Straight vs. Snaggletooth

If you need to justify your own or other peoples’ crooked teeth by creating a trend out of it, then you are in serious need of help. Yes, I just saw an article on MSN’s homepage (my go-to source for all the latest happenings in the world, and my homepage that I, apparently, am not allowed to change – company idiosyncrasy) that read “Are Crooked Teeth the Next Big Beauty Trend?”.  Really? So because Kate Moss has slightly crooked teeth, we all should? No. I mean, don’t get me wrong, my teeth aren’t perfect by any means. Shoot, this isn’t even about TEETH or how straight or snaggletooth you may be. It’s the principle of the matter, people.

Why do we have trends? What is a trend? Is trending the hot, new thing? Aren’t we all individuals, equally and uniquely made? Why does an imperfection need to be a trend? Are we that shallow? Are we that insecure that we have to expose our slight “flaws” (better referred to as “differences” or “character traits”) in order to make ourselves feel better?

Toddlers and Tiara’s – perfect example (ok, maybe not perfect) – those poor, little, sweet, overly shiny tots are a conformity waiting to happen. Yes, they are cute and they might have fun, but those moms are NUTS.  And yes, we might dress our kids up (for the record, no kids here!) and snap a picture or two but this show is extreme and they are exploiting these little girls to an immoral level.  They even give the girls fake teeth to put in since they are losing them left and right! Getting off my soap box now.

Where is the love? I am not perfect. My family isn’t perfect, but I love them and they love me. Don’t succumb to trends. Don’t drink coffee at Starbucks because everyone else does, do it if you like it. Don’t dress a certain way to fit in, unless that’s truly your style. Don’t eat a certain thing, like sushi, because it’s a hot topic, especially if you really hate raw fish! Don’t change yourself to fall into a trend (example – frizz out your hair just because that’s “in”). Being different and unique is what makes you, you. Those are the things, the crooked teeth, frizzy hair, curves, funny looking toes (will explain), that make you stand out above the rest. The less conforming you do, the more true to yourself you are.  I guarantee you will be ten million times happier in life, too!

Side note – yes, I have funny toes. One is shorter than the other, the “middle” toe on both feet, to be exact. Of course I get made fun of, but I don’t mind, because, to be totally honest, I love my little toe.  You should love your distinctive qualities, too!

PS - LET'S GO RANGERS!!! C'MON NOW!!!

For the Normal People

I saw this and laughed.

Do you ever feel like the old saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," just doesn't quite fit the bill? I am really trying to love it. Well, I am really trying to at least LIKE it. It being my job. The past week and the few days of this week have been fine. We have been pretty busy. That helps.

I'm normally the one who opens my mouth in meetings and can't seem to "shut up and listen" but shutting up and listening has come very easily these past few months. I usually have a lot of suggestions and honestly, I have some good ideas! However, I just haven't felt like saying much. This place will never change and if it's going to, it will be because of a few people who aren't open to suggestions and who will do it their way. I really hope I am in a holding cell. I really hope and pray for some type of answer as to why I am at this place.

Do you ever feel like that? Like you're in a holding cell? Just waiting around for 'the next big thing'? I feel like that unusually often. Too often. Patience is so incredibly cumbersome to endure. Would you agree? It's not that I want "things", I just want to have a purpose. To know what the heck is going on in my life more than 50% of the time. To know the general direction my life is going in. There are so many unknowns. Too many!

Wasn't someone supposed to warn us of this feeling? I went from wearing 100 different hats and balancing 50 different plates in high school and college, to NOTHING - diddly squat, if you will. Well, the year after college was exciting but in a very bad way, unfortunately. And sure, I can better myself by going BACK to school or studying for an exam that is 100% against me or joining a convent (extreme, I know). I just don't FEEL like those are the things I should be doing right now. However, I don't feel like I should be doing ANYTHING right now which is a really crummy feeling. I just need to go to work and be here. Here. Day in and day out. Here. That's it. Nothing exciting. You can all stop reading now.

Kidding.

But in all seriousness - doesn't reality suck??? No jokes, people. I know my parents and siblings are laughing right now because I tend to be a bit on the dramatic side, but FOR REAL! I want to juggle a plate and wear a few hats. I want to DO something. I don't want to be in this holding cell anymore. Oh dearest patience - how I loathe you - but I know somewhere, in the midst of all this that is boring, I am here for a reason, a season, a purpose, a - who knows what.

I know I am not the only one. I know I am probably going to feel like this at several moments in my life. Or, God could just hop me around from good thing to good thing and then I would never, ever be bored again. In my prayers (dreams).

Be still people!

Last night I went to a community worship service, and during that time I took a note, yes on my cell phone so it looked like I was texting, of the verse Psalm 46:10. I had forgotten about that verse! How ironic is it that Psalm 46:10 was one of the first bible verses I ever memorized? Ironic not because it’s a very short verse, give me some credit here, but because of what it says and how I am. Psalm 46:10 says –

Be still. What in the world does that mean? I can hardly sit still long enough to think about it! I don’t know how to be still. Ask anyone. The only thing I can sit through is a movie and sometimes church, but I normally have to get up and go to the bathroom at least once! But does being still mean being physically immobile? What about the cell phone ringing? The dog barking? The radio blaring? What about a broken heart? What about sadness? What about all the other distractions and thoughts one has in a day? What about the awesome Texas Ranger’s game?!

Being still is not just about being motionless, stationary. Being still is quieting our hearts and our minds, stopping whatever it is that makes us all so daggum busy, forcing ourselves to slow down, to escape from this thing we are doing day in and day out (living life). Being still is turning over our heartaches and racing thoughts over to God. That’s where the second part of the verse comes in handy.

