the flow--Thnaksgiving

The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart ~ Benjamin Franklin ~  I must be a fool as I sure ate a lot at our Thanksgiving dinner.  Soooooo did you go with the flow at Thanksgiving?  I mean did you eat pie?  We had a chocolate pie, and a pumpkin pie. Oh! My! Pie!  I read in the paper, so it must be right, that 1 in 5 Americans have eaten an entire pie by themselves!  Are you one of the 5?   I hope I'm thankful for all the blessings I have.  I think I am but sometimes it's hard to analyze myself (i.e. typically, folks think they are better than what they are).  Surely you understand, don'tja?!

MildredTheWildTurkey says--Let’s be honest: sometimes it’s hard to be thankful because we are self-absorbed. It’s easy to think that our problems are more urgent and serious than other people’s. But serving others is a practical way to become more thankful and less selfish.  Reflect: If you find it difficult this year to be thankful, take time off from thinking about yourself. Instead, think of one way to serve those around you. Use it as an act of thanksgiving and praise.  SusieQ says--My thankfulness is sorta kinda an ebb and flow!

ItchieBitchie says--Run now, eat later. I'm very thankful for our family.  We have had the opportunity to be together here in Morrison, CO (i.e. three grand kids and a dog).  Well, I did it.  I ran a 5K (i.e. 3.12 miles) Thanksgiving morning at Clement Park in Littleton.  The run/walk is called The Clement Park Gobble Wobble.  I had the opportunity to run with our family (i.e. James, Chet (i.e. Mable their dog ran with him), Jessica, and I ran while Arlene and Heather walked--Heather is a runner but couldn't run soooooo sooooooon after childbirth).  Now that is something that I'm thankful for and it will be a great memory.  I guess some of you would think that's going against the flow of most families.  Maybe soooooooo and maybe not!  Surely you understand my feelings, don'tja!

Runner magazines say you got to get in the flow a.k.a. the grove.  I seem to get in the flow but my flooooooow is a slooooooooow flow.  Arlene says--erv, you gotta remember your old!  What!  I'm not old compared to some folks who are 100.  LuckieEddie says--When your memories outweigh your dreams, then you are old.  I ran my 5k in a time of  34.51.  I really don't know if I will be "really" a runner.  I'm just a half-ass runner at this point I think.  Surely some of you understand.  Hey, when I started training, I didn't know if I could run 3.12 miles.  Sooooo now I can do it but I think I should run faster. What's gong on anyway erv!  And you know what folks--no one really cares except me (i.e. it all goes for naught).  TomTheWildGobbler says--erv, take it easy on yourself "you'rejustoneoldbaldturkey", just go with the flow.  Relax a little bit!  Yabut, the slowest turkey gets his head cut off--usually!!!!!  A friend told me to just enjoy the moment and remember it.  Another friend said--Remember it's not about the time you get, it's about the time you're having.  Enjoy your time with your family. I did not see another runner my age of the approximately 600 folks in the GobbleWobble.  I thought one lady who ran by me for a little while was my age.  I said to a lady--Not many runners in our age group--she said, how old are you--65--oh, I'm 57 (i.e. ouchy ouchy--never guess a woman's age).  I tell you what--it felt good to be able to do it.  FYI James--26.45 ~ Chet--28.45 ~ Jessica--33.58

We had a most delightful Thanksgiving dinner late afternoon.  It was just plain delicious.  James and Heather invited a couple of their couplefriendsandfamiles plus a neighbor who's husband was gone for Thanksgiving.  They all brought their favorite dishes.  All the 5 adult guests were not native of CO.  They were from IL, MD, NY, NJ, and CT.  They all came for the Rockies and stayed.  JennfromNewEngland brought a creamed onion dish that was really different and good (i.e. I like onions).  She said they have that a lot in CT area.  I made a couple of my Mom's favorite salads too (i.e. they were good and also made me think of Anna).  Their neighbor, IL-Erica age 38,  actually ran in the Gobble Wobbly tooooo.  Se has been running for about a year and ran her personal best--35.57.  She was excited.

