Jul
30
I know you've seen it, those times on TV when a character has to clean their room and the just shove all their dirty clothes and messes under the bed or the closet. I even saw a cartoon once where they put a pile under the rug and it magically was hidden, no lump or bump in the rug it just seemed to have disappeared.
If you can't see it, is it gone?
As much as we wish we could have these magical "under the rug" moments, we all know the answer is-- no. So, why do we like to act like that in real life, with our feelings, in situations, or with people we love?
Simple answer, it is just easier to pretend that something is not there than dealing with the problem.
We've all been there, in an argument where we know we've done wrong or said too much, but I say, instead of just shoving it "under the rug" let's just deal with it and have it behind us. Otherwise, we all know the lump will eventually show in the rug and as Ricky says in "I Love Lucy," you'll "have some splainin to do!"
If you can't see it, is it gone?
As much as we wish we could have these magical "under the rug" moments, we all know the answer is-- no. So, why do we like to act like that in real life, with our feelings, in situations, or with people we love?
Simple answer, it is just easier to pretend that something is not there than dealing with the problem.
We've all been there, in an argument where we know we've done wrong or said too much, but I say, instead of just shoving it "under the rug" let's just deal with it and have it behind us. Otherwise, we all know the lump will eventually show in the rug and as Ricky says in "I Love Lucy," you'll "have some splainin to do!"
Jul
28
A few days ago I was at Ikea beginning my back-to-college shopping. It had been a good trip because the store was not packed like usual and I got many of the things I really needed to start school in little less than a month.
It was one of those shopping trips-- ladies-- where you feel accomplished after getting a lot of things done that you really needed to. I got to the checkout line happy because even though I had bought a good amount of Ikea nic-nacks, I had held back from allowing the shopping trip from exploding into a splurge.
But, it wasn't the fact that I shopped, it was what happened next that causes me to write about this.
As I finished in the checkout line, I felt a burning on my arm. To my surprise I looked down and saw a cricket-sized green bug latched to my arm and leaving me with a mole-sized red wound. It flew off, but I was left with the incredibly painful burn it left.
I hurrily ran to the Ikea First Aid, but it was closed; to a checkout clerk, but they were too busy; another clerk and same response. Then finally I found a manager who, yet again, directed me to someone else. I finally got to talk with-- the person who was originally suppose to be in the First Aid office. Anyways, he took my information and gave me my first dose of medication for what was, at this point, swelling to a quarter size. He assured me that he would stay on my condition and call the next day.
Well, it has now been two days and no call. The swelling has gone down and I feel much better, but no thanks to Ikea.
Don't get me wrong, I think Ikea is a fantastic store with great products, but their bedside manner needs incredible attention. What happened to the days when people took responsibility for what happened in their stores? Next time you check out the yellow and blue make sure you look out for their $7 side tables, but also those green stinging bugs.
It was one of those shopping trips-- ladies-- where you feel accomplished after getting a lot of things done that you really needed to. I got to the checkout line happy because even though I had bought a good amount of Ikea nic-nacks, I had held back from allowing the shopping trip from exploding into a splurge.
But, it wasn't the fact that I shopped, it was what happened next that causes me to write about this.
As I finished in the checkout line, I felt a burning on my arm. To my surprise I looked down and saw a cricket-sized green bug latched to my arm and leaving me with a mole-sized red wound. It flew off, but I was left with the incredibly painful burn it left.
I hurrily ran to the Ikea First Aid, but it was closed; to a checkout clerk, but they were too busy; another clerk and same response. Then finally I found a manager who, yet again, directed me to someone else. I finally got to talk with-- the person who was originally suppose to be in the First Aid office. Anyways, he took my information and gave me my first dose of medication for what was, at this point, swelling to a quarter size. He assured me that he would stay on my condition and call the next day.
Well, it has now been two days and no call. The swelling has gone down and I feel much better, but no thanks to Ikea.
Don't get me wrong, I think Ikea is a fantastic store with great products, but their bedside manner needs incredible attention. What happened to the days when people took responsibility for what happened in their stores? Next time you check out the yellow and blue make sure you look out for their $7 side tables, but also those green stinging bugs.
