I was on a bus at 11:11pm on 11.11.11. We were home from the game, but still in the high school parking lot.
Where were you yesterday at those times?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
11:11, 11.11.11
I was on a bus at 11:11am on 11.11.11. We were headed to Aberdeen for a volleyball game.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Control
Most anger comes from hurt.
I think it starts young. Time after time, people let us down. Or they are mean on purpose. It tears our hearts apart. The most common defense we have is anger. We retaliate so the hurt will stop. Or we can exact revenge. Soon, we go from hurt to anger so fast we don't even register the hurt anymore.
I think that's unwise. To remind ourselves why we are angry can help diffuse the situation very quickly:
No, I am not angry. I am hurt. You hurt my feelings. You have chipped away a little bit of the trust that I had in you. And I am sad. And nervous that you will hurt me again. Don't do this again!
I think this conversation goes on in our heads/hearts without us realizing it. Especially after many years of difficult relationships or as we are disappointed by the people around us. As kids. As adults. It doesn't stop. And the anger becomes automatic. The anger becomes the first response, not the second.
But I think we need to acknowledge the hurt before the anger. I think we need to be honest with ourselves. And the person we are interacting with. Many people are okay with angering someone. They are taken aback when they have hurt someone. Anger implies strength. Hurt implies weakness. In all honesty, I think it takes a stronger person to admit hurt.
It is a hard habit to start. We have spent so many years ignoring the hurt and jumping right to anger. If we can slow down, analyze our feelings, realize we have been hurt, and confess that to the person that hurt us, it will slow down the escalation of many fights/discussions/debates...whatever we choose to call it.
I have read many bad romance novels and quotes about how true love doesn't hurt. It even says that in the Bible:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
But the kind of love the Bible is talking about is perfect Love. And we, as broken sinners, cannot give that kind of love. Not yet. We can continually strive towards sanctification, to be more like Jesus, so that we can offer a better love. But we won't reach this level of purity until we attain our perfect bodies in heaven.
So we have responsibilities on both ends of a confrontation. One person is to love as well as he can, striving to honor and protect the other. The offended person needs to analyze why he is offended, and keep himself from retaliating in unrighteous anger. The naming of our hurt will cause quicker reconciliation than the defense of our anger.
The question becomes this: Do I want to be right? Or do I want to win?
It is an issue I struggle with every time.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Deep Ramblings
Sorry I've been so sporadic in writing. I started this blog simply as a way to enter a photography contest, never imagining I would write stuff in it on a semi-regular basis. I like to write, but it doesn't drive me. I like to document. I like to come back to it later and read what I was doing or thinking at that time. And I suck at keeping a journal. A blog makes me feel more accountable somehow.
Anyway, the reason why I haven't written much is mainly this: I'm at the tail end of the high school volleyball season. One of the busiest I've ever had. And because I am so undisciplined, when I get home, I would rather read than write. Or watch TV or something. I really don't have time to process in writing the stuff I feel right now.
But that will change soon. Volleyball will end. My daughter will not be Student of the Week. My house will clean itself. The TV will break. The internet will crash.
And then the holidays will present themselves. At that point, I will probably just stop by and ask for Thanksgiving recipes and Christmas present ideas. Maybe post a picture or two.
It seems things are changing. I don't know if it's for the season. Or if it's for life. As much as I would like to someday be recognized for some kind of stellar literary piece, this blog exists for me. Not I for it.
Many of the blog writers I follow have stopped writing as much, too. I would love to know why. But my guess is since they are mostly moms, the school year is taking their breath away. And they have a life that transcends blog entries. And as much as I miss them, I understand all too well.
I do want to continue this, as a way to boast about God and what He has done for me. To ask for advice, to show you pictures of my girlies. But I am not driven to do it daily right now.
I hope you understand.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Comparisons
When I dress her:
When she dresses herself:
When I dress her:
When she dresses herself:
When I dress them:
When they dress themselves:
I'm not judging.
Just documenting.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I'm a Sheep
Because everyone else is doing it.
And because I don't have time to write a real post.
And because it's been a long time since I've posted anything.
Here are some Halloween pics:
After the artist rendered their ideas, the Master Cutter fleshed out their vision.
My Littlest Girl was considering turning her pumpkin into a condo for Belle.
My Indian Princess is happy with the Master Cutter's progress.
The Littlest Girl trying on a Halloween accessory.
A quick shot before they ran out the door.
This is the first year they haven't had coordinated costumes. I really wanted them to go as Dora and Boots, or a monkey and a giant banana. But Dad bought some beautiful princess dresses on a trip. My Indian Princess wouldn't be swayed.
God was gracious this Halloween. (As He is all the time.) It was almost 70 degrees when we left. About 55 when we got home. Today it snowed.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Rules to Live By
I'll start off with the ten commandments. Really. Who can top those?
The rest are my own additional rules based on observations and experience. They are completely objective and totally relate to true life. Or not:
1) Advil before caffeine. Always.
2) A four year old has to go potty at least once every four hours. No matter what she says.
3) Forget the will. Always let your kids know where you keep the extra toilet paper.
4) Walking a half mile everyday in your dress shoes to work will negatively impact your ability to wear cute shoes in the future.
5) Sunscreen. Always.
6) You're always a better parent before you have kids.
7) There are just some things you don't need to know. Period.
8) Give your kids the grace you usually save for other people's kids.
9) The best smell in the world is my husband's shirt. (OK. Not a rule. But still true.)
10) Don't buy anything off the internet after 10:00 pm. Trust me.
11) Try everything at least once. Except #10.
12) It's YOU'RE, people! YOU+ARE=YOU'RE
13) Take your camera everywhere.
14) Choose fun over vanity. Every time.
15) If you won't say it to their face, don't say it behind their back.
16) Everyone looks good in leggings. If their shirt is long enough.
17) Young people have a hard time empathizing. Old people have a hard time sympathizing.
18) Oatmeal cookies are breakfast food.
19) So is fruit pizza.
20) You don't have to do it again, but finish what you've already started.
21) Balance your own checkbook.
And there is all the wisdom I can muster up at this hour. After this week. I'm sure there are more rules. Maybe you have some I missed? Let me know.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)