Sometimes the flow hits a snag (i.e. like the flow of the river having a ice dam).  Those snags make us wonder sometimes.  We have the choice to concentrate on the snag or be thankful for all the times the flow goes oh sooooo well.  And there will be snags in life, oh ya.  Soooooo don't be surprised when they happen.  My deceased neighbor (i.e. a guy with a good massive huge heart--a real person) responded to his wife when he was very ill after she asked him, why him--why not me?  Soooooo folks, be thankful for all the good that you experience.  And there is a lot of good to be thankful for (i.e. my opinion).  Maybe some of you think I'm too much of a Pollyanna.  While running around Clement Lake on our 5K run there is a sign that says--Pick up your dog's poop, there is no poop fairy.  Sooooo maybe we think we deserve a fairy on our side all the time.  Such is life.

EasyFlowWilma says--It's easy to go with the flow.  You don't cause any ripples, challenges, additional work, change, or advancement.  Some folks' flow is very ridged and has a very narrow range (i.e. their interest range is very small).  Changing the flow sometimes takes someone to light a fire under the satus quo!  Ya need to take a look under the hood to see what's making the flow run!  It takes some audacious folks with some mantra to change the flow that has been runnin' for ever!  Generally someone comes along who is a bundle of feistiness and has strong notions a.k.a. a renegade or an entrepreneur.  When that change in the flow happens, it's like a breadth of fresh air for some and others, it's a pain in the butt.  Sometimes it takes a Luther to play the boggy woggy in the strangest kind of way to get the adrenalin going!  That Luther can do it folks!

Surely Jesus wasn't a flowmaster now was He.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."  But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching.  He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."...But they kept shouting.  Crucify him!  Crucify him! Man, he was a real radical alright!

Flow says--Many folks who seem thankful also seem strong and humble and real (i.e. surely you know some of these folks).  They don't want their names mentioned.  As the saying goes--Fools' names like fools' faces, Are often seen in public places!  Joesixpack says--Yabut if you drink enough Coors, you can loose your thankful attitude and become a fool. Talking about drinking Coors, I was going to do the tour of their brewery when we were in Morrison for the birth of Easton.  I have done it before but thought it would be fun to do it again.  I went to their web site to get information about the tour and it read--No Troublemakers, Fakers, Phonies, or Frauds.  Certified Beer Drinkers Only!  Well, I not much of a beer drinker sooooo that makes me all of the above!  Soooooo instead, I went for a hike on Red Rock Trial (i.e. I did the Morrison Loop) just a little NW of the Red Rock Amphitheatre (i.e. I bet some of you have hiked it).  Besides, LuckieEddie says--Love and liquor can make you weak at the knees!  Surely some of you can understand that.  Such is life.

Surely some of you understand what AverageJoe is saying.  AverageJoe says--Sometimes we’re tempted to can the Christian life because it feels unrewarding. Growth seems painfully slow: the same sins tempt us, character flaws depress us, our spiritual life feels stale. We begin to wonder, “What’s the point of it all?”  During these spiritual dry spells, thanksgiving is difficult because we feel hopeless and discouraged. One of the first habits of the thankful heart is to remember—to spend time reflecting on the past and the ways in which God has been at work in our lives.  LuckieEddie says--One of the best "builderupers-of-the-mind" is to be thankful.  Thankful folks are much better off in sooooo many ways.  Soooooo train your mind to be THANKFUL even if it is hard.  Reflect: How has God changed you and challenged you over this last year? Thank God for the areas in your life that are under construction.

Last Saturday I stopped by a neighbor.  She uses my binoculars to look at the thermometer I  have in the window of our house each day to see if the heat is on.  ANYWAY She was chewing on something.  She said--I couldn't get the last half of the bar in the container sooooooo I was eating it.  Ya sure!  Surely I believe that!!!!  Actually another neighbor passed away and she was bringing some food over to the family.  She lost her husband this last year and said--Folks really don't understand the emotions of losing a mate until it happens.  We probably don't understand the flow of emotions until it happens to us. 

Just go with the flow! What movie is this from movie buffs? -- Rumack: I won't deceive you, Mr. Striker. We're running out of time. Ted Striker: Surely there must be something you can do. Rumack: I'm doing everything I can... and stop calling me Shirley! Soooooooo movie buffs, what movie is that from.

MissPerfect says--I hope your Thanksgiving pie eating stays off your thighs and butt!

Have a FUN time my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.

