Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Amazing Kids!
These past 3 days I have had a nice laugh and been moved by kids...
Friday night I was catering a wedding. The bride was Tongan and the Groom was white. So with this mix the guests were half and half. During the start of the buffet dinner there is this loud crash. A kid dropped a china plate. I didn't think much of it at the moment, didn't know if it was a Tongan kid or white kid that dropped it.
A few minutes later I am standing by the buffet as people are getting food. Then there is this crash sound again! Another kid dropped his plate! Suddenly in front of me this white boy maybe 9 years old looks out to see who dropped the plate...then he blurts out loud to his mom "Man, is only OUR side of the family who has problems holding plates?"
It was SO funny to hear!! I laughed at this kids sincerity and concern in his voice! Another woman in line, a Tongan woman made a comment in English to another guest in line "Tongan kids know what will happen if they drop their food! " Then they started laughing.
For some reason that kid made my Friday night!
Saturday: Catering another party....there is this nice staircase and I am standing at the bottom of it. At the top there is a family. I'm watching them. The little boy maybe 4 years is standing at the top sort of blocking the way. His mom is behind him, I didn't notice what she did, but then suddenly the boy shouts out "Mom you pushed me! That's not nice!".....I looked up to see this little boy looking upset at his mom and then his mom says "No, I wasn't pushing you, I was trying to get you to move faster"
This little boy, not missing a beat...says "no you were pushing me and I'm going slow because I don't want to fall down the stairs but you almost made me".....the mom said "I'm sorry, just keep going"....the little boy was so cute he then said "Ok, just don't push people mom that's not nice"
The mom nodded then her and I made eye contact and I smiled and she said to me "kids"...it was so funny to me.....Made my Saturday night!
Sunday.......at church I am sitting in the back seats towards a door. The end of the last hymn is being sung. In the seats in front of me an elderly woman gets up, she is the one saying the closing prayer. When she stands, I notice her cane, she begins her descent to the stand, walking very slowly. The music ends. She is slowly walking up to the stand still. The room is silent. Suddenly this boy about 8 years old sitting in the back middle seats gets up and starts running towards the lady, the mom loudly whispers his name "Colton, come back here"...you can hear her. The boy stops turns around and says "mom she needs help up the stairs!"......WOW....the entire congregation hears this and suddenly you hear a collective "ahhhhh"...and we watch the boy go to the elderly lady, and grabs her arm that she isn't using the cane for and walks with her to the stand, helps her up the stand, then STANDS at the bottom to wait for her to be done. The woman says the closing prayer and everyone is still amazed at this boy, the bishopric and stake presidency (we had ward conference) are sitting with the biggest smiles on their faces watching this boy help this woman back to her seat. I look over towars the boys mom and notice she has tears coming down her face! The lady gets to her seat and boys runs back to his seat and his mom puts her arm around him. The Bishop stands to dismiss the teachers to their classrooms as normal, but first he says: "What we all just had the privilege to witness with the actions of Colton, I pray we all may be more humble and alert for our neighbors, what a great way to end our ward conference....to see Christlike action take place before our eyes"...
I admit, I had a few tears in my eyes, and I am sure every other male, young or old, sitting in the Chapel felt alittle humbled and shamed for not taking the same action as this little boy did.
WOW....Kids are amazing!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Rejuvenated!!!
WOW......I was up early today....5:10am to be exact!! I went to bed around 11pm and I knew I was really tired but didn't think I'd get a really good sleep, but I did!! I must've slept heavy and deep because I just woke right up feeling rejuvenated, energized and ready to take on the world!!!Strange...as happy as I feel right now, I have lots to do today and I'm worried that say in the next 5 hours I am going to want to take a nap!!
I've always been a morning a person, because I love to watch the Today show the first half hour of the Today show always makes me feel as though I know everything that is going on in the world news!! I usually wake up around 6 or 6:30am, diddle dally around my apartment, get a bowl of cereal and read until 7am for the Today Show....so mornings are my thing, but 5:10am??? WOW...I just don't know what to do with this extra time!!
