first things first

I have learned once again that “it is what it is” sometimes and I just need to accept it.  I can’t do anything about it sometimes. I need to accept the music being played.  It’s the act of doing the first things first. Actually, what I learned I knew, but didn’t really accept it as I wanted the result to end a different way; it ain’t goin’ happen folks, I am certain. Sooooo there. I’m much better off facing reality and moving on; Just Smallify it!  That is my opinion. 

TheRevDavid says—"According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the walls of Babylon were so massive that a four-horse chariot could drive around the city on top of them. Soooooo, when King Nebuchadnezzar looked out on his city at the height of its power and glory it’s not surprising that his ego swelled to gigantic proportions: ‘Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power . . . and for the glory of my majesty?’ (Dan. 4:30). Watch out, king. You were warned. God has a way of putting puny mortals in their place when they start thinking like that. What Nebuchadnezzar needed to learn was that only God is great and humans, however wealthy or powerful, are nothing compared to him.”  Where is Babylon today folks? Where is the great Roman empire?

The pic is of the 2-Ervins! It was taken of my great nephew Nickols Ervin and I at our family wedding last weekend, I asked the lead photographer at the reception how many pictures he took soooooo far—I have taken right at about 4,000 soooo far and my assistant usually takes about 2,000—wow, that’s a lot of pics, soooo what does your other assistant do—he just carries the stuff around for us—are the two videographers with your company—no, they are from a different company—you guys probably haven’t missed much—no, we usually get about all of it!  There were a lot of family pics taken on phones; it was fun.  One of my nieces would say if she didn’t like a certain pic—I need a new face (i.e. a redo). We usually don’t keep pics if we don’t look good in them now do we! I talked to a guy who talked about a mutual acquaintance who said--he sure looks old; I’m glad I don’t look that old. Later in the day I talked to that other guy, and he said about the same thing about the first guy I talked toooo. What a hoot! I think some of my family members were much happier this time than when I saw them last time and some I think didn’t seem as happy.  Seemed like new and different faces.  Stuff happens folks both good and bad and it affects us.  No question. FastFreddie says--Unhappy females aren't near as pretty! Oh, I asked Nick Ervin at brunch Sunday morning--soooo did you get the money I sent you (i.e. he is a poor communicator; I wonder where he gets that from)--ya, I did, I'm saving it--for what--a car.  He's my kind of Ervin!

RickyRick says—"’It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.’ Ecclesiastes 6:9 The first step to becoming a contented person is to stop comparing yourself to others. The problem is that comparison is our favorite pastime! We do it all the time.” Comparing really makes the world go around now doesn’t it.  It’s great for capitalism. JoeBusinessPerson, who is a higher breed above normal, says—What a marketing tool it is in making someone envious even if it tears their heart out. Aren’t we something else at times (i.e. at least I am)!  Ouchy ouchy! 

Sooooo I decided to buy a new pair of kaki slacks.  I think the last pair I bought was when I was still in business some 15 years ago. I hardly ever dress up anymore; times have changed.  Sooooo it was suggested by a friend that I go to this nice store.  The salesguy was really nice and we had the best time.  He showed me the best on the market and the latest cut.  But he said, ever style is still popular.  I liked one but it was $98.  I looked at a nice new polo shirt; it was also $98.  I looked at a new pair shoes; they were $130.  A new belt that was $82.  I bought a new polo shirt on the sale rack and decided my old stuff was good enough! I even laughed at myself but had a great time. Soooo did the elderly salesguy (i.e. he seemed to understand). I’m happy! It’s like this story--I happened to be browsing in a jewelry store one day while my wife was getting a new battery to put in her watch. A nicely dressed salesman politely asked if there was something I was interested in. Looking at all the glitter and sparkle in the display cases, I smiled and said that we had reached a point in our lives where we really didn’t need or want to buy any more gifts for ourselves. The salesman smiled back and said, “I understand.”