Forks in the road

If you do the things when you need to do them--then someday--you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.  Missperfect says--Take the right forks in the road of life folks.  Yogi Berra says--When you come to a fork in the road...Take it! LuckieEddie says--Life is complicated but it's simple! I saw the ad on TV this week for the last race of NASCAR this season.  I guess the point standing is very close and this last race will determine the winner.  The ad said--Nothing beats "First Place"!  Sooooooo there you go, ya gotta take the right fork (i.e. groove in track or be lucky and have the other guy get a flat tire) in the road to be #1 in the point standings folks. 

DuaneTheWorm says--I take the forks in the road to make myself look good (i.e. it's important to me).  They might not necessarily be the best for others but they are the best for me.  It's a diversion from reality.  I really don't care much of others; I'm just concerned about myself.  Actually folks, DuaneTheWorm affects everyone the same..he makes every one's life worse!  And what's worse, guys like that never seems to figure it out.  Know what I mean!  DuaneTheWorm isn't on the same road as most of you folks who have massive huge hearts (i.e. good real folks).  Soooooo we all need to think about the forks in the road that we are about ready to take in life. 

Arlene and I have crossed some rough waters together--like oceans it seems at times (i.e. no different than any of you)!  We get to choose our attitude about the rough waters.  That's sorta kinda like choosing the fork in the road.  Life is much more fun/productive when we play like our hair is on fire! My mentor/professor says--The past is the past but what we do in the future is what's important (i.e. in other words, move forward taking the right fork in the road).  CadillacJack says--Attitude seems to help with fork selection.  What do you think?  How is your attitude?  Does it need an attitude adjustment?  Here is a sure source of adjusting your attitude.  EXERCISE!  LuckieEddie says--Every one's thinkin' is better when they exercise.  It stimulates the mind (i.e. developes a whole different thinkin' process).  Soooooo there you go folks.  And you know what--It costs you nutten.  Now that's a deal!

Sometimes we have outrageous fortune (i.e. good and bad).  I don't like it when things don't go my way but I guess things happen that way!  Now isn't that the truth.  SusieQ says--Many times I call the "end around play" (i.e. a play around end to avoid the mess, congestion, and the masses).  Do you ever do that?  Sometimes it appears that things just fall in my lap (i.e. both good and bad).  I seem to have no control over events and stuff in my life.  That's when life gives you no choice! Stuff just happens.  It seems like it's just luck.  Jean de La Fontaine, a 17th century French poet, believed; Luck is always to blame!  GeorgeTheCrook asks--What else does life have in store for me?  Funny how life just keeps on changing, huh! Now I'm an old guy all of sudden! Life seems to go sooooo fast.  It's real life folks.

He just wrote his third book The Crooked Number.  I just finished the book of my favorite author, Nathan Jorgenson.  It's about a young MN man who goes to dental school at the U of M who loves baseball, the Twins and comes from a small MN town.  It's about family, friends, relationships, feelings, amateur baseball, sadness, fun times using many funny stories and sayings.  There is sex and some colorful language in it also sooooooo if that bothers you...!  Here is something from the book about forks in our roads--"Grant was thinking about his life the night before his surgery--Nobody knew about him or his problem.  And if they knew, they wouldn't care.  Not really.  Even his best friends would greet the news of his sickness or death with indifference, just like Carol's plane crash.  Oh, Grant Thorson died of cancer.  That's too bad, they'd say.  Then they'd shake their heads in a show of regret, and go on with their lives without him"   And here is a phrase on the lighter side from the book--Clark, the obnoxious dental professor that everyone hated, said to Grant when giving him his final grade--"There.  You're done at last," Clark sneered.  "I'll bet when I die you'll come back and piss on my grave."  "Nope," Grant started, then he made a point to stare directly into Clark's eyes.  "I took a vow that when I left this place I'd never stand in line again."  This would be a great Christmas gift for a guy in your life (i.e. my opinion--but just 'cause I like it, you might not). 

