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!

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.

"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.

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!!!