I have a confession to make. Sometimes I don’t like my behavior.
I was with a friend today at the car dealership picking up his tire. We parked and walked into the service desk area. There was no one at the desk. There was a window for parts and a window for payments, and no one was there either.
We waited a minute or so, and another man came in. He looked around, waited a moment and poked his head into the cashier window, and asked for help. Promptly, a man appeared in the parts window to help him. They started talking, and my friend joined in the conversation. They joked and laughed.
When the exchange was over, I said to my friend sarcastically, “I guess we can wait. We’ll just stay here and entertain everyone. Both staff people quickly apologized and customer service staff was helping us in seconds. Boy did I that pull me up short. My rudeness was showing.
Sarcasm is a form of humor that uses sharp, cutting remarks or language intended to mock, wound, or subject to contempt or ridicule. It comes from an ancient Greek word meaning, “to tear flesh.”(according to Wikipedia).
Southerners have not struck me as a sarcastic lot. They’ll charm the pants off you before they’d be rude or cutting. There is something to be learned in that common place courtesy. It was a mirror reflecting back my bad behavior.
Graciousness, service and courtesy can overcome rudeness and change a situation. I also learned from the man who asked for help that it is a lot nicer to just ask for what you need than to complain. I learned from my friend to simply “be” in the moment.
Most of us we taught in childhood to ask nicely for what we want. Sometimes, we need reminders of that, at least I do.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Independence Day
4th of July. Independence Day. BBQ's and fireworks. Summertime, family and friends.
What else does it mean?
It means I could go to church this morning, gathering with friends to sing and worship God free from fear and persecution. Free to write a letter to the editor and speak up at local government meetings protesting topics that are important to me.
It means that I am free to make lots of choices about my life. Some are difficult choices, and I make mistakes, but they're mine to make.
I know that millions of people don't have the choices I do. I am truly blessed to have been born in this place and time.
Happy Independence Day
Freedom from fear...we all have things we're afraid of - snakes, speaking in public, financial ruin, injury - but most everyone I know enjoys comforts of food, clothing and shelter.
What else does it mean?
It means I could go to church this morning, gathering with friends to sing and worship God free from fear and persecution. Free to write a letter to the editor and speak up at local government meetings protesting topics that are important to me.
It means that I am free to make lots of choices about my life. Some are difficult choices, and I make mistakes, but they're mine to make.
I know that millions of people don't have the choices I do. I am truly blessed to have been born in this place and time.
Happy Independence Day
Freedom from fear...we all have things we're afraid of - snakes, speaking in public, financial ruin, injury - but most everyone I know enjoys comforts of food, clothing and shelter.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tooting my own horn
I've told some of you my exciting news, but... now I'll took my own horn to everyone! I am involved in a book project! I will be one of 34 authors featured in Overcomers, Inc., True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration to be released in fall, 2009. Wow!
We have a FB Fan Page, and I'd love for you to be a part of it. If you becom a fan you will receive updates, free offers and announcements of special events.
Click this link http://tinyurl.com/lvkry6 and click the flag to become a Fan.
Hurray!
We have a FB Fan Page, and I'd love for you to be a part of it. If you becom a fan you will receive updates, free offers and announcements of special events.
Click this link http://tinyurl.com/lvkry6 and click the flag to become a Fan.
Hurray!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Katrina Recovery
Katrina Recovery nearly four years later...
Volunteers are still coming to Gulfport, MS this Fall and next Spring to help the ongoing Presbytery of MS Disaster Recovery efforts. Thank God for our friends at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA for providing Grace House for volunteer houseing through June of 2010.
Although the number of volunteers is not what it was three years ago, the volunteers who do still come to help are familiar friends coming to help for their fifth Thanksgiving or Spring Break – this year perhaps, for the last time.
Martha-Lee Bohn has recently been traveling the country on behalf of the Presbytery of MS. She’s been visiting churches and Presbyteries that have sent teams to the Gulf Coast to assist with recovery and rebuilding over the last four years. She was recently in Janesville, WI visiting Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church whose volunteers helped Westminster and the Presbytery build their first new home construction.
Martha-Lee was also a guest in the pulpit at Huguenot Church in Pelham, New York and at First Presbyterian Church in Owatanna, MN; gave a presentation at the Twin Cities, Area Presbytery (MN) and Frame Church in Stevens Point, WI; and delivered the children’s sermon at First Presbyterian Church of Marshfield, WI.
Members of each of these churches have been moved by their experiences as missionaries in our midst and have moving stories to share about their time sharing hope in chaos. Many were motivated to service in the wake of Katrina for personal reasons.
They were all eager for news of the ongoing recovery and will be sending teams to the Coast for at least one more visit in the coming year.
The commitment continues even as time moves on. Could it really have been nearly four years ago? Let’s pray for a tame Hurricane season 2009!
Volunteers are still coming to Gulfport, MS this Fall and next Spring to help the ongoing Presbytery of MS Disaster Recovery efforts. Thank God for our friends at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA for providing Grace House for volunteer houseing through June of 2010.
