going forward

Hypothesis:  CadillacJack a.k.a. the king of controversy says—It’s a lot easier to give advice than to take it.  It appears that is a true statement.  Many folks give advice but don’t live their lives by the advice they give (i.e. they sorta kinda make me laugh—like wearing a big cowboy hat but own no cattle!).  Sooo if you think I’m giving advice in any way in this “It’s Saturday”, I suggest you don’t pay any attention to it; I suggest you listen to paid TV late at night; they know all the answers and can fix anything for $19.99. But if you have 5 minutes, read on (i.e. you are guaranteed to double the amount of money that you paid for this “It’s Saturday” within a week with a money back guarantee—now that is a deal)!

Arlene’s beautician just makes Arlene soooo happy when she has her hair done (i.e. she seems amazing).  I have no idea what goes on there!  ha ha!  Arlene’s home care provider makes Arlene feel the same (i.e. she toooooo is amazing). She says—I think it’s the chemicals in the hair dye!  Now that could be!  Such is life.

My life has changed through the years (i.e. super massive changes in soooo many ways).  I assume yours has tooooo (i.e. how can it not).  I would guess that it will change more in the future, but I really don’t know exactly how.  I will not be surprised.  I really try to enjoy every minute of my life; even parts of it that aren’t sooooo enjoyable.  I’m actually pretty good at it if I don’t compare myself to others who seem to have the world by the tail (i.e. many of you guys, the Jones, who have the life of Riley).  Actually, at times I’m very happy being alone with no outside stimuli (i.e. you might think I’m crazy).  Does that make any sense toooo some of you guys?  That is what I thought.  Warren Buffet’s 5/25 Rule—Make a list of 25 things you want to do in life. Now do the top 5. And NEVER THING ABOUT THE OTHER 20 AGAIN! Else they will take time away from the 5 that are most important to you. 

I sent some of our nieces and nephews and grand kids a 34 second video about being unique. I asked a friend if he thought I was unique or wacko or both for doing that.  He is a unique guy soooo I don’t know for sure if he gave me a complete honest answer! ha ha  Com’on folks, we are all unique; there are none of us the same.  Our DNAs are all different and absolutely none of us think alike because of our genetics and our past environment.  We are all different.  I think that is a fact.  Are you exactly like your siblings, your parents, you spouse, your neighbor etc.?  Of course, you aren’t; in some cases, we say—Thank God! Soooo I asked my friend this question that I was contemplating the morning I sent him that email—How do I know if God is talking to me or satin?  CrazyMarvin says—Now that is “looking forward” but erv, I have no idea why you even think about such things; you are both unique and wacko; no question!  CrazyMarvin, I think that is a very important question; see, you and I completely disagree.  I find that “oh, soooo interesting.”  Yes, I do! 

WorldClassLarry, who is brilliant with the scramble, (i.e. is as good as Fran Tarkington was) says--You don’t just drift into good things. You must be intentional. You have to set some goals and then commit to working toward them every day. I read this in the paper soooo it must be right (i.e. it’s about church)—I have been surrounded by people who actually like me, even when I have been unlikeable. They have called me a brother, and most actually have meant it. I have been taught that there is a God of the universe, who, even though it is inconceivable, still knows me personally and, in spite of all, loves me. Some of you will say—That is questionable at best; I don’t know if I believe it.  It was actually written by a professor at a state university; now that is amazing to me. Susan Rice, a former United States ambassador to the United Nations, said during a 2010 commencement speech at Stanford University, “Once you’ve learned to study in a bathing suit on the grass with muscled men throwing frisbees over your head, you can accomplish almost anything.”

Primo Levi, the Italian chemist who authored two books about his experiences as a concentration camp survivor, wrote, “The aims of life are the best defense against death.”  Think about that folks!

Big honchos don’t take advice from folks who “usually get it wrong.”  No they don’t.  If they do, well they don’t stay big honchos very long. Do you know any big honchos?  LuckieEddie (i.e. who uses 110% of his ability at times) says—I seem to get a lot luckier when I surround myself with “big honchoes”.  The key is deciding who are the ‘big honchos.”  And really that isn’t hard to do if we really want toooooo be open minded.  But sometimes the folks who think they are the “big honchos” aren’t really the “big honchos”; they just drive big pickups but don’t have them paid for.  If it is questionable if they are “big honchoes”, stay away from them (i.e. kingpins and shakers); they probably aren’t who you want to pattern your life after (i.e. but it depends what you want your life to be now doesn’t it).  Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Jesus was never much to look at. But Jesus was the One. That he was quiet and humble is just part of how God operates. God chooses the weak things of this world to display his glory and so the gospel will always come in humble trappings. The kingdom, the gospel, the Christ himself are quiet, growing like tiny seeds hidden in the soil.

Probably you have read this or a version of this somewhere (i.e. it’s all over the place).  BUT is it really true? Maybe but I don’t know for sure?  Sooooo many times I say one thing or I know certain things but I do just the opposite.  I believe it but I don’t really believe it.  Aren’t I really something else; I just have tooooo laugh at myself; I’m hilarious; I don’t need toooo go tooooo a comedy show!  

