It's really a simple concept. Most of us learned it when we were little and were learning to cross the street.... or in my case, the oil top road. It became different when I went to college. The phrase is also used in Marketing when one is determining the next course of action. Then, our country went to war with Iraq and the "Stop, Look & Listen" catch phrase became a staple of organizations encouraging "Peace in the Middle East". But... it means even more after today.
Wanna know something else? (Keep in mind that I have FIVE DAYS worth of blogs stored up in my little noggin!) I really am against the rat race. I'm so tired of being busy. I cannot tell you how nice it is to just sit here and type. In fact, it's a bit idyllic. People are so busy. Do we ever really STOP, LOOK and LISTEN to each other? I don't. I think if we did, we'd be shocked. To really stop though, you must do just that. STOP. Not slow down. I'm talking a slam-on-the-brakes-quit-cold-turkey S-T-O-P. When you're about to rear end some one, do you casually place your foot over the brake pedal and then just apply pressure? Heck no! You slam on those brakes because you and I know that we are not above looking like idiots to keep our insurance premiums down. Stopping is best done without thinking about it. In the words of NIKE- Just Do It.
I did that IT tonight. I STOPPED. And guess what? I'm still okay. I was driving home from work and saw a lady standing on the side of the road. Without even thinking... I literally stopped in the middle of the road and turned my flashers on. (The stopping I was ranting about earlier was theoretical, but the event is a great tie-in) I didn't even know what she needed. So I opened my passenger door and asked her to get in. She said that she had just gotten into a fight with her boyfriend and he had put her out on the side of the road. Now-- it's about 37 degrees and misting rain. She tells me where she needs to go and I head that direction. I ask her a few questions and start to tell her about the Lord. I stopped thinking about what she would think about me and more importantly--- if I was going to be the next Megan Holdenand just listened to her. We had maybe 5 minutes together, but I can't place a dollar value on the feeling that I got from stopping. I began to think about the people I dealt with today. I was able to STOP and spend time with a mom who really wanted to share some things with me.
I would go so far as to say that it's biblical to STOP. Yep, quit all the worrying about whether or not the house is clean or all my other "important" stuff had been done... and just S-T-O-P in the name of L-O-V-E.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
I like people....
(the title is better heard than read.... especially if Jessi Hardy Scherm is saying it!)
So... I was listening to my way-old school Jagged Little Pill CD and realized how sensitized I am. It happened earlier today, too, when Brad and I were leaving MSC. But back to Alanis. I usually only hear her stuff on the radio - which is the edited version. Can you imagine my disdain when I re-remembered (I'll explain that in a second...) that there are swear words on her CD! GASP!
When I was leaving MSC today - smoke was in the air and Brad and I immediately looked at each other and said, "Ewwww.....what's that?"
We're not used to smelling good 'ol Marlboro cigarette smoke. Once again, I was just taken aback. Then I realized that I'm a sissy. How am I ever going to make it in the real world if some smoke and a few curse words cause me to scrunch my face? I've got to get tough.
On to other, more fascinating topics. It's funny how much you take with you. When I say that - I'm talking about relationships that have ended or grown stagnant. Regardless of the terms that it ended on, you'll always have a piece of that person with you. Remember-- I'm not talking about just boyfriend/girlfriend stuff either. Yes, most of the nuances are from significant others. But not always. For example: I have this friend. I can't eat tater tots without thinking about her. It's hysterical. I'll probably always think about her everytime I eat tater tots. Now-- I know this sounds rediculous, but think of this in the opposite sense. Who might eat tater tots and be reminded of ME? Weird, huh?
Oh, right-- thanks for reminding me. I was supposed to tell you what "re-remembered" meant. It's when you remember something you'd previously forgotten and remembered. In essence, you'd forgotten it before and not learned your lesson the first time, which was to remember it the second time around. Sounds like and answer to one of my old professor's (Roller, anyone?) Intro to Management tests.
So... I was listening to my way-old school Jagged Little Pill CD and realized how sensitized I am. It happened earlier today, too, when Brad and I were leaving MSC. But back to Alanis. I usually only hear her stuff on the radio - which is the edited version. Can you imagine my disdain when I re-remembered (I'll explain that in a second...) that there are swear words on her CD! GASP!
When I was leaving MSC today - smoke was in the air and Brad and I immediately looked at each other and said, "Ewwww.....what's that?"
We're not used to smelling good 'ol Marlboro cigarette smoke. Once again, I was just taken aback. Then I realized that I'm a sissy. How am I ever going to make it in the real world if some smoke and a few curse words cause me to scrunch my face? I've got to get tough.
On to other, more fascinating topics. It's funny how much you take with you. When I say that - I'm talking about relationships that have ended or grown stagnant. Regardless of the terms that it ended on, you'll always have a piece of that person with you. Remember-- I'm not talking about just boyfriend/girlfriend stuff either. Yes, most of the nuances are from significant others. But not always. For example: I have this friend. I can't eat tater tots without thinking about her. It's hysterical. I'll probably always think about her everytime I eat tater tots. Now-- I know this sounds rediculous, but think of this in the opposite sense. Who might eat tater tots and be reminded of ME? Weird, huh?