Although the number of volunteers is not what it was three years ago, the volunteers who do still come to help are familiar friends coming to help for their fifth Thanksgiving or Spring Break – this year perhaps, for the last time.
Martha-Lee Bohn has recently been traveling the country on behalf of the Presbytery of MS. She’s been visiting churches and Presbyteries that have sent teams to the Gulf Coast to assist with recovery and rebuilding over the last four years. She was recently in Janesville, WI visiting Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church whose volunteers helped Westminster and the Presbytery build their first new home construction.
Martha-Lee was also a guest in the pulpit at Huguenot Church in Pelham, New York and at First Presbyterian Church in Owatanna, MN; gave a presentation at the Twin Cities, Area Presbytery (MN) and Frame Church in Stevens Point, WI; and delivered the children’s sermon at First Presbyterian Church of Marshfield, WI.
Members of each of these churches have been moved by their experiences as missionaries in our midst and have moving stories to share about their time sharing hope in chaos. Many were motivated to service in the wake of Katrina for personal reasons.
They were all eager for news of the ongoing recovery and will be sending teams to the Coast for at least one more visit in the coming year.
The commitment continues even as time moves on. Could it really have been nearly four years ago? Let’s pray for a tame Hurricane season 2009!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Blame
Lack of regulation or enforcement of regulation has been blamed for the financial melt down. I disagree. Lack of a moral compass and short-sighted vision caused this mess.
People used to be polite to each other. Their word was their honor their bond. Now, it seems that folks are trying to "get one over on you." We don't want to be "taken advantage of" so we're overly cautious. Fearful. Fear. Ugh.
So many more wonderful things happen every day than awful ones. Things are never as bad as they seem. Imagine if we were innundated with good news, success stories, achievement every day. Imagine. Who would we blame for that?
The good stories are there. Look for them. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
People used to be polite to each other. Their word was their honor their bond. Now, it seems that folks are trying to "get one over on you." We don't want to be "taken advantage of" so we're overly cautious. Fearful. Fear. Ugh.
So many more wonderful things happen every day than awful ones. Things are never as bad as they seem. Imagine if we were innundated with good news, success stories, achievement every day. Imagine. Who would we blame for that?
The good stories are there. Look for them. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Friday, June 19, 2009
this networking things
Networking...that wasn't even a word 25 years ago, was it? I've been catching up with my 350 Facebook friends. The funny thing is, I really do know all of them. Friends. You pick up the conversation where you left off. Shared experiences. Comedy. Tragedy. Challenges. Celebrations. Some. All. Now we can network from the living room couch. What a concept.
I'm collaborating with dozens of people I've never met on a major project. I "meet" with another group once a week on a conference call. Virtual meetings. Physical contact. High Definition. I'd rather spend my money on travel to see things in real high definition than spending that money on tv.
Writing. Stories to tell. Books to write. People to inspire. Joy and good news to spread. What's next?
What do I want to be when I grow up?
I'm collaborating with dozens of people I've never met on a major project. I "meet" with another group once a week on a conference call. Virtual meetings. Physical contact. High Definition. I'd rather spend my money on travel to see things in real high definition than spending that money on tv.
Writing. Stories to tell. Books to write. People to inspire. Joy and good news to spread. What's next?
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Why Auntie Flea
Welcome Home to Auntie Flea's blog.
This is my first step into this.
Be bold. Here we go...
"Why Auntie Flea?" you may ask.
Martha-Lee is a mouthful for a kid. When I tried to say my name, it came out "Ma-FaLee." My older sister called me "MyFlea." As a teenager, I even introduced myself as "Flea." When neices and nephews came along, I became "Auntie Flea," and it stuck.
Auntie Flea has become a bit of a character of her own, perhaps even a SuperHero over the years.
Think of the possibilities. If you were a Super Hero, what would your powers be?
I'd like to heal with a hug and a kiss,
and I could transport anywhere instantly by giving myself a hug.
Do I get three, like three wishes? Hmmm.
How about the ability to link into the power-source of all other Super Heroes. What if everyone knew that they were truly a Super Hero?
That's it for my first random thoughts on my first blog.
Smiles and blessings to you,
Auntie Flea
This is my first step into this.
Be bold. Here we go...
"Why Auntie Flea?" you may ask.
Martha-Lee is a mouthful for a kid. When I tried to say my name, it came out "Ma-FaLee." My older sister called me "MyFlea." As a teenager, I even introduced myself as "Flea." When neices and nephews came along, I became "Auntie Flea," and it stuck.
Auntie Flea has become a bit of a character of her own, perhaps even a SuperHero over the years.
Think of the possibilities. If you were a Super Hero, what would your powers be?
I'd like to heal with a hug and a kiss,
and I could transport anywhere instantly by giving myself a hug.
Do I get three, like three wishes? Hmmm.
How about the ability to link into the power-source of all other Super Heroes. What if everyone knew that they were truly a Super Hero?
That's it for my first random thoughts on my first blog.
Smiles and blessings to you,
Auntie Flea
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