Oh, I haven't been drinking sodas lately and for the first time since like 1990, I am actually doing it and succeeding!! I haven't had a soda now for exactly ONE WEEK today!! Congrats to myself!! Last Monday, August 11 was my last soda! I have bought juices and water and that is what my fridge is filled with. I love Apple Juice and Orange Juice are my favorites and Grape Juice comes in close too! I was so proud of myself, last night I went out to dinner and I didn't even get a soda! I succeeded!!
Anyhow, I knew if I made it one week, I would then succeed, because the first week is always the hardest, but I actually never had a desire for a soda either this week and I love it!
So, if anyone is looking to give something up....you can do it!!! Just never think about it and don't have it around you and it is so much easier!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Glass House
We've all heard the saying about those living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I got to thinking today about how many people really think about this. Sometimes I wonder if people forget their own past indiscretions, actions, behaviors, acts, etc., before they judge, condemn, or act out inconsiderately towards others?
Have you ever been around someone who gives off a bad 'vibe' or a negative feeling, even when you are in the best mood? Sometimes, I think people act 'tough' because they have so many insecurities themselves and their life is not going the way they want.
We are all flawed human beings. No one is perfect. Everyone has a past. Everyone has done things in their life they wish years later they hadn't. People get mad, people judge and hopefully people move on.
Sometimes I wonder if those that don't like "drama" are those that not knowingly create it themself or contribute to it by their own actions? Interesting thought huh?
I don't believe there is ever an acceptable reason to judge someone. I know that I've done it in the past, and as I grow older, I do believe I am getting wiser. It's strange how your outlook on life becomes more clearer and alittle less fogged as you get older.
People around us, both family and friends, make decisions we don't agree with. They, at times, tend to disappoint us. We sometimes act out, get angry, judge them or the friends they associate with and tend to ignore and shun them. Now how is this acceptable?
Earlier I was reading a friends blog on a website who was describing a disagreement she was having with her sisters husband. She treated her brother-in-law rudely and not realizing that it was affecting her own relationship with her sister, those around her and she was beginning to be seen a someone on a "high-horse".
To make a long story short, her disagreement with her sisters husband, finally boiled into a big shouting match with her own sister. For two weeks they didn't talk to each other, there was tension, other family members felt the tension, it was difficult for everyone.
Then she goes on to say...one day she was reading through her journal from before her teenage years. She said she was a "wayward" teen, the rebellious one in her family. She dabbled with things she shouldn't have that she now warns her own kids about. Anyhow, she read how she got a letter from her sister turning her most troubled times. Her sister did not judge her for her actions, did not condemn her for her less then inspiring friends, did not speak down to her nor put her off. Her sister wrote her to tell her how much she loved her and will always love her, no matter what decisions she made in her life, she was still going to be there for her. She said the one sentence that struck her was "Tonya, I want you to know I am not disappointed in you but only concerned for you"......she thought to herself "How could she not be disappointed in me? I haven't done the best things lately"....
So when she had this harsh exchange recently with her sister, she cried. She thought "How can I meddle and judge my sisters husband when I am not waking in his shoes or do I know what struggles and trials they face each day?" She said she realized she based all her anger off what she heard from other family members and this clouded her judgement.
She wrote her sister an email and brought up that letter her sister had wrote her 22 years earlier. She said she finally realized the message she said meant when she said she wasn't disappointed in her:
To quote her blog:
Heavenly Father doesn't give the message that He is disappointed. He loves, and lifts, and comforts, and extends a hand. He draws in the sand and says, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee..." John 8:10-11 He says to a woman at the well, "For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." He knew she was an adulteress and just before this revelation to her, he offered her living water. And a few verses later, reveals himself to her as the Messiah. (John 4) He did not judge, nor did he condemn, and He did not withhold blessings she needed from her.
He is not the kind of Father who tells his children negative messages. He is the type of father that will kneel by you, lift you tenderly, and lead you to your greatness.
That is the God I know. That is the God I love. If only this could be known by all who struggle, if only their heart could feel it, sense it, live and breathe it. The whole nature of difficultly would change, the entire outlook on the struggle, and the comfort that's always there could be truly felt.