Oh, right-- thanks for reminding me. I was supposed to tell you what "re-remembered" meant. It's when you remember something you'd previously forgotten and remembered. In essence, you'd forgotten it before and not learned your lesson the first time, which was to remember it the second time around. Sounds like and answer to one of my old professor's (Roller, anyone?) Intro to Management tests.
Monday, January 24, 2005
I don't wanna grow up....
So.... who's the PSYCHO that invented MLK Blvd???? Here I am- just driving up to the church and decide to take a little short cut (that's where the MLK Blvd comes in) and the next thing I know... I'm petrified a la The Village.
I promise you, it was like I was in a TOTALLY DIFFERENT COUNTRY. Now, don't go making this about race (I'm talking to you VANESSA!). It has nothing to do with that. But, it totally has something to do with the fact that I live in a completely URBAN area that should have paved roads. And employed citizens, but that's another story.
So, to give you the start to finish run down (in case you want to personally experience the joy ride): I leave work (good 'ol LETU) and head east on Birdsong. Now, last time I checked Eastman and MLK were parallel... and in theory they are, to a point. I arrive at the Cotton/MLK intersection and instead of going east like a NORMAL person would do I think to myself,
"Hum.... the street sign says 'MLK' so I guess it keeps going..."
It's not like I had time to waste so I'm not quite sure why I thought I could be adventuresome. That kind of thing is reserved for trips with Laura. Anyway, I go straight... and whaddya know? Hello scaryness. I'm talking gimme-a-read-suit-and-put-me-on-the-Walker-Reserve scary. So, I was late to the church... but alive. Glory Be to Jesus.
Oh, yeah I almost forgot. Not only was I in a time crunch because of my detour and subsequent re-navigation, but MLK has THREE school zones. Yeah baby. How d'ya like me now? HUH? Bring some more 'o that 20 MPH spirit. So, for future reference MLK if off limits!
I promise you, it was like I was in a TOTALLY DIFFERENT COUNTRY. Now, don't go making this about race (I'm talking to you VANESSA!). It has nothing to do with that. But, it totally has something to do with the fact that I live in a completely URBAN area that should have paved roads. And employed citizens, but that's another story.
So, to give you the start to finish run down (in case you want to personally experience the joy ride): I leave work (good 'ol LETU) and head east on Birdsong. Now, last time I checked Eastman and MLK were parallel... and in theory they are, to a point. I arrive at the Cotton/MLK intersection and instead of going east like a NORMAL person would do I think to myself,
"Hum.... the street sign says 'MLK' so I guess it keeps going..."
It's not like I had time to waste so I'm not quite sure why I thought I could be adventuresome. That kind of thing is reserved for trips with Laura. Anyway, I go straight... and whaddya know? Hello scaryness. I'm talking gimme-a-read-suit-and-put-me-on-the-Walker-Reserve scary. So, I was late to the church... but alive. Glory Be to Jesus.
Oh, yeah I almost forgot. Not only was I in a time crunch because of my detour and subsequent re-navigation, but MLK has THREE school zones. Yeah baby. How d'ya like me now? HUH? Bring some more 'o that 20 MPH spirit. So, for future reference MLK if off limits!
Friday, January 21, 2005
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Clarity is such a splendid thing...
There are many who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge: that is curiosity.
There are others who desire to know in order that they themselves be known: that is vanity.
But there are those who seek knowledge in order to teach and edify others: that is love.
-St. Bernard of Clairvaux
There are others who desire to know in order that they themselves be known: that is vanity.
But there are those who seek knowledge in order to teach and edify others: that is love.
-St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Friday, January 14, 2005
I choose...
Courage is not something you are given or are gifted with.
Courage is something you choose, much like love.
The decision to make yourself move when you are totally frozen by fear is painfully difficult and the response of your body is often incredibly slow, however, at that moment that you choose to move, you have chosen courage over fear. At the time it seems like a miniscule detail in a dire situation that is rapidly spiraling out of control, but looking back you can see the moment of courage shining bright. If you are examining a memory and see that courage, it is one of the most reassuring and inspirational realizations in your life.
Courage is something you choose, much like love.
The decision to make yourself move when you are totally frozen by fear is painfully difficult and the response of your body is often incredibly slow, however, at that moment that you choose to move, you have chosen courage over fear. At the time it seems like a miniscule detail in a dire situation that is rapidly spiraling out of control, but looking back you can see the moment of courage shining bright. If you are examining a memory and see that courage, it is one of the most reassuring and inspirational realizations in your life.
Monday, January 10, 2005
I am at a new LOW...
"I will chew him up like a piece of garbage!"
"I will fight for her heart, every single day, for the rest of my life."
"When they fry chicken and put it in a bucket, you know, and you pull it out - that's how HOT you are."
