I've been watching the U.S. Open Golf Tournament on television for the past few days. It's been pretty exciting, with one exception - those idiotic "expert" golf commentators. They critique every stroke, every club, and every decision of the golfers, and then add a few stories of their own "glory days" as golfers. It's pretty annoying. The only good part is when they give their hallowed opinions and predictions, and then Tiger Woods proves them wrong by making the perfect play on what the idiots had already dismissed as poor choices.
I'm going to remember these golf "idiot-perts" the next time I feel belittled or criticized by someone. I'm going to remember that people base their opinions on what they think they know. I'm going to remember that sometimes people think it's more important that their opinion be heard than my life be praised. I'm going to remember that if people believe I am making the wrong decisions, they can just wait and watch me shine.
As Tiger Woods has shown over the last two days, the round is not over until the ball goes in on the 18th hole. Until then, they can talk all they want, because at the end of the day, the only opinion that really matters is mine.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Phonebilical Cord
Today while I was out walking, I got a phone call. The special ringer and caller ID said it was from Maribeth, but when I answered, a male voice told me he had the wrong number. Naturally being the imaginative, over-protective mother that I am, I envisioned a million dangerous scenarios for the phone call.
When I got home and found my home intact, I proceeded to Walgreen's, where Maribeth was working. She was alive and well, and after looking at my phone, figured out that her former phone number was still stored in my phone, thus being the reason the call logged in as her.
So, what can be learned from this situation?
1. Phone numbers are reassigned fairly quickly, so update your phone contacts.
2. The umbilical cord is never severed - it just morphs into different forms.
3. There are millions of ways your child can be in danger, and none of them can be true.
4. Moms will never stop worrying.
5. Children will never fully understand "momworry" until they have their own children.
6. Phones should probably not be taken on wogs, but how else will the wogger be able to call when she wants a ride home?
7. Imagining the Law and Order episode that your child may be encountering in real life certainly makes the miles go by!
When I got home and found my home intact, I proceeded to Walgreen's, where Maribeth was working. She was alive and well, and after looking at my phone, figured out that her former phone number was still stored in my phone, thus being the reason the call logged in as her.
So, what can be learned from this situation?
1. Phone numbers are reassigned fairly quickly, so update your phone contacts.
2. The umbilical cord is never severed - it just morphs into different forms.
3. There are millions of ways your child can be in danger, and none of them can be true.
4. Moms will never stop worrying.
5. Children will never fully understand "momworry" until they have their own children.
6. Phones should probably not be taken on wogs, but how else will the wogger be able to call when she wants a ride home?
7. Imagining the Law and Order episode that your child may be encountering in real life certainly makes the miles go by!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Fifty is Nifty
One of the great things about getting older is the ability to do things you might not consider doing earlier in your sane life. Case in point: tonight I signed up to be a volunteer in a golf tournament. At this point, I have no idea what job I will be assigned - probably directing traffic in a parking lot.
In case you're interested, the golf tournament is the PGA tournament held in Disney World in October. I own a set of golf clubs, I have played a few rounds of golf, I know the basic premise of the game, and I watch it occasionally on television. Does this make me qualified to be a volunteer? Of course it does - I'm 50!
I realize that many people don't wait so long to do such things. For me, maybe it's my time to do new things because of the opportunity, or the new interests, or the freedom. But whatever the reasons, it's fun to see new doors open, even when those doors may open to one body part aching, another one drooping, and something else wrinkling up. I'm finding 50 is just full of new experiences to explore.
So I'm hoping to add "Golf Tournament Volunteer" to my resume. I can't wait to see what I add next!
In case you're interested, the golf tournament is the PGA tournament held in Disney World in October. I own a set of golf clubs, I have played a few rounds of golf, I know the basic premise of the game, and I watch it occasionally on television. Does this make me qualified to be a volunteer? Of course it does - I'm 50!