My Daddy, Chester, probably was not much different that many of his generation; he started with nuttin (i.e. actually as a teenager he had to live with folks to work for his room and board).  He said to me many times—erv, you got to use your mind to do well in life; maybe better than your hands.  He often told me this story of Henry Ford which I still like today:  Ford was a strong believer of getting value for his dollar.  He also was the first to use an assembly line. A huge massive generator was not working which was causing problems for his assembly line.  His “in house engineers” could not fix it soooo he hired Charles Steinmetz to come in and fix it.  Steinmetz refused any help when he arrived at the factory and only asked for a pad, pencil and cot. He listened to the generator for 2 days and nights and scribbled computations on the pad.  On the 2^nd night, he asked for a ladder and chalk.  Then he climbed up the generator and made a chalk mark on the side.  Then he told Ford’s engineers to remove a plate at the mark and replace 16 windings from the field coil. Then it worked perfectly.  The bill was $10,000. Ford thought it was very excessive and asked for an itemized bill.  Steinmetz wrote him personally: “chalk mark $1 knowing where to make the mark $9,999.” Ford paid the bill.

RuthieSmooth says--When we get a good night’s sleep, we remember good memories a whole lot better and if we don’t get a good night’s sleep, we remember bad memories much more.  It said that the proper amount of sleep can really affect our lives by affecting our attitude and how we look at the world.  I have tooooo admit that it is really true with me; I’m much more positive when I get enough sleep (i.e. and quality sleep).  ItchieBitchie (i.e. who can be spectacular at times) says—We become cowards when we are tired and/or we don’t get enough to eat!  You might be right ItchieBitchie, when I look at children who are tired and hungry, well, they just aren’t much fun to be around.  Such is life.

SusieQ (i.e. who can be as sweet as a cream puff at times) says—Yes, we do need to do as what is written on the box; ya gotta do it or you will struggle with life.  But actually the ingredients of this product aren’t really that good for you as some others.  Soooo think of that as well!  Many folks are born (i.e. actually all are) and live in a house with their parents, then go to college, then get an apartment, then get married and get a starter house, then a bigger house, then get a dream house, and then downsize and get a condo, then move to assisted living and then to a care facility and then it’s all over.  Well, there are variations of the formula for sure.  Some aren’t as pretty as that, but you get the idea.  Things move forward if you like it or not. Such is life.

That is what my mentor said to me many times.  And it does.  While running the other morning I thought about this—Companies, sport teams, churches, colleges, civic organizations etc. bring new folks in to give them a new perspective and new ideas (i.e. they just don’t do it the way the current folks want it done).  That is why many of them are very successful and dynamic (i.e. constantly looking for new talent or attracting new folks). Typically, the seasoned folks don’t have new ideas—some really good ones do.  A friend was recruited for a digital advertising company to be sorta kinda an account manager.  She has experience in managing large corporate accounts.  She had no knowledge in digital advertising.  She is one of the oldest in the company in her early 40s, most are in their 20s.  You figure it out folks.  I am concerned about the future of our church (i.e. and as a friend says, erv, maybe you shouldn’t burn any calories fretting about it).  There are different opinions it appears (i.e. maybe not all are on the same page and maybe not even in the same book). But at some point, a decision will have to be made as what direction we are going to try to go (i.e. or we can just muddle through it and see what happens).  I wonder if the current folks like it the way it is and want to go forward with the old way.  But can it exist the old way for very long (i.e. old folks all die)?  But I don’t know which direction is the best or if any of them will work but…!  Does it really matter? I don’t know.  Maybe money will be the decision maker.  Maybe. Look around folks.

BillyReality says—There are days when the sea is rough.  Oh ya!  All a guy can do is “wait and hope.”  Some gals who were and are in health care told me that full moons make folks weird in care faculties.  Maybe that is the reason why Arlene was not herself. I must admit it was really hard for me to see Arlene cry and mumble that she wants to go home; meaning she wants to die and go to heaven.  She wants to go forward.  I don’t blame her a bit.  Maybe you feel this way tooooo or are close or have been close to someone who have the same feeling.  Life is not always pretty folks but life goes on.

This “It’s Saturday” might not be as it appears (i.e. a deception; a mirage), could be.  ANYWAY, I thought of these two stories of myself.  Many years ago, maybe about 40-45 year ago, I officiated high school football for 3-4 years.  It was fun but not as much fun as I thought it was going to be.  Here are a couple of the funniest situations that I remember.  I was the referee and Dick, a friend, was the umpire. It was late in the fourth quarter in a blowout.  He threw his flag and called a penalty that one of the defense players didn’t have his shoe tied—what!—he laughed and then left me standing there—the players had no idea what was going on—I called a five yard penalty on the defense (i.e. went forward)—I then went through some exaggerated arm description to the fans (i.e. who didn’t understand and could care less).  What a hoot!  The second one was after taking our showers and exiting through the gym after officiating, there were 4 cheerleaders who were petite, cute, and looked sooo sweet.  They approached us and called us names that many I had never heard before; those names were very colorful and descriptive and choice.  We looked at each other and just laughed (i.e. we didn’t think we were that bad).  What a hoot.  Sometimes things aren’t as they appear! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—“No matter what language we speak, we all live under the same moon and stars.” John Denver