superwoman. No, a SuperWoman ... let's use caps for the correct magnitude.
When I am at home from work or on vacation for a holiday, particularly if the kids are still in school, I am exposed to an entirely new world. One where often I'm a bit of an alien and a freak, because I don't know the system. I have learned over the years that it's just best that I get up, shower, and ask, "What can I do?"
Sounds simple enough, but it gets tricky. It's not quite enough to just carry out tasks. See, there's a human element to it as well. Veda and I are two different people. Although we are one in marriage, we are still two separate brains. Two different genders. I have limited capacity ... generally only able to juggle one thing at a time. And if that one thing isn't going so well, then forget the rest. I'm cooked until I can get things back on track. I'm linear. I can be really good as a linear, but sometimes linear is not what's best.
Linear doesn't really work when you have three children, either. Oh, the day when we'll have them in three different schools ... now won't that be fun? I would need three lines to be linear on!
But I stray from the topic. Being at home today is like having Thanksgiving a couple of days before Christmas. Because I am so thankful for the woman who sticks by me and manages to juggle this thing we call life. I'm confident that the "average" woman of this day and age would have thrown in the towel long ago ... claiming it was all just too hard and that she deserved much better, that she needed to focus on herself.
Remember what I said? I'm not married to an average woman.
I saw a photo today of my SuperWoman having lunch with her group of other SuperWomen, while letting an extraordinary group of the next batch of SuperWomen get together for pizza. And I pray that each one of those up-and-coming SuperWomen will find Godly men who will see how much of a blessing they are.
Yes, Christmas is a time when I'm reminded of how blessed we are. But even more so, how blessed I am. Are you mindful of how blessed you are? Do you need to tell someone?
It's a gift that doesn't need a box or a bow. Just see it, recognize it, and let someone know how thankful you are for how they bless you. Embrace a little Thanksgiving this Christmas and let your SuperWoman (or SuperMan) know how much you appreciate them!
And of course, we know the real meaning behind the season, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who would eventually give us the greatest gift we could ever receive. And never have to take back to a store because it's the wrong size. Because it's perfect. No gift receipt needed.
But what I want to shed some light on is another aspect of Christmas for me. It's the re-introduction to the fact that my wife is a superwoman. No, a SuperWoman ... let's use caps for the correct magnitude.
When I am at home from work or on vacation for a holiday, particularly if the kids are still in school, I am exposed to an entirely new world. One where often I'm a bit of an alien and a freak, because I don't know the system. I have learned over the years that it's just best that I get up, shower, and ask, "What can I do?"
Sounds simple enough, but it gets tricky. It's not quite enough to just carry out tasks. See, there's a human element to it as well. Veda and I are two different people. Although we are one in marriage, we are still two separate brains. Two different genders. I have limited capacity ... generally only able to juggle one thing at a time. And if that one thing isn't going so well, then forget the rest. I'm cooked until I can get things back on track. I'm linear. I can be really good as a linear, but sometimes linear is not what's best.
Linear doesn't really work when you have three children, either. Oh, the day when we'll have them in three different schools ... now won't that be fun? I would need three lines to be linear on!
But I stray from the topic. Being at home today is like having Thanksgiving a couple of days before Christmas. Because I am so thankful for the woman who sticks by me and manages to juggle this thing we call life. I'm confident that the "average" woman of this day and age would have thrown in the towel long ago ... claiming it was all just too hard and that she deserved much better, that she needed to focus on herself.
Remember what I said? I'm not married to an average woman.
 |
| SuperWomen of today: Cindi, Kelda, Connie, Susan and Veda |
Yes, Christmas is a time when I'm reminded of how blessed we are. But even more so, how blessed I am. Are you mindful of how blessed you are? Do you need to tell someone?
 |
| SuperWomen of tomorrow: Laura, Gabby, Leah, Bekah and Emily |
Monday, December 19, 2011
Who Am I? Really ...
It seems to me these days that so many people are having identity crises. Flip-flopping politicians. Out-of-work protestors who demand the downfall of that which helps ensure they are fed and clothed, regardless of whether or not they realize it. Entitled people who pickup their federal aid and hop back in their Escalade to go get their nails done.
One of my favorite authors is Robert Fulghum. He's the "All I Really Need to Know" kindergarten guy. Perhaps you've seen the posters (as shown). I like to think I'm complex, yet simple. Much like he comes across. I just read a Kindle sample of his book "What on Earth Have I Done." I'm told I don't read much ... at least in book form. This one may be my next conquest. Perhaps you should take a look at it as well. Now that I think about it, I have a Barnes and Noble gift card in my wallet. WINNING.
