Some of you may be wondering why this is my first post in a couple of months, others are probably thinking, "you have a blog?!" Ha ha!
This past winter has admittedly been one of my hardest winters in my battle against what can only be described as "the winter blues." I took the photograph you see above just yesterday and as I walked by this bench, it really stood out to me. My winter blues are much like this pond. In the spring and summer, it’s alive and full of sounds. From the ducks and geese wading through, to the guys that stay out past sunset with their fishing poles in the water, to the frogs croaking at night.
Yet in the winter time, the bench sits empty. The frogs don’t croak, the geese and ducks have migrated south, the pond freezes up, and the fishermen pack up their gear for the winter months. Often times, the only sounds you hear are the crunch of snow underneath your boots and an owl hooting in the distance. In many ways, my winter blues is like that. It feels like with the scenery and animals around me changing, so does my mood.
My luck is beginning to turn around though. While we had a small snowfall the other day, signs of life are starting to return to this pond. The ice is beginning to melt, the ducks and geese have returned, and the smell of spring is in the air. And I begin to awaken from my winter blues as the cool air rejuvenates me, I’m so thankful. And as I walk around the pond I look at the geese who return year after year and I just look at them say, "welcome back, friend."
Our IT guy, Jon, has his beloved Woot Monkey. Well, Woot Monkey has been bored hanging around the IT offices answering the mundane support calls. So he decided to check out the building.
I had a weird dream the other night. I dreamt that I was back working at Marsh with my friend calling me over the intercom to stop bagging and help cover one of the cashier’s breaks. For those of you who don’t know, I hated running a register after doing it for years and loved the freedom I had as a bagger to move around. For me, putting me at register was like a prison sentence.
I woke up feeling two things: confused and happy. I was confused because it seemed so real to me and yet I was happy when I realized that it was a dream.
Sometimes in the hustle-and-bustle of our everyday lives, we forget where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. For me, there are things I miss about Marsh. But when I think about it, I forget how relieved I was to get out of there.
That dream was a wake-up moment for me, not to take today for granted. It reminded me to be thankful for where God has placed me and to remind me of the chance I’ve been given. I’m thankful for the reminder…
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus
What I’m Watching: I’ve been watching a lot of Christmas movies as of late, still holding out on watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for just a little while longer.
What I’m Reading: After seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 this past weekend, it encouraged me to re-read the books. I’ve just finished the first book and starting on the second.
What I’m Looking Forward To This Week: I’m hoping to do some fun Christmas-y stuff this weekend, we’ll see if it happens!
Quote of the Day: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” – Mother Teresa
