It's not enough just to say "I Love You"
It's not enough just to say "I care about what's going on in your life"
It's not enough to say "I'm praying for you"
It's not enough to think about helping someone.
It's not enough to say I want to change the world.
And it's not enough to only stay someone's friend through the good times.
You have to show someone you care
You have to show someone you love them
You have to actually sit down, and pray for someone.
You have to get out there and make someone's day a little brighter.
You have to work hard, pray harder, and do something that actually helps someone.
And you have to stick close to your friends and family through the good times and bad.
Do you have the faintest idea what it feels like to be at the bottom of a deep deep hole and there is absolutely no way out? I've been pretty low, but I don't think I can say I've hit the deepest rock bottom.
Can you at least imagine it though? It would be awful.
I have a friend who's mom has stage 5 ovarion cancer. It is so incredibly sad. I can't describe how much it tears me up knowing that his family is dealing with something like that every day.=(
Well, yesterday I decided to take them a pie. Just a basic chocolate pudding with some cool whip pie. At a spur of the moment, mom got the idea of cutting some flowers from our yard. We grabbed a card form the closet and just happened to have one that said "Sending you a little ray of sunshine" and we ran the three things by the house. I think that it made them all smile, and I truly think it brightened their day.
The point? Just saying "I'm here for you" doesn't really mean anything if you just say that. You have to do little things to make people KNOW you care. Whether it be listening when someone needs to talk, calling someone randomly to see how their day has been, helping clean the dishes, cough cough cleaning you're room without being told...that might be a little difficult cough cough, making them a pie randomly and telling someone you really are thinking about them, or meeting up and just hanging out when someone's had a bad day.
Make it a goal to reach out and DO something for someone today. I can't tell you how amazing it feels
And please please please keep my friend's family in your prayers!!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
I am not perfect and I'm going to fail...
If you are in Christ, you are not struggling to be free.
In Christ, you are free to struggle.
Yes. I've mentioned this in previous blog posts. Probably more than one. It's just something I really struggle with. Whenever I deal with it, writing helps to get my thoughts out. Since writing sometimes takes to much time, I blog. Haha sometimes I think that when I blog I'm just talking to myself but calling it blogging so people won't think I'm crazy. Any of my fellow bloggers feel the same? ;-)
I have an awful habit. I beat myself over things. (De'ja'vu! I've said those same words in previous posts!) Small things, big things, mediocre things, minuscule things, gigantic things, no big deal things, teeny tiny things, massive "omg" things, anything that I do wrong things...get where I'm going?
I hate the idea of letting people down. I hate the idea of someone being disappointed in something that I have done. I get fairly upset when I know I've done something wrong. I get extremely upset when I let someone down. It's something I think I've always struggled with. Something worse though? If I feel that crushed when I let others down, how do you think I feel when I think I've let God down?
Every day we make decisions. What to eat for breakfast, what to wear, what to do that day, whether or not to talk to this person or that person, to stay home or go out for lunch, what to eat for lunch, what movie to watch if we have spare time, whether or not we'll do our homework now or frantically do it in 1st period the next day, what to read, what to study, and hundreds more.
Recently I've made some bad decisions. Ones that took me far from my walk with the Lord. When I realized that the decisions I had been making were compromising just that, I did something pretty dumb. Actually, I did something really dumb. I continued to make bad decisions. I thought "Hey! I can fix my problems on my own and THEN go back to God and how things were."
Yeah because that always works out so well...not.
The small compromises turned into bad decisions, those decisions grew into habits, those habits suddenly developed into little "niceness eating monsters" that I realized were making me unhappy. "Fixing things" by myself was working out great! Don't you think?
*Let me just insert here that I didn't do anything that would like...land me in jail or anything. lol I just realized how dramatic this sounded.*
So there I was...yet again, struggling to deal with my own problems. KNOWING God is right there saying
I asked God for wisdom and peace. For His presence to be shown to me. I didn't ask for forgiveness. Why? I can't really give you a reason....I just didn't. Maybe because deep down, I was still holding on. Holding on to myself, to my problems, to everything. I wanted to feel better, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wanted to work to get to that feeling...if that makes sense.
Weeks and weeks and weeks before ANY of this happened I discovered you could get sermons off of our church website. I downloaded ALOT of them! That's important information for the following.