So be it! I seem to like to take the fork in the road that many others take.  The ones who have esprit de corps!  These folks seem to emerge as catalysts for great transformations.  I like to hang around with these folks.  I guess everyone gets to decide who they want to hang around with (i.e. which fork in the road we want to take).  Enthusiasm is infectious but apathy is infectious too.  ItchieBitchie seems nonplussed about this--he just doesn't get it folks!  Will he ever "getit" do you think? I have have had good things happen to me 'cause of the forks in the road I chose and I have had bad things happen to me 'cause of the forks in the road I chose and I have had some outrageous fortune (i.e. things I have had no control over both good and bad) happened to me.  This I do not understand while on this earth.  A gal of our support staff at our office some years ago (i.e. a gal with a massive huge good heart) use to say--erv, shit just happens!  His understanding I cannot fathom--God is God--And that's just the way it is.

ChancesR you want it your way!  But sometimes the fork in the road does not take you that way (i.e. not what we want but what we get).  Sometimes it's good to take the road less traveled.  Life's like traveling and traveling is like reading a book.  St. Augustine once said-- The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  Have you ever taken the wrong fork in the road?  Or are you on the wrong fork now?  If soooo, turn around immediately--like NOW!  The sooner you do the better you will be.  You will say--I can just see it now; I should have turned around earlier.  Yes I should have.  I read this on facebook what a friend wrote--I am aware that I am less than some people prefer me to be but most people are unaware that I am so much more than what they see.  Isn't that the truth, we seem not to see sooooooo much good in others and just think they took the wrong fork in the road.  Like a friend says--erv, it's none of your business what others do.  I think he is saying, erv, you just pay attention to the forks in the road for yourself and don't try to fix others.  Another friend says to me about some outrageous fortune that is happening to me--erv, you are a fixer and you can't fix this sooooo it's very hard on you.  Maybe he's is right. 

MissPerfect says--When we look back at the forks in the our lives that we were forced to take, we say "thankyouGod" for forcing me to take the one I didn't really want to. MissPerfect goes on to say--2004 was a disappointing year for me. I spent countless hours (and $1,500 I could ill afford) applying to graduate schools, only to be rejected. I wondered what good could come from such failure. Years later, it’s clear to me that God used those circumstances to answer prayers I didn’t even know I had. If I hadn’t been rejected by Notre Dame, I wouldn’t have met my husband in California. Soooooooo folks, just think about all the good that has happened to you 'cause you took a certain fork in the road.  If you would have taken the other fork, we all wonder about the miserable results that might have happened.  Is that luck or happenstance?  Na, I don't think sooooooo.  For those of you who believe in total predestination, you don't have to worry about anything now do ya!!!!!  You don't have to worry about any forks in the road of your life--it's all predestined for you.  I must admit, I think we all have decisions in deciding which fork in the road we take (i.e. that's my opinion).  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world (i.e. this was in red sooooooo...). 

Different forks in the road for different folks.  ItchieBitchie asks--Do you hear the Bible stories and parables of Jesus different than the poor folks in the third world countries?  How about if you lived 100 A.D or 500 A.D. or 1,000 A.D. or 2011 A.D.?  It might be egregious how we interpret them compared to how they were meant to be understood.  Sooooooo, maybe my chequered past might have programed me to understand them in a way which someone else might not understand (i.e. 'cause I decided to take a different fork, was forced to take a differnt fork or that fork just happened). 

I think I have read all of John Grisham's 27 books (i.e. that's pretty good for a guy who really didn't care to read until he was about 35--took a different fork in the road).  I really like his new one The Litigators.  I read it in a few sittings (i.e. I read while watching football--multi taskin').  I think it's more refreshing than some of his others--lighter (i.e. down right funny at times).  A great read (i.e. my opinion).

Turkeys must even take forks in the road.  One of our little grand daughters, Erin, sings this song--Five fat turkeys are we We slept all night in the tree When the cook came around, we couldn't be found And that is why we are here, you see Chop Four fat turkeys are we..... Three fat turkey are we..... Two fat turkeys are we..... One little turkey ran away. Ran away from home today, gobble gobble gobble gobble said he. A thanksgiving turkey I will not be. No sir e.
 
MissPerfect says--When you do what you did, you get what you got!  In some cases, it might be the forks in the road you took that resulted in the place you are today.  Soooooooooooo take the right forks folks!  Such is life. 

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--The prayer of a righteoues man is poewerful and effective.

She doesn't have to live that way...

