It didn't really hit me that it was Christmas until at noon today when I was on my way to work I got stuck in the holiday mall/shopping traffic. It took 10 minutes just to get to the off ramp, another 5 to get off the ramp, and then 5 minutes or so to get past the mall. The only other time you see this many cars in Ashwaubenon is for a Packer Game. Weird, they actually won last night. I really don't follow football, It's just that my Grandma woke me up a little early this morning and Grandpa filled me in on the details.
While Jerad and I are technically ready for Christmas, I haven't really felt the Christmas Spirit 100% yet. Partly, it really doesn't look like Christmas outside. Secondly, I usually spend the holiday season working my butt off. Also, I'm usually able to take vacation this time of year to keep up, and this year, I'm stuck at work. Being at work is not overly bad. Secret Santa was especially fun this year; I got spoiled. I think the other part of it is that I haven't been bombarded with the religiosity of Christmas this year so far. I'm sure its coming. I feel like Advent is a little rushed this year, well actually because of the calander it is. I haven't had time to reflect this year on the "meaning of Christmas."
Christmas has meant many different things through the years to me. I'm calling this one, "Normal Christmas." As far as the forecast can tell, this is going to be the most normal Christmas I have had probably since I was 4. Despite a back-to-back line up of events, each of them is a repeat of a previously established tradition. Really, there is nothing new. No new events. Well, our Christmas Celebration a couple weeks ago is new to some, but I've been throwing a Christmas Party since I was in college. So, as I rush to get things done this year for Christmas, it seems a little draining. I'm more tired than anything else.
I do love Christmas though. Last year I had a major Christmas break through because it had been so special. For Jerad and I it really will be hard to top the magic of our first Christmas together. Though it should be equally special to have share our love in our new home as well.
I'm sure Christmas will be wonderful this year, even if I don't completely feel it yet. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed holiday! Give it your best; you just might end up loving Christmas too.
Merry Christmas
LastManOut
Friday, December 22, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
When it just doesn’t work and it isn’t going to.
I have written two notable blog entries one titled Relationship Road Blocks and the other Why We Should do Things Different. The first describes how effective communication, self evaluation, and patience can solve many “road blocks” in relationships. The second merely consists of the following phrase: "Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting change, is the very definition of insanity." I am also adding the following phrase, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
Change is the hardest thing for anyone to do, no matter who you are. You will always cling to the way things are and the past because these are the things you know and you are comfortable with. However, what you currently know and the things that you are comfortable with are so very often HARMFUL to you and others. Therefore, decisive action is needed. If something is harmful to you it is not hard for others around you to notice this. In fact, the people that care about you the most will rightly tell you about it to your face. It would be wise to pay attention as well as accept any assistance they might offer you to solve your problem.
How do you know when you’re in a situation like a relationship, job, friendship, business venture, etc. that is not working and is not going to? Anytime that the same problem keeps repeating multiple times and the proposed resolutions have not been followed, there is direct evidence that change is not going to happen. Furthermore, the current set of events will continue to happen and will continue to be more and more harmful. For example, if your significant other promises to do something, and even after multiple changes does not do it, you have but two realistic options. 1) Accept that change is not possible in the foreseeable future or 2) that you need to extradite your self from the situation and take appropriate recourse. Deciding what you will accept should be something that is a minor and relatively unimportant concession. For example, you may have to live with the fact that someone always arrives late or always leaves the kitchen a mess. These are issues involving character not trust, and as such, are not generally related to a promise that the person has made. However, if a promise has been consistently over and over again, and it is broken, the issue becomes a trust issue.
Trust, as we all know, is very important. If you cannot be trusted, you will be penalized for your actions or lack of action. If you cannot be trusted your spouse will leave you, your boss will fire you, your friends will not call you, and your customers will not come back. Everything we do is built on trust. If you continue to trust someone when all the facts of the matter clearly point to something else, and you do nothing, you will end up hurting yourself and others.
Healing from these injuries relating to mistrust, which could realistically be physical, emotional, and monetary, will take an unforeseen amount of time and resources out of your life, if not cost you your life. You owe it to yourself and everyone who loves you to remove yourself from a situation which is clearly harmful. You can’t do it for the kids, or your current customer’s, or even the money either. If it is harming you, it must stop. You are only lying to yourself if you think otherwise. In the end it will hurt these other people just as much. Time in situations of mistrust, malfeasance, and general wrong doing is of the greatest importance.
Eventually, if you do not take action to change your own life, others will take it for you. There is nothing that is worth loosing your freedom over. If you do not have your freedom, you do not have the ability to make a positive change in your life and the lives of others. People without freedom are slaves to their masters. Believe in yourself and the talents you’ve been given. Make a change today; take a leap of faith. It might be the only thing that can save you. If it just isn’t working, it’s not going to.
Change is the hardest thing for anyone to do, no matter who you are. You will always cling to the way things are and the past because these are the things you know and you are comfortable with. However, what you currently know and the things that you are comfortable with are so very often HARMFUL to you and others. Therefore, decisive action is needed. If something is harmful to you it is not hard for others around you to notice this. In fact, the people that care about you the most will rightly tell you about it to your face. It would be wise to pay attention as well as accept any assistance they might offer you to solve your problem.
