Challenges are God’s way of letting you know he’s got bigger plans for you. As you eclipse them you become more confident and believe you can handle the Plan. Then the Plan unfolds… sometimes making you wish you had enjoyed the challenge more. I’m excited to say that I have consistently gotten to the point where I don’t get that knot in my stomach when an obstacle pops up.
As I was relocating from Chicago to Charlotte on Tuesday, July 6… my car cut off (while driving) on the Interstate in Corbin, Kentucky. Since it was early evening, all the tow truck could do was drop my 1993 Toyota Camry at the mechanic for an overnight stay. I did my part toward helping fix the problem: I went and had a margarita.
Shortly after getting the word (on Wednesday) that my car’s motor was no good, and considering the cost in the option to replace or fix it… the electrical power went out in the area. That shut down 4 hotels, 1 gas station, 3 restaurants, 3 fast food restaurants, a movie theatre, and the phone lines. I sat and wrote, “My challenge is small in comparison. Somewhere, something else is making this AREA smaller…. Anger is not a good use of time.” Find a way to reconnect to the joy and beauty of being blessed enough to get bumped. I went and had a margarita.
Wednesday morning my high school roommate, Marvin (who lives in New Jersey) called me from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he was visiting his family. Knoxville is 85 miles from Corbin, KY. He came and picked me up that night. On Thursday his brother, Horace, used his connections to help me purchase a car at the auto auction. OK, not just a car… a 1998 Toyota Camry… for $1,500.
On Friday I got the radiator and windshield fixed, got a haircut, had a celebratory margarita, and played pool with Marvin and his 3 brothers. Saturday at 6:30am I headed back to Corbin to transfer my belongings from one Camry to the other, while the mechanic switched the wheels from the old to the new. I left him the car to sell for parts, and headed for Charlotte (once again). I’m here now awaiting the next challenge... (at least, that's my Plan....)
Meanwhile, no, I’m not promoting alcohol (nor working on a tequila sponsorship). I’m reminding you that operating within your limits is the best road to travel. When you get bumped from your path, don’t get angry or frustrated.
What do you do to activate your gift for overcoming challenges and reconnecting to your Plan?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Learning in Economic Quicksand
When you know you’re a winner
you don’t always have to see the Finish Line…
you just have to know it’s up ahead.
© 2010
Learning in Economic Quicksand
Teachers… thank you for another great school year. Students get younger each year as you get older. As you experience the GIFT of aging, you the chance to get 1 more year out of touch… OR one closer to staying in tune. Continue to see them as children, not adults.
Rewind, and see them as 3rd graders, then go down to 2nd … and 1st with patience. Keep in touch with the patience you would give 1st – 3rd grade development….
Have a wonderful “Portions of Summer,” and know that you did your best. Rejuvenate, revive and resolve to come back and be even better, as you reach one student per day.
© May 2010
Rewind, and see them as 3rd graders, then go down to 2nd … and 1st with patience. Keep in touch with the patience you would give 1st – 3rd grade development….
Have a wonderful “Portions of Summer,” and know that you did your best. Rejuvenate, revive and resolve to come back and be even better, as you reach one student per day.
© May 2010
G.I.F.T. - Grow Immeasurable Faith Today
Monday, May 24, 2010
Travelling Testimony
Let me close this story out, before the month runs out… regarding my trip to L.A.
If you’ve been keeping up with the previous episodes about the bumped flights and lost luggage, you’ll see why I decided to take an earlier return flight to Chicago, than planned. My return flight was scheduled for 10:55pm Sunday to connect in Detroit and arrive in Chicago at 8:00am Monday morning… and I had a class to teach at 9:00am. [sidebar – if I don’t teach the class, I don’t get paid. The money I get for teaching the class pays for things like airline tickets and conference registrations… I digress]
I called on Saturday night to find out that there is an additional $50 fee for booking an earlier flight, yet they cannot guarantee your seat until you’re live at the airport. They gave me the potential flights that were unfilled, yet also stated that being there 2 hours early would be a good move. Sooooo, I made that good move on Sunday morning. Got to the airport. Went to the ticket machine and booked myself standby on a new flight.
Oops, the computer said to see the Reservation Agent for my ticket. The Agent said there’s no longer such a thing as ‘standby.’ I agreed. WE looked at what the computer spit out. I calmly agreed with him and wondered aloud about my options. His computer would not give him the help he needed to resolve this conflict. He stopped and asked 3 co-workers. They were stumped as well. He went back to talk to a person in a red jacket (I think they are the captains), and came back… the computer still wouldn’t cooperate. Another co-worker mildly suggested he give up. I calmly enjoyed his tenacity….
Bottom line: he spent 45 minutes with me… booked me on a flight… waived the $50 switch fee AND the $25 luggage fee based on “… what happened on [my] incoming flight…”
Point: when you are calm enough to respect people, they FIND a way to help you… and a means to justify their help.
I wished him and the others well, and gave each of them a different Passing Thoughts acronym.
