Friday, October 2, 2009

Making a Difference

I haven't posted in a while... I need an attitude adjustment! So.. I have recently left my position with local government. I worked in the Assessing Department. Last March (when we sent assessment notices), we expected a contentious crowd given the state of the economy. I wanted the staff to be as understanding as possible and try to diffuse taxpayers. I found several quotes that were related to the commonalities of all people and some uplifting ones, etc. One of my favorites was from Abraham Lincoln "I do not like that man, I must get to know him better". Anyway, I printed them up and put it in a plastic upright holder on the counter. About a week before I left my job and was feeling sort of unappreciated, an older woman came in for some documents. After her business was finished, she asked if she could have four copies of the quotes as well. It really made my day!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Paying taxes, or once again - Attitude is Everything!

I followed an elderly gentleman in the township hall on Thursday. Property tax bills were mailed on Wednesday and most elderly folks like to pay them right away. This elderly man was literally shuffling up to the building, his head and shoulders bent from age. As he was shuffling in to pay his tax bill, he was WHISTLING! I LOVE THAT! He stopped after he entered the building long enough to comb his hair before he proceeded to the counter and continued to whistle! He wasn't complaining about not being able to straighten or walk any faster than a shuffle. He wasn't complaining about paying his tax bill. He was whistling! What an example for the rest of us.

The Gas Can

Howie and I were driving back from Stratford last weekend when we ran out of gas. (Don't judge, it's a relatively new car, we didn't know that the idiot light was serious!) Anyway, as we were walking to the nearest gas station, we were unsure of whether they would have a gas can and if they did, would they let us take it? I also commented that "back in the day", someone would probably not only supply the gas can, they would drive us back to the car. Guess what? All of that happened. We were loaned a gas can and the owner/manager gave us a ride back to our car. Are people really less kind than they were "back in the day"? I don't think so. Perhaps more wary, but the kindness is still there.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

"God Says Yes to Me"

"I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
and she said yes
I asked her if it was okay to be short
and she said it sure is
I asked her if I could wear nail polish
or not wear nail polish
and she said honey
she calls me that sometimes
she said you can do just exactly
what you want to
Thanks God I said
And is it okay if I don't paragraph
my letters
Sweetcakes God said
who knows where she picked that up
what I'm telling you is
Yes Yes Yes
-Kaylin Haught, "God Says Yes to Me" from The Palm of Your Hand

Eating and Pooping!

My friend Mark made a comment at the gym last week about his dog that has been sick. He commented that the dog must be ok since he was still "eating and pooping". Another friend reminded me the other day that we used to gauge our baby's condition or health by whether they were eating and pooping. They don't let you out of the hospital until you are eating and pooping. Must be important. So, when someone asks how you are and you are having a bad day or tempted to answer in the negative - just stop and think - Hey - I'm eating and pooping!!!! I MUST be OK!!!!!!!!!! :)

Crossfit Games

I attended the Midwest qualifier Crossfit Games to support my friend , Feng, who was competing. She is an awesome athlete. Anyway, in the spirit of Crossfit, the competition was fierce, but the support from fellow athletes was awesome! This was more notable from the women competitors, but present throughout the games. These are timed competitions, so there were women that were finished before the others. These competitors gathered around the others to cheer them on to finish! I love that. For a taste of that kind of support, visit the gym that I go to in Ann Arbor - Joust Fitness.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!
I had dinner with a friend last week. She is a very successful professional. She had a very very challenging childhood and a very distant mother. Most of my friends had challenges growing up and mother issues. I'm sure that my daughters have a few mother issues as well.
Thank God that we grow up and realize that we can get nurturing from other sources!!!! So Happy Mother's Day to EVERYONE!!!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A Little Help from Complete Strangers!

Erica (my lone blog follower cause I made her) and I did the 1/2 marathon in Nashville together last weekend. We had a slow time, but not bad considering the blistering heat (86 degrees), lack of training and Erica's cold that she passed on to me. It was really cool to just cross the finish line with all those people cheering, after which we hailed a cab back to the hotel! I've never done one of these before and maybe this is what they are all like, (this is one of those "Rock & Roll" ones that you don't have to qualify for and supply beer at the finish), but the support was very cool. There were bands and real, school cheerleaders along the way; but the best part were the locals lined up along the route. They had mimosas, beer, munchies, etc and cheered you on as you went past. The best sign that I saw was "Mommy, Don't Puke!". There were little kids standing near the curb with their hands outstretched, and I gave them all five!!! (Cause it gave me an excuse to slow down). My heart just melted when I saw this little tiny girl who couldn't have been more than 1 1/2 with her little arm outstretched........ ahhhhh.... she was soooo cute. It was worth the blisters, heat rash, sunburn, sore muscles and the viral thing I caught!!!!!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Life Lessons

I attended a memorial for a co-worker today. This was a person that I didn't always list as my favorite people at work. When he was diagnosed with cancer some months ago, he showed quite alot of dignity and spirit. He was very optimistic but realistic at the same time. I made it a point to spend more time talking with and listening to him. I really grew to like him very much before he passed away. I commented to a friend that I thought that he had changed since his diagnosis and they asked if it was him that changed, or was my opinion of him changed because I spent more time with him. I thought this was a very interesting question and I think the answer was that perhaps both perspectives changed. This reminded me of a quote from Abraham Lincoln: " I do not like that man, I must get to know him better."

Saturday, April 11, 2009

A Little Help from Your Friends

I joined a gym a few years ago that has a rope that you climb to the ceiling which is about 20 feet or so..... anyway, I was halfway up the rope and contemplating sliding back down, when I heard a voice from below yelling "Do it Sharon!, You can do it!!!!!!!" - it may sound corny - but that encouragement got me to the top of that rope! My friend Mandy (among many others) encourages me at the gym still!! I love them for it. We should all remember to encourage each other to the top of the rope, whatever that rope may represent!