Lesson #37 - You pile on your own pressure.
I got to spend time with my dad yesterday. Just him and me. It's rare, because of where we both live and the time we get to visit. I love those times! Even if it's a trip to the appliance store and Home Depot, like yesterday, it's treasured time.
I was lamenting the fact that I feel, yet again, overwhelmed. Too much to do, too little time and energy to do it. That's when my dad gently reminded me that we tend to pile on our own pressures. We have a habit of thinking that we need to do more, all of the time, to make our lives better. Could it be, in fact, that by doing less we're doing more for ourselves?
It's that precarious balance between doing what you need to do with what you want to do. Sometimes the things we need to do outweigh the things we want to do ten to one, but it always seems like it's then that I add more things I want to do. Trying to compensate, I guess.
I pile on my own pressures to the point of overflowing. I've got to stop doing that. Thanks for helping me see that, Dad.
I love you!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Lesson #36
Lesson #36 - Plan.
There's a lot of planning when my dad takes on a new venture. Sure, I get my impulsivity from him, but he's a much better planner and thinker. I tend to jump right in and then stop and think, "Holy moly. What did I get myself into now?!" Seriously. I do that all the time.
Apparently, this is a lesson I haven't learned. But at least I know it's there!
So, back to my dad. He is amazingly business savy. His new venture, Your Greatest Protection, has taken off at an amazing pace. I'm not surprised.
He plans, he thinks about things and then he jumps in. (Unless he's buying a Corvette. There's a whole other lesson with that one!)
I know I should plan better, but I'm glad to have the constant reminder. Thanks, Dad, for giving me that. You're an inspiration. And I mean that in a good way. =)
I love you!
P.S. - Feel better!
There's a lot of planning when my dad takes on a new venture. Sure, I get my impulsivity from him, but he's a much better planner and thinker. I tend to jump right in and then stop and think, "Holy moly. What did I get myself into now?!" Seriously. I do that all the time.
Apparently, this is a lesson I haven't learned. But at least I know it's there!
So, back to my dad. He is amazingly business savy. His new venture, Your Greatest Protection, has taken off at an amazing pace. I'm not surprised.
He plans, he thinks about things and then he jumps in. (Unless he's buying a Corvette. There's a whole other lesson with that one!)
I know I should plan better, but I'm glad to have the constant reminder. Thanks, Dad, for giving me that. You're an inspiration. And I mean that in a good way. =)
I love you!
P.S. - Feel better!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Lesson #35
Lesson #35 - Try Something New
My dad is the king of trying new things. From flying a plane to scuba diving to starting a business, he does it. And he does it with great success.
THAT is a great lesson and a GREAT example.
Thanks, Dad!
I love you!
My dad is the king of trying new things. From flying a plane to scuba diving to starting a business, he does it. And he does it with great success.
THAT is a great lesson and a GREAT example.
Thanks, Dad!
I love you!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Lesson #34
Lesson #34 - Gag gifts are the best.
First let me start with the disclaimer that I don't want this post to be misinterpreted. I love real presents, but boy, is it fun to laugh.
This trait for finding the humor in gag gifts runs strong and deep in my family tree. A prime example of this was for my father's birthday a few weeks ago. Unbenownest to me, my mother and I were plotting for the very same purpose. Her gift to him? A helmet and Speed Racer t-shirt poking fun at his obsession, er, enjoyment of the Wii. Our present? A Wii survival pack...picked out by the boys and I on a shopping trip. There were Wasabi Cashews for energy (because, as the boys said, "Poppop, likes his nuts hot."), a box of tissues to wipe his tears when Mommom beat him, a personal fan to cool himself down, a water bottle cooler to keep his beverages cold, and band aids for his blisters.
Then there was the Christmas that my oldest niece (my brother's daughter) gave us all fake lottery tickets. Yeah. Funny kid. Let's just say, we were a bit upset...impressed with her sick sense of humor, but disappointed nonetheless. I'm still trying to figure out how to get her back.
Then there was the Christmas my kids got my brother bright orange underwear. Slightly disturbing, but they howl with laughter every time they think about it. Sick kids.
So, to both of my parents, who so firmly implanted this genetic need to give wacky gifts, thanks. Because truly, those are the ones we still laugh about and bring up time and time again.
I love you both!
First let me start with the disclaimer that I don't want this post to be misinterpreted. I love real presents, but boy, is it fun to laugh.
This trait for finding the humor in gag gifts runs strong and deep in my family tree. A prime example of this was for my father's birthday a few weeks ago. Unbenownest to me, my mother and I were plotting for the very same purpose. Her gift to him? A helmet and Speed Racer t-shirt poking fun at his obsession, er, enjoyment of the Wii. Our present? A Wii survival pack...picked out by the boys and I on a shopping trip. There were Wasabi Cashews for energy (because, as the boys said, "Poppop, likes his nuts hot."), a box of tissues to wipe his tears when Mommom beat him, a personal fan to cool himself down, a water bottle cooler to keep his beverages cold, and band aids for his blisters.