Have you ever been around someone who gives off a bad 'vibe' or a negative feeling, even when you are in the best mood? Sometimes, I think people act 'tough' because they have so many insecurities themselves and their life is not going the way they want.
We are all flawed human beings. No one is perfect. Everyone has a past. Everyone has done things in their life they wish years later they hadn't. People get mad, people judge and hopefully people move on.
Sometimes I wonder if those that don't like "drama" are those that not knowingly create it themself or contribute to it by their own actions? Interesting thought huh?
I don't believe there is ever an acceptable reason to judge someone. I know that I've done it in the past, and as I grow older, I do believe I am getting wiser. It's strange how your outlook on life becomes more clearer and alittle less fogged as you get older.
People around us, both family and friends, make decisions we don't agree with. They, at times, tend to disappoint us. We sometimes act out, get angry, judge them or the friends they associate with and tend to ignore and shun them. Now how is this acceptable?
Earlier I was reading a friends blog on a website who was describing a disagreement she was having with her sisters husband. She treated her brother-in-law rudely and not realizing that it was affecting her own relationship with her sister, those around her and she was beginning to be seen a someone on a "high-horse".
To make a long story short, her disagreement with her sisters husband, finally boiled into a big shouting match with her own sister. For two weeks they didn't talk to each other, there was tension, other family members felt the tension, it was difficult for everyone.
Then she goes on to say...one day she was reading through her journal from before her teenage years. She said she was a "wayward" teen, the rebellious one in her family. She dabbled with things she shouldn't have that she now warns her own kids about. Anyhow, she read how she got a letter from her sister turning her most troubled times. Her sister did not judge her for her actions, did not condemn her for her less then inspiring friends, did not speak down to her nor put her off. Her sister wrote her to tell her how much she loved her and will always love her, no matter what decisions she made in her life, she was still going to be there for her. She said the one sentence that struck her was "Tonya, I want you to know I am not disappointed in you but only concerned for you"......she thought to herself "How could she not be disappointed in me? I haven't done the best things lately"....
So when she had this harsh exchange recently with her sister, she cried. She thought "How can I meddle and judge my sisters husband when I am not waking in his shoes or do I know what struggles and trials they face each day?" She said she realized she based all her anger off what she heard from other family members and this clouded her judgement.
She wrote her sister an email and brought up that letter her sister had wrote her 22 years earlier. She said she finally realized the message she said meant when she said she wasn't disappointed in her:
To quote her blog:
Heavenly Father doesn't give the message that He is disappointed. He loves, and lifts, and comforts, and extends a hand. He draws in the sand and says, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee..." John 8:10-11 He says to a woman at the well, "For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." He knew she was an adulteress and just before this revelation to her, he offered her living water. And a few verses later, reveals himself to her as the Messiah. (John 4) He did not judge, nor did he condemn, and He did not withhold blessings she needed from her.
He is not the kind of Father who tells his children negative messages. He is the type of father that will kneel by you, lift you tenderly, and lead you to your greatness.
That is the God I know. That is the God I love. If only this could be known by all who struggle, if only their heart could feel it, sense it, live and breathe it. The whole nature of difficultly would change, the entire outlook on the struggle, and the comfort that's always there could be truly felt.
22 years later, my sisters message to me was more pertinent then ever before, because now I understood.
Of course, her and her sister and her sisters husband made amends. My friend was humbled and said through the course of her "issues" with her sisters husband, she realized she was far from perfect and she didn't want to live in a "glass house" because glass gets scratched, fogged, dirty and you can't look out clearly through a scratched, fogged, dirty window, just as our judgements should not be clouded nor our disappointments in others be unscathed without first 'perfection" in our own lives.
So, sometimes I am moved and learn so much through others and isn't it strange that we all have almost have the same trials and lessons to learn?
My point is, if you want to be accepted for who you are, first accept others for who they are.
Friday, August 15, 2008
An Old, yet Great, Friend
So tonight I went to go see ATS perform along with There For Tomorrow...actually enjoyed my little night out....but the best part is...........