Jul
15
Today I faced the task of trimming my 12-year-old dog's nails. Yes, a 12-year-old diva!
You got me, I'm one of those crazy dog parents, I love my Sugar. She is my kid basically. I buy her little outfits and always make sure her collar matches her leash. Maybe it sounds weird, but after you have spent 12 years with someone, or somedog, they grow on you.
She hasn't always lived this pampered life, for half of her life she was an outside dog. Somewhere along the way, she became an indoor dog, and my pup princess.
But, anyways, back to my story. I had to cut her nails today because when she would walk her nails would tap, tap, tap on the tile floor. So I used the new Pedipaws I bought and asked my younger sister to help me out. So, we faced the huge task ahead of us! If you know anything about my pup, it's that she HATES getting her nails trimmed. She's known for growling at the vet when they do it, and tensing up when I try.
This time I researched every relaxation technique online for dog nail trimming.
So, when I began trying these out today, I was surprised that many worked. I got her on my lap, put on music and covered her eyes. She wriggled around because she didn't know what to expect.
After we began she soon realized it wasn't as bad as she thought and relaxed. Once it was over, she walked easier and left wagging her tail.
Why do I bring this story up? Well, how often do we act like this too?
We think we know how a situation is going to be, but we don't know for sure. So, we refuse to go into something we feel can be at all unexpected. What if we take a risk once in a while. What lies for us ahead if we do? I don't know, but we'll never know unless we take a chance.
You got me, I'm one of those crazy dog parents, I love my Sugar. She is my kid basically. I buy her little outfits and always make sure her collar matches her leash. Maybe it sounds weird, but after you have spent 12 years with someone, or somedog, they grow on you.
She hasn't always lived this pampered life, for half of her life she was an outside dog. Somewhere along the way, she became an indoor dog, and my pup princess.
But, anyways, back to my story. I had to cut her nails today because when she would walk her nails would tap, tap, tap on the tile floor. So I used the new Pedipaws I bought and asked my younger sister to help me out. So, we faced the huge task ahead of us! If you know anything about my pup, it's that she HATES getting her nails trimmed. She's known for growling at the vet when they do it, and tensing up when I try.
This time I researched every relaxation technique online for dog nail trimming.
So, when I began trying these out today, I was surprised that many worked. I got her on my lap, put on music and covered her eyes. She wriggled around because she didn't know what to expect.
After we began she soon realized it wasn't as bad as she thought and relaxed. Once it was over, she walked easier and left wagging her tail.
Why do I bring this story up? Well, how often do we act like this too?
We think we know how a situation is going to be, but we don't know for sure. So, we refuse to go into something we feel can be at all unexpected. What if we take a risk once in a while. What lies for us ahead if we do? I don't know, but we'll never know unless we take a chance.
Jul
13
Very often I find myself sifting through my email inbox, there are subject lines like, "this is not spam, "amazing deal," "sign up now." The list goes on and on. As we all know, those are red flags. What do we do? Of course, delete!! No hesitation right?
Well, how do we handle out life-inbox? Not so similar if you ask me. So often I see it happen that there is constant "life spam" in our lives and we fail to take that instinctive delete like we do to our email.
What am I talking about? Well, maybe it's clutter in your home, a polluted relationship, an addiction, obsession, or habit. Why are we so easy to delete what others send us which we know is harmful, but fail to raise the red flag when it's apparent in our real life? I don't know. But, I can say that with continuous review of the details in our lives we can better clear the spam to be able to focus on what's really important.
Well, how do we handle out life-inbox? Not so similar if you ask me. So often I see it happen that there is constant "life spam" in our lives and we fail to take that instinctive delete like we do to our email.
What am I talking about? Well, maybe it's clutter in your home, a polluted relationship, an addiction, obsession, or habit. Why are we so easy to delete what others send us which we know is harmful, but fail to raise the red flag when it's apparent in our real life? I don't know. But, I can say that with continuous review of the details in our lives we can better clear the spam to be able to focus on what's really important.
