Petdad

I have expressed on this website before that worded statements should be stated or written with get instead of have. Here is the difference…

Today, I have to clean house. Boring! –

Today, I get to clean house. Awesome! +

There is a vast contrast in both sentences simply by changing one word. The first sentence conveys a negative connotation, a dreaded task. The second sentence indicates a first-world ‘problem’. Many people in this world don’t even have a place to live, so therefore I should be happy the opportunity is there! Framing thoughts and actions in a positive mode sets the tone for the speaker/writer, and the listener/reader.

For me, I’m just forever grateful that I opened my eyes this morning so that I get to clean house! Gratitude begins from the get-go, or so it should.

Just posted under the Art Center tab is an essay about one of my close friends, Lex. The story is a perfect testimony for the necessity of ensuring that what we hear is actually what was said.

Yes, on this day of Thanksgiving there is much more than we realize to be thankful for! Just posted under the Musings tab is a piece titled Friends Giving. It made me feel good to write, hopefully the same sentiment will be awarded to those who read it.

Yesterday morning I worked on an essay in which I was really satisfied with. Five hours later when it was finished, it posted. The story was from one of my humorous college memories while at Art Center. Six hours later I received a text from one of the essays’ referenced friends, and she let me know that my essay was not about the person I wrote about, it was her. Oh boy, talk about deflation! I immediately removed the essay from its posted location. For the most part the story’s details were correct but since the ‘main character’ was someone other than whom it centered around, then it changes to the story’s perspective need to be made.

Writing is a process, a craft, an art in itself. It is one I have consistently grown a greater appreciation for since I was a child. So it’s time for a re-write, oh well, that’s how it goes. Like any art form, even writing is a constant work in progress.

It has been an interesting 3 weeks for me. Sometimes super-charged up, and sometimes rather melancholy. I go through periods of feeling invincible. Invincible not in the literal sense, but in the figurative sense. Nothing I have done, but also everything I have done. In the afternoon hours of today, I am feeling quite finite. Because I am. Nothing that I have done, but also everything I have done. This feeling has provided somewhat of an uneasy internal mojo. I know what has made me feel like this though, and I have new tools to use in this very situation. It certainly goes beyond me however, for I am but a spec in the fabric of all that is. I have more than just words to help me, for these words reach deep within and call upon Him to shield me.

‘Another day, another dollar.’ Most of us have heard that short phrase but I have never liked it. To me it minimizes everyone and everything in one’s daily life, and that’s not at all good. Did you wake-up and open your eyes this morning? What an awesome way to start the day! What an awesome phenomenon to take full advantage of, for the day ahead. The question however is, ‘Will You take full advantage? Make your own motivational and impactful phrase as the day progresses. Then pass it on.

I have always said ‘There are some things in life that we do only once’. Just posted within the I Remember tab is a perfect example, at least for me and Irene.

I have written about this…the ‘habit’ of becoming overwhelmed by the things of life. Home life, work life, social life. We live in this age of instant information access and instant communication. While convenient, these conveniences are also a ball and chain. The phrase ‘Know When to Say When’ is far reaching. That ‘slogan’ if you will can fit into anything we do. There is a time and a place when we should and should not act upon impulse. For some that is easy, for me and for others it is a challenge.

Intensity. Intensity stems from the desire to be ‘good’, as in competent. Better than good, … perfect. Perfection is achieved in our minds through intense, consistent work. ‘If I don’t do it, no one else will.’ I can control the situation… or can I?

Control and intensity produces perfection.

It does not. While ‘control’ is relative, ‘intensity’ is inside our being, and ‘perfection’ is out of our realm.

Control + Intensity ₌ Perfection

Notice the ‘equal sign’ is not in line with the Equation. That’s because it’s not an equation, there is nothing equal about it. Therefore it is no more than an Expression, an unbalanced one at that due to the infinitesimal impossibility of Perfection.

So why cloud our brains with the impossible Expression? Such a simple statement, such a difficult statement to try and answer.

Perspective. Relative. Keep it clear. There is only one brain in our heads and while we have the ability to think logically and intelligently, we can easily cloud our brains with cyclical pondering that produces no satisfactory concrete result outside of the abstract.

Just, keep it clear.

Even when your dog gets to your beanie and eats most of it; even when the room is colder than you’d would like; even when you practice for one hour on the same piece with little progress; even when there are still many jobs to do in the house; even when you have a bad dream; even when others become upset with you; even when there is not enough time; even when your favorite television show finishes it’s season; even when your vehicle run out of gas; even when the item you wanted to purchase is sold out; even when you didn’t prepare for a rainy day; even when the music is too loud; even when you can’t remember something; even if you lose your job; even if your child becomes ill; even when bills pile up; even when the computer is running slow; even when you didn’t get enough sleep; even if you fail…

Even if.., Even when.., Even… You fill in the blank.

Remind yourself, these are all first-world problems. The glass is half-full.

There is a Bible verse that keeps popping up in my life, Romans 8:28. In essence, it says that ‘all things work together for good’. This mantra is difficult to comprehend at times, but then we are reminded of His works…right on time. A few days ago I watched a live video performance of Brandi Carlile with her new song Right On Time. I have seen that video over and over since then because it is SO powerful and moving to the soul. While I understood the song’s message, I hadn’t yet connected it’s current relevancy to my life. This morning I was granted a simple gift that came right on time. And with that gift, I am humbled and reminded of the truth in Romans 8:28.