She doesn't have to live that way but she chooses to!  Do you understand that boy?  I do I do!  Yabut my wife doesn't see it that way nor does she understand it.!  Ouchy ouchy!  "It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted"  ~Aeschylus (525-456 B.C), Greek poet and dramatist~ Arlene and I were out one day doing some fun stuff.  We were in an "trinket place" a.k.a. women's gift shoppe (i.e. a fancy one--high end stuff).  I heard three woman talking so I eve dropped as it was interesting to me what they were talking about.  They were talking about their mothers and how they live their lives.  One gal was saying that her mom lives quite frugal.  She seems to really enjoy life but doesn't spend a lot of money to make her house a fashion show.  The others commented that they couldn't understand why she would live that way.  The daughter said--She doesn't have to live that way but she chooses too!  The way these gals were dressed and talked, I don't think any of them have the same attitude.  But flip the pancake--There are many who can't understand why these gals choose to live the way they do--They don't have to live that way but choose to!  Choices and decisions we all must make.  And remember, choices and decisions have consequences.  MissPerfect says--Sometimes ugliness goes undetected!  Such is life.

Some might think her side of the moon is pretty dark!  Ouchy ouchy!  Joexixpack says--My mother-in-law, BettyLou, is glitzy, showy, egotistical, self-centered and thinks she's the Queen of the Nile.  She thinks she's  -- Dry clean only!  I bet she thinks her...doesn't stink!  She thinks she's God's gift to men!  She doesn't have to live that way but she chooses too!  I always wonder why she is that way!  Is that a learned behavior do you think or is it competition amongst her so-called friends that she thinks she's higher up the social food chain if she acts that way.  There is an image factor you know.  Some folks really buy into that.  I think women do it more than men (i.e. I see young gals put on the dog to gain an advantage).  But I know some men who think they are God, a king or the Pope too!  GeorgeTheCrook says--None of us have to live with the attitude we have, but we choose to do it.  InsecureSally with the sparkles on her shoes says--I think BettyLou's side of the moon is very bright just like mine! I like glitz and bling!  Such is life.

CadillacJack says--I'm jealous sometimes.  Ya, I'm human. I get jealous sometimes but...after I sleep on it...!  We could afford to have a more expensive house, more expensive car, better golf clubs, better remodeled interior house design, better and fancier clothes, better food but we chose not too.  ItchieBitchie says--Why in the world would you chose not too?  I don't get it.  Well, ItchieBitchie, if you don't get it, I would be wasting my time telling you!  MissPerfect says--My mom could afford a much better house, of course, but that's where her family has always lived.  She feels very comfortable in her surroundings.  She doesn't crave to have something more glamorous!  Some of you think that her attitude is asinine and stupid.  For those of  you who think that, you really don't understand her mentality, do ya.  If you don't get it, I would be wasting my time telling you! 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--But because of the Pharisees, they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.  Huh, interesting.  They didn't have to live their lives that way but chose to.  Such is life.

She doesn't have to live that way but she chooses to!  Yes she does.  In our current economical challenging times, many folks have concerns about their financial future.  My big sister (i.e. not bigger in size but bigger in age--she always wants me to say that--with a huge massive good heart sent me some stuff that is called "You're worth more than your balance sheet".  As she says--you write a lot about money.  Here are some excerpts--God, now that this is happening to me, will you stay with me, help me to see myself as a whole worthy and lovable person?  Will you help me get up each day with a sense of gratitude for what I have.--Interestingly, feeling compassion for others is the most reliable way to increase our own self worth--Don't confuse "net worth" with "self worth"--Often, our most important long-term investment has been with our partners, children and friends--Can you thank God for what you have and seek ways to help those who have less?  Those thoughts are not like inventing penicillin or something folks (i.e. they have been around for many years but...)  Sooooooooo folks, I guess we have choices and decisions.  And choices and decisions have consequences!!!! Oh ya!   LuckieEddie says--Sheep run with sheep and wolfs run with wolfs!  Such is life.

My little sister (i.e. by age and not by size -- but she is littler than me) has been an inspiration to me.  She called recently and was wondering how my training is going.  She is, I think 60, started running 3 years ago and runs 3 miles about 5 days a week (i.e. I'm really proud of her).  She is tough and nice with a good heart (i.e. a good combination).  She is a retired teacher.  ANYWAY we talked about children in elementary who are shy, little, not contentious, polite, quiet, with an inner sense of goodness.  These are usually not the loud, arrogant, obnoxious, or cocky ones.  You know who we are talking about.  These will be the ones who will be the successful folks most often when they blossom.  You can just pick them out even at that age.  Not always but many times.  They are not always the biggest, most aggressive, or the pushiest.  They seem to have that inner confidence.  Those thoughts are not like inventing penicillin or something folks--it's always been that way. 

