Expectations... if they are too low I am setting myself up for disappointment. If they are too high I will probably get hurt. If I didn't have any at all, I would be brilliant. Someone show me the way!
A wise woman gave me some solid advice about managing my expectations. She reminded me that a tiger is a beautiful animal, but not if I want it to be a pet in my home; I cannot change the tiger to meet those kind of expectations. I would be imposing on the tiger. And that makes sense to me. What I can't wrap my brain around is when a person doesn't meet my expectations when it comes to honesty or cheating. I don't think my expectations are too high. I think they are normal. The wise woman says that they are high expectations if dishonesty and cheating are in the person's make-up and character and I am trying to change him (her). This whole concept blows me away.
I am all about accepting people for who they are, right? Then why am I getting this expectations thing all mixed up? I am going to make a concentrated effort to manage my expectations. Maybe I will start with a new long distance friendship that is developing in my life. I have no expectations. I sincerely want to just get to know this person. The wise woman I mentioned earlier says that women don't get to know enough men...we settle for one too fast.
Here's to no expectations and getting to know more men.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Shimmy-shimmy-cocoa-pop
So I finally saw the band The Zeros. Loved them. I had so much fun dancing - although there was not much room to dance...which led me to invent my new move: the shimmy-shimmy-cocoa-pop.
This man, a stage five clinger, to quote the wedding crashers movie, kept coming up behind me and dancing way too close. And it was not welcomed. If I am going to dirty dance with you, I have to want to. He did not make the list. So my move was invented. I literally shimmied out of his arms, to the music and got lost in the crowd. Genius. If I say so myself.
This man, a stage five clinger, to quote the wedding crashers movie, kept coming up behind me and dancing way too close. And it was not welcomed. If I am going to dirty dance with you, I have to want to. He did not make the list. So my move was invented. I literally shimmied out of his arms, to the music and got lost in the crowd. Genius. If I say so myself.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Stereotypes Step Aside
I like NASCAR. There I said it. I own it.
I love being at the track on race day. I actually get stressed out when my driver isn't doing well or has a bad pit stop (see - I know the lingo!).
It all started when the speedway came to Kansas. My dad and his best friend wanted to see a race so I got us tickets and we went. I picked a driver that day - Jimmie Johnson #48 - and he's been my driver ever since. He happens to be my dad's favorite driver too. Jimmie took 5th place that day and won the Sprint Cup that year. I have been hooked ever since.
And yes - I attended the race this past weekend. The Kansas Speedway has a new surface with higher degree turns on 2 and 4. It was exciting with a record amount of cautions (wrecks)! Last year I went to the race by myself...and loved it. Someone actually asked me if I was Jimmie Johnson's wife! I almost kissed the man, but instead I graciously just answered no and whispered "I wish" under my breath. That made my day.
The actually point of my blog is this. There are a lot of stereotypes about NASCAR, NASCAR drivers, NASCAR fans, etc. Until you have BEEN TO A RACE, you may want to hold off on the stereotyping, put them on pause and actually check one out. You will be amazed.
These are things I bet you didn't know if you have never experienced NASCAR race in real life:
I love being at the track on race day. I actually get stressed out when my driver isn't doing well or has a bad pit stop (see - I know the lingo!).
It all started when the speedway came to Kansas. My dad and his best friend wanted to see a race so I got us tickets and we went. I picked a driver that day - Jimmie Johnson #48 - and he's been my driver ever since. He happens to be my dad's favorite driver too. Jimmie took 5th place that day and won the Sprint Cup that year. I have been hooked ever since.
And yes - I attended the race this past weekend. The Kansas Speedway has a new surface with higher degree turns on 2 and 4. It was exciting with a record amount of cautions (wrecks)! Last year I went to the race by myself...and loved it. Someone actually asked me if I was Jimmie Johnson's wife! I almost kissed the man, but instead I graciously just answered no and whispered "I wish" under my breath. That made my day.
The actually point of my blog is this. There are a lot of stereotypes about NASCAR, NASCAR drivers, NASCAR fans, etc. Until you have BEEN TO A RACE, you may want to hold off on the stereotyping, put them on pause and actually check one out. You will be amazed.
These are things I bet you didn't know if you have never experienced NASCAR race in real life:
- NASCAR Drivers are some of the most selected celebrities by MakeAWish kids - and they are wonderful with the children before the races.
- There is always respect paid to the military/armed forces before the race.