"Have you ever been on a tin roof in Arkansas in July? That's how HOT you are."
THESE ARE REAL QUOTES from The Bachelorette! I can't believe that I succumbed to the madness that America calls "entertainment". To make things worse.... meaning- like I didn't feel like a dumb, silly girl enough-- my roommate received SEVENTEEN magazine in the mail today. It was SO hilarious! I haven't read SEVENTEEN since I was, well, seventeen.
BUT- before all of the Bachelorette/Seventeen drama I was returning a missing man purse to a not-so-missing man and was doing what most automobile operators do: listening to the radio! A somber advertisement comes on encouraging families to PLAN FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK. That's right kids, no more of this buy-a-ladder-for-every-second-story-bedroom-window, no have-a-shiny-sticker-on-every-kids-bedroom-window or the have-a-meeting-place-if-there's-a fire.... NOPE! PLAN FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK, KIDS!
OH WAIT.... BREAKING NEWS! (I'm watching the 10 o'clock news as I write this....) Carnie Wilson was in town today! IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS!
So.... break free, break free from the chains!
"I will fight for her heart, every single day, for the rest of my life."
"When they fry chicken and put it in a bucket, you know, and you pull it out - that's how HOT you are."
"Have you ever been on a tin roof in Arkansas in July? That's how HOT you are."
THESE ARE REAL QUOTES from The Bachelorette! I can't believe that I succumbed to the madness that America calls "entertainment". To make things worse.... meaning- like I didn't feel like a dumb, silly girl enough-- my roommate received SEVENTEEN magazine in the mail today. It was SO hilarious! I haven't read SEVENTEEN since I was, well, seventeen.
BUT- before all of the Bachelorette/Seventeen drama I was returning a missing man purse to a not-so-missing man and was doing what most automobile operators do: listening to the radio! A somber advertisement comes on encouraging families to PLAN FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK. That's right kids, no more of this buy-a-ladder-for-every-second-story-bedroom-window, no have-a-shiny-sticker-on-every-kids-bedroom-window or the have-a-meeting-place-if-there's-a fire.... NOPE! PLAN FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK, KIDS!
OH WAIT.... BREAKING NEWS! (I'm watching the 10 o'clock news as I write this....) Carnie Wilson was in town today! IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS!
So.... break free, break free from the chains!
Saturday, January 08, 2005
THE BEST OF Chronicles starts TODAY!
With the new year now well behind me and and an un-updated Xanga/Blog that is absolutely unbearable.... I decided to just start another series instead of updating you on my oh-so-on-the edge-of-my-seat life. The series Best Of's are limited to 25 nominees each. So here goes nothing! Feel free to contribute your own. Yes, I realize the likes of Barry White, Harry Connick, Santana, Three Dog Night and 38 Special aren't on this list.
ALL TIME GREATEST ALBUMS
*Now, I must put a disclaimer here. You would be mystified if I didn't. To be worthy of the honor of All Time Greatest Album an album must be great as a whole. That means the ENTIRE album. Not one bad song allowed, no not one. It also can't be a compilation album. Compilation albums, theoretically, are the best of, right? Also, no self titled albums. All that means is that it took all the writer's creative juices to write & compose the songs and there wasn't any "creative energy" left to title the album with and, in my opinion - it should subsequently be discredited as an ATGA. So... no self titled albums. These are listed in no specific order. Also, if you have any chance of ever scoring with a girl - you own 90% of these albums. They are staples of any resemblance of a collection.
ALL TIME GREATEST ALBUMS
*Now, I must put a disclaimer here. You would be mystified if I didn't. To be worthy of the honor of All Time Greatest Album an album must be great as a whole. That means the ENTIRE album. Not one bad song allowed, no not one. It also can't be a compilation album. Compilation albums, theoretically, are the best of, right? Also, no self titled albums. All that means is that it took all the writer's creative juices to write & compose the songs and there wasn't any "creative energy" left to title the album with and, in my opinion - it should subsequently be discredited as an ATGA. So... no self titled albums. These are listed in no specific order. Also, if you have any chance of ever scoring with a girl - you own 90% of these albums. They are staples of any resemblance of a collection.
- Daydream - Mariah Carey
- The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot
- Soul Gravy - Cross Canadian Ragweed
- Brushfire Fairytales - Jack Johnson
- Be Here - Keith Urban
- Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
- Friction, Baby - Better Than Ezra
- Now in a Minute - Donna Lewis
- Breathless - Kenny G
- Evolution - Boyz II Men
- Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay
- I Wanna Be There - Blessed Union of Souls
- Licensed to Ill - Beastie Boys
- Love Always - KC & JoJo (not the girl JoJo... another one)
- I Belong to You - ROME
- The Joshua Tree - U2
- Hotel California - The Eagles
- At Last - Etta James
- Rocks - Aerosmith
- Ghost in the Machine - The Police
- My Private Nation - Train
- A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
- Any Given Thursday - John Mayer
- Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
- Live Songs & Stories - David Wilcox
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