...........getting home, logging into your email and seeing a very long email from a good friend!
Let me tell you about her...her name is Kimberly....she's an old friend from like almost 20 years ago. When I lived in Washington DC she was one of the very first friends I made. She was just a newlywed then and her husband played Pro Football for some team (I can't remember..just never cared much for football back then)...anyhow, Kim was just awesome, always encouraging and just someone who lit a room up when ever she walked in. My first time ever to New York City was with her and two other friends!
When I moved from DC back to California, I stayed in touch with her for probably two years by letter and phone. She moved to Philadelphia because her husband, Jeff, was traded to the Eagles.
Somehow, as life happens, we lost touch. As days got busy, our lives took different directions, we somehow drifted apart. I never forgot her and often thought of her through the years.
Anyhow, three months ago, I was having this strong urge to find her..just really wanted to at least see how she was......So off I went on my internet search.... Last I knew was she was living in Philadelphia...so I started there....Kimberly and Jeff Sniffen.....no luck ....so I decided to keep looking for a few days here and there...then one day I came across online a newspaper article that she and Jeff were in. However the article was for South Carolina!!! What!!!...so I read the article and it was about them opening this new seafood restaurant....After trying searching in South Carolina I came to a dead end!...
Then I thought about trying to search under her maiden name...Kimberly Chase....and what do you know!!...Lots came up...but for a Kimberly and Jeff Chase.....I was alittle dumbfounded, because I knew Jeff's last name was Sniffen...anyhow, I found a phone number in Orlando, Florida for them. I was like...."if this is them and they live in Orlando, I'm about to hit a wall"...because all those days I lived in Orlando and dreaded each day, if I had friends living there at the same time it would of made all the difference!
So one night I called the number got a voice mail. Left a message. About two hours later my phone rang...IT WAS KIMBERLY!!!! OMG....talk about luck, it was awesome!! We chatted on the phone for about two hours, laughed, reminisced, caught up. It was just like 20 years ago...she told me Jeff often thought about me as well everytime he was in Southern California.......he is now an actor!! She was more bummed when she heard I lived only 15 minutes from her in Orlando those years....that was the bummer part to find out!!
So we've talked here and there since then. Her husband does alot of acting now and can't believe it...he left football after an injury, they used his money and opened up that restaurant, that didn't go well and she said they got to over $600,000 in debt because of it. They moved from South Carolina to Orlando to start over a new life. Then like a story out of book, Jeff took Kim and their son to Disney World and this guy approached him about being in a movie..he was an agent...so from there Jeff's career turned around and he has done alot of work. He just finished last week a second 15 episodes of Days of Our Lives...you can find more about him and his acting at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153779/ Oh, before I forget, Kim told me when Jeff started acting the agent suggested a stage name, so he took his wife's maiden name "Chase" and since she never liked her married last name, she was happy to drop "Sniffen"..lol...that is how I ended up finding them. She was amazed I remembered her maiden name. Honestly if I didn't I'd probably never of found her!
So back to tonight....I got this really cool email from her. She really wants to visit with me! She is offering to pay my ticket to Orlando then from there her, her husband, her best gal friend and me go to New York City. She is serious and wants to do this at the end of September or October, because Jeff starts filming some new movie in November in Los Angeles. She is ready to buy my ticket!!
Oh and get this....to rub salt in a wound. I never really told her about why I was living in Orlando until my last email to her on Sunday....she about dropped dead she said...because she saw JETT17 perform at a fundraiser in Orlando with Joey Fatone.....I remembered exactly which show that was!!! I stayed at the Lakehouse that night, because I was over the drama at the time and about to move back to California!! Can you believe how close our lives were at that time, yet they never crossed paths!!
Anyhow, I'm just on cloud nine right now, because of her email. It just feels so good to have friends that know me, accept me and don't always try to understand me--but just love me for who I am. I got to remember that!!
So do I take her and her husband up on their offer to buy me my tickets or what?? I probably won't just yet, because I got to get back in shape...seriously!! But it would be nice and I'm thinking about it strongly!!