But anyway ... the issues of the country (along with my continual plodding into the potential for middle-age doldrums) have given me a spark to declare who I am. If nothing else, perhaps it will remind me who I was as time goes on. After all, the memory does seem to give way to the ... um, hold on a sec. What was I doing?
[Pause]
Oh yes ... who am I? Let's find out, shall we?
1. I am a Christian. I believe that God is God, and He created what we know to be our "reality" today, even as it seems to spiral into something ugly. He came down to Earth as a man (Happy Birthday coming up, Big J), and also exists as the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the unwavering truth. And I need to get to know it better. My faith carries me.
2. I am a husband of an extraordinary woman who graciously accepts the imperfect love I manage to give her and returns it with a love of her own. We are permanently linked for the time we have here on this world, and I could not imagine completing this adventure with anybody else. We complement each others strengths and weaknesses. It's a roller coaster ride, but one I'd get back in line to ride over and over again as long as she'll sit with me.
3. I am a father of three of the most precious, unique and impressive children. My oldest has a heart bigger than life, and she embodies me in girl form. My middle is a joy with her countenance and intelligence that will eventually challenge what I know (if it hasn't already.) And my youngest who carries my name is the one who stretches me. He has a spirit that could put an end to any energy crisis if it could be bottled up and dumped into the grid. He is our little prayer warrior (when he slows down long enough to put his heart into it). And eventually, once he realizes how he can wield his spirit like a sword, just look out folks. All three of these gifts from God are going to do great things in their own right. And I am a proud papa, indeed. Who they are and who I am are results of the two loving, Christian families that Veda and I can claim as our own. And I hope we are continuing a legacy of that love.
4. I don't know if I'm in the 1% or the 53%, but I know I pay 100% of my taxes. I don't necessarily agree with where that money goes, and I wish we could find someone who can put us back on track. And run our government more like a business. With fiscal accountability, even if it means we ALL have to swallow a bitter reality pill. I am proud to claim a debt-free lifestyle (with the exception of the mortgage) and I am blessed beyond belief. But I am eyeing a new car for 2012/2013, and I haven't saved up enough money for it. Hmm ...
5. I am also proud to be an American, Mr. Greenwood. And I sincerely wish others who have the right to claim this status would be a little more respectful of the honor it is. And for those who wish to take advantage of the blessings of being a part of this wonderful country, I wish they would do it the legal and appropriate way. Which leads me to #6 on the list ...
6. I am a rule follower first, then a rule maker second. I rarely have interest in being a rule breaker. It defeats the purpose of having them in the first place, and those who like to break the rules tend to really get annoyed when THEIR rules are the ones being ignored or broken.
7. I love movies. I love movies that make you think. I love movies that make you feel. I like to laugh at movies. Out loud. So that perhaps the director back in LA or wherever the movie came from will know that someone enjoyed it. I will also cry if it's warranted. I think that is OK and healthy. Besides, it's usually dark in the movie theater and no one will know if you keep it below a whimper. But let out anything more ... well, you're on your own then.
8. I like to number things. It's because I like order. Perhaps you came across this in some of the historical posts here on the blog. This one happens to be a perfect fit for #8. So be it.
9. I have a challenge maintaining order sometimes. That's all I'll say about that for now.
10. I like "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" ... It is a good story, great acting, and has a brilliant soundtrack behind it. You don't realize how much the music adds to a movie until you hear the music by itself after you've seen the movie, and the songs take you back to the scenes. They literally sound like what you saw.
11. One of my favorite hats right now is an Australian outback hat. Don't ask me why. Just because. And I like cargo shorts with drawstring tassels on the legs that I never actually tie. They just dangle off the sides and help make my legs look a little less lanky.
12. Five of the last six words I just wrote started with the letter "L" ... so why don't we say this blog entry was sponsored by the letter "L." And yes, I grew up on Sesame Street. And The Electric Company. And Zoom.
There's bound to be more. But I will stop at 12. It's an even number. And it's time you got back to work. Or fed the chickens. Or put your hands back on the wheel. Or started your own list of who YOU are. Now there's an idea.
Hello ... pleased to meet you, whoever you are. Welcome to me. Come back often, OK?
But anyway ... the issues of the country (along with my continual plodding into the potential for middle-age doldrums) have given me a spark to declare who I am. If nothing else, perhaps it will remind me who I was as time goes on. After all, the memory does seem to give way to the ... um, hold on a sec. What was I doing?