If you’ve been keeping up with the previous episodes about the bumped flights and lost luggage, you’ll see why I decided to take an earlier return flight to Chicago, than planned. My return flight was scheduled for 10:55pm Sunday to connect in Detroit and arrive in Chicago at 8:00am Monday morning… and I had a class to teach at 9:00am. [sidebar – if I don’t teach the class, I don’t get paid. The money I get for teaching the class pays for things like airline tickets and conference registrations… I digress]
I called on Saturday night to find out that there is an additional $50 fee for booking an earlier flight, yet they cannot guarantee your seat until you’re live at the airport. They gave me the potential flights that were unfilled, yet also stated that being there 2 hours early would be a good move. Sooooo, I made that good move on Sunday morning. Got to the airport. Went to the ticket machine and booked myself standby on a new flight.
Oops, the computer said to see the Reservation Agent for my ticket. The Agent said there’s no longer such a thing as ‘standby.’ I agreed. WE looked at what the computer spit out. I calmly agreed with him and wondered aloud about my options. His computer would not give him the help he needed to resolve this conflict. He stopped and asked 3 co-workers. They were stumped as well. He went back to talk to a person in a red jacket (I think they are the captains), and came back… the computer still wouldn’t cooperate. Another co-worker mildly suggested he give up. I calmly enjoyed his tenacity….
Bottom line: he spent 45 minutes with me… booked me on a flight… waived the $50 switch fee AND the $25 luggage fee based on “… what happened on [my] incoming flight…”
Point: when you are calm enough to respect people, they FIND a way to help you… and a means to justify their help.
I wished him and the others well, and gave each of them a different Passing Thoughts acronym.
Winning
When you know you’re a winner
you don’t always have to see the Finish Line…
you just have to know it’s up ahead.
Remember, winning is personal
(W.I.N. - What I Need).
As we each get our personal win,
we become a valuable member of every team.
© 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
OTHER MOTHERS
Most of the mothers I know are grown women
But for what a mother does that's no requirement
So as I define the term "Other Mothers"
Let's understand they, too, are heaven sent.
They nourish and nurture us
With words of milk and honey
They feed us hope, they show us love
And, yes, they give us money.
They've changed diapers, lost sleep, enjoyed our cooking
Sang, spoken in(coherent) tongues
Sat through plays and the list goes on and on. . .
They have "Other" names
Like Dad, Sister, Brother, Friend
Aunt, Uncle, God-parent, Cousin
Neighbor, Coach, Miss and Mister...
I'll stop while we're at a fresh dozen.
But whatever you call your O. M.
Remember what they've done
And enjoy this opportunity to make them smile.
Thank them for the love, the money
The list that went on and on. . .
Then add the other M to our dozen
And simply call them M.O.M.
© 1995 Sporty King
www.sportyking.com
Most of the mothers I know are grown women
But for what a mother does that's no requirement
So as I define the term "Other Mothers"
Let's understand they, too, are heaven sent.
They nourish and nurture us
With words of milk and honey
They feed us hope, they show us love
And, yes, they give us money.
They've changed diapers, lost sleep, enjoyed our cooking
Sang, spoken in(coherent) tongues
Sat through plays and the list goes on and on. . .
They have "Other" names
Like Dad, Sister, Brother, Friend
Aunt, Uncle, God-parent, Cousin
Neighbor, Coach, Miss and Mister...
I'll stop while we're at a fresh dozen.
But whatever you call your O. M.
Remember what they've done
And enjoy this opportunity to make them smile.
Thank them for the love, the money
The list that went on and on. . .
Then add the other M to our dozen
And simply call them M.O.M.
© 1995 Sporty King
www.sportyking.com
We have 365 (sometimes 66) days to find a reason to celebrate one another. The “acknowledgment days” are simply on the calendar to remind us of that gift and requirement. Make/keep yours a heart of celebration and appreciation for everyone in your life… everyday….
Happy Everyone Day
Friday, May 7, 2010
Defined in One Day???
moth.er (muTH'.er) n.
Yesterday someone tried to define you.
I laughed and told them you are unique.
I explained that you are at your strongest
Whenever you seem to be weak.
And that though you are my mother,
You are somebody's sister and friend.
You put on "new hats" spontaneously
You work magic again and again.
I helped them understand
that your wisdom is pure...
that your touch is comforting...
that your voice is soothing...
Oh, I went on and on...
(I hope you don't mind)
See, I'll always be your biggest fan
For you'll always be one of a kind.
Happy Mother’s (Every) Day
© 1995 Sporty King
www.sportyking.com
Yesterday someone tried to define you.
I laughed and told them you are unique.
I explained that you are at your strongest
Whenever you seem to be weak.
And that though you are my mother,
You are somebody's sister and friend.
You put on "new hats" spontaneously
You work magic again and again.
I helped them understand
that your wisdom is pure...
that your touch is comforting...
that your voice is soothing...
Oh, I went on and on...
(I hope you don't mind)
See, I'll always be your biggest fan
For you'll always be one of a kind.
Happy Mother’s (Every) Day
© 1995 Sporty King
www.sportyking.com
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