I was visiting with my 84 year old friend the other day.  On her muted TV was the highlights of the World Series game.  Her late husband was a big Cardinal fan.  She reminded me that she watched a lot of Cardinal games with him.  Sooooo do you watch football--no, he, being her late husband, never would teach me about the game of football; I always worked during those games while he watched them.  I said--Now there's a smart man not teaching you about football so you worked all the time!   He manipulated you and you didn't even know it!  She just laughed and laughed!  She didn't have to work but she chooses to do that.  Why, 'cause she would do anything and everything for her hubby.  She didn't have tooooo live that way but she choose toooooooooo!  Well flip the pancake.  My friend is 180 degrees different than BigHeadTille.  Oh ya!  AverageJoe says this about his sister-in-law BigHeadTille--If you bought her for what she's worth and sell her for what she thinks she's worth, you'd make a whale of a deal.  Such is life.

They don't have to live that way but choose too!   Bud Wilkinson, former coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, once was asked if he thought football was a positive influence on Americans to become physically fit. He responded:  "In football, you have 60,000 fans in the stands in desperate need of exercise, watching twenty-two players on the field in desperate need of rest."  Exercise is the #1 controllable factor of health.  Get out of the stands and onto some type of field. Move your body!  Throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch and do something.  SusieQ says--Be a winner--Winner winner chicken dinner!  Joesixpack asks--Does runnin' late count as exercise?!

CadillacJack says--I constantly need brownie points! I think Sigmund Freud or some other dream expert needs to explain the meaning of all this to him. SusieQ says, I think it will take someone even smarter than Sigmund Freud to figure out my friend CadillacJack! He's off the charts. CadillacJack thinks--Life is what your drive. It really doesn't matter, life will go on and he won't ever catch on (i.e. it will go right over his head).

Joesixpack asks--Do you live beneath your means or above your means?  Greed and comparison are friends and both are good for the economy (i.e. they are ruthless and effective).  It's easy today with ebay and the alike.  All a person has to do is click and your wish is fulfilled!  But folks, sometimes it best that some things just remain dreams!  It's sometimes better that way instead of getting in over your head when you have to be a Houdini to get out of your mess, you know.  That's life folks.  LucikieEddie says--Just beware of living your life for the thrills and missing the real meat (i.e. center cut).  We don't have to live our lives that way but we choose to!  Oh ya!

They didn't have to live that way but chose to.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half of banana on it--Everything they do is done for men to see:  They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi' (i.e. this was in red).  It sounds to me like they were puffin' themselves up!  What do you think? 

James didn't have to but chose to.  The first Saturday of each month, Home Depot has a kids' workshop.  They build neat little things.  James and Erin go quite often. There seems to be many things that we don't have to do but choose to do now isn't there.  I had the opportunity to go along last Saturday.  It was interesting.  Sooooo on the way back from CO, we had the opportunity to take care of little Charlie on Monday as her day care provider was not working that day.  It was really a lot of fun (i.e. spoiled her rotten).  ANYWAY we got to go with Chet, Jessica and Charlie to her swimming lesson at the Y after work.  They don't have to do this but choose to.  They work hard and are busy.  It probably would be easier not to do it but they choose to.  Such is life.

We all choose how we live our lives now don't we.  A friend responded about the comment I made last week--It isn't if we win or loose but how we play the game.  He says--Winning in very important--that is why we keep score, keep the time etc.  I have started to watch many of the "all time funniest" movies.  Here is a quote from the one I watched in CO--Bernie Focker: It's not about winning or losing. It's about passion. You know what I mean, Jack. Jack Byrnes: Not really, Bernard. I think personal competitive drive is the essential key that makes America what it is today. Bernie Focker: Well, whatever works. Sooo do you know what movie that is from and have you watched it?  LuckieEddie says--Passion helps keep you young, in both mind and body. It usually shows on the outside when you have passion on the inside about something good. To be able to do something each day that you are passionate about is a blessing beyond price. It is like being paid to play.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans.

erv

MyFriendJean says--Love and kindness are never wasted.  They always make a difference.

