I have a slew of great friends. I've mentioned some on occasion, and how they're very cool people, because I'm only friends with cool people.
One of my childhood friends sends me hand-written thank you notes, Valentine's cards, Easter cards regularly. And she doesn't just sign her name, either. There's always a cherished note that's she's taken some time to write. I just opened one from her in the mail today, in fact. It gave my Monday a little lift.
Another one of my friends calls me sometimes for shoe advice. I mean, I love shoes, but I am no fashionista. Or she'll tell me, "I wish you were here to help me decorate." She says that to me, the girl who will wait months to make a furniture purchase, and only for the perfect bargain. She's a good friend, to make me feel like I'm way more sophisticated than I am.
I have a spontaneous friend who has never run a half marathon in her life, but is traveling to Providence (yes, Rhode Island) this summer with me to do it. How fun is that? I love a little adventurous spirit, don't you?
And this other friend I have, she told me tonight she sent flowers to herself.
Let that sink in, people.
She sent flowers to herself!
Is that not the most fantastic thing you've ever heard? She has done what single girls think about doing, but never really do. I love her for it.
Now, this isn't a direct quote, but trust me, I'm accurately representing the train of thought here:
"Well, it's been a down week, and no one else is going to do it, and I can afford it, and I had a coupon, so why not? They're coming to my office on Thursday, when I will have probably forgotten I even ordered them, and they will make me happy, and I can enjoy them all weekend. And they are red, so they will look great in my remodeled living room."
I'm telling y'all. My friends are keepers.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
worth a thousand words
At some point when I was transitioning into the life of an adult with a career, my dad gave me a piece of advice I'll never, ever forget:
"Keep your mouth shut. Most of my problems happen because someone has opened their mouth and shouldn't have."
Dad works in the world of a merciless media, so it's not surprising that he is hypersensitive to a careless or untimely slip of the tongue.
Even still, I've always believed in the wisdom of his counsel. To a large degree, I think our society has devalued the spoken word, and is desensitized to the power therein. Too often we say too much, at the wrong time, with a hurtful tone, or without a moment's consideration of how we will impact others.
My accountability group and I had the pleasure of reading through Proverbs this past week. Ah, Proverbs. The art of the unsaid. The picture of brevity. The definition of "short and sweet."
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then so is a proverb.
But they sure do pack a lot of punch! And as Dad has shared his little proverb with me over the years about my words, so does our heavenly Father:
Less is more.
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered." (17:27)
Wise words are precious.
"Wise words are more valuable
than much gold and many rubies." (20:15)
Contemplate, don't pontificate.
"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." (15:28)
Listen well.
"Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions." (18:2)
A convicting week, to say the least. Do I talk too much? Are my words empty? Do I speak before thinking? Am I more interested in sharing what I think, rather than hearing what others think?
God of all wisdom, may I speak words of kindness, encouragement, and understanding. May You find them precious and valuable, and shared only after careful consideration. And above all, grant me increased wisdom that only comes from You.
And thanks, Dad, for instilling in me your own personal interpretation of godly wisdom. J
"Keep your mouth shut. Most of my problems happen because someone has opened their mouth and shouldn't have."
Dad works in the world of a merciless media, so it's not surprising that he is hypersensitive to a careless or untimely slip of the tongue.
Even still, I've always believed in the wisdom of his counsel. To a large degree, I think our society has devalued the spoken word, and is desensitized to the power therein. Too often we say too much, at the wrong time, with a hurtful tone, or without a moment's consideration of how we will impact others.
My accountability group and I had the pleasure of reading through Proverbs this past week. Ah, Proverbs. The art of the unsaid. The picture of brevity. The definition of "short and sweet."
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then so is a proverb.
But they sure do pack a lot of punch! And as Dad has shared his little proverb with me over the years about my words, so does our heavenly Father:
Less is more.
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered." (17:27)
Wise words are precious.
"Wise words are more valuable
than much gold and many rubies." (20:15)
Contemplate, don't pontificate.
"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." (15:28)
Listen well.
"Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions." (18:2)
A convicting week, to say the least. Do I talk too much? Are my words empty? Do I speak before thinking? Am I more interested in sharing what I think, rather than hearing what others think?
God of all wisdom, may I speak words of kindness, encouragement, and understanding. May You find them precious and valuable, and shared only after careful consideration. And above all, grant me increased wisdom that only comes from You.
And thanks, Dad, for instilling in me your own personal interpretation of godly wisdom. J
Thursday, May 12, 2011
thankful thursday #26
For my trip here this summer ...
... I needed a plethora of vaccinations.
I haven't had shots in quite awhile, and this is about what I was feeling about the whole situation:
Praise be to God, I had the most gentle, sweet-spirited nurse practitioner you ever did meet!
I'm also very thankful that the Typhoid vaccination is available as a pill. I will be running happily to have that prescription filled, to avoid another sticking.
So, one round down, two to go. Getting excited!
What're you feeling glad about today? Go on, be grateful!
... I needed a plethora of vaccinations.
I haven't had shots in quite awhile, and this is about what I was feeling about the whole situation:
Praise be to God, I had the most gentle, sweet-spirited nurse practitioner you ever did meet!
I'm also very thankful that the Typhoid vaccination is available as a pill. I will be running happily to have that prescription filled, to avoid another sticking.
So, one round down, two to go. Getting excited!
What're you feeling glad about today? Go on, be grateful!
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