Sometimes Sweet, Sometimes Sour... Always Pickledsilly
Friday, January 26, 2007
The Resolutionaries are Coming! The Resolutionaries are Coming!
This time of year is a a time of renewed focus for many people. Lot's of new promises to ourselves and others on what we will change. Many times people start out with high hopes, but struggle with follow through when it comes down to the work. My resolutions are to be more thankful, more determined and more passionate. So.... As I see our gym packed with the new years resolutionaries, I am challenged to find reasons to stay thankful. The temptation would be to grumble because we have to wait to use the equipment we prefer. My first attempt at staying thankful for this perceived disruption was to tell myself that the temporary disruption would be fine if all the people who joined gyms in January would just stay. Gyms would then be forced to expand and buy more equipment.
Unfortunately most gym managers know that by March most of the resolutionaries will no longer be working out on a regular basis.
Die-hard work out enthusiasts actually take time away from the gym in January while they wait for the bubble of new attendees to dissipate.
Our costs as members are likely less because so many people sign up, pay and then never come.
This made me think.... When I signed up, the gym knew that there was a chance I would pay but never come. Never tax their resources in any way.
I was just donating to the cause. This made me think about the harvest of people who start as new members in churches. Their potential could be revolutionary. Many of these people donate their time talents and monies for a while and then.... They lose their resolve.
As a church we are not a location, or should not be. We hopefully are dedicated to real relationship building, discipleship that more intensely equips others.
I remember the first time I joined a gym. I had been heavy most of my life. I actually had no expectation that I would ever look good. I joined because our oldest had gained some weight, had lost some confidence and I wanted to help. Lucky me, with no training in the natural... I began to transform.
What I missed was where all positive change originates from. What I missed was how thankful I should be that I was able to change without a trainer.
I see now the potential with the resolutionaries.
They need a smile as they try to figure out what way to go.
Maybe more will stay this year than last if they have the help they need. Same thing with new members at church.
This being more thankful thing is really fun! It is going to be a wonderful new year. So much to be thankful for the more you look for it.
Our oldest did lighting at a church in the 'Boro yesterday evening. The church is really down to earth in the way they are reaching the local community. Lots of kids hanging out in what would be a coffee house for Christ. Hebrews Coffee is it's name and it is housed in Emerge, a different kind of church. Music was great. Our son had fun.
Later this week our youngest has a birthday. That same evening he gets to play with Kevin Mack of DC Talk.
This year has gotten off to a great start. It is fun to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If you really listen.....best to listen to those who have your same vision. It is amazing what you can learn from people.
You learn from their questions, how they answer questions, what they say and what they do not.
We met some defining men this last week. Dudley and Ray are friends, and partners with strong visions. Their expectations for each other and for what they will do for others is high. They dream big and then they build it. They are in fact builders of buildings by trade and builders of relationships by choice.
We liked them very much. Dudley has a daughter that he describes as well grounded and and at the same time destined to take the world by storm...a powerful combination.
Brooke Morton is an aspiring County Music Singer.
As I listened to Dudley yesterday, he talked about the importance of not listening to critics. Brooke has her plans in motion, has a great day job as a cosmetologist and he is very proud of what she has accomplished so far.
He has no doubts his daughter will go far.
In the same conversation he was talking about Kelly Pickler. He was hoping that she would find a good team of people to help her fully achieve all of her goals.
There was such wisdom in how Dudley looked at coaching and team building.
In the same conversation he was indicating that Kelly would need some people to advise her and that Brooke should not listen to critics.
As I listened to what Dudley was not saying, he had quietly proved that there is a difference between a team of people who goal is to help you grow and critics.
He lives with a wisdom of keeping people close to you that have your same visions and who if needed would offer good advise you if you need it.
He shows us that you will at some point need that covering and you should be thankful for it.
Stay away from those who do not have your vision and whose role or job it is to only find things wrong...
Do not take to heart what you hear from the critics of the world.
There were so many other entertaining moments in our visit with Dudley and Ray. These were two men who had lived through enough challenges together, that they had built a partnership that would last.
It was fun to watch them together.
They were passionate, determined and thankful men. Three qualities I hope to continue to increase in myself.
It is a cloudy day here in Nashville. I was thinking ahead to coming home this evening. I was thinking about how much I like my husband. He is so many things to me. Right then James Taylor began to sing... When you're down and troubled And you need a helping hand And nothing, whoa nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me And soon I will be there To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name, And you know wherever I am Ill come running, oh yeah baby To see you again. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, All you have to do is call And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah. You've got a friend.
If the sky above you Should turn dark and full of clouds And that old north wind should begin to blow Keep your head together and call my name out loud And soon I will be knocking upon your door. You just call out my name and you know where ever I am Ill come running to see you again. Winter, spring, summer or fall All you got to do is call And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold. They'll hurt you and desert you. Well they'll take your soul if you let them. Oh yeah, but don't you let them.
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am Ill come running to see you again. Oh babe, don't you know that, Winter spring summer or fall, Hey now, all you've got to do is call. Lord, Ill be there, yes I will. You've got a friend. You've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Such a good thing to know that your husband is also your friend. Love you honey
I believe this is the most excited I have been about the start of the new year. I have great expectations for my friends and family this year. My husband and his best friend have said for years, "This is Our Year!" I love it when they encourage one another with this age old mantra. I really do believe that this year will be a great year. I expect change this year. I know it will not all be from my decisions and some changes will be thrust upon me. And yet I am still excited. I know there will be new friends to be made and the same potential for those I love to be lost. And yet I am still excited. I have woke up the in the middle of the night several times in the last 10 days and found myself midway through dreams of change. The question I woke up with today was.. "Are you dreaming about making these changes or are you planning for how you will accomplish them?" I think that the reason I am excited, dreaming, catching visions and planning is that the changes are part of something bigger than myself. I would be tempted to be nervous about change except I really believe that there is a bigger plan and I am blessed enough to be part of it. There is elevated energy that comes from stepping into change. I have no doubt my husband and his friend will accomplish things that will far exceed my destiny. And yet I am still excited. I look forward to watching their dreams come into reality. For me, today...looking ahead After much consideration, dreams are great but I am planning how to get to end of this rainbow.
I am have been blessed with a sweet, talented, sexy husband. We have two sons that will leave a dynamic mark on the world.
We have between us four sisters and four brothers who have given us four nephews and five nieces.
We love spontanious times together, creative times filled with new concepts and most of all being there for our families when we can.
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