How do you know when you’re in a situation like a relationship, job, friendship, business venture, etc. that is not working and is not going to? Anytime that the same problem keeps repeating multiple times and the proposed resolutions have not been followed, there is direct evidence that change is not going to happen. Furthermore, the current set of events will continue to happen and will continue to be more and more harmful. For example, if your significant other promises to do something, and even after multiple changes does not do it, you have but two realistic options. 1) Accept that change is not possible in the foreseeable future or 2) that you need to extradite your self from the situation and take appropriate recourse. Deciding what you will accept should be something that is a minor and relatively unimportant concession. For example, you may have to live with the fact that someone always arrives late or always leaves the kitchen a mess. These are issues involving character not trust, and as such, are not generally related to a promise that the person has made. However, if a promise has been consistently over and over again, and it is broken, the issue becomes a trust issue.
Trust, as we all know, is very important. If you cannot be trusted, you will be penalized for your actions or lack of action. If you cannot be trusted your spouse will leave you, your boss will fire you, your friends will not call you, and your customers will not come back. Everything we do is built on trust. If you continue to trust someone when all the facts of the matter clearly point to something else, and you do nothing, you will end up hurting yourself and others.
Healing from these injuries relating to mistrust, which could realistically be physical, emotional, and monetary, will take an unforeseen amount of time and resources out of your life, if not cost you your life. You owe it to yourself and everyone who loves you to remove yourself from a situation which is clearly harmful. You can’t do it for the kids, or your current customer’s, or even the money either. If it is harming you, it must stop. You are only lying to yourself if you think otherwise. In the end it will hurt these other people just as much. Time in situations of mistrust, malfeasance, and general wrong doing is of the greatest importance.
Eventually, if you do not take action to change your own life, others will take it for you. There is nothing that is worth loosing your freedom over. If you do not have your freedom, you do not have the ability to make a positive change in your life and the lives of others. People without freedom are slaves to their masters. Believe in yourself and the talents you’ve been given. Make a change today; take a leap of faith. It might be the only thing that can save you. If it just isn’t working, it’s not going to.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Wisconsin vs. California
I had an old lady the other day tell me that the difference between living in California and Wisconsin is that she has never had to shovel sunshine!
Friday, December 01, 2006
World Aids Day
Today Dec. 1st is marked as world Aids day. Most people are aware of the major issues that the Hiv/Aids presents. In rememberance of all the victims of this disease and their family and friends please join me in raising a prayer to these brave people.
Behind every statistic there is face. The estimated 39 million people affected world wide are so many people's mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, and loved ones. Each of these people need our help to lift up their voice, to continue researching a cure, to listen to their needs, and to place Hiv/Aids at the forefront of international discussion. World Aids Day is a time for these needs.
Contribution to fighting Hiv/Aids is often very simple. While monetary donations make vital services such as medical assitance, hospice care, and on-going research possible, solidarity is equally important. You can show your support with a red rippon, volunteering, or sharing your story so that others may better understand.
In support and prayerful rememberance,
LastManOut
Behind every statistic there is face. The estimated 39 million people affected world wide are so many people's mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, and loved ones. Each of these people need our help to lift up their voice, to continue researching a cure, to listen to their needs, and to place Hiv/Aids at the forefront of international discussion. World Aids Day is a time for these needs.
Contribution to fighting Hiv/Aids is often very simple. While monetary donations make vital services such as medical assitance, hospice care, and on-going research possible, solidarity is equally important. You can show your support with a red rippon, volunteering, or sharing your story so that others may better understand.
In support and prayerful rememberance,
LastManOut
Skinny Dipping in Georgia
An older man had owned a large farm in Georgia for many years. The property had a large pond in the back that was properly shaped for swimming. He had fixed it up nice with some picnic tables and umbrellas for shade, and he had planted a sizable peach orchard around the pond, which was bearing prize-winning fruit.
One evening the old farmer took a look at the calendar and calculated that the peaches must be about ready for picking. So he grabbed a five gallon bucket to bring back some fruit, and started walking down to the pond. As he neared the pond he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee, and as he came closer he saw that it was a bunch of young women skinny dipping in his pond.
When the women became aware of his presence they all dived under the water and swam to the deeper end of the pond. Finally, one of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!" The old gentleman answered, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked, or make you get out of the pond naked." Holding up the bucket, he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator!"
Moral: Some older men can still think fast.
This message was an email forward.
One evening the old farmer took a look at the calendar and calculated that the peaches must be about ready for picking. So he grabbed a five gallon bucket to bring back some fruit, and started walking down to the pond. As he neared the pond he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee, and as he came closer he saw that it was a bunch of young women skinny dipping in his pond.
When the women became aware of his presence they all dived under the water and swam to the deeper end of the pond. Finally, one of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!" The old gentleman answered, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked, or make you get out of the pond naked." Holding up the bucket, he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator!"
Moral: Some older men can still think fast.
This message was an email forward.
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