Went to the movie Elvis.  I didn’t care for it much (i.e. my opinion). It started slow and didn’t really pick up the speed I didn’t think; it was sorta kinda boring to me.  It was sorta kinda like a friend said about the 4^th of July parade they went tooooo—It was good but a bit long for me!  Some of the words of the movie I couldn’t hear (i.e. they mumbled) and a lot of repetition of the story.  BUT, there was a lot of folks there soooo maybe it was just me, could be (i.e. I have a tendency to get bored easily). BUT how can anyone not like Elvis and his music.  AGAIN, very few folks can handle success (i.e. the world tells us that success is money, power and fame) and it appears it usually messes folks up.  BUT the very few can handle it! Just look around folks; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. BUT, there are the good ones, my opinion! And some of you folks are truly the good ones!  And I surely enjoy being around you folks.  Thanksamillion. Saturday question—Is there one universal quality that stands out with folks who can handle success? What might that be? Soooo what is success anyway? My mentor used to say to me—erv, the world measures success by how much money folks have, period! That’s it! The world doesn’t care about anything else. BUT, he measured success by other qualities as well.  I miss him. He taught me a lot of good stuff. Saturday question—What is the first thing that is first in your life? Really! Talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whisky! Proverbs 11:24 says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.”

My mentor and I talked much about what success is.  He would say to me--erv, the world's interpretation of the Golden Rule is gold rules, plain and simple but that is not what the Golden Rule is.  It is as it is said in Matthew 7:12 Do for others whatever you would like them to do you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Oh, Tony Dungy says--Who measures success? God does, not the world. Who measurers impact? God does, not the world. God's standards are rock solid, not subjectively driven by the differing opinions and standards of other people's agendas.

A guy stopped at my place when I was power washing my drive.  He was hot, I mean mad. What’s the deal--Why does this stuff always happen to me?--What stuff?  He told me. Oh!  It wasn’t really that much of a problem, more like normal stuff of life or maybe even on lesser side of life but he took it as a major event.  I said I would fix it for him, but he didn’t want me tooooo.  He just wanted tooooo complain to me I think a.k.a. vent. I did give him a couple of suggestions to how he could get it fixed of which he did one to fix it. BUT he does have some frustrating situations that he is dealing with, and this is just another one top of those. Soooooo I thought about that as I cleaned my drive.  We all have stuff happen to us. None of us are soooo special that bad things don’t happen to us.  BUT, it does seem like some folks have more bad things happen to them than others? BUT, I think we all can do certain things in our lives to prevent bad stuff or maybe minimize bad things (e.g. if we don’t take care of our lawn mower, probably it will break down more often). Like be proactive. What do you think? That is what I thought. Oh, by the way, my heart hurts for this guy! Life is not always easy. BUT my Daddy, Chester, would say—erv, everyone has problems but some handle them differently.

I went to a hs softball game of a friend’s granddaughter.  She a petti, pretty gal who is about 5’8’ and weighs maybe 120.  She steps up to the plate and hits over the fence.  And I can’t hardly hit my drives 200 yards.  I just had to laugh. It seems like all those players have two bats in a bag they carry around. I asked her mother how much do those bats cost, $450 each. What!

I think folks drive exceptionally fast in MI. I was heading home on I-196 which has construction. It was two lanes going west with cement barriers tight on the left side and no shoulders on the right.  The speed limit sign said 60 which was only a suggested speed obviously as we are all going way over that speed (i.e. the sky was the limit) in extremely heavy traffic.  I felt like I was driving in a formula one race in Morocco. It seems like everyone drives way over the suggested speed limit everywhere in MI and not much enforcement.  Then in rural IA where there is very little traffic, they don’t drive near as fast, and it’s much more strictly enforced.  Crazy for sure. But MI is the motor state, and they live up to their reputation. But IA’s gas prices are a little cheaper. haha I have a brother-in-law who loves to drive fast (i.e. he just loves it; I think that is why he lives in MI). First things first; ya gotta get your priorities in order! He’s really a good guy but just has a heavy right foot! He says my kid sister is worse than him! Holy smokes!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Success is simple--do what is right, the right way, at the right time.