Humbless comes to me

I sigh, but not in disgust or in frustration. I let the air escape from my lungs in acceptance. Humbling accepting the compliments that have visited my life in such a few shorts days. I still almost find it difficult, but by my being me, it actually is very easy. It can be difficult for us to see AND accept what others see in us. Do you do that well? I don't but am working at getting better at it. Last night, we had another G.I.F.T meeting and I will post a quick summary soon. Some new faces and some that had come previously. Two ladies said that they feel inspired when they read what I write here. Amongst their crazy lives with the ups and downs, twists and turns on their rollercoaster ride, they find something in my blog that tells them to just stay the course. Later, I received a text from SM (love you!) that said that this meeting has her thinking and asking herself questions she maybe was afraid (to get wrong) to answer. And looking through some postings on Facebook, she also posts about how we should accept compliments, because not doing so with grace takes away the gift of giving it. Then, I was totally blown away today. Let's just say I was speechless. Yes, yes, I know. It does happen. I was visiting with a co-worker who I do not know very well and she asks my opinion about something she is thinking about doing in the next couple of months that will be different for her. Then she tells me that she says to herself, "If I could only be one-third of her." I am not sure who she is speaking about, but TM tells me that I am the "her" she is referring to when she says that. WOW! I am not sure what third she wants to be like, because sometimes I am not sure I like all of the thirds of me. But, I didn't know what to say, and I wasn't sure specifically talking about, and tried to accept the compliment. Then, I told her about the blog and the G.I.F.T. and how I got started. She sounded very excited as I gave her a hug and went on my daily tasks. Someone else told me that I should not be surprised by these words because "I'm amazing." DOUBLE WOW! I think it is almost impossible to fully comprehend and understand the magnitude of the effect we have on each other. How something we say inspires someone to do something different. How an action we take encourages someone to stand in front of a group of 5 year old ice skaters and takes lessons as a teenager. I posted a few months ago about how "IT MATTERS" and I am not trying to repeat myself here. Last night and today, I received genuine compliments that I will never forget. Because I have left them with something that they will never forget. Thank you all.

Expectation and Disappointment

There is no one in this world that has not had both of these in their lives at one time or another. Expectation is what comes before and sometimes, there is disappointment after. Whether it is trying out for a select baseball team that you don't make because your skills don't match the quality of the team. Whether is the job you interview for and walking out thinking you nailed it, but you didn't. Whether it is the washing machine that just stops before the spin cycle so you have to wring out your clothes. Whether it is the hours we spend exercising at the gym only to find out we lost 2 pounds. Whether it is words not said or deeds left undone. It can be very difficult not to have some expectations, isn't it? How do you completely have none? We have expectation because something is desired and wanted from the action we are taking. Or we place those expectations on somethone else, and they don't even know it. We are hoping for our desired outcome. But, as we all know, at times, disappointment comes instead. When our sails seem to deflate and we lower our head just a bit and everyone seems to know what that looks like. Some people carry disappointment with them for a very long time and it becomes a part of their heart. But disappointment hurts, but we control how long it hurts. Excuses become reasons for everything. We have all been there. So, if there are expectations that you have, try to let go of them. I know it's hard. "It will happen as it is meant to happen." When you get disappointed, try to let go of that as quickly as you can too. Everything happens for a reason. Work on being a better baseball player...figure out what you could've done so you get the next job...maybe you get a new washer out of it...try a different exercise and see if that changes things...forgive those for the words or deeds they have forgotten. We all share these same moments in our life and need to remember that like most things, they will come and go. HAPPY FUN DIP WEDNESDAY!

Have courage

Find it deep within you, to do something or say something that is difficult...even if it is just difficult for you. If it is something you don't normally do, like sing in front of family for a game you are playing. Yes, I did that this weekend and even though it was scary (I mean, my youngest son who does show choir in front of hundreds of people couldn't do it), I tried to not let my fears control the moment and just enjoy it. Being brave doesn't have to be something huge. It can mean reaching to someone that you have lost contact with for a while. It can mean saying something that is difficult for you, because it has been that way your entire life. Don't let excuses and "because I have always done it that way" rule what you don't do. You just give yourself an out because it is easier. You justify to yourself that you are willing to accept what you currently have because doing something different might mean you have to do something different. I had so many walls up before and I know there are family members that read this from time to time. I also know that they see more of me, or at least get an small inkling of the thoughts in my head. Start something new today that you really want to do or at least try. Sometimes, situations can make sense to us logically, but emotionally they don't. More often than anything, the emotion sides don't make sense because it is not something we want. Reasons are understandable and feelings are not. I understand why Rocky doesn't come anymore to run, but I wish she did. What scares you? Calling an old friend that maybe you wronged in some way? Trying something new that no one would understand why you want to do it? Asking someone for help? Telling someone you love that you need them in your life? Be brave today. Even if you don't know how it will turn out, don't live with the regret of doing nothing. If you want something different, do something differnt. A swimming pool will still be a swimming pool, even if you don't maintain it. Don't let fear win over doing what your hear tells you to do. Put logic aside for a moment...get off the easy road...and listen. With the adrenalin flowing and the sound of your heart pounding, have courage today. Conquering Obstacles Under Remarkable And Gutsy Environments.