I was going to bed one night, but not really tired. I decided to listen to my iPod. Well this crazy thing happened. It was on shuffle and a sermon called "Hypocrisy" came up. I listened to it. One thing stood out to me. I was half asleep as it was 1:00 in the morning at this point. I can't really tell you anything about the sermon I listened to, except for remembering how much I liked this:
I guess the point is, even though I've said this who knows how many times, is that I can't hanle life on my own.
What was that Melissa? What did you just say?
I can not handle life by myself. I can't.
I know I say that, and I continuously say "Hey! I'm not going to do that anymore!" But here's the thing...as much as I try, I'm not perfect. I try to please everyone, and make everyone proud of me. But, I can't always do that. I'm GOING to fail. I am not perfect and I'm going to fail.
One more time: I am not perfect and I'm going to fail.
If anyone is reading this will you do me a favor? Can you hold me accountable to those words? I know that's a fairly large favor, but all you have to do is just tell me once in a while "Hey! Strawberries and Chocoalte cake!"
WHAT?
No seriously. You can say something goofy like that. We can call it code for "Is there anything your beating yourself up about and need to let go?"
Ridiculous?
Maybe......but if its something that works?
Then Let's do it! Lol
My brother and I fight. ALOT! My mom got fed up with it one day and said that we needed a code word to say when someone got annoying. Or instead of screaming we just say the code word and walk away...What is it? Well...we have 3. "Shmoze" (Like how Buzz Lightyear pronounces s'mores in Toy Story 2) "Piglet" and we hold up our pinky and say in a grumpy, I'm super mad at you voice "I'm gonna love you"
That last one won't make any sense...don't worry about it =) It's too hard to explain. LOL
I can't do things on my own. We all need a little help =)
If there's anything I can do for YOU, tell me <3
Love you!!!
In Christ, you are free to struggle.
Yes. I've mentioned this in previous blog posts. Probably more than one. It's just something I really struggle with. Whenever I deal with it, writing helps to get my thoughts out. Since writing sometimes takes to much time, I blog. Haha sometimes I think that when I blog I'm just talking to myself but calling it blogging so people won't think I'm crazy. Any of my fellow bloggers feel the same? ;-)
I have an awful habit. I beat myself over things. (De'ja'vu! I've said those same words in previous posts!) Small things, big things, mediocre things, minuscule things, gigantic things, no big deal things, teeny tiny things, massive "omg" things, anything that I do wrong things...get where I'm going?
I hate the idea of letting people down. I hate the idea of someone being disappointed in something that I have done. I get fairly upset when I know I've done something wrong. I get extremely upset when I let someone down. It's something I think I've always struggled with. Something worse though? If I feel that crushed when I let others down, how do you think I feel when I think I've let God down?
Every day we make decisions. What to eat for breakfast, what to wear, what to do that day, whether or not to talk to this person or that person, to stay home or go out for lunch, what to eat for lunch, what movie to watch if we have spare time, whether or not we'll do our homework now or frantically do it in 1st period the next day, what to read, what to study, and hundreds more.
Recently I've made some bad decisions. Ones that took me far from my walk with the Lord. When I realized that the decisions I had been making were compromising just that, I did something pretty dumb. Actually, I did something really dumb. I continued to make bad decisions. I thought "Hey! I can fix my problems on my own and THEN go back to God and how things were."
Yeah because that always works out so well...not.
The small compromises turned into bad decisions, those decisions grew into habits, those habits suddenly developed into little "niceness eating monsters" that I realized were making me unhappy. "Fixing things" by myself was working out great! Don't you think?
*Let me just insert here that I didn't do anything that would like...land me in jail or anything. lol I just realized how dramatic this sounded.*
So there I was...yet again, struggling to deal with my own problems. KNOWING God is right there saying
"Hi. Remember me? I'm right here. Right next to you. I'm watching you try to deal with everything, and I'd love to help you! I would REALLY absolutely love to help you, but you need to ask for my help. You need to ask for my help. You really need to ask for my help! My hand is right here, take it. I can help you! You know I can help you. Just ASK."After trying, and massively failing of course, to deal with my own problems I cracked. I broke down and I cried. I actually threw magazines, I got angry, I even broke a coat hanger into 7 or 8 pieces. I was so frustrated with myself! All along I knew what I needed to do, and my stubborn pig headed-ness refused to accept God's helping hand. I INSISTED on fixing things myself and THEN going back to Him. Where did that get me? Stressed out, angry, confused, upset, and no better off than I was.
