Just like every child...

A very simple, beautiful prayer.
If you listen closely, you'll discover the meaning of my title for this post.
Tears and goosebumps. That was my experience.
This is my hope, my prayer, for each of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=M5vrPaE5Y1o&NR=1

July 4th 2012

I have been thinking alot, today, about our freedom and liberty. I for one have not shown the gratitude that I should for these blessings. I believe the most genuine way to show that gratitude is to USE, really use, those gifts of freedom and liberty to the best of our abilities.
Our countrymen have died because they understood the true meaning and value of what we have here.
We as a nation, I believe, have the responsibilty to use our God given gifts to uphold His standards. I believe that we have prospered as a nation for that very purpose.
Whether you agree or disagree, in this country, it's OK. Because this is America.
We have the freedom of choice here, just as our forefathers and God himself deemed best.
May we each, and as a nation, choose wisely.

How to Double Your Sales or Fat Guy Olympics

Red in the face, perspiration beading on his brow, blood pressure on the rise, when the sales associate seemed to appear out of nowhere.

“Can I help you?” 

The following account is from a close personal friend. This friend, who shall remain nameless, is by his own admission ‘a little’ overweight. He has also been the recipient of a knee replacement and is in line for yet another knee surgery.

On this particular day of retail gathering he was in search of a pair of jeans. His hunting grounds, a big box store. Normally in these establishments the only time an associate would offer to help is if it were blatantly obvious you preferred to be left alone. Today, somehow, was different. Perhaps it was the bulging vein on the neck or the labored breathing, but something drew the clerk near.

“Can I help you?”  : This was the routine, programmed greeting.

“Well I’m not sure. I need a pair of jeans. But I don’t know if you have my size. You see you have the skinny guy jeans up here on the top shelves and the fat guy ones near the floor. It seems to me that this backward. The skinny guy won’t have any trouble crawling around on the floor to make his selection while this is an Olympic event for us old fat guys. Why would they set it up this way?”   He pauses to catch his breath.

My, this was outside the clerks’ level of big box training…she would try and wing it. Had she known my friend she would never have ventured into this uncharted ground.

”Well it’s just store policy and I don't think they sell as many of the larger sizes.”

“No, I don’t suppose they do! Do you think that if we could actually find and reach what we needed that you might sell more of them?”

And so ends this tale of fat, gimpy guys and store clerks, of common sense versus retail sales.  

I’m not convinced that my friends’ idea was understood or passed on through the proper channels, because the last time I checked the arrangement was still, lean to large, in descending order.

Dear Dad,

Dear Dad,

It’s been a long time since we’ve talked, too long.  Guess we can’t help that.

It’s Fathers day again. A day to say thanks for everything you dads have done for us. I know I didn’t say it enough, when I could. I’ve realized a lot of things like that since you’ve been gone, stuff you showed me when you were here. But stuff I took for granted or just missed in my youth. You know… the really important stuff like treating people with love, and making sure to put God ahead of everything. And you were the best at showing, not preaching. Yeah, you were the best at that. And I loved your phrases. When you were teaching me to work at a steady pace you’d say: “Don’t go at it like you’re killin’ snakes.” Or to get me to do some thinking you’d advise “Use your head for somethin’ besides a hat rack.” See it’s been a long time, but I remember.

Hey Dad,… I’m a dad now too! Wish you could have been here when that one happened. I know you’d be so proud. She’s a keeper. We named her Bonnie. She looks like her mom. Oh yea, you missed that too didn’t you? Deb…. her name is Debbie. You’d like her a lot. She certainly has her hands full keeping me lined out, but I’m learning.

Wow!...learning.  It seems like I’ve spent my whole life learning, one lesson after another. You know the older I get the dumber I find out I am. When you were here I thought I had it all figured out. I was way off on that one. It all seemed so simple. I was young and naïve`. I remember things I said and did that I’m sure were great disappointments to you. Wish I could have figured that out sooner, so you could have known….

You wouldn’t believe how much I rely on everything you taught me during our short time together. I often wonder what else you had to share. I wonder if you had the same doubts and fears and questions that I so often struggle with. But our time was too short. So many questions unanswered so much that seems unfinished.

But it was great, the absolute best, the time we had together, all the wonderful memories you created for our family….and then it was time for you to rest.

Anyway Dad, I was thinking of you today. I do that a lot. I wish I could let you know. I wish I could tell you, one more time, I love you and I’m thankful to be your kid. I would love to hear your laugh once again and introduce you to my beautiful family.

This, and so much more I wish…and who knows…maybe, one day soon…..one day soon…

Love and miss you Dad,

Follow Your Heart

Doing what we love. Time is lost, the hours fly, our coffee gets cold in the cup. We are in the flow.

I think most of us have experienced that at some time. Music, writing, for you left brainers perhaps a perfectly summed column of digits, Ugh! I could barely type that one. Whatever your personal passion, you are following your heart’s desire. 
Well sorry that’s not what this ‘Ramble’ is about. ;-)

Let’s talk about a giving heart. Many of us wish to give to others, our time, our money, ourselves. A noble calling, but in the day to day of job, school, kids, dogs, cats, mowing the lawn, paying the bills, taking out the trash, pressure from all around….we begin to feel that there is nothing left to give. We are worn out, drained, pooped. I have personally been there on more than one occasion, with pitiful results of which I am ashamed.
One example we are given, that in order to best help someone else we must first care for ourselves, is the one the flight attendant leads. You know the one, ‘In the unlikely event of…. (insert your personal mental image of plummeting towards the earth from 35 thousand feet) …put on your own oxygen mask first.’ I suppose the first time flier might balk at this suggestion and feel that would be a rather self centered, self serving act of cowardice. (I get so dramatic at times) My rambling mind has also led me to think that perhaps being unconscious during this event might not be all that bad, but I am rambling here.

I think there is an even stronger example of the fact that it is not only a good idea, but essential we tend to our needs, first.
I was watching Dr. Oz a while back. An episode pertaining to heart health, in which the good Dr. made the following statement. ‘The first organ your heart pumps blood to is……drum roll, itself.

In the grand design of our physical selves is the evidence that to care for others best, we must first care for ourselves. Our heart knows that to continue it’s ‘day to day’, to truly care for us in the best possible way, it must first replenish, nourish and fulfill its essential needs.

So perhaps you’re feeling a bit drained by all your responsibilities, with the day to day dragging you down. Reflect for a moment. Could you be more effective, more caring, a better giver, if you only had a bit more to give? Could some meditation time, a good hot soak, a walk in the woods or an hour with your favorite book, serve to recharge your battery and give you the energy to help those on your list today, in a greater way? Hey you are the one to answer that question. The best advice I can give is:

Follow your heart.

Over the Rainbow: wanna go?

For me, music is the most subtle, yet powerful of the arts. More quickly than any other form it will raise the hair on my arms, bring me to my feet, or to tears. Take a moment and listen to this incredible talent and see if you agree. Come with me...Over the Rainbow. http://youtu.be/-ubVGiyAhkY

Thought provocation

"The chief cause of failure and unhappiness
 is trading what we want most, for what we want at the moment."
 
                                                                    ~Author Unknown