Jul
12
I was recently watching ABC's True Beauty, a reality show that lies to contestants about the reason why they are on the series. The contestants think they are battling it out to become the "face of Vegas," all with model-esqe beauty. However, the reality of the show is that they are not being judged on their outter beauty, but set through a series of "true beauty" challenges. They are put in tasks where their morals are put to the test.
Some of the tasks include, opeining the door to a stranger or helping a woman find a lost item...ect. At the end of the show, the contestant which is eliminated is told about the real intentions of the show.
I don't know if they producers of the show are really lying to their contestants and giving them these secret challenges or not, but I think the premise of the show is interesting.
We should all walk through life letting our inner beauty shine and making those little moments count, especially when no one is watching-- becuase most likely people are watching what you do.
It is often the small moments; smiling to someone on the street, holding the elevator door open, or giving someone a compliment, all those little things we can do to make someone's day a little brighter.
Some of the tasks include, opeining the door to a stranger or helping a woman find a lost item...ect. At the end of the show, the contestant which is eliminated is told about the real intentions of the show.
I don't know if they producers of the show are really lying to their contestants and giving them these secret challenges or not, but I think the premise of the show is interesting.
We should all walk through life letting our inner beauty shine and making those little moments count, especially when no one is watching-- becuase most likely people are watching what you do.
It is often the small moments; smiling to someone on the street, holding the elevator door open, or giving someone a compliment, all those little things we can do to make someone's day a little brighter.
Jul
10
I got to thinking about it and came up with the fact that life is like a quilt.
Why do I say this? Well, if you think about the comparison, we have various phases and situations we go through which get added to the tail of out life. You go through school and you have your friends, they make an impression on your life, and it's like another patch is added to your quilt. You fall in love and, in effect add another patch, maybe soft and cuddly, red in color.
When you step back and look at your life, or quilt in this example, you see a lot of different parts. Some are nice and neat, organized phases when your life plan was completely in line with what you intended. But, there are also those messed up parts, the times that show up as ragged, worn patches that you don't like the best, but have made a lasting impression on you.
Which one's better?
Neither.
In my book, I think it's the entire quilt of life that makes the difference. How well does it hold up when it comes down to it? How does you life shape out when all the little pieces add together?
Why do I say this? Well, if you think about the comparison, we have various phases and situations we go through which get added to the tail of out life. You go through school and you have your friends, they make an impression on your life, and it's like another patch is added to your quilt. You fall in love and, in effect add another patch, maybe soft and cuddly, red in color.
When you step back and look at your life, or quilt in this example, you see a lot of different parts. Some are nice and neat, organized phases when your life plan was completely in line with what you intended. But, there are also those messed up parts, the times that show up as ragged, worn patches that you don't like the best, but have made a lasting impression on you.
Which one's better?
Neither.
In my book, I think it's the entire quilt of life that makes the difference. How well does it hold up when it comes down to it? How does you life shape out when all the little pieces add together?
Jul
06
Recently, Hurricane Alex battered the Mexican and Gulf Coast. Prior to the hurricane, we heard the warnings of possible weather and oil spill effects. But, after, I feel we have heard dramatically less about it. It could be partially because of location, the hurricane did not hit hardest in the US, but in Mexico.
However, as Christians, we are called to pray for other nations.
So, with that in mind, let us remember to pray for our brothers and sisters who have been ravaged by the effects of Hurricane Alex.
I have family living in areas affected by the recent hurricane and the images they send are unbelievable. Streets are left with huge sinkholes, bridges have crumbled. Worse, streets are flooded leaving access to stores and grocers impossible.
I hope that as outsiders we can have an understanding heart and feel compassion for those in need.
However, as Christians, we are called to pray for other nations.
So, with that in mind, let us remember to pray for our brothers and sisters who have been ravaged by the effects of Hurricane Alex.
I have family living in areas affected by the recent hurricane and the images they send are unbelievable. Streets are left with huge sinkholes, bridges have crumbled. Worse, streets are flooded leaving access to stores and grocers impossible.