I asked God for wisdom and peace. For His presence to be shown to me. I didn't ask for forgiveness. Why? I can't really give you a reason....I just didn't. Maybe because deep down, I was still holding on. Holding on to myself, to my problems, to everything. I wanted to feel better, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wanted to work to get to that feeling...if that makes sense.
Weeks and weeks and weeks before ANY of this happened I discovered you could get sermons off of our church website. I downloaded ALOT of them! That's important information for the following.
I was going to bed one night, but not really tired. I decided to listen to my iPod. Well this crazy thing happened. It was on shuffle and a sermon called "Hypocrisy" came up. I listened to it. One thing stood out to me. I was half asleep as it was 1:00 in the morning at this point. I can't really tell you anything about the sermon I listened to, except for remembering how much I liked this:
"No one else is responsible for your life. You are. You can blame consequences that you've lived with on what people have done to you, but your actions are on you. How you stand before God is on you."I can't explain it, but something clicked. When I heard that, something made me realize that I really needed to let go. I needed to ask for forgiveness, and once I did that oh my goodness! I felt soo much beter. I didn't feel guilty about all the bad decisions I've made, or the things I tried to do on my own.
I guess the point is, even though I've said this who knows how many times, is that I can't hanle life on my own.
What was that Melissa? What did you just say?
I can not handle life by myself. I can't.
I know I say that, and I continuously say "Hey! I'm not going to do that anymore!" But here's the thing...as much as I try, I'm not perfect. I try to please everyone, and make everyone proud of me. But, I can't always do that. I'm GOING to fail. I am not perfect and I'm going to fail.
One more time: I am not perfect and I'm going to fail.
If anyone is reading this will you do me a favor? Can you hold me accountable to those words? I know that's a fairly large favor, but all you have to do is just tell me once in a while "Hey! Strawberries and Chocoalte cake!"
WHAT?
No seriously. You can say something goofy like that. We can call it code for "Is there anything your beating yourself up about and need to let go?"
Ridiculous?
Maybe......but if its something that works?
Then Let's do it! Lol
My brother and I fight. ALOT! My mom got fed up with it one day and said that we needed a code word to say when someone got annoying. Or instead of screaming we just say the code word and walk away...What is it? Well...we have 3. "Shmoze" (Like how Buzz Lightyear pronounces s'mores in Toy Story 2) "Piglet" and we hold up our pinky and say in a grumpy, I'm super mad at you voice "I'm gonna love you"
That last one won't make any sense...don't worry about it =) It's too hard to explain. LOL
I can't do things on my own. We all need a little help =)
If there's anything I can do for YOU, tell me <3
Love you!!!
Songs of encouragment...
Word of God speak, would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see, your majesty
To be still and know that you're in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
Word of God speak...
I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean. a vapor in the wind
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord you catch me when i'm falling
And you told me who I am
I am yours...
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do...
So here I am with all I have
And I’m giving it all back to You
All back to You
I surrender
Yeah, I’m giving it all back to You
All back to You
This is my surrender
Take it all
Sometime we need something to make our day seem a little brighter. "Word of God Speak" by Mercy Me
"Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless and "I surrender" by Steven Curtis Chapman are all grea songs that I love. Hope this brings a smile to your day!
Washing my eyes to see, your majesty
To be still and know that you're in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
Word of God speak...
I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean. a vapor in the wind
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord you catch me when i'm falling
And you told me who I am
I am yours...
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do...
So here I am with all I have
And I’m giving it all back to You
All back to You
I surrender
Yeah, I’m giving it all back to You
All back to You
This is my surrender
Take it all
Sometime we need something to make our day seem a little brighter. "Word of God Speak" by Mercy Me
"Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless and "I surrender" by Steven Curtis Chapman are all grea songs that I love. Hope this brings a smile to your day!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Just a few memories of my first piano teacher Mrs. Debbie...
