Something to think about today

[Denae]

Serious self- examination can be eye-opening and painful at times.

 

[jacuzzigal]

Seriouis self- examination can be eye-opening and painful at times.

So true, Den.

I once heard it said that pain is necessary because it helps us understand something doesn't fit or isn't right in our lives. If we didn't feel it, we couldn't correct our course, learn, grow, move on, be better. It's not fun, taht's for sure... but in its own way it helps us.

 

[Darkknight2010]

"In a culture addicted to materialism, workaholism, and
speed, the battle cry is "time is money". It's best that we
reject the notion of measuring time solely in terms of
money, simply because time is worth much more than money.
The proper adage is "time is happiness." People who live by
this adage are healthier and better off because of it. Keep
in mind that you can't earn more time, no matter how hard
you work. And you can't buy it, no matter how much money
you have. So spend it wisely, much more so than you spend
money."

-- Ernie Zelinski [The Joy Of Not Working]

 

[yesYesYEsYES]

There are two kinds of people in this world.....

those that follow.....and those that lead

 

[Darkknight2010]

One of my favorite quotes, courteousy of JFK;

We have come too far, sacrificed too much, to forsake the future.

 

[Darkknight2010]

Serious self- examination can be eye-opening and painful at times.

Ain't that the truth. Sigh. I've been in therapy for three years, and the most important thing a therapist can do is tell you to your face the stuff your friends can't tell you because they don't want to be mean to you... but you still HAVE to hear it.

 

[WantonWitch]

Cracked Pot

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house"


Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.

 

[jacuzzigal]

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination

Tommy Lasorda



What do you think of this? Is it always true?

 

[Denae]

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination

Tommy Lasorda



What do you think of this? Is it always true?

How I wish it were that easy.

There are just too many external factors that no matter how much drive and determination you have doesn't matter. I do think there's an awful lot of luck involved in making dreams come true.

You can have all the luck and help in the world, but without determination having luck and people helping you along the way mean nothing.

 

[Darkknight2010]

How I wish it were that easy.

There are just too many external factors that no matter how much drive and determination you have doesn't matter. I do think there's an awful lot of luck involved in making dreams come true.

You can have all the luck and help in the world, but without determination having luck and people helping you along the way mean nothing.

Courteousy of an unknown football coach;

Luck is when preperation meets opportunity.

I wouldn't say I don't BELIEVE in luck, because it's unquestionarly there. (The ball bounces the right way, you run to the bus-stop at the right time, et al.)

The key for me is what do you DEPEND on. It's like the 'wishing' thread. I don't like going there much because it's not something I can DO. If it's out of my hands, fine, but I will NOT allow something else either be the reason something DID happn or the excuse for something that DIDN'T happen.

It's not a matter of beating your head with a stick, either. Why didn't this work? Because IT DIDN'T. There are a bagillion reasons why, luck might be in there, maybe not enough prep or effort or whatever was put in, but it DIDN'T HAPPEN.

You pick up the pieces, learn what you can, and go forward.

Obvsiouly NOT easy (Still trying to get this drilled into my brain. Sigh. ) but in the end, it's what matters; you get your shit done, lick your wounds, and keep moving foward as best you can.

 

[jacuzzigal]

How I wish it were that easy.

There are just too many external factors that no matter how much drive and determination you have doesn't matter. I do think there's an awful lot of luck involved in making dreams come true.

You can have all the luck and help in the world, but without determination having luck and people helping you along the way mean nothing.

I tend to agree. I know that determination can really make a difference, but I don't think it's always a matter of that. And yet, in America, we like to make the American Dream be about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps even when you have nothing and making something of yourself. Conversely those who don't just didn't have the wherewithall... and I think that's the wrong message to send. There are a lot of factors that influence things, one of the biggest being timing. And timing isn't something you can control... it's something you have to be there for.

I'd love to hear about a time when determination DID make the difference to some of you. Not to prove the quote but just to share.

 

[Darkknight2010]

Bump.

 

[dcraz]

Ain't that the truth. Sigh. I've been in therapy for three years, and the most important thing a therapist can do is tell you to your face the stuff your friends can't tell you because they don't want to be mean to you... but you still HAVE to hear it.

I hear what you are saying. But I have a variation on the theme.

If you friends are true friends. And if you trust them. A true friend will tell you these things you do not want to hear. They will tell you because they want to help you. Because they care about you. And they will have faith in the strength of your friendship to accept what they tell you without fear of it destroying what you have together.

I can honestly say, I have a friend like that. An accountability partner if you will. Someone that can tell you things not because they are judging you, but because they see things you may not see or understand. And no matter how difficult it is for them to say it or for you to hear it, you both know they will be there to support you regardless.

I like to think I am that kind of friend too.

P.S. Thanks for the bump!

 

[jacuzzigal]

I hear what you are saying. But I have a variation on the theme.

If you friends are true friends. And if you trust them. A true friend will tell you these things you do not want to hear. They will tell you because they want to help you. Because they care about you. And they will have faith in the strength of your friendship to accept what they tell you without fear of it destroying what you have together.