Bonus coverage if you have time--We choose how we think now don't we!  Do we judge others by the way they look?  Watch this short video--This is like canded camera The producers of this beer commercial borrowed a small, 150-seat cinema playing a popular film, and filled 148 of it's seats with rough-looking, tattooed bikers, leaving only two free seats in the middle of the theater. They then allowed theater management to sell tickets for the last pair of tickets to several young couples.  What would you do? Watch till the end ..... http://www.theinspiration.com/2011/09/carlsberg-stunt-in-cinema/

It does matter...

A baby is God's opinion that life should go on. ~Carl Sandburg~  New life and a new race of life.  Our son-in-law, James and our daughter Heather have a new son, Easton James (i.e. he's a keeper).  We are in Morrison, CO helping and celebrating new life.  He is off and running the race if he knows it or not.  If I could give every child something, I think it would be confidence with humility (i.e. other than a saving relationship with Jesus).  Not cocky confidence but confidence with humility.  I really think it makes life sooooooooo much easier.  Sooooo how does little Easton James Woodworth get confidence with humility.  I can't send it in the mail.  I can't buy it for him off ebay.  I can't expect his friends to give it to him.  Soooooo how will he get it?  Probably by his parents, grandparents, church, teachers, coaches, and the rest of his network (i.e. he will be programed by somebody) or some other way.  It will be important how Easton James is programed to how he runs the race of life.  Programming does matter no matter what you think!  What do you think?! At church a few Sundays ago, I had a business man say to me--I don't care at all what others think!  Woooooooo!  I think he said it meaning--I'm sooooooo important and know more than everyone else and what others think is below me.  Ouchy ouchy--that's confidence with cockiness!  I asked a few friends why they are confident.  Here are their responses--born with it, was just plain lucky, knowledge, growing up with it, promises of Jesus, ability to learn, just happened, 'cause of my father and then I made a choice maybe, success, positive attitude, experiences, being empowered, affirmation by many people, encouragers in my life,  positive memories, and "I don't really know". "Maybe it was just expected from my parents. Maybe we were given opportunities to succeed". Some folks told me that they aren't always confident.  There are certain areas and certain times that they aren't confident.  What about you?  "To be, or not to be,--that is the question:--whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?"  ~  Shakespeare

I took this picture on I-80 in the middle of Nebraska.  It wasn't tooooo many years ago Heather was like the gal in the picture.  She wasn't Tahoe Bound but Denver Bound.  Now she has a husband, a couple of kids, house payments, car payments and work.  It's called the race of life.  It does matter how she handles all those areas of her life.  Yes it does.  BUT she has great opportunities.  She is very fortunate (i.e. my opinion). 

It doesn't matter...!  What you think doesn't matter, just do it anyway (e.g. it's cold and dark outside and I don't want to go exercise).  It does matter--throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch and do it (i.e. a guy has to be relentless persistant)!  Here is stuff from the book I read about running--I'm warning you, some of you won't like what I'm about to write--those of you who don't have self-discipline, don't like motivation and those of you who would rather not look at reality probably will find this unpleasant so....  This stuff does matter, here it is (i.e. this stuff is proven stuff--it's not if it works, it does work).   Ideas from the book The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer by Whitsett, Dolgener, and Kole--Your mind does influence your experience in profound ways and it does so all day, every day. -- What you believe is what you’ll be. I believe I am in control of the events in my life. -- Realty is not a “one and for all" thing. It’s something that we constantly recreate through our beliefs and behaviors. Change your thoughts or actions and you change your reality. -- Focusing on the Positive; “…”But it doesn’t matter.” When you catch yourself thinking something negative say “ but it doesn’t matter"! (e.g. I’m tooooo tired—it doesn’t matter, do it anyway). That’s attitude. -- Talk to myself. I can do this. Yes I can and I will! My body will react to my mind. -- Have fun! I have chosen to do this. I don’t have to do this but I want to. I'm fortunate to be able to do this. I want to do this. Sooooo relax and enjoy. It’s an attitude.  JoeBow says--run the race, you can do it.  Yes you can.