Anyhow, if you read this blog, sorry it was long, but I just had to tell my story about Kimberly! (Oh and Kim, if you are reading this, hope I didn't embarrass you :) ...)
Smile and goodnight!!
...........getting home, logging into your email and seeing a very long email from a good friend!
Let me tell you about her...her name is Kimberly....she's an old friend from like almost 20 years ago. When I lived in Washington DC she was one of the very first friends I made. She was just a newlywed then and her husband played Pro Football for some team (I can't remember..just never cared much for football back then)...anyhow, Kim was just awesome, always encouraging and just someone who lit a room up when ever she walked in. My first time ever to New York City was with her and two other friends!
When I moved from DC back to California, I stayed in touch with her for probably two years by letter and phone. She moved to Philadelphia because her husband, Jeff, was traded to the Eagles.
Somehow, as life happens, we lost touch. As days got busy, our lives took different directions, we somehow drifted apart. I never forgot her and often thought of her through the years.
Anyhow, three months ago, I was having this strong urge to find her..just really wanted to at least see how she was......So off I went on my internet search.... Last I knew was she was living in Philadelphia...so I started there....Kimberly and Jeff Sniffen.....no luck ....so I decided to keep looking for a few days here and there...then one day I came across online a newspaper article that she and Jeff were in. However the article was for South Carolina!!! What!!!...so I read the article and it was about them opening this new seafood restaurant....After trying searching in South Carolina I came to a dead end!...
Then I thought about trying to search under her maiden name...Kimberly Chase....and what do you know!!...Lots came up...but for a Kimberly and Jeff Chase.....I was alittle dumbfounded, because I knew Jeff's last name was Sniffen...anyhow, I found a phone number in Orlando, Florida for them. I was like...."if this is them and they live in Orlando, I'm about to hit a wall"...because all those days I lived in Orlando and dreaded each day, if I had friends living there at the same time it would of made all the difference!
So one night I called the number got a voice mail. Left a message. About two hours later my phone rang...IT WAS KIMBERLY!!!! OMG....talk about luck, it was awesome!! We chatted on the phone for about two hours, laughed, reminisced, caught up. It was just like 20 years ago...she told me Jeff often thought about me as well everytime he was in Southern California.......he is now an actor!! She was more bummed when she heard I lived only 15 minutes from her in Orlando those years....that was the bummer part to find out!!
So we've talked here and there since then. Her husband does alot of acting now and can't believe it...he left football after an injury, they used his money and opened up that restaurant, that didn't go well and she said they got to over $600,000 in debt because of it. They moved from South Carolina to Orlando to start over a new life. Then like a story out of book, Jeff took Kim and their son to Disney World and this guy approached him about being in a movie..he was an agent...so from there Jeff's career turned around and he has done alot of work. He just finished last week a second 15 episodes of Days of Our Lives...you can find more about him and his acting at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153779/ Oh, before I forget, Kim told me when Jeff started acting the agent suggested a stage name, so he took his wife's maiden name "Chase" and since she never liked her married last name, she was happy to drop "Sniffen"..lol...that is how I ended up finding them. She was amazed I remembered her maiden name. Honestly if I didn't I'd probably never of found her!
So back to tonight....I got this really cool email from her. She really wants to visit with me! She is offering to pay my ticket to Orlando then from there her, her husband, her best gal friend and me go to New York City. She is serious and wants to do this at the end of September or October, because Jeff starts filming some new movie in November in Los Angeles. She is ready to buy my ticket!!
Oh and get this....to rub salt in a wound. I never really told her about why I was living in Orlando until my last email to her on Sunday....she about dropped dead she said...because she saw JETT17 perform at a fundraiser in Orlando with Joey Fatone.....I remembered exactly which show that was!!! I stayed at the Lakehouse that night, because I was over the drama at the time and about to move back to California!! Can you believe how close our lives were at that time, yet they never crossed paths!!
Anyhow, I'm just on cloud nine right now, because of her email. It just feels so good to have friends that know me, accept me and don't always try to understand me--but just love me for who I am. I got to remember that!!