A few years ago, I took piano lessons from Debbie Smith. She was a SUPER sweet lady that went to our church and worked with my mom. She had to quit teaching piano because she got really sick. She had a very rare form of cancer. She passed away recently, and her funeral was tonight. The past few days, I've really been thinking of all he fun times I had with Mrs. Debbie
When I took piano from Mrs. Debbie, I remember once writing down that I practiced for a/b 30 minutes longer than I really did. She signed off for it, and I got a sticker. The next wk I felt bad so I put down I didn't practice at all. She asks me why I didn't practice and I said "b/c I didn't really practice last week. I just said that I did." And she gave me a Hershey Kiss for being honest in addition to the candy I got from the lesson like we'd get every week ♥
I pulled out my old piano books today and was playing my recital piece from so many years ago. It was a piece of cake to play now, but I remember having to practice it over and over and over again to get it right. I laugh about that now because it was only like two lines. MAYBE 15 notes total. =D When I got on stage to preform, I tripped over the piano bench! Leave it to me, Ms. Graceful.
Now I can play a handful of things by ear, read music fairly well, and play mostly anything (IF I practice...which I still don't love to do hahaha) I find it funny that I always had trouble playing with my left hand and that I never learned how to play chords. I still have those same two problems to this day!
Mrs. Debbie and I would spend the first 10 minutes of every lesson just talking about school and stuff. We'd always say "okay, one last thing and then we really have to do practice" but then add two more 'stories' to the conversation. =) Sometimes, I think we'd talk more than we'd practice but I think it's safe to say we both loved it! We would laugh and talk about her grandkids (ALOT! I loved stories about her grandkids!!!), my friends at school, homework, what she was cooking for dinner, anything and everything!
Haha one time I came over for a lesson and her oldest grandaughter,Gracie, was spending the day at "Debbie's House" I think that's what her grandkids called her ♥ She taught Mother's Day Out and since all the little kids called her "Debbie" thats what Gracie ended up calling her. WAY cute! Anyway, Gracie was 2 or 3 at the time probably and while I was practicing she came in the room while Mrs. Debbie and I were practicing. She crawled under the table and started goofing off with the pedals while I was playing and scared Mrs. Debbie and I ALOT! Then all three of us started laughing and Mrs. Debbie and I started making jokes about it. =) She could make me smile and laugh ALOT!!! I could have had "the worst day ever" but after piano lessons with Mrs. Debbie I'd leave about a million times happier!
If I ever got to lessons early, or someone before me went over, I'd go to her living room and watch Spongebob! To this day, it's STILL one of my favorite shows =D Anyway, it came on about the time I had lessons most weeks.
Once, I got this really cool bracelet from her "treasure chest" It was pink and gold beads with a little Bible key chain. It broke a long time ago, but I remember how excited I was to get it! Haha I remember how excited I was every time I got to get something from her treasure chest, because it was super rare! I HATED practicing!!! I don't really remember how it was set up, but you got to get a treausre chest item based off of how many minutes you practiced per month.
Someone said that Mrs. debbie always noticed whenever it was 11:11 =D I didn't know her well enough to know that myself, but since people have been sharing all the memories I've noticed it too!!! I know it sounds crazy, haha but now every time I see it I think of sweet Mrs. Debbie =D
It seems like I didn't know her for very long, but Mrs. Debbie was an amazing person!!! She will be missed but I know that she's shining in heaven ♥
When I took piano from Mrs. Debbie, I remember once writing down that I practiced for a/b 30 minutes longer than I really did. She signed off for it, and I got a sticker. The next wk I felt bad so I put down I didn't practice at all. She asks me why I didn't practice and I said "b/c I didn't really practice last week. I just said that I did." And she gave me a Hershey Kiss for being honest in addition to the candy I got from the lesson like we'd get every week ♥
I pulled out my old piano books today and was playing my recital piece from so many years ago. It was a piece of cake to play now, but I remember having to practice it over and over and over again to get it right. I laugh about that now because it was only like two lines. MAYBE 15 notes total. =D When I got on stage to preform, I tripped over the piano bench! Leave it to me, Ms. Graceful.
Now I can play a handful of things by ear, read music fairly well, and play mostly anything (IF I practice...which I still don't love to do hahaha) I find it funny that I always had trouble playing with my left hand and that I never learned how to play chords. I still have those same two problems to this day!
Mrs. Debbie and I would spend the first 10 minutes of every lesson just talking about school and stuff. We'd always say "okay, one last thing and then we really have to do practice" but then add two more 'stories' to the conversation. =) Sometimes, I think we'd talk more than we'd practice but I think it's safe to say we both loved it! We would laugh and talk about her grandkids (ALOT! I loved stories about her grandkids!!!), my friends at school, homework, what she was cooking for dinner, anything and everything!