“…And know that I am God”

Can we, the human race, conceive of how big He is? I can’t. Half the time I think I am God, that I can do it all, that when I fail it’s just the Devil trying to stop me, not God, or some other outlandish excuse to get around doing His will.

I had to stop writing for a moment believe it or not! I can’t describe God’s greatness. I can’t describe how to know God. There isn’t a book or verse that can encompass all that He is, was, and will be. We have faith in Him. We know He is there. We feel his presence….when we are still.  Readers, a few things from the past year have taught me these things and these things are all I have to offer you:

When life comes at you fast – be still and know He is God.

When you feel like letting go – be still, let Him take your hand

When it seems all is lost – be still, and know that He is everything and he will never leave you

When you’re faced with a difficult decision and know you instantly made the wrong choice – be still, He is there, comforting you

When you find yourself on your knees and have no idea what else to do but cry – be still, He is wiping your tears and healing your heart

When it seems like no one understands – be still, and know that He gets it and it was all part of His plan no matter how messed up it seems to be

When you’re blessed beyond belief, filled with happiness, surrounded by loved ones, financially stable, and living the dream – be still…understand, be thankful, and know that He is God.

In everything, at every stage of life, in all situations take ten minutes to be still…even if it means taking a bubble bath! Close your eyes, let go of all the good, bad, and ugly inside your heart and your mind, and know that He is God.  Yes, I need to take my own advice!

'Occupy' what? and Taco Salad...

Sometimes I wish I was more in tune with political party positions and the protests they seem to be hosting. This new wave of "Occupy Wall Street' protests has actually gone nationwide! I asked a coworker about them, thinking we (they) were all relatively the same, and they aren't. Tea party people want one thing and left wing people want another and all I want is for our country to go back to some sort of normalcy - whatever that is.

Union workers, teachers, CEO's, banks, Wall Street, Fortune 500 companies, etc - all want a piece of the pie. Is it not obvious that if we all gave up a little for the greater good, there would be less protesting and more partying (maybe)? It seems that the solutions to root issues our country is facing shouldn't require the entire government, full of economic geniuses and rocket scientists, to figure it out. Shoot - Dave Ramsey worked for me! I know that's an ignorant comment for all of you political guru's, BUT REALLY - the country is in debt, people are in debt, companies are going under, some are getting bailed out, and yes, it's not fair, but we have to have hope that our leaders know what they are doing. Or we all just have to hold on until the next election. But really - one man cannot change our situation. It has to be a collective effort. I'm not taking sides, just stating the obvious.

I thought this was an interesting letter - I read it on a friend's facebook wall. It's an "Official Statement from Occupy Wall Street" voted on and approved by the general assembly of protesters at Liberty Square. I cut some of it out but left the main points. It was pretty lengthy.

"Declaration of the Occupation of New York City"

"As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peacably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.

They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.

They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one's skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

....undermined the farming system through monopolization....have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals....have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.

....have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education...used outsourcing as leverage to cut workers' healthcare and pay.... have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.

They have spent millions....have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press....have declined to recall faulty products....determine economic policy....have donated large sums of money to politicians....block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil....block generic forms of medicine that could save lives in order to protect investments... covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping...

They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media... 

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power." THE END

  

What do you think? Are you going to occupy a public space now? Change your bank accounts from a Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA, or another and go to a credit union or local bank? Are you going to stand with a sign to fight injustice?

In other news - last night I made the tastiest, fanciest taco salad ever. It was a tid-bit spicy, being the weenie I am on the spice spectrum - but DELICIOUS other than that! Oh, and my Rangers won. Sad I missed the game but glad we pulled out a W (dub-ya). That's as exciting as my life gets!

Have a great weekend!!!!

"Did you pray about it?" - Accountability

A few days ago...ok maybe a week or so now... I was totally convicted when a good friend and mentor asked if I had "prayed about it". Maybe not totally convicted. Let's say more like, 'caught off guard'.  I had prayed about 'it' - at least I thought I had. Maybe I hadn't. How do I answer that question if I'm not really sure if I did or not? I know I had more like begged....pleaded....talked....complained about 'it' but I'm not 100% sure I would say I prayed about 'it'.

'It' is a project that I got involved in at the beginning of September and have been struggling with keeping it in my life or not. At first it was a way to make a little extra money, to pay off some medical bills and other small debts that were more a nuisance than burden.  'It' is something I could justify removing from my life with "it has served its purpose and now I can move on".  But, that was ME talking. I never really listened for an answer. That night I prayed about it. I think my justification was right. I think removing me from this particular 'it' situation is really what I should do.  (No, the 'it' I'm speaking of is not an illegal act or some ungodly thing.... I would just rather not blast it all over the WWW)

I've had clear signals. Maybe not flares lit up all around me, but definite signs that my time with 'it' is done. Getting out of 'it' is a whole other story. However, I am truly blessed to have been in a position to experience 'it'.  I was provided for. There was never a financial burden or worry. My needs have been met. Thanks be to God.

It's so amazing to experience the power of prayer and putting faith in God. Even our own currency reminds us to trust in God! Never have I not been able to make ends meet. Never have I been led astray in decision making. If I made a bad decision, I knew it was because 1) I didn't pray about it or 2) I ignored God's teaching and did my own thing. I know there will be more experiences like the one I am referring to and I know that all doors have not been closed. There is a time and place for everything and I am just waiting for the next sign to point me in the direction I'm supposed to be going.

Now that I think about it, this same friend has asked me if I have prayed about a few other things.... I'm glad I have that person. Accountability people! It works!

So dear readers, have you prayed about it??? Have you prayed today, this week, this month? Do you pray when life gets tough or all the time? God is your BFF - tell him stuff, what you're happy with, what you're struggling with, talk to him :)