[Pause]
Oh yes ... who am I? Let's find out, shall we?
1. I am a Christian. I believe that God is God, and He created what we know to be our "reality" today, even as it seems to spiral into something ugly. He came down to Earth as a man (Happy Birthday coming up, Big J), and also exists as the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the unwavering truth. And I need to get to know it better. My faith carries me.
2. I am a husband of an extraordinary woman who graciously accepts the imperfect love I manage to give her and returns it with a love of her own. We are permanently linked for the time we have here on this world, and I could not imagine completing this adventure with anybody else. We complement each others strengths and weaknesses. It's a roller coaster ride, but one I'd get back in line to ride over and over again as long as she'll sit with me.
3. I am a father of three of the most precious, unique and impressive children. My oldest has a heart bigger than life, and she embodies me in girl form. My middle is a joy with her countenance and intelligence that will eventually challenge what I know (if it hasn't already.) And my youngest who carries my name is the one who stretches me. He has a spirit that could put an end to any energy crisis if it could be bottled up and dumped into the grid. He is our little prayer warrior (when he slows down long enough to put his heart into it). And eventually, once he realizes how he can wield his spirit like a sword, just look out folks. All three of these gifts from God are going to do great things in their own right. And I am a proud papa, indeed. Who they are and who I am are results of the two loving, Christian families that Veda and I can claim as our own. And I hope we are continuing a legacy of that love.
4. I don't know if I'm in the 1% or the 53%, but I know I pay 100% of my taxes. I don't necessarily agree with where that money goes, and I wish we could find someone who can put us back on track. And run our government more like a business. With fiscal accountability, even if it means we ALL have to swallow a bitter reality pill. I am proud to claim a debt-free lifestyle (with the exception of the mortgage) and I am blessed beyond belief. But I am eyeing a new car for 2012/2013, and I haven't saved up enough money for it. Hmm ...
5. I am also proud to be an American, Mr. Greenwood. And I sincerely wish others who have the right to claim this status would be a little more respectful of the honor it is. And for those who wish to take advantage of the blessings of being a part of this wonderful country, I wish they would do it the legal and appropriate way. Which leads me to #6 on the list ...
6. I am a rule follower first, then a rule maker second. I rarely have interest in being a rule breaker. It defeats the purpose of having them in the first place, and those who like to break the rules tend to really get annoyed when THEIR rules are the ones being ignored or broken.
7. I love movies. I love movies that make you think. I love movies that make you feel. I like to laugh at movies. Out loud. So that perhaps the director back in LA or wherever the movie came from will know that someone enjoyed it. I will also cry if it's warranted. I think that is OK and healthy. Besides, it's usually dark in the movie theater and no one will know if you keep it below a whimper. But let out anything more ... well, you're on your own then.
8. I like to number things. It's because I like order. Perhaps you came across this in some of the historical posts here on the blog. This one happens to be a perfect fit for #8. So be it.
9. I have a challenge maintaining order sometimes. That's all I'll say about that for now.
10. I like "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" ... It is a good story, great acting, and has a brilliant soundtrack behind it. You don't realize how much the music adds to a movie until you hear the music by itself after you've seen the movie, and the songs take you back to the scenes. They literally sound like what you saw.
11. One of my favorite hats right now is an Australian outback hat. Don't ask me why. Just because. And I like cargo shorts with drawstring tassels on the legs that I never actually tie. They just dangle off the sides and help make my legs look a little less lanky.
12. Five of the last six words I just wrote started with the letter "L" ... so why don't we say this blog entry was sponsored by the letter "L." And yes, I grew up on Sesame Street. And The Electric Company. And Zoom.
There's bound to be more. But I will stop at 12. It's an even number. And it's time you got back to work. Or fed the chickens. Or put your hands back on the wheel. Or started your own list of who YOU are. Now there's an idea.
Hello ... pleased to meet you, whoever you are. Welcome to me. Come back often, OK?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Still Here, Stayin' Alive
Every now and then, you're reminded of something from your past. Something happens in the mundane day-to-day activities of our lives that jars our my aging memory, and makes us me think of something long forgotten.
Let's take a blog for instance.
[Look of horror.]
Wow ... my last entry was May of 2011. "On behalf of myself, I'd like to accept this Lame Award ..."
OK ... let's put this back on all of us. You neglect things, right? It's not just me.
So, collective "we" ... when these events happen that reveal something that we've lost or forgotten, we find ourselves at a crossroad and we have a choice to make. We ask ourselves, "Do I do something about it? Change the course? Acknowledge and embrace my forgetfulness/laziness and get cracking, or do I turn away and pretend I never saw it?"