I hope that as outsiders we can have an understanding heart and feel compassion for those in need.
Jul
03
This afternoon I watched as Spain and Paraguay battled over the next round of the World Cup. The other World Cup games I had watched, I had tuned into post opening scene. Today, I watched since pre-game show and into the game. As I watched the national anthem and opening session I was amazed at how the World Cup stressed being against racism.
There was such a heart for equality, with a continuous display of banners for the cause. I think it's a great reminder for all of us about how far South Africa has come as a country... remember Invictus? And, how far the US has come also.
But, it still makes me think that if we follow the golden rule, love your neighbor as yourself, we maintain a heart for others. As mentioned in the Bible, when we take a heart for our neighbors the way we would like to be treated with care and compassion, we take a different perspective into how we treat the people around us. I think when we apply that concept and mindset, we can better get closer to the World Cup message of equality.
There was such a heart for equality, with a continuous display of banners for the cause. I think it's a great reminder for all of us about how far South Africa has come as a country... remember Invictus? And, how far the US has come also.
But, it still makes me think that if we follow the golden rule, love your neighbor as yourself, we maintain a heart for others. As mentioned in the Bible, when we take a heart for our neighbors the way we would like to be treated with care and compassion, we take a different perspective into how we treat the people around us. I think when we apply that concept and mindset, we can better get closer to the World Cup message of equality.
Jun
30
For the past few days I have watched as Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan faced congressional questioning regarding previous decisions and stances she has taken on legislation and national policy. Obviously, she is well qualified if President Obama chose her as his nominee.
However, there has been debate as to how liberal she stands on issues and how much she would shake up the political scale of the Supreme Court's decisions. Many have commented that adding another liberal to replace a liberal would not make that much difference in how Supreme Court verdicts would be passed.
But, I do believe that even if the Supreme Court maintained its slightly conservative stance, one person could still shake things up.
So, as a Christian I firmly believe in praying for our nation's leaders and asking God to direct their paths. If Elena Kagan recieves the political nod and passes to the Supreme Court chair, I hope and pray that our nation would remain in His hands as well as our nation's leadership.
However, there has been debate as to how liberal she stands on issues and how much she would shake up the political scale of the Supreme Court's decisions. Many have commented that adding another liberal to replace a liberal would not make that much difference in how Supreme Court verdicts would be passed.
But, I do believe that even if the Supreme Court maintained its slightly conservative stance, one person could still shake things up.
So, as a Christian I firmly believe in praying for our nation's leaders and asking God to direct their paths. If Elena Kagan recieves the political nod and passes to the Supreme Court chair, I hope and pray that our nation would remain in His hands as well as our nation's leadership.
Jun
29
Today I went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. Going into the movie theater I honeslty had no idea what to expect. I figured it had to be worth while because it was a sequal to such a memorable childhood classic. But, in reality, so often sequals are let-downs, so I also went into the movie very doubtful.
I'll have to say, it definatly exceeded my expectations.
There was such an attention to drawing you in and getting you back into the mindset of the kid you were when you saw Toy Story 1 & 2. Immediatly you are sucked into the world of toys, where you can- in theory-- live forever. There is a return to innocence.
Watching the film, I wished life could be that easy. A world that didn't have to deal with bills, debt, wars, famine... oil spills. But, we do.
But, watching this also reminded me that we all need those little moments when we take 5 out of our day and just relax. Those are the moments that make us really take a step out of the fast lane and recharge. In my opinion, very much worth it.
I'll have to say, it definatly exceeded my expectations.
There was such an attention to drawing you in and getting you back into the mindset of the kid you were when you saw Toy Story 1 & 2. Immediatly you are sucked into the world of toys, where you can- in theory-- live forever. There is a return to innocence.
Watching the film, I wished life could be that easy. A world that didn't have to deal with bills, debt, wars, famine... oil spills. But, we do.
But, watching this also reminded me that we all need those little moments when we take 5 out of our day and just relax. Those are the moments that make us really take a step out of the fast lane and recharge. In my opinion, very much worth it.