Haha one time I came over for a lesson and her oldest grandaughter,Gracie, was spending the day at "Debbie's House" I think that's what her grandkids called her ♥ She taught Mother's Day Out and since all the little kids called her "Debbie" thats what Gracie ended up calling her. WAY cute! Anyway, Gracie was 2 or 3 at the time probably and while I was practicing she came in the room while Mrs. Debbie and I were practicing. She crawled under the table and started goofing off with the pedals while I was playing and scared Mrs. Debbie and I ALOT! Then all three of us started laughing and Mrs. Debbie and I started making jokes about it. =) She could make me smile and laugh ALOT!!! I could have had "the worst day ever" but after piano lessons with Mrs. Debbie I'd leave about a million times happier!
If I ever got to lessons early, or someone before me went over, I'd go to her living room and watch Spongebob! To this day, it's STILL one of my favorite shows =D Anyway, it came on about the time I had lessons most weeks.
Once, I got this really cool bracelet from her "treasure chest" It was pink and gold beads with a little Bible key chain. It broke a long time ago, but I remember how excited I was to get it! Haha I remember how excited I was every time I got to get something from her treasure chest, because it was super rare! I HATED practicing!!! I don't really remember how it was set up, but you got to get a treausre chest item based off of how many minutes you practiced per month.
Someone said that Mrs. debbie always noticed whenever it was 11:11 =D I didn't know her well enough to know that myself, but since people have been sharing all the memories I've noticed it too!!! I know it sounds crazy, haha but now every time I see it I think of sweet Mrs. Debbie =D
It seems like I didn't know her for very long, but Mrs. Debbie was an amazing person!!! She will be missed but I know that she's shining in heaven ♥
Monday, July 18, 2011
Being Judgemental Part Two: Keep an open mind
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Melissa, KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT TRYING NEW THINGS!!!!!
I can honestly say that I've hated to break routine, change anything, or try anything new since I was little. I took a Type A/Type B personality test for a class last semester and it said I was definitely Type A. A few of the things "Type A" people deal with is not liking to try new things and being impatient. Haha yup! That's me! =D
Anyway, that being said I (once again) realized how close minded I am about trying new things! Unless its something that sounds like something I know I'd enjoy, do/pick out on my own, or something routine I go into the situation with a bad attitude.
An example from last week yet again: We went to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on the 5.6 trip. I had a headache that day anyway because my blood sugar was kind of high. =/ So I wasn't looking forward to going at all. I also was assuming all week that it would be extremely boring and cheesy. I didn't think he kids would like it that much either considering it was a musical.
Cheesy it was, but it was hilarious! I was laughing and having SO much fun the whole time! It was AWESOME!!!!! I loved it and I think all the kids did too! We were all laughing and talking about it that evening and even at breakfast the next morning.
The point is that I REALLY shouldn't be so judgemental, about people or about new things. =) I just have to remind myself of that.... =D
A Little Piece of Me <3
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Melissa, KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT TRYING NEW THINGS!!!!!
I can honestly say that I've hated to break routine, change anything, or try anything new since I was little. I took a Type A/Type B personality test for a class last semester and it said I was definitely Type A. A few of the things "Type A" people deal with is not liking to try new things and being impatient. Haha yup! That's me! =D
Anyway, that being said I (once again) realized how close minded I am about trying new things! Unless its something that sounds like something I know I'd enjoy, do/pick out on my own, or something routine I go into the situation with a bad attitude.
An example from last week yet again: We went to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on the 5.6 trip. I had a headache that day anyway because my blood sugar was kind of high. =/ So I wasn't looking forward to going at all. I also was assuming all week that it would be extremely boring and cheesy. I didn't think he kids would like it that much either considering it was a musical.
Cheesy it was, but it was hilarious! I was laughing and having SO much fun the whole time! It was AWESOME!!!!! I loved it and I think all the kids did too! We were all laughing and talking about it that evening and even at breakfast the next morning.
The point is that I REALLY shouldn't be so judgemental, about people or about new things. =) I just have to remind myself of that.... =D
A Little Piece of Me <3
Being Judgemental Part One: You never know what someone else is going thorugh
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
They say if you repeat stuff, it'll make it permanently engraved into your brain forever. So, just to make sure I understand this...
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Well, you've probably guessed by now what I'm fixing to talk about. Yup, that's absolutely right: PONIES!!!
Just kidding. =)
Seriously though, I'm awful about judging people.
I didn't really realize it until this past week, but I judge people ALOT. It's definitely something I struggle with.
