The Best Day ever!

I know this sounds like a cliche or a line from some cheesy self help book. And maybe it is. However, I have started each day over the last week or so with the thought of this being the best day ever. I have been able to do quite well with my attitude over the last week.

I know for a fact that the stresses of job and family have not gone away. The stress fairy did not suddenly come to me one night like the tooth fairy and take my stress away. And before you start thinking that I am a genius. Let me tell you I got the idea from one of my daughters. I still get razzed a bit about it at work when people ask me how I am doing and I tell them that I am having the best day ever. I think some of them are starting to get it though.

So, my suggestion to everyone out there that may be feeling a bit down or overwhelmed it to give it a try. Hey, even if it doesn't work you can say you tried something different and that should count for something.

On The Road Again!

Well it is that time. Daughter number 3 is learning to drive. I can hear you all right now saying to yourselves.

Thanks for the warning.
I'm sorry.
Better you than me.

And while that is one way to look at it, I look at it as a blessing. I look forward to the chance to take her out driving. When else is our busy lives do I get to spend that much one on one time with one of my kids. It is a wonderful time to both watch her grow in confidence and skill. In addition, it is also a time when I get to have those conversations that I never have time for otherwise. Mostly I just try and listen and offer my input only when asked for. So, to all of you parents out there, you have a choice. Make this a wonderful time to experience life with your child or run from it. I choose to live this time with my daughter.

Living on The Edge

From my youngest memories I can remember 'living' on the edge. It started with my Mom saying don't touch the cookies. And I would see just how close I could get without touching them. Or she would say, "Don't leave the yard". I, of course, would see just how close I could get to the edge.

Now, to move that to more current times. Maybe it is a speed limit. I know will travel as fast as I think I can go without a ticket. Of course, we all know that I would never exceed the speed limit(disclaimer in case the police read my BLOG). Financially, we know how much we make and we will always tend to spend as close to that amount as possible. It is human nature after all.

God puts limits on us through scripture and the teachings of the church. These limits are put there for our own good. The same can be said for the rules and limits imposed on us by our parents. We may not like them but they are put there for our good. History has shown us that people will always push the limits. If they didn't, we wouldn't have any needs for our court system or lawyers. The challenge we have then is living within the limits and not try to push them with loose interpretations or rationalizations. "But everyone does it" is not a good excuse.

This is especially hard today from a moral standpoint. In the 60's, TV would not ever show, even a married couple, in the bedroom together. When there bedroom was shown they each had a twin bed. Today, however, because we have continually pushed the limits the social norms have been re-written. What is commonplace on TV now would have been considered X-rated 50 years ago. This presents a very real dilemma for those of us trying to live a moral and christian life. We may be able to say we have not sinned from a legalistic standpoint but we have probably pushed as close to the edge as we can get with actually sinning. What makes this especially dangerous is that the edge keeps moving farther and farther away.

Empty Nest Syndrome

At first glance and to the outside world, this probably seems totally preposterous. But, as I quickly approach my second child leaving the nest for college I am feeling the empty nest syndrome. Sure, I still have four kids at home but it is kind of like cutting off my thumbs and saying that it is OK because I still have the other fingers. Surely the thumbs will be missed no matter how many fingers are left.

At the same time I am excited to see my two oldest grow and mature and leave to start their own lives. All of our lives will change. Change is not easy but not necessarily bad. I believe that God has great plans for all of us. We need only wait and follow His leading.

It has been fun to watch my two oldest as they get closer to leaving. Each is reacting in their own way, working on the family relationships. Making memories as you will.

My oldest has been out of the house for college for about 2 years now. In a lot of ways, she doesn't live with us anymore. She visits us. That is OK and what should happen. I will always love her and she will always be a part of the family. But just like I go to visit my parents, she will go to visit her parents. Like they say in the movie "The Lion King", "It's the circle of life".