And several years ago at work a lady started off a conversation by telling me that I am a beautiful young lady.... but I'll want to do something about ......... and she pointed out a flaw that I may or may not had taken note of on my own. But up until that day I stood in front of a hundred or more people every day able to carry my head and my _______ high. And even though I thought her back handed compliment and advice was as mean as anything I had ever heard, I didn't cry. Not then. But later.... and a lot.
And this past week I received a comment on the blog, that if I let it, could've discouraged me. And for me and my delicate sensibilities, criticism - when not so much about the quality and content of my work - but more about me as a person - can for a moment provoke doubt. But a moment is all it got, y'all. And then it got a gracious reply to the sender with well wishes and a sincere hope for a better day tomorrow - and then it got the delete button.
He showed me that everyone's gonna cry sometimes. But don't do it for long. And go ahead and listen to the wise words of a good country song while you're at it, a cry in your beer song as he called it. Then get back to doing what you do.
He showed me with 3 fingers on each hand and short arms that it's okay to be different. And different doesn't mean bad. It just means YOU. Just tailor your shirts - and your strengths - to fit, and you'll be standing out in a crowd for all the right reasons.
He showed me that problems are here, there and everywhere. But that it's not okay to make your life about your problems.
And he showed me that leaving a bad situation can be good. And that sometimes sticking with it through tough times can be even better.
He taught me to put all else aside now and then... and just sit. And that a good Willie Nelson song is good company to sit with. Here's my favorite. I can smell the cigar smoke and the steak on the grill in the memory of my mind with this one. I miss my dad.
And I guess mostly he taught me that being me is okay. I saw all this through a life lived in quiet participation and observation by a man born with certain limitations, and more added as he went about his business. But in the end a man that fished away his troubles and hunted for alternatives and found a good fit in just being who he was.
So to my critics out there, here's what I know as big and powerful as the day is long. It takes more courage to be the one putting yourself in front of the crowd and taking a risk for the chance that it just may turn out to be good - than it does to be the lonely voice of negativity hiding in that crowd. I choose to stand in front.
And I know that I would rather choose contentment with where I am today and keep developing the ability to recognize the sometimes ever so subtle gifts that may be there waiting for me. I choose to look up instead of down. And thankful that I have a choice.
And the little bit of crazy? It runs in the family. Really.
Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Contentment#sthash.xSMa3Ciu.dpuf
(My dad was born with 3 fingers on each hand, short arms, one permanently
bent with a non functioning elbow joint, no wrist, and a hand. The
other arm was as long as to my elbow and was made of a shoulder and a
hand to work with. He also had a tremendous curvature of the spine and
for the last 20 years of life, had to maneuver the best he could on
crutches or a motorized scooter having lost his pelvic bone, hip and thigh.)Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Contentment#sthash.xSMa3Ciu.dpuf
...........And was still the best hunter and fisherman these parts ever knew. Just needed a little help getting in the boat.