An example from the past week:
I went on the 5.6 grade trip Monday through Friday. It was AWESOME!!! Oh my goodness, I could tell you a million and one stories and jokes all relating to the trip. But, that would get off subject...
Anyway, at one point my girls had 2 hair dryers, the microwave, and a straightening iron running. (That's what I get for leaving the room for 15 minutes...) Needless to say the power to our room went out. So, I walk down to the lobby and this lady was sitting at the desk.
"Hi, I'm in room 12097 and our power is out."
And in an AWFUL "oh my gosh teenagers are so dumb" tone she says "Did you hit the reset button?"
confused I replied "On the hair dryer?"
"Well yeah"
"Ummm the lights won't turn on. The power for the whole room is out"
"Did you flip the switch from off to on?"
"The light switch? Yes..."
The next part of the conversation I kind of regret because I was being a smarty pants, but I won't lie. It felt REALLY good to say in the moment. Looking back, I wasn't setting a very good example...
"I'm from Memphis, haha I definitely know what a power outage is considering all the storms we've had recently."
Yeah I know....not my finest moment. I was being kind of a butt. *cough cough she kind of was too cough cough*
So she looks at me with this "Oh my gosh I hate my job, you're an idiot look" and says "Well I guess I better send maintenance up then. I'm sure it's just a outage short."
So naturally, I go back to the room complaining to almost all the adults that went on the trip about how rude this lady was saying things like "She's such a little snooty snot face!" (I was annoyed...)
Later that week one of my girls ran off (I promise we really didn't have that many problems! LOL these are just the examples) and I told her "Ok, you can hold my hand all the way back to the hotel room"
We're halfway back and she says "Ms. Melissa, this isn't embarressing. I kind of like holding your hand."
So I see a family of four (2 kids and their parents) and because they looked like people in a good mood I say "Excuse me, this little girl ran away from our group so she gets to hold my hand all the way back to our room" and the dad laughs and says something like "That's awesome! Kids, if you run off I'm going to do the same thing."
So we're walking and I continue to do this. Loudly talking obnoxiously saying things like "You just thought this wasn't embaressing. Now you're holding my hand because you ran off AND all these people are looking at us because I'm being loud. Is this embaressing now?!?" It was HILARIOUS all these people were looking at our group and laughing.
So we go down a hallway that just has one older lady walking down the hallway. You know how sometimes people just look grumpy? They're frowning and look like they smelled something sour? Giving you disaproving looks even though you aren't really doing anything wrong? Well, this lady fits that description perfectly. I was planning on laying low and not saying anything to her, just walk by and fly under her radar.
What does my little hand-holding friend do? Talks unesacarily loud like I've been doing to embaress her and says "Hi! I got in trouble and now Ms. Melissa gets to hold my hand! Isn't that great! She thinks it's embaressing, but now I'm embaressing her!"
It was quite funny, so my five other girls and I start busting out laughing. Until the lady gives us an icy cold glare and says to me "Control your children." In a grumpy, mean, wicked witch of the west voice.
Talk about your mood being ruined. We were just goofing off, and my "little friend" was being cute and funny, when the grumpy lady says something grumpy like that.
Now, of course I had a few things to say about her attitude as well... when we were safely back to her room where only a few people could hear me.
My point is, in both cases I got mad about a few grumpy women. I was insulting them behind their backs, and setting a really bad example if any of the kids had heard me...thankfully I don't THINK any of them did.
Both women could have just been having really bad days, or had something else going on in their lives. I won't ever know of course, but it makes me feel bad that I would jump at the chance of being able to talk about them and complain about how they were treating me or my group.
I guess my point is that you never know what someone is going through. I've said that before, but I'm going to keep saying it until I get it through my stubborn head and stop assuming the worst about people.
A Little Piece of Me!
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
They say if you repeat stuff, it'll make it permanently engraved into your brain forever. So, just to make sure I understand this...
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Well, you've probably guessed by now what I'm fixing to talk about. Yup, that's absolutely right: PONIES!!!
Just kidding. =)
Seriously though, I'm awful about judging people.
I didn't really realize it until this past week, but I judge people ALOT. It's definitely something I struggle with.
An example from the past week:
I went on the 5.6 grade trip Monday through Friday. It was AWESOME!!! Oh my goodness, I could tell you a million and one stories and jokes all relating to the trip. But, that would get off subject...