Do confident children most often have confident parents, mentors or a good examples?  I think sooooo!  If a parent is not confident and not positive, there is probably a much higher probability that the children will not be confident and will be negative. Not always, there are exceptions and those exceptions are really champions--I know some of these champions.  GeorgeTheCrook says--The prize doesn't always go to the most deserving--some of these champions who are confident and positive win the horse race.  Oh ya.  My hat really goes off to these kind of folks.  BUT I really do think that children who are raised in a positive, confident environment have a huge massive advantage (i.e. my opinion).

ItchieBitchie says--It doesn't matter!  What?  You know better than that, don'tcha?  Everybody worships something or someone. Whether it is a hero, possessions, success, pleasure, a political cause, a carved idol or oneself, the way we live and behave makes evident the things we love and give ourselves to.  Saturday question--Who or what do you worship?  I read it in the paper soooooo it must be right--Folks spend their money on their passion!  Sooooooooo what makes a good point guard, a good quarterback, a good leader, a good parent, a good CEO, a good employee, a good family leader, etc.?  And the answer is--A person with a lot of confidence but humble.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist  in the abundance of his possessions (i.e. it was in red).  Huh, interesting.  Yabut ItchieBitchie says--The world measures success by how much stuff you have!  Such is life. 

Listen up:  Hold your horses!  WildWilly says--Saying it never happened or it will never happen is being an idiot (i.e. getting caught up in the horse race of being important, having more money, having more power, being the biggest McDreamer, etc.)!  It's a horse race to the finish.  MissPerfect says--Who ever can talk the fastest and loudest wins the race! You really think so MissPerfect?  AverageJoe says--Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.  Yabut not everyone can win the horse race.  GeorgeTheCrook says--We can't all play a winning game...Some one is sure to lose. Yet we can play so that our name No one may dare accuse; For when the Master Referee Scores against our name, It won't be whether we've won or lost, But how we've played the game.  Talk about winning the horse race--When Dan Wheldon go killed in the firey crash in Las Vegas racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at about 220 miles an hour, a fellow driver, Darlo Franchitti said this--We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships, and that's what we love to do, what we live for. LuckieEddies says--Everyone loves a winner!  Soooooooo in many circles of our social world, winning does make a difference (i.e. very important). 

Peakin' out at the right times does matter.  Oh ya.  I was talking to our high school football coach recently and he hopes the team peaks out during the playoffs (i.e. hope we didn't peak out tooooo early).  Have you peaked out yet?  To win the race ya gotta peak out at the right time. TheWackoKid has said for many years--It's who ends up the most toys is the winner of the horse race (i.e. the prime cut). The most toys is like money in the bank! Yabut, a favorite saying of a friend is--When the gonger gongs.....there is only one thing that will matter. And I bet it isn't who has the most toys or money! What do you think?

The race I'm running is pretty exciting.  I have speed bumps and detours and canyons and mountains and special times and special beauty.  I'm probably not much different than any of you.  It appears it makes a huge massive difference on my attitude of life, my relationship with God, the folks I'm around, etc.  And you know what, I can't control some of the stuff that happens to me but I can control my attitude as to how I react to it (i.e. the race of life will continue).  That is my decision and decisions have consequences. 

Here are some kids from church who we like.  These are good kids 'cause maybe they have good parents.  These kids have a huge massive start-up advantage.  Yes they do.  They have parents who love them, care for them, and spend time with them.  It's like they have a head start in the race of life.  It does matter.  That's my opinion.  Our little Erin sang this Halloween song to us many times this last week--Three little pumpkins sittin' on a fence.  Witch come riddin' by AhHa AhHa AhHa!  I'll take you and make a pumpkin pie.  Ah Ha!  She's the little 4-year old who told me where to turn in Littleton to get to McDonalds for ice cream!!! 

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. ~  Abraham Lincoln

PS Bonus Coverage at no additional cost--This video is about 17 minutes sent to me by a freind.  It's about the American Race.  Many of you won't have time to watch it--It's the Americal Race folks.  It's quite revealing about the American Race.  http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_wilkinson.html#.Tq8Z2Llfnt0.email
Isn't there a song that goes something like this--Now the race is on and here comes pride up the backstretch
Heartaches are going to the inside My tears are holding back they're tryin' not to fall...The race is on and it looks like heartaches and the winner loses all