I realize that many people don't wait so long to do such things. For me, maybe it's my time to do new things because of the opportunity, or the new interests, or the freedom. But whatever the reasons, it's fun to see new doors open, even when those doors may open to one body part aching, another one drooping, and something else wrinkling up. I'm finding 50 is just full of new experiences to explore.
So I'm hoping to add "Golf Tournament Volunteer" to my resume. I can't wait to see what I add next!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wanting to, But Not Doing
I meant to jog this morning. I got up early and dressed appropriately. I really wanted to go forth and jog. But I didn't.
I want to be that runner that glides along the street, seemingly effortlessly. I know it takes practice. But I couldn't get moving today.
I really want to be a jogger. But if I don't get out the door, it's not going to happen.
What is it going to take for me to go forth and jog? What's the trick that moves one from wanting to, to doing? I don't know either, but maybe since I have cyber-confessed my shortcomings, I shall be motivated. I certainly hope so.
I want to be that runner that glides along the street, seemingly effortlessly. I know it takes practice. But I couldn't get moving today.
I really want to be a jogger. But if I don't get out the door, it's not going to happen.
What is it going to take for me to go forth and jog? What's the trick that moves one from wanting to, to doing? I don't know either, but maybe since I have cyber-confessed my shortcomings, I shall be motivated. I certainly hope so.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Groups
Tonight I began meeting with a group of women, all strangers to each other before tonight. We're meeting to share ideas, thoughts, and experiences about relationships. In the course of tonight's meeting, we began forming relationships within the group as we opened the doors to our individual lives and began to share with each other. It was a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
In my 50 years, I've been a part of many groups. There have been social groups, professional groups, focus groups, educational groups, and parent groups. There have been groups of friends and groups of strangers. There have been large groups and small groups. There have been fun groups and work groups. While each group has had its unique purpose, each has been a source of community and security.
These days there's a new kind of group that is finding its way into my life - the cyber group. This is a group of people who live all over the world, but with whom I find commonalities. There are Disney groups and mom groups. There are running groups and weight-watching groups. There are many groups with a variety of purposes just waiting for another kindred spirit to join.
For me, the joy and blessings of any group are the people I get to meet. I am forever changed because of the way their lives intersect mine. While I may lose weight, I will remember the lady on the back row sitting with her son and will be encouraged because of her commitment. When I think of the bus of fellow Disney cruisers as we toured the slums of Mexico, I will remember the lady and her disabled husband as the tour guide ran off without them and I will practice compassion. While I sit in on a discussion board on the 'net, I will make a note to remember the first-time marathoner and look for her in the race to encourage her efforts. After all, it's people who make up the group, not just the purpose.
Groups provide me with new friends, new knowledge, and new experiences. They help make a very large world just a little smaller and more intimate. It's a great way to spend a few hours.
In my 50 years, I've been a part of many groups. There have been social groups, professional groups, focus groups, educational groups, and parent groups. There have been groups of friends and groups of strangers. There have been large groups and small groups. There have been fun groups and work groups. While each group has had its unique purpose, each has been a source of community and security.
These days there's a new kind of group that is finding its way into my life - the cyber group. This is a group of people who live all over the world, but with whom I find commonalities. There are Disney groups and mom groups. There are running groups and weight-watching groups. There are many groups with a variety of purposes just waiting for another kindred spirit to join.
For me, the joy and blessings of any group are the people I get to meet. I am forever changed because of the way their lives intersect mine. While I may lose weight, I will remember the lady on the back row sitting with her son and will be encouraged because of her commitment. When I think of the bus of fellow Disney cruisers as we toured the slums of Mexico, I will remember the lady and her disabled husband as the tour guide ran off without them and I will practice compassion. While I sit in on a discussion board on the 'net, I will make a note to remember the first-time marathoner and look for her in the race to encourage her efforts. After all, it's people who make up the group, not just the purpose.
Groups provide me with new friends, new knowledge, and new experiences. They help make a very large world just a little smaller and more intimate. It's a great way to spend a few hours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)