Today I turn another year better, wiser, nerdier. It’s my 48th birthday and I am not sure how I feel yet. Celebrating another trip around the sun is always a good thing but what you do in all those trips and how you live is what matters most. I won’t be taking today off which is what many people do on days like this. Let’s make today a day of celebrating all our lives no matter what stage in life we are.
Tag Archives: writing
Flower, Weed, Both
Every person has the capability to be a beautiful flower but they can also be a weed that chokes other flowers. I admit I have the ability to be both a flower and a weed at the same time or alternating between the two. People are very complex like that and require an enormous amount of grace and understanding. Our situations dictate what we are going to be at any given time. God (or ones higher power) has love for both the flower and the weed and that should give comfort to us all. Often times when getting rid of weeds you also get rid of flowers too.
It should also mean that the weeds in ones life have a purpose and are worthy of the love of someone who looks like a rose. No matter what you are at this time weed or flower know that there are others who are just like you and know that you are valued and needed. There are bigger plans for each of us than we realize. One day we will all be flowers although some of us will have a few thorns too.
Hey, Haven’t I Seen That Before?
When you decide to re-blog your own stuff or take an old post and freshen it up a bit that can be a good thing. An old post can be seen in a new light by new eyes who are just now discovering your blog.
When your creative juices are running low, you can find inspiration from things you have done before. Be careful not to get too repetitive but enjoy the process of introducing your followers to your blogging journey. I would advise doing a short introduction to the post you are re-blogging to set up context and to let folks know this is a golden oldie.
It can be fun to take a look back until new ideas for new posts come along.
What The Internet Says
Like you I believe everything the Internet says…well almost everything. There are three sides to any story as you may know. Two people can have two different views on something and then there is what the Internet says.
In this era of discrediting what the media says and “fake news” it’s really hard to figure out what and whom is right. Too many times good old-fashioned gossip means facts are distorted or even turned into lies. Classic rock group The Doobie Brothers sing a song “What A Fool Believes” and sometimes we are the fool and other times others play the role of a fool. What we accept as truth is sometimes a reflection on our life experiences and education
I believe that much of what you see online is opinion, like this post you are reading now. Sharing opinions is a freedom many enjoy but speaking truth does require more of a challenge. People will believe whatever makes them comfortable even though it might not be so right.
Of course its a trusted source thing. Where do you get your information from. Not every source comes from an agenda but a desire to offer perspective from a human place. So we have to determine what our values are and what to believe. There is value in what the Internet says. I would say in more ways it’s on point but there are other times it gets things wrong.
Perspective On Life and The World Courtesy of The Tennessee Aquarium
I was looking at this section of the Tennessee Aquarium and a couple things struck me. These animals don’t know what in the world is going on outside this tank. All of them are just living their lives the best way they know how to. Sure that shark can eat all the things in that tank but he doesn’t. Perhaps he has learned to live in peaceful co-existence with the other creatures in his small world. Yes there are handlers that take care of all their needs but still its a very peaceful life.
As I gazed upon this sight it relaxed me and it reminded me that you have to keep swimming in the case of the shark but being a part of something bigger is quite awesome. There was a relaxation thing too where seeing fish float and swim free of the cares that bog me down. Maybe we need to all just chill out and enjoy the place and space we have. I am glad I had this moment with these creatures and this place. Perhaps I need this more often.
Doing The Best You Can
One might think they are doing the best they can, however in the eyes of others are they? You always wonder if your efforts are truly making a difference or could you work harder. Even the people who are at the top of their field wonder am I giving it my all. Doing the best you can should be all anyone should expect even though they might not deserve it.
You also wonder if the people who give raises and opportunity are seeing you do your best when it counts the most. Praise is always good in this situation.
Sometimes we all wish others would give their best because so much of the burden is carried by ourselves. Without our best nothing gets accomplished. We all have to make things happen in all facets of life but there are times when we don’t want to do the best we can because we are just tired of it all.
The Tony Burgess Blog 