- There is always a beautiful prayer said before the drivers get in their cars.
- There is usually a fly over during the Star Spangled Banner (and teary fans)
- During Driver Introductions there are always Drivers giving checks to charities/foundations
I am just saying... give it a whirl. You will be pleasantly surprised. If this Banana Republic/Ann Taylor-wearing, vodka martini-drinking, church-attending/God-fearing, sushi-loving, girly--girl can dig it...so can you!
Tears in a Bottle
Today I heard on the radio (K-Love) that God has a bottle full of my tears and that some day my bottle will be empty. When I join Him. No more tears will fall.
I look forward to no more tears. But the idea that God catches all of my tears and keeps them, saves every drop of water that has fallen over the years; tears representing sadness and joys. It is overwhelming, yet I feel treasured.
Do you remember the last time someone wiped a tear from your face? Was it a friend, a parent, a loved one, a child, a significant other? Or did you just let the tears fall from your face the last time you cried because there was no one there to wipe them and you couldn't bear the thought of wiping your own tears one more time?
The thought of God catching my tears in a bottle is comforting. Loving. Forgiving. Understanding. Unconditional. Compassionate. Peaceful.
I want a piece of heaven on earth. Someone to wipe away my tears until no more tears fall.
I look forward to no more tears. But the idea that God catches all of my tears and keeps them, saves every drop of water that has fallen over the years; tears representing sadness and joys. It is overwhelming, yet I feel treasured.
Do you remember the last time someone wiped a tear from your face? Was it a friend, a parent, a loved one, a child, a significant other? Or did you just let the tears fall from your face the last time you cried because there was no one there to wipe them and you couldn't bear the thought of wiping your own tears one more time?
The thought of God catching my tears in a bottle is comforting. Loving. Forgiving. Understanding. Unconditional. Compassionate. Peaceful.
I want a piece of heaven on earth. Someone to wipe away my tears until no more tears fall.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Fresh Start
You can have a fresh start any day you choose. START.
For those from my generation this is for you, "Wonder twin powers activate, in form of... a FRESH START.
Why do I need a fresh start? I do.
I am not complaining about my life. I am simply saying RESTART. JUMP START. LET'S START. Just Start.
Some people have mid-life crises. They are heartbreaking to watch. I'll pass on having one of those. Seriously. PASS. The first one I witnessed scarred me. It was my algebra teacher in High School. Mr. H had one. He divorced his wife of many years, bought a red sports car, and married a student in my school. She came into the classroom one day and asked Mr. H if he had done her homework. He hadn't. She threw a box of compasses at him, left our classroom and proceeded to get in a girl-fight right outside of the classroom. Classy to have to put your wife in detention.
I have seen more mid-life crisis' as of late in the form of affairs and divorce. Sadness. I don't want to be mixed up in any of that. My invisible shield is up. Keep all mid-life crisis crap away from this girl. I have survived and risen above way too much these past few years to be knocked back down by others' brokenness and baggage. We all have it...but GET THROUGH it; get your own FRESH START too. It's only fair.
This is what I want MY fresh start to look like: an unexpected new relationship with a man of character, who is funny, would enjoy some weekend get aways....and that is only the beginning of the story of my fresh start. BEGIN.
For those from my generation this is for you, "Wonder twin powers activate, in form of... a FRESH START.
Why do I need a fresh start? I do.
I am not complaining about my life. I am simply saying RESTART. JUMP START. LET'S START. Just Start.
Some people have mid-life crises. They are heartbreaking to watch. I'll pass on having one of those. Seriously. PASS. The first one I witnessed scarred me. It was my algebra teacher in High School. Mr. H had one. He divorced his wife of many years, bought a red sports car, and married a student in my school. She came into the classroom one day and asked Mr. H if he had done her homework. He hadn't. She threw a box of compasses at him, left our classroom and proceeded to get in a girl-fight right outside of the classroom. Classy to have to put your wife in detention.
I have seen more mid-life crisis' as of late in the form of affairs and divorce. Sadness. I don't want to be mixed up in any of that. My invisible shield is up. Keep all mid-life crisis crap away from this girl. I have survived and risen above way too much these past few years to be knocked back down by others' brokenness and baggage. We all have it...but GET THROUGH it; get your own FRESH START too. It's only fair.
This is what I want MY fresh start to look like: an unexpected new relationship with a man of character, who is funny, would enjoy some weekend get aways....and that is only the beginning of the story of my fresh start. BEGIN.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)