"Self-discipline bridges the abyss that would keep us from our dreams.    ~ m j.

"Don't let the idea of the perfect, get in the way of the good."
                                                                                                  ~ Fay Barnett

2 Bucks

2 American dollars. Doesn't buy what it used too, does it?
Used to get a burger, fries and a drink for that. Do you remember when it was the norm to pull up to the pump and get a dollars worth of regular. Hey the guy would even wash your windows and check the tires for that, one American dollar.
Times and values have changed since I was a kid. Yep, a buck don't get you much these days, or does it?

Sunny and much warmer here in the mid west, this last weekend. It was a great time to get out of the house and do something. So I did. I went to a 'Sports Show.' A huge and varied inventory was there for us to peruse and, they hoped, purchase. They weren't disappointed. As I made my way from one display to another, I came upon a guy that would sharpen your knife. I have never been gifted at this process up to and exceeding the point of not being able to sharpen anything that would cut tomato soup. So this was a perfect stop for me.

I pulled out my much less than lethal blade and handed it to the man seated behind his bench. By the inch was how it was priced, and I quickly ciphered that my job would run $3.00. While watching him at work I noticed that he was seated and was wearing one of those little oxygen tubes. His appearance was a bit disheveled and he was not a picture of health, yet here he was, doing what he could, to earn a living.

With the job soon finished he handed my perfectly sharpened possession, to me.
"That will be 3 dollars." he said. My third grade teacher was correct, I would use math class one day.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a five, handed it to him and told him "Thanks so much." turning to walk away.
"Don't you want your change?"
"No, that's for you."

"God bless you." he replied.
As I walked away I heard him telling the guy behind me that I had tipped him 2 dollars on a 3 dollar job. "Imagine, a guy doing that!" he said.

'Imagine that.' I thought the same thing. Imagine having someone ask the Almighty to bless you, for two American dollars. I'd say that's about the best value going, and all for 2 bucks.

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.

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.