I can honestly say, I have a friend like that. An accountability partner if you will. Someone that can tell you things not because they are judging you, but because they see things you may not see or understand. And no matter how difficult it is for them to say it or for you to hear it, you both know they will be there to support you regardless.

I like to think I am that kind of friend too.

P.S. Thanks for the bump!

Good points, DC. I have a friend like that too and I am her accountability partner too. She's invaluable to me.

 

[Darkknight2010]

I hear what you are saying. But I have a variation on the theme.

If you friends are true friends. And if you trust them. A true friend will tell you these things you do not want to hear. They will tell you because they want to help you. Because they care about you. And they will have faith in the strength of your friendship to accept what they tell you without fear of it destroying what you have together.

I can honestly say, I have a friend like that. An accountability partner if you will. Someone that can tell you things not because they are judging you, but because they see things you may not see or understand. And no matter how difficult it is for them to say it or for you to hear it, you both know they will be there to support you regardless.

I like to think I am that kind of friend too.

P.S. Thanks for the bump!

I wish I were that lucky... I have wonderful friends, but I guess my relationships aren't quite THAT tight that we can be that frank.

I do have one friend who can be incredibly frank with me, though. We don't talk as much as we used to, but she's the only person who had the guts to call me on things... bless her heart.

And you're quite welcome for the bump.

 

[mpwiv]

There are two kinds of people in this world.....

those that follow.....and those that lead

This reminds me of another quote, although I can't remember who said it.

"Do not lead, because I may not follow. Do not follow, because I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

 

[Darkknight2010]

This reminds me of another quote, although I can't remember who said it.

"Do not lead, because I may not follow. Do not follow, because I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

YES. I've heard that one too!

 

[dcraz]

I wish I were that lucky... I have wonderful friends, but I guess my relationships aren't quite THAT tight that we can be that frank.

I do have one friend who can be incredibly frank with me, though. We don't talk as much as we used to, but she's the only person who had the guts to call me on things... bless her heart.

And you're quite welcome for the bump.

DK,

It sounds to me like you do in fact have at least one special friend. It's too bad that being so frank can often put stress on our friendships. But it is that very sacrifice we make in the name of love for those same friends that makes our devotion and loyalty to them so special. Good for you for recognizing she only has your best interests at heart.


I have a friend like that too. One I have had some very tough conversations with lately. But they have been conversations of love and support even if not always received that way. I think she understands that I only want the best for her and offer these things as a friend offering support to someone I care about.

In addition to offering that kind of support, I have also received it lately (from someone else). She loves me and cares for me and offers me these critisms and observations in an effort to try to help me. She does not judge me, but she absolutely holds me accountable. Something we all need. She is the best. And I am a better man for having her as a dear friend.

May we all have such wonderful friendships in our lives.

 

[babydoll2u]

I wish I were that lucky... I have wonderful friends, but I guess my relationships aren't quite THAT tight that we can be that frank.

I do have one friend who can be incredibly frank with me, though. We don't talk as much as we used to, but she's the only person who had the guts to call me on things... bless her heart.

And you're quite welcome for the bump.

 

[babydoll2u]

DK,

It sounds to me like you do in fact have at least one special friend. It's too bad that being so frank can often put stress on our friendships. But it is that very sacrifice we make in the name of love for those same friends that makes our devotion and loyalty to them so special. Good for you for recognizing she only has your best interests at heart.


I have a friend like that too. One I have had some very tough conversations with lately. But they have been conversations of love and support even if not always received that way. I think she understands that I only want the best for her and offer these things as a friend offering support to someone I care about.

In addition to offering that kind of support, I have also received it lately (from someone else). She loves me and cares for me and offers me these critisms and observations in an effort to try to help me. She does not judge me, but she absolutely holds me accountable. Something we all need. She is the best. And I am a better man for having her as a dear friend.

May we all have such wonderful friendships in our lives.

I think we all do... but perhaps don't realize it.
Or perhaps we've allowed really good friendships to fall by the wayside,
because we neglected them.
I'm so thankful for the few close friends I have now... sometimes there's
a season of "pruning", but in the end, you know who the true friends are
and that you can be YOU with them. No matter what you say or do,
how you think or feel... there they are, true blue.

 

[jacuzzigal]

Maybe it's fitting that I read this today with all this talk of friendships:

The meaning of life is not what happens to people. The meaning of life is what happens between people. - Martha Beck

 

[Darkknight2010]

Maybe it's fitting that I read this today with all this talk of friendships:

The meaning of life is not what happens to people. The meaning of life is what happens between people. - Martha Beck

Too ture.

 

[babydoll2u]

Maybe it's fitting that I read this today with all this talk of friendships:

The meaning of life is not what happens to people. The meaning of life is what happens between people. - Martha Beck

absolutely true jg...

 

[dcraz]

Maybe it's fitting that I read this today with all this talk of friendships:

The meaning of life is not what happens to people. The meaning of life is what happens between people. - Martha Beck

JG, I like that alot.

Here is one I heard yesterday I like as well...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.

When was the last time we each had our breath taken away from us?

 

[babydoll2u]

JG, I like that alot.

Here is one I heard yesterday I like as well...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.

When was the last time we each had our breath taken away from us?

last weekend....