Anyway, at one point my girls had 2 hair dryers, the microwave, and a straightening iron running. (That's what I get for leaving the room for 15 minutes...) Needless to say the power to our room went out. So, I walk down to the lobby and this lady was sitting at the desk.
"Hi, I'm in room 12097 and our power is out."
And in an AWFUL "oh my gosh teenagers are so dumb" tone she says "Did you hit the reset button?"
confused I replied "On the hair dryer?"
"Well yeah"
"Ummm the lights won't turn on. The power for the whole room is out"
"Did you flip the switch from off to on?"
"The light switch? Yes..."
The next part of the conversation I kind of regret because I was being a smarty pants, but I won't lie. It felt REALLY good to say in the moment. Looking back, I wasn't setting a very good example...
"I'm from Memphis, haha I definitely know what a power outage is considering all the storms we've had recently."
Yeah I know....not my finest moment. I was being kind of a butt. *cough cough she kind of was too cough cough*
So she looks at me with this "Oh my gosh I hate my job, you're an idiot look" and says "Well I guess I better send maintenance up then. I'm sure it's just a outage short."
So naturally, I go back to the room complaining to almost all the adults that went on the trip about how rude this lady was saying things like "She's such a little snooty snot face!" (I was annoyed...)
Later that week one of my girls ran off (I promise we really didn't have that many problems! LOL these are just the examples) and I told her "Ok, you can hold my hand all the way back to the hotel room"
We're halfway back and she says "Ms. Melissa, this isn't embarressing. I kind of like holding your hand."
So I see a family of four (2 kids and their parents) and because they looked like people in a good mood I say "Excuse me, this little girl ran away from our group so she gets to hold my hand all the way back to our room" and the dad laughs and says something like "That's awesome! Kids, if you run off I'm going to do the same thing."
So we're walking and I continue to do this. Loudly talking obnoxiously saying things like "You just thought this wasn't embaressing. Now you're holding my hand because you ran off AND all these people are looking at us because I'm being loud. Is this embaressing now?!?" It was HILARIOUS all these people were looking at our group and laughing.
So we go down a hallway that just has one older lady walking down the hallway. You know how sometimes people just look grumpy? They're frowning and look like they smelled something sour? Giving you disaproving looks even though you aren't really doing anything wrong? Well, this lady fits that description perfectly. I was planning on laying low and not saying anything to her, just walk by and fly under her radar.
What does my little hand-holding friend do? Talks unesacarily loud like I've been doing to embaress her and says "Hi! I got in trouble and now Ms. Melissa gets to hold my hand! Isn't that great! She thinks it's embaressing, but now I'm embaressing her!"
It was quite funny, so my five other girls and I start busting out laughing. Until the lady gives us an icy cold glare and says to me "Control your children." In a grumpy, mean, wicked witch of the west voice.
Talk about your mood being ruined. We were just goofing off, and my "little friend" was being cute and funny, when the grumpy lady says something grumpy like that.
Now, of course I had a few things to say about her attitude as well... when we were safely back to her room where only a few people could hear me.
My point is, in both cases I got mad about a few grumpy women. I was insulting them behind their backs, and setting a really bad example if any of the kids had heard me...thankfully I don't THINK any of them did.
Both women could have just been having really bad days, or had something else going on in their lives. I won't ever know of course, but it makes me feel bad that I would jump at the chance of being able to talk about them and complain about how they were treating me or my group.
I guess my point is that you never know what someone is going through. I've said that before, but I'm going to keep saying it until I get it through my stubborn head and stop assuming the worst about people.
A Little Piece of Me!
Monday, July 4, 2011
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Sometimes life doesn't always go as we planned. Sometimes things turn out to be better than expected, and sometimes things are much worse then we thought they'd be. However the turn out, there's always a plan.
I recently had to do something that was extremely difficult. I was terrified of what the outcome was. What got me through it was knowing that God was with me through it all, and that He always would be.
Thankfully, the situation worked out for the best. =) I'm very happy with what the outcome was, even though it wasn't what I expected.
We serve one amazing God... <3
-A Little Piece of Me!
I recently had to do something that was extremely difficult. I was terrified of what the outcome was. What got me through it was knowing that God was with me through it all, and that He always would be.
Thankfully, the situation worked out for the best. =) I'm very happy with what the outcome was, even though it wasn't what I expected.
We serve one amazing God... <3
-A Little Piece of Me!
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