Then there was the Christmas that my oldest niece (my brother's daughter) gave us all fake lottery tickets. Yeah. Funny kid. Let's just say, we were a bit upset...impressed with her sick sense of humor, but disappointed nonetheless. I'm still trying to figure out how to get her back.
Then there was the Christmas my kids got my brother bright orange underwear. Slightly disturbing, but they howl with laughter every time they think about it. Sick kids.
So, to both of my parents, who so firmly implanted this genetic need to give wacky gifts, thanks. Because truly, those are the ones we still laugh about and bring up time and time again.
I love you both!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Lesson #33
Lesson #33 - Families look alike.
My mom purses her lips like her mother did. My dad and his sister could pass for twins. My brother looks just like my dad did at his age. I look just like my mom when I straighten my hair.
Of course, in one picture of me that I saw this weekend, I also resembled a Chucky doll when I was about 2 years old. So, maybe this lesson should be taken with a grain of salt. (No comments from the peanut gallery, please.)
It's comforting to know that we resemble the people we came from and that those who come after us will carry a little bit of us with them. Because in my dad I see his mom and in my mom I see her dad. And in me, I see both of them. And that's a good thing.
Thanks, Mom & Dad. =)
I love you both!
My mom purses her lips like her mother did. My dad and his sister could pass for twins. My brother looks just like my dad did at his age. I look just like my mom when I straighten my hair.
Of course, in one picture of me that I saw this weekend, I also resembled a Chucky doll when I was about 2 years old. So, maybe this lesson should be taken with a grain of salt. (No comments from the peanut gallery, please.)
It's comforting to know that we resemble the people we came from and that those who come after us will carry a little bit of us with them. Because in my dad I see his mom and in my mom I see her dad. And in me, I see both of them. And that's a good thing.
Thanks, Mom & Dad. =)
I love you both!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Lesson #32
Lesson #32 - Compassion goes a long way.
While cleaning this weekend we came across a letter that had been sent to my dad after he'd been in a car accident while in pursuit of another vehicle. It was written be a woman who he had helped the week before when her vehicle was almost stolen. The woman wrote how she had just been about to write to the police department commending my dad for the compassion, kindness and professionalism he displayed when assisting her when she saw news of his accident in the newspaper. She wished him a speedy recovery, but it was more than that that made the letter special.
It was a lesson about how being compassionate can truly make things better, and in this case feel safer, in any situation. The genuine heartfelt gratitude that you could feel coming from this 30 year old letter was as real as if the siutation had happened just yesterday. It was a great reminder about how great my dad is, and how wonderful he is at providing calm in the midst of chaos.
So, to the woman who wrote the letter...thank you!
I love you, Mom & Dad!
While cleaning this weekend we came across a letter that had been sent to my dad after he'd been in a car accident while in pursuit of another vehicle. It was written be a woman who he had helped the week before when her vehicle was almost stolen. The woman wrote how she had just been about to write to the police department commending my dad for the compassion, kindness and professionalism he displayed when assisting her when she saw news of his accident in the newspaper. She wished him a speedy recovery, but it was more than that that made the letter special.
It was a lesson about how being compassionate can truly make things better, and in this case feel safer, in any situation. The genuine heartfelt gratitude that you could feel coming from this 30 year old letter was as real as if the siutation had happened just yesterday. It was a great reminder about how great my dad is, and how wonderful he is at providing calm in the midst of chaos.
So, to the woman who wrote the letter...thank you!
I love you, Mom & Dad!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Lesson #31
Lesson #31 - Being a pack rat runs in the family.
Really, this is a lesson from my mom. While cleaning out the crawl space of the house where we grew up, I discovered that I tend to hang onto things....just like my mom.
There was the Michael Jackson pin from way back when he was black, the Easter Bunny Smurfette, and just about every paper I had ever written in college and high school. In my mom's boxes were the cards from their wedding (with gift value amounts penciled in), a feather doll (now complete with mouse droppings) and just about every trinket my brother and I ever made for her. Obviously, hers had more sentimental value than the Michael Jackson pin, but overall, we're both afflicted with a touch of pack-ratness.
So, the lesson was more of one that I'm not alone in my compulsion to "save things". Thanks, Mom. I feel better. =)
I love you both!
Really, this is a lesson from my mom. While cleaning out the crawl space of the house where we grew up, I discovered that I tend to hang onto things....just like my mom.
There was the Michael Jackson pin from way back when he was black, the Easter Bunny Smurfette, and just about every paper I had ever written in college and high school. In my mom's boxes were the cards from their wedding (with gift value amounts penciled in), a feather doll (now complete with mouse droppings) and just about every trinket my brother and I ever made for her. Obviously, hers had more sentimental value than the Michael Jackson pin, but overall, we're both afflicted with a touch of pack-ratness.
So, the lesson was more of one that I'm not alone in my compulsion to "save things". Thanks, Mom. I feel better. =)
I love you both!
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