So do I take her and her husband up on their offer to buy me my tickets or what?? I probably won't just yet, because I got to get back in shape...seriously!! But it would be nice and I'm thinking about it strongly!!
Anyhow, if you read this blog, sorry it was long, but I just had to tell my story about Kimberly! (Oh and Kim, if you are reading this, hope I didn't embarrass you :) ...)
Smile and goodnight!!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Spider Life
So tonight I was staring out my window as it was lightening, taking in the "awe" of nature, then I saw this spider going down my window.
I was about to smash it dead. I guess that instinct to kill it comes from habit.
But for some odd reason I was fascinated at just watching it move.
Then I started thinking what a strange yet almost peaceful life spiders live.
Spiders have no comfort. Spiders are always changing their direction. Spiders just live and deal with what works for them.
Then I realized, as humans, we basically love comfort and hate change. We humans prefer easy and simple, over brutal and functional.
At least I do most of the time.
I wonder what life would be like if we all made the decision to do what worked for us as opposed to what was easy for us.
Somehow, tonight a spider got me thinking.
I was about to smash it dead. I guess that instinct to kill it comes from habit.
But for some odd reason I was fascinated at just watching it move.
Then I started thinking what a strange yet almost peaceful life spiders live.
Spiders have no comfort. Spiders are always changing their direction. Spiders just live and deal with what works for them.
Then I realized, as humans, we basically love comfort and hate change. We humans prefer easy and simple, over brutal and functional.
At least I do most of the time.
I wonder what life would be like if we all made the decision to do what worked for us as opposed to what was easy for us.
Somehow, tonight a spider got me thinking.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
ME
So this past week has been pretty hard and burdensome on me. I won't go into details, but I'm struggling alot with forgiveness right now.
What I do know is that in this past week, I've had some great chats with "old" friends who I am finding on facebook (man I love facebook!), and one friend, he really enlightened me to thinking...
So what I've done is thrown away my pretense of perfection and have begun to embrace the flaws and follies of life, well, my life in general. I love me. I love who I am -my personality, my hopes and aspirations, everything that I can be and want to be. I am a good man. Many good things have happened to me in my life, and I believe many more good things will happen to me.
In many ways I am an optimist with jaded edges. I am a man full of conflict -both good and bad have their way with me. I wouldn't change a thing about who I am, and my struggles that have shaped who I am. When I look in the mirror now, I see a man that God has created --talented in his own rights, intelligent and full of love.
Regardless, of my faults, I am always believe I'm a good friend, concerned, helpful, loving, willing to go out of my way for others....I hope this person realizes what they are now going to miss.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Two Kinds Of People
There are two kinds of people on earth today,
Just two kinds of people no more I say.
Not the good and the bad for tis well understood,
That the good are half bad and the bad are half good.
Not the happy and sad for the swift flying years,
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears
Not the rich and the poor for to count a man's wealth,
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.
Not the humble and proud for in life's busy span,
Who puts on vain errors is not counted a man.
No! The two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift and the people who lean.
Wherever you go, you will find the world's masses
Are ever divided in just these two classes.
And strangely enough you will find too, I mean
There is only one lifter to twenty who lean.
This one question I ask, are you easing the load
Of overtaxed lifters who toll down the road?
Or are you a leaner who lets others bear
Your portion of worry and labor and care?
__Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Just two kinds of people no more I say.
Not the good and the bad for tis well understood,
That the good are half bad and the bad are half good.
Not the happy and sad for the swift flying years,
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears
Not the rich and the poor for to count a man's wealth,
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.
Not the humble and proud for in life's busy span,
Who puts on vain errors is not counted a man.
No! The two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift and the people who lean.
Wherever you go, you will find the world's masses
Are ever divided in just these two classes.
And strangely enough you will find too, I mean
There is only one lifter to twenty who lean.
This one question I ask, are you easing the load
Of overtaxed lifters who toll down the road?
Or are you a leaner who lets others bear
Your portion of worry and labor and care?
__Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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