Christmas has come and gone. The past two weeks have been a perpetual party.
Wed. Christmas Caroling
Thur. Murray Christmas in MD
Fri. NewSong Christmas Party
Sat. Final Shopping and Wrapping, watched Patton with Butch
Sun. Drive to NC, she said yes!
Mon. Christmas, Gruver Christmas
Tues. Open presents and Gruver Games
Wed. Drive to PA
Thur. NewSong Elder Staff Party
Fri. Murray Family Night
I sometimes have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming. Not only did the most amazing women in my life say she would marry me, the life I live is surrounded by amazing people. Not that any are perfect. But every where I go there are families that love me. This time of year helps me realize this all over again. And with my recent engagement, there is a new family to celebrate life with and they know how to party.
Maybe I am the only one, but often in my remembering of events I often focus on the negative. Someone asks how are you? Besides the standard line, "busy", I usually say a short "good", then move on to some thing that is not going that well. All intellectual engery is wasted on explaining the context behind why things were not perfect at this or that event.
Why is that? Why do I often give a negative commentary on a life that is not that bad? And even if it was why point out things you would improve? Why is it so easy to complain, or to tear someone down, or look for the broken parts in your day? It's almost as if we drawn lines of affinity and community around our struggles.
Maybe that's not a bad thing; community is important. My only concern is living and not remembering the parts that bring wholeness to my soul. The only reason is a lazy mind that defaults to critique before honor. If I used my intellectual energy to honor others, compliment efforts and reflect on great moments what would my conversations look like? What would a whole community of people who were like minded about this sound like?
2 comments:
Can we get an engagement story? How did it go down? You now have a fiancé, crazy!!
Things can go perfectly well and we do not take a second thought about it, other than the "oh, today was a good day." But as soon as something doesn't go our way we complain. And once one thing doesn't go our way, we exaggerate other problems and things get worse. At least, I think that's what I do. Wouldn't it be nice if we responded like that guy in that one commercial.
Boss: "Sorry, Jack, we have to move you to a smaller office."
Jack: "That's OK, I don't like wasting space anyways."
Boss: "Actually, you are being demoted."
It goes on, but you get the pciture.
Hey Ben!
We just wanted to say CONGRATS and let you know from down here in Costa Rica that we are super excited about your engagement and future marriage! From our 4 months experience, we testify that marriage is just incredible! We are thinking of you and can't wait to see you this summer. Lisandro & Michele
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