I'm going to take the road less traveled today. I'm going to write a post. And that will make all the difference. So there. (Thanks to Ms. Norma Rae in middle school for making me memorize "The Road Not Taken." I remember! And remembering things is very important for someonemy our age.) Let's continue.
We decide to do something. We're going to write. Fine and dandy, but then you hit the wall. The absence of thought. The oblivion of nothing in the head. The dry well ... empty of anything fun and snarky to talk about.
[Pause]
I could talk about a roasted turkey sandwich, because that's what is in my immediate future.
[Yawn]
Politics? Certainly not a sleeper topic these days. But I'll withhold my thoughts for a while perhaps. Let's see if anybody reads my blog and decides I'm harassing them. The boring and the prudish. The ones who don't like to laugh. The ones who prefer to read the Wall Street Journal or Moby Dick. I won't feel guilty about taking up your precious time if I end up having to suspend my blog. (But I'll continue accepting donations, thank you very much.)
[Think, think, think.]
A-ha ... I have something. My love for Charlie Brown's Christmas. It's one of the remaining vestiges of Christmas untouched. Nobody has come in and edited Linus' child-like telling of the birth of our Savior to make it acceptable to all. And it's still being played on national television. Fancy that.
Not to mention ... who doesn't love Vince Guaraldi? (Yes, I had to Google it so I'd spell it right. Sheesh, the man's Italian. I'm Southern. Two different things.)
"Linus and Lucy" is one of my favorite tunes. Not actually related to Christmas at all, but it's on the soundtrack. Makes my head lop back and forth, like the kid in the front right of the dancing scene in the show. I think I can do the dance of about three of them with some recognizable skill. I know ... hidden talents. We all have them. This is so much better than disco.
One talent I do not possess is the gift of brevity when I speak or write. As some of you can attest, I could actually go on and on with mindless drivel about this and that. But perhaps if I'm smart, I can make something out of it for next year's annual blog post.
Besides ... I'm done with my sandwich.
Merry Christmas! God Bless us all ... everyone!
Luke 2:10
Let's take a blog for instance.
[Look of horror.]
Wow ... my last entry was May of 2011. "On behalf of myself, I'd like to accept this Lame Award ..."
OK ... let's put this back on all of us. You neglect things, right? It's not just me.
So, collective "we" ... when these events happen that reveal something that we've lost or forgotten, we find ourselves at a crossroad and we have a choice to make. We ask ourselves, "Do I do something about it? Change the course? Acknowledge and embrace my forgetfulness/laziness and get cracking, or do I turn away and pretend I never saw it?"
I'm going to take the road less traveled today. I'm going to write a post. And that will make all the difference. So there. (Thanks to Ms. Norma Rae in middle school for making me memorize "The Road Not Taken." I remember! And remembering things is very important for someone
We decide to do something. We're going to write. Fine and dandy, but then you hit the wall. The absence of thought. The oblivion of nothing in the head. The dry well ... empty of anything fun and snarky to talk about.
[Pause]
I could talk about a roasted turkey sandwich, because that's what is in my immediate future.
[Yawn]
Politics? Certainly not a sleeper topic these days. But I'll withhold my thoughts for a while perhaps. Let's see if anybody reads my blog and decides I'm harassing them. The boring and the prudish. The ones who don't like to laugh. The ones who prefer to read the Wall Street Journal or Moby Dick. I won't feel guilty about taking up your precious time if I end up having to suspend my blog. (But I'll continue accepting donations, thank you very much.)
[Think, think, think.]
A-ha ... I have something. My love for Charlie Brown's Christmas. It's one of the remaining vestiges of Christmas untouched. Nobody has come in and edited Linus' child-like telling of the birth of our Savior to make it acceptable to all. And it's still being played on national television. Fancy that.
"Linus and Lucy" is one of my favorite tunes. Not actually related to Christmas at all, but it's on the soundtrack. Makes my head lop back and forth, like the kid in the front right of the dancing scene in the show. I think I can do the dance of about three of them with some recognizable skill. I know ... hidden talents. We all have them. This is so much better than disco.
One talent I do not possess is the gift of brevity when I speak or write. As some of you can attest, I could actually go on and on with mindless drivel about this and that. But perhaps if I'm smart, I can make something out of it for next year's annual blog post.
Besides ... I'm done with my sandwich.
Merry Christmas! God Bless us all ... everyone!
Luke 2:10
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