I'm just a kid

I recently had a conversation with a teenager that I know well. He was stressed because he felt his stepfather was being too hard on him. I tended to agree but I didn't want to take sides. In my experience there is too much side taking in relationships by people who are not even part of the problem.

This young man is in my opinion doing a great job of growing up. He is trying to keep his grades up, he has a part time job after school and also does what he can to help out his community by volunteering. He has an interest in sports, skate boarding, music and has a great group of friends who do not do drugs. He also has specific chores to do at home. I wonder how much more can a parent ask of a teenager?

According to the young man his stepfather just got a promotion at work and is having difficulty adjusting. He is taking his frustration out on other people, especially his stepson.

As I said I was trying not to take sides as I listened to his complaints. I was very impressed when he said, "I'm just a kid trying to grow up." Perhaps his stepfather should remember that too.

I replied, "I know you are having a hard time right now and I feel bad about that. I think you should stand up for yourself, but don't talk back to your stepfather. Most of all remember how lucky you are to have him in your life and all of the things he has done for you."

God said no

Lately I have become angry with people who live by the quote "put it in God's hands" and then sit back and wait for him/her to take care of their current problem. Our Creator isn't some kind of a genie who will magically cure all. If that were the case the world would be in much better shape than it is; and if that were the case the lessons offered by the mess the world is in would not exist and neither would we.

I firmly believe in the quote "God takes care of those who help themselves".

Years ago a friend told me that she attends church, puts her problems in God's hands and when she leaves she takes them back. Now that made sense to me, perhaps not at the time though. She didn't expect God to do it all, she just needed a little breather to think.

Back in 2012 I took a hearing test and found out that hearing aides would be a great benefit to me. They were pretty expensive, considering my income. I didn't want to take money out of my savings. I could have sat back and prayed that they would magically drop down from the sky prepaid, of course. What I did instead was to take a part time job for a few months. Even though I did not like the job it paid for the hearing aides and I was debt free when it ended.

Something zipped past my Facebook newsfeed a few days ago that caught my attention.It was a little article titled, God Said No! As I read it I thought, Wow this is so good and pretty much the way I feel. Today I am sharing the message for you to think about.

I asked God to take away my habit. God said no. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said no. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said no. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; It isn't granted, it is learned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said no.I give you blessings; happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said no. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said no. You must grow your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said no. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea. This day is yours don't throw it away...may God bless you.

To extend a hand or not

All through life there are people we come across who need assistance. Of course, it would be impossible to help them all. There are a few instances that stand out in my mind and I am asking myself what made me choose those particular souls to help. For some time I have been aware that I have very strong intuition and I know it is the voice of my soul. Some refer to it as an inner voice. Whatever its name perhaps that is what sends up a flag to my conscious mind to help a particular person in need.

I am going to share a few such stories, not to spout off how generous I am, but to try to figure out just what pushes that little button in my mind that says- help this one please.

For the second time in as many months two different Facebook friends have needed financial assistance and without giving it a moment's thought I have donated what I could afford to their causes. I have been friends with both of these people for several years, although I have only briefly connected with one in person. I have over a hundred online friends and there are only a few that I would quickly rush to their assistance. Why, I wonder? I would consider both of these friends members of my spiritual tribe. Maybe that's it? Maybe not.

I don't always know the person. There is just something about them that gets my attention and causes me to help. One such experience occurred as I was having lunch with a female friend. Our waiter was a very nice young man who was feeling quite desperate as he related his personal story to us. His wife was ill, they were not getting any help, they had little money, the restaurant would be closing soon etc. What really got me was he had lost faith and was ready to give up. He didn't ask for anything, but as we were leaving I put a large amount of money in an envelope and left it for him with a note. I have no idea what caused me to do that, but I have never been sorry that I did. I never saw him again, but I hope it helped a little to restore his faith in humanity.

