Showing Your True Colors

I'm not talking about "bleeding True BYU Cougar Blue" or "Utah red, through and through".  I'm talking about how you behave showing you who you really are.

We had a terrible event happen at work this week.  Our office manager's wife lost their unborn baby at about 6 months along.  As he should, he left work immediately and went to be by her side as she had to deliver a baby she could never bring home with her.  We were all heart broken about it.  This little momma had struggled through this entire pregnancy, and we were feeling (like she likely did) that she had been preggers forever.  But with the office manager/all round good guy/answer man out for the next few days--at the least, but most likely a week--we all knew that we'd have to step it up to cover for him.  That is what small companies do; that is what friends do for each other.

That is, all but one of our drivers.  our office manager was the "on-call" guy this week.  When the owner/big boss asked Morning Driver if he would cover the on-call stuff for the rest of Office Manager's week, Morning Driver said no.

Whoa.  That took some nerve, considering this guy had just gotten 10 days OFF all around Christmas.  And it was Office Manager who approved that for him.  Whoa.

I guess I was raised differently.  I was taught that when someone needs help, you jump in.  If you had fun plans, you change them--helping another human being is more important than fun.  And people matter more than plans.  Being kind doesn't happen according to any schedule.

I definitely know I have covenanted with God to do things differently.  When I was baptized, I made a promise to "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort."  And that means even when it wasn't what you were expecting or when it's convenient.

I realize that the Lord doesn't specifically mention what you should do to show gratitude "if you get (a lot of) time off at Christmas, causing your co-workers to not get time off to cover for you", but I'm fairly certain He'd be disappointed with Morning Driver's reaction.  I was and worse.  But I'm no where nearly as compassionate as the Savior.

The really crazy part here, at least as I see it, is this Morning Driver guy spends a lot of energy worrying about his time card hours, his overtime pay, his little reimbursements getting covered.  But never once looks at things from anyone else's point of view.  Even on good days.

And just because you announce you're getting off early to go the temple, doesn't mean you are any more righteous than the rest of us.  In fact, after your behavior this week, your actions are yelling so loud I can't hear your words anyway.



Thanks for letting me rant about this.  It's weighted heavily on my heart for two days.  And it is just another reason this week has just been sad.

Day After: Election Mourning

Sometimes things just don't go your way.  Well, not exactly MY way, but you know what I mean.  The municipal elections were Tuesday.  We ended up with only 29% of the register voters participating...that is problem number 1!

The other discouraging part was that only 1 out of the four folks/propositions I voted for actually won.  I think the people that did come out and vote--and I thought this after the 2012 presidential election too--are the disgruntled.  Those that just don't like what is going on so they vote for anyone/everyone that is different.  I would like to say that they are doing their homework on this issues and judging for themselves how best to proceed, but I think they just don't like what is going on a that moment and vote for anything else.

I gave myself all day yesterday to mourn the civic vision I had hoped for that will never come true.  And today I put on a happy face and hope for better days.  Sometimes, hope is the only sure thing you have.

Attitude, Again

It's all how you look at things....

Municiple Elections

The city election for mayor and city council, as well as a local proposition to build new a emergency responders' building is TODAY.

I actually voted a week ago last Friday--we had an option for early voting and I took it.  But when the Primary was back in June and the general election is in November, it sure seems like we have been at this for a LONG time.

Oh nothing like the presidential elections anymore, but you know what I mean.  Let's just elect these guys already!

Last night on a trip to the grocery store, I discovered the Genius golfer disagrees about the proposition on the ballot.  He needn't have the same opinion as me, but on this he is wrong.  And I told him.  It just made my blood boil when I thought about his reaction.  And then I worried other people looked at it the same way he did. 

This is why I will NEVER run for office.  PTA leadership was enough for me.  There are too many factions of the populace that make me crazy.  Let's hope the winners today see all of this.

Its All In the Perspective

Had a friend post something that got me thinking:

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
They were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;
It has served us faithfully for many years.
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that needs raking;
We all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
You have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
-author unknown

Perhaps if I keep this kind of mindset, I will be more grateful for the blessings I know I have, but tend to over look.