opportunity

Some of you folks might think this “It’s Saturday” is some kind of propaganda ploy; if you do, I suggest you do your own independent study. Ya got to remember that I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  But take this into consideration—What I say might be the same as what you think but just different!  Recently I had breakfast with a friend and our waitress asked me what I wanted—I would like a couple of eggs easy over—you mean over easy—is there a difference—no, they are the same—ok, I will have one of each then—that will work! JakeSmart says—erv, it’s only semantics.

Some long time family friends came to see Arlene the other day (i.e. they are really neat gals—have good hearts).  I learned something from all of them.  One told me it is ok to lie in some circumstances (i.e. be fakey). Another one taught me that it is ok to sit in your pjs, drink coffee and read a book in the morning.  The third taught me a lot, maybe the smartest of all, didn’t say anything! I told them I had to go for a run as I think Arlene interacts better when I’m not around.  I told them that our home care provider said—erv, that is because you talk sooooo much! “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Now if I can only learn from those opportunities!   

I have said this sooo many times—I pray for opportunities, I pray that I can recognize them, and I pray that I have the courage to act on them.  SusieQ (i.e. a cut above the rest) says—Most times when an opportunity comes and if not acted on, it will never come again. A friend says—Problems are just opportunities.  You believe that?  That is what I thought.  I tell you what, being in my business for 34 years, that is all I did—I helped solve problems for folks which were opportunities for me.  No question. We had soooo many such great clients (i.e. many were you guys); yes we did.  Just think about it folks, solving problems is really what we all do every day (i.e. that is life).  ItchieBitchie says—You can look at problems as problems or opportunities. I guess that could be a decision we all have to make. 

AverageJoe says—YaBut, I can’t do many things good soooo I don’t do any; I just let others do them.  AverageJoe, I think (i.e. my opinion) that it is better to do something instead of nuttin.  If we do nuttin that is just what we are, a nuttin!  A friend says—erv, you step up to bat, but I don't think you know where the plate is, or which end to hold the bat but you keep swingin’ away. I have this saying on the wall by my desk (i.e. CrazyMarvin says—erv, that saying is way toooo optimistic—I prefer to sit on the couch and eat chips—it’s a lot easier and I gain something from it). 

In sports, we hear stuff like we had the bases loaded with no outs and couldn’t score; we missed an opportunity.  Or we had the ball on the 4-yard line and with a first down and couldn’t score; we missed an opportunity.  Saturday question—Have you ever missed an opportunity? It’s a multiple-choice question—A. No B. Yes C. Da! Does it upset you when you miss an opportunity? Are you jealous when others jump on an opportunity and you don’t? Does it seem like others get more breaks? Yabut maybe they take more risk than you do? Does it appear that some folks can evaluate opportunities better? Are some folks given more opportunities than others? Do some folks get around great folks that present opportunities? Do some folks put themselves in a position to have more opportunities than others? Does timing have anything to do with opportunities? Have some folks had great opportunities but really messed them up?  A lot of question and not many answers (i.e. that is pretty normal in life)!  Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Like Miriam, we have our share of difficulty and danger; but a thankful spirit keeps us praising Him who makes a way when there seems to be no way. From childhood to old age, we should sing our thanksgivings to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! OneSmartPerson said--True thanksgiving is not a selfish emotion gratified by prosperity, but a vital grace in the soul, existing independent of circumstances.  You believe that?  Or is that just something you say before you eat turkey and pumpkin pie? 

WorldClassLarry says--Giving thanks to God (i.e. for that matter, giving thanks to anyone) is an opportunity!  Yes it is.  Think about it.  When we give thanks, it stimulates our minds in a good way and it stimulates the mind of others in a good way (i.e. a win-win).  No question.  Soooo why are we not thankful more?  Many reasons I would suspect (i.e. all of us might have somewhat different reasons developed by our past environment (i.e. some are practical, and others are emotional, and others are selfish, and some are egotistical, and some are “God only knows”)!  I have said this before and I do realize that some of you do it but I would like you to try it (i.e. you don’t have to believe in God to do this either) go to Dollar General and for a buck get a little notebook and write down what you are thankful for, maybe every day, couple times a week or when you just feel like it.  It will make you feel way better (i.e. no one needs to know you are doing this).  Only a suggestion.  What works for me, might not work for you.  If that doesn’t work, take your credit card and go shopping and spend a lot of money; that might work for you (i.e. for some of you that will stick with you for a long time—ouchy ouchy)! 

I recently read this in the paper soooo it must be right! ha ha  I do think it is right; it is hard to argue against (i.e. my opinion).  I read, BE GENTLE TO OTHER PEOPLE!  You don’t know their situation soooo give them some slack.  Don’t be judgmental.  Be kind to them.  We, ourselves, aren’t always perfect (e.g. our opinions and beliefs aren’t always right), even though we sometimes think they are.  I realize this is hard to do, very hard.  Some seem to do it better than others (i.e. maybe because of different genetics or maybe because of our past environment).  I had a recent experience that humbled my heart—I got a call from a person that was soooo refreshing and nonjudgmental.  It really touched me.  It was soooo sincere and real.  It was a total surprise. 

MissPerfect says—You can accept others without approving of everything they do or think!  Yes, you can.  LuckieEddie says—My mother-in-law isn’t loud or obnoxious, just overly judgmental.  I read John Grisham’s new book The Reckoning (i.e. it’s fiction but…). I think (i.e. my opinion, that this book is his best of all time-very stimulating to me). ANYWAY, It reminded me that families don’t always get along (i.e. for many reasons).  Some just need separation it said.  Yes, families can get together for Thanksgiving Day, but for some families that is about long enough.  We maybe think it’s the other family member’s fault but maybe it is our fault (i.e. we are such a large presence and we don’t recognize it).  Maybe we need to acquiesce things and situations as they are.  GeorgeTheCrook says-- Good planning entails considering what could reasonably go wrong and plan ahead for contingencies. Good planning needs to work in good times and bad. TomRight, from 40 miles north of MN, says—Ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get along with the relatives a.k.a. toooo make ends meet!

Why do I do “It’s Saturday?”  Folks, “it’s an opportunity like no other” although I have no idea why I started it or do it!  It really just fell into my lap; I didn’t ask for it and didn’t dream about it; didn’t aspire to do this; I still don’t know why I did/do it.  I really don’t.  It started just in a crazy way.   As FriendJim would say--Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo!  I am not even certain about that Jim!  ha ha

A character in The Reckoning was portrayed as a person who was arrogant and had a strong flavor of entitlement which no one liked (i.e. everyone had the same feeling of him). The book is fiction but probably could be real life.  Some of you have been given great opportunities and have acted on them and done some great stuff.  Congratulations!  A friend from north of town says--If you have gifts, accomplishments, honors, blessings, and influence, make them matters of thanksgiving and recognize them as gifts from God (i.e. live a life of humble thanksgiving).  I’m guessing here folks, but I would guess folks who are humbly thankful are good folks and enjoyable to be around.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

A huge massive opportunity!  Don came and sat by me in church Sunday; it was Veterans Day.  He served in England and France but mostly in the Philippians (i.e. spent 42 days on ships).  There aren’t very many WWII Vets left to tell their stories (i.e. he is 92).  He and I got together on Monday and we had a very nice talk.  Incredible talk we had (i.e. shared some real personal stuff)! He walked part of the 66 miles of the Bataan Death March trail soon after it was over. I asked him about his experiences—I was scared; I was just an 18-year-old kid who grew up north of town in Butler County.  It really made me grow up.  The Bataan Death March is part of the historical fiction in The Reckoning.  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—The mind is like a parachute; it will only work when it’s open.