Another instance of not knowing the person happened outside of Walmart. A lady was asking for help. I usually ignore these people, but there was something about her that made me stop. I didn't offer her money but I did take her into the store and bought groceries for her and her family. I also ended up taking her into town and deposited her at the motel where they were staying. She said her husband was out of work and they were stuck. As it turned out I needed some yard work done and ended up paying her husband to do it for me the next day. He worked fast and did an excellent job. Again I never saw these people again.

I am no closer to an answer to my question than I was when I began my story. Perhaps extending a hand or not is not entirely in my hands. I have always believed our Creator is a giant people user.

Happy Easter

Taking a brief break to refocus.Wishing all of my readers a most peaceful Easter weekend.

Do not bully me

I just saw a picture of a young boy who was born with a mouth full of horrible teeth and was bullied until he got them fixed. It reminded me of my own life growing up and I wondered just what's with these kids nowadays?

I guess I was bullied, especially as a child, I had just never heard the word. In addition to the crooked teeth problem I also began wearing glasses when I was about four or so. And yes these facts did affect my self-esteem for many years, but I survived and eventually grew to believe in myself. Today I don't really care what anyone else thinks about me. I am who I am and if people don't like what they see- tough!

After seeing the picture of the little boy with the horrible teeth I decided to check out quotes about bullying just for the heck of it and to give my readers something to think about. Bullying does hurt even if you aren't familiar with the word.

Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right. ~Theodore Roosevelt

If they don't like you for being yourself, be yourself even more. ~Taylor Swift

I wish every day could be Halloween. We could all wear masks all the time. Then we could walk around and get to know each other before we got to see what we looked like under the mask.~RJ. Palacio

A young outcast will often feel there is something wrong with himself, but as he gets older, grows more confident in who he is, he will adapt. He will begin to feel there is something wrong with everyone else. ~Criss Jami, Killosophy

People who repeatedly attack your confidence and self-esteem are well aware of your potential, even if you are not. ~Wayne Trotman

Bullying is a horrible thing. It sticks with you forever, but only if you let it. ~Heather Brewer

As a friend of mine used to tell me, "Think about it".

Sharing

Recently a friend was impressed with the message found at the top of my blog. Everyone leaves footprints as they walk on their assigned path and you never know who you might inspire by sharing your experiences. It pretty much explains what my blog is all about. It began with the desire to share the simple things that happen on any given day of my life. Nothing extraordinary just ordinary experiences.

 I believe we are all living the life of a human to share our experiences in whatever manner we can. It helps to know that we are not alone in the challenges we deal with. During this season of Lent it reminds me that the real stories shared in the Bible by other people are not so different from the challenges we deal with today. It serves as a guide and helps us remember that we are not alone.

Over the years of writing and sharing my thoughts more than one person has chosen to extract me from their life, but that is alright. If what I wrote caused them to think for themselves that was a good thing.

So I am going to continue sharing my thoughts and giving thanks for everyone whom I might inspire to do the same.

Real or not

Considering this is April Fool's day I know some of you are going to think this is made up.    

Damn I wish it was!

Last night I decided to try out my brand new oven and cook some butterfly shrimp. I pushed bake and the little arrow until it reached 450 degrees. Then I waited for the sound of a beep to signal it had reached the selected temperature. I assumed it would take perhaps 10 minutes or so. After awhile the oven began to produce a terrible smell and after 30 minutes it still had not beeped. I doubt that it even reached 400 degrees. I finally gave up, turned the beast off and called the Frigidaire help number in the manual.

I spent at least a half an hour going round and round with the woman who had answered my call. At least it was a real person not a robot. She tried to tell me the oven was not under warranty. Well of course it is I just bought it, but I hadn't had time to get it registered.

After going through all the required information with her I now have a legal oven, which isn't working. She finally decided I needed a technician to look at it. She checked and found none in our small town. Seriously? I could have told her that.

Before the call ended she did come up with a local repairman that I actually know and because the oven is now registered and under the warranty the service would not cost me anything. She said he would call to set up an appointment Great news right? Not quite yet. As soon as I hung up I realized it was Friday and that call probably wouldn't be made until Monday morning at the earliest.

Oh well it's already been a week without the use of an oven what's a few more days?