Random Thoughts

I have experienced several small events lately that have caused me to take pause and reflect.. without mentioning the event, I have listed some of the thoughts I have had while reflecting on the emotion of the experience.. while some of the thoughts have taken a significant amount of time to develop and trust, others came immediately. These are not meant to sound preachy or even to say that I am able to pull even one of them off on a really good day.. these are just thoughts that have come to me during prayer, quiet walks, silent moments, and thoughtful reflections.. I don't know their purpose or why I am driven to type them on my blog and share them.. maybe just for the purpose of admitting that I have these thoughts and am hoping to continue growing as a person through each experience, regardless of if it is positive or negative in its intent.

Maybe by typing them.. I am claiming them and hoping to believe them.. to heal some.. to accept myself.. to forgive myself.. who knows.. but here they are...

1. People do little things every day that give you the feeling of importance, being good at something, and/or being special. I am very blessed to have people in my professional and personal life that are generous enough each day to remind me, through their actions, that I am valuable/special to them. Of course there is the flip side to this and there are times in our daily life that choices are made that seem to indicate that we are insignificant or disliked. At those times I remind myself that whatever the reason behind the choice, it is doubtful that it was made with the intent to be hurtful. It is ok if someone doesn't like me or want to spend time with me.. it doesn't make me less important or special.. it just means that God has created someone for everyone and the opposite someone for everyone! :-)

2. There are people we cross paths with each day that are suffering or hurting and we are clueless to their pain or what happened immediately prior to your meeting - and there is no reason for them to share such personal information with us anyway. However, that does not diminish our responsibility as human beings to be kind and generous - especially when it is difficult (because that is when it is most likely needed). Through prayer, kind words, and generous actions we can make subtle differences in the lives of those around us.. a difference that could mean someone smiles more today than they would have if their path had not crossed your path. My mom used to ask me if I was the kind of person who made things better or worse.. she would tell me to ask myself if when I left a room/situation, were the people in the room blessed by my presence or by my absence! Funny.. but a good question to ask ourselves.

3. Sometimes it is just best to laugh at the things happening around you.. if you spend too much time picking apart the actions and choices of others.. well, you never enjoy one another or see the humor in the little things that happen around you each day. Karen and I have started laughing more at work.. with our kiddos... and it has brought an element of joy to our day and encouragement to our students.

4. Not one of us is the center of the universe and decisions made that impact us are usually designed from a bigger picture and with more information than we have knowledge of.. when a decision is made by someone you trust or admire and it seems to be in the face of all you think is best or significant, remember.. they have different life and work experiences and most likely, more knowledge of the big picture. God has a part in all that is happening and sometimes He is simply saying to us: "Trust me."

5. Make sure you don't just say "I love you", be sure to demonstrate "I love you" as often as possible.. in the smallest ways... it is so precious to those that you love... they hold onto those small things in the darkest of times, those small demonstrations of love make them chose to stay in the game and enjoy life! When we lost Sarah it was such a dark and tormented pain.. and those little acts of love were tiny lights that kept me holding onto hope...

6. Don't hold onto the 'stuff' of life (it is disposable).. hold onto life.. and don't forget to live (Secret Life of Bees...), this is your only chance...

7. Anger and bitterness.. blame.. they are all so lonely and empty.. it is so simple to let them go that it is almost too simple.. I thank God each day for helping me learn to 'let go'.. though, it is still something I have to practice each day. I literally have to say each morning.. 'I let you go' while praying for someone I love that continues to be absent in my life..

Ok.. I think that is all.. just had all those on my heart... don't know why.. but they have all been said, now.... thank you for listening (reading)...