Success, in a small thing

My daughter got married, and I hosted a group of virtual strangers in my home for a week. It was a lot of fun!

There were two babies, a five-year-old and a twelve-year-old. Various adults came and went. It was a pleasure to get to know them! I only hope they were comfortable here. Of course, my son and daughter-in-law were here for ten days. My daughter-in-law is a terrific person. I could not have done it without her help. She is a brilliant manager and knows just how to deal with a lot of different types of people. She really helped out with my younger daughter, who could sound off to her big sister and get the sympathetic ear she needed.

Of course, I did a lot of cooking, cleaning, and shopping, just to keep people fed! We went through a lot of Lucky Charms cereal. We hosted dinner at our neighborhood pool a couple of nights, and weathered a bad rainstorm with pizza one afternoon.

And I learned a lot about myself. I learned that nothing is perfect, and that's okay. I learned that it's a joy and a privilege to serve others. I learned that I am quite capable of not sweating the small stuff! My daughter has married into a lovely family that love each other. I am glad they came and stayed with us, and I hope they return!

Still Learning after all These Years

I just finished one of my favorite books, Bonds That Make Us Free, by C. Terry Warner, again. I have read it about three times during the past six years I've owned it.

It has taken me at least that long to digest and incorporate the information he presents into my life. Next to the scriptures, I think it is the most important book I've ever read.

Warner points out that we spend a lot of time taking offense, and that this is a type of self-betrayal. We get angry, then seek to justify our anger by blaming someone for provoking us. I guess, deep inside, I have always known this type of reaction to be wrong. And I admit that since I now have an empty nest, there are fewer people around to do things at which I become irritated. However, Warner's work resonates with me. We all enjoy and prefer people who are open, accepting, and loving, non-judgmental and uncritical, and that is the type of person I want to be.

I am teaching myself to look at the world, and other people, as a happy, open, positive place. I don't view others as my enemies. Instead, I realize others are just doing the best they can, and it is my responsibility to cut them some slack instead of assuming they're trying to thwart me. Usually people who are nasty, angry, and suspicious, are unhappy and afraid. The world to them is a dangerous place. I don't want to be like that, and I have compassion for people who do.

I only wish I'd had this book twenty years ago. It would have saved me from myself in a lot of ways! I am not perfect, but I am making progress.