Sometimes blogging seems like a waste. My little view counter assures me people are reading but then I try not to peek. It's easier to be honest when I think I'm the only one reading it. I thought about holding off on the blog tonight so I didn't look like a dork that's on myspace on a saturday night... but here I am.
A while ago I heard someone talking about blessings. He mentioned we assume blessings mean good things. One of Webster's definitions for blessing is "a thing conducive to happiness or welfare." The speaker argued blessings don't have to be good, but are things that will make us become more like God. We're more comfortable with sunshine and flowers, but sometimes we become stronger through the tough stuff. I don't know many people who ask for hardships, but sometimes blessings come in forms we can't recognize right away.
I've been trying to wrap my head around the blessings idea for the last week... trying to be thankful for the blessings in my life... even if they don't look like blessings right now. Meanwhile... I pop in Freedom Writers (starring Hilary Swank with previews that appeared to be a ripoff of Dangerous Minds) and towards the end of the movie, the star teacher is getting through to the kids while her dad, who had previously doubted the credibility of her job, tells her "You've been blessed with a burden." Who usually pairs "blessed" with "burden"? I don't think we're all called to be inner-city teachers preventing kids from slipping through the cracks. (thanks to those who are!) I do think we are all blessed with a burden to make a difference.
I can go through my day merely counting rebounds and tracking wins, but my heart... my heart could care less about that stuff. I don't think this is a forever thing... but right now I want to make a difference here. Of course I look forward to letting a methu rockstar know they broke a record or writing about another championship team... but even more than that... I love hearing from the student-athlete who gets their grades up or finds that dream internship or talks themselves into being who they are without wearing the mask. They make it worth it... not so much of a burden then is it? More like a blessing.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
a shuffle...
Tonight I went to village and we talked about choices. Everyone spouted off the number of choices we make in a day... the usual answers came up like what to wear, what to eat, what to do when it occurred to me I really set up my day to make the least amount of choices as possible. I already knew I didn't like making a decisions but I think one of the biggest decisions I make each day is to follow yesterday's routine. I still make choices, but tomorrow morning I will wake up at the same time and shower using the same shampoo and find something to wear that I didn't wear yet this week. I'll make my PBJ sandwich (sadly without peter pan) for lunch and then fix my cheerios and head back to my room to catch up on the news before work. I think some people thrive on choices... there are definitely some things I am passionate about choosing. I choose to have a relationship with God and I choose to be a Tennessee fan but I'd really rather not choose where to go out to eat or what to do this weekend. I love hanging out with decisive people... particularly ones who let me be indecisive... thank you.
shuffle... Our wo-me-to reunion is Saturday. While I've made some visits to camp as recently as april 06, I haven't worked at camp in seven years. We should have a good group this weekend... some people I haven't seen in ten years... for some it's been two and a half... others since Christmas. Either way, I am anxiously awaiting the big shindig and excited to see everyone.
shuffle... Unfortunately I suffered this week watching Tennessee softball lose in the World Series Championship series to arizona. I'll try not to rant about the fact it was a double elimination tournament and arizona lost their second game on monday night and Tennessee should have been the champions then... but instead I'll try to hold out hope that some day Tennessee will need a three-game series to win and I'll be thankful... someday. Either way, Tennessee lost and their star pitcher Monica Abbott told the media after the game, "I would just like to say that I poured my heart and soul into the Tennessee softball program. I had high hopes for us this year and I thought we were going to get it done. Unfortunately it didn't happen, but I am very proud to have represented the Lady Vols softball program and helped them get to where we are right now. I hope in the future they will be back here and the result will be different." It almost sounds like the cookie cutter response after an accomplished career, but it just got me that she poured her heart and soul into a program when she could have done it halfway. I suppose it might be unrealistic to think someone could pour everything into it every day for four years, but still it's reassuring to know people are still passionate about their sport. Some times we become clouded by the frustrations of competing and forget what a privilege it is to be a college athlete. I miss it... but thanks to student-athletes like Monica Abbott and countless others (including some methu rockstars) who keep it entertaining because they are passionate about what they do. gracias to you.
shuffle... Our wo-me-to reunion is Saturday. While I've made some visits to camp as recently as april 06, I haven't worked at camp in seven years. We should have a good group this weekend... some people I haven't seen in ten years... for some it's been two and a half... others since Christmas. Either way, I am anxiously awaiting the big shindig and excited to see everyone.
shuffle... Unfortunately I suffered this week watching Tennessee softball lose in the World Series Championship series to arizona. I'll try not to rant about the fact it was a double elimination tournament and arizona lost their second game on monday night and Tennessee should have been the champions then... but instead I'll try to hold out hope that some day Tennessee will need a three-game series to win and I'll be thankful... someday. Either way, Tennessee lost and their star pitcher Monica Abbott told the media after the game, "I would just like to say that I poured my heart and soul into the Tennessee softball program. I had high hopes for us this year and I thought we were going to get it done. Unfortunately it didn't happen, but I am very proud to have represented the Lady Vols softball program and helped them get to where we are right now. I hope in the future they will be back here and the result will be different." It almost sounds like the cookie cutter response after an accomplished career, but it just got me that she poured her heart and soul into a program when she could have done it halfway. I suppose it might be unrealistic to think someone could pour everything into it every day for four years, but still it's reassuring to know people are still passionate about their sport. Some times we become clouded by the frustrations of competing and forget what a privilege it is to be a college athlete. I miss it... but thanks to student-athletes like Monica Abbott and countless others (including some methu rockstars) who keep it entertaining because they are passionate about what they do. gracias to you.
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