A character trait which I hold in high esteem is that of Graciousness. This is a trait which is somewhat of a rarity in today's society. As a whole, we see fit only to point out the flaws of others, unable to forgive what people are lacking despite the things at which they excel or the positive skills and traits which they possess. When one lacks graciousness, they lack the ability to see those around them for who they are: works in progress, and children of our Father in Heaven. They forget that they, too, are imperfect and in need of mercy and grace. While we should do all that we can to be our best and expect the best out of others, people will continue to have shortcomings. We, ourselves, will continue to have faults. Very few in this life will truly be perfect. When I feel my temper rise to the surface, I try to remember the humanity of the person to which my anger is directed. I try to remember why it is that I should love them and be gracious. It is so easy to speak badly of others upon every little improper course of action which they take, but when a good person, or even someone I don't know very well, messes up, I feel like they deserve a bit of Grace. A bit of leeway is required of me. It's more than being the "better" person--it is forgiveness and it is love. That, to me, is what grace really is. It is not a proper curtsy or walking as though you are floating. It is not appeasing yourself with the "fact" that you are better than someone else, and therefore can let something slide when it suits your whims. To me, true graciousness is loving the best and the worst of those around us, and forgiving the best that we can as many times as we can muster. We may not be perfect in our graciousness, but in those times I hope there is a little bit of grace spent on all of us. Can a woman really be beautiful if she is lacking in grace? Can we really say that we are disciples of Christ and that we respect His sacrifice and the sanctity of the lives around us if we do not try to give others the benefit of the doubt?
The hubby was gone this week because of a government disaster training that work sent him to. I thought I would have a relatively mellow week, but it's been one of the busiest weeks I've had in years! I dropped him off on Sunday morning. Later that evening I kinda re-arranged the bedroom. I've had work every day from 0800-1700. I've been to the library every day, as well, returning and picking up new books.
Monday I'd volunteered to help clean the church, so I went home, cared for the dogs, went to the library, read in the church parking lot for an hour, then went inside. I vacuumed. For over an hour. That was my exercise for the first part of the week, because I haven't done a workout since! Then I went home, read 1 manga and 2 YA novels, and got to bed around 5 a.m.
Tuesday I attended to the pet shop in my house, then to the library and to babysit Cyane, who was not a happy camper that night at bedtime. She screamed and pounded her bedroom door--for an hour. I sure am glad that the crying doesn't bother me and that it wasn't SUPER late so the neighbors probably hadn't gone to bed yet! I didn't get home until until around 11 p.m. That day I read another YA novel.
Wednesday and Thursday I got to go to the first half of a work training I signed up for, Influencer training. It's awesome! We've been talking about how we have the power to influence change in almost any part of our lives and the lives of others. It's all about expanding our understanding of people and issues, and why we do what we do. I found out that if I'd taken this training off-campus it would have run me approximately $995!!! I am now even more grateful for the educational opportunities I have through my employer. It came with the book Influencer: The Power To Change Anything and a supplementary CD/DVD set, as well as some other learning materials. I'm excited to read the book! I haven't really read self-help books before, but I've only read one page of this one so far and I'm excited! I hope to get through most of it by next Wednesday's class and begin implementing the techniques I am learning at work and in my own life. I think my new knowledge will help the University and benefit my family as well. What else... Oh, I had Harley both Wednesday and Thursday.
Somehow, on Wednesday, I still managed to read another novel and go to the Library. It was also the day I memorized my library card number then lost my library card. Good timing, I think! I also got to hang out with my Rowena, Lex, and Christian. I tried Frozen Yogurt Junction (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frozen-Yogurt-Junction/58068158262) for the first time because it's in the same town they live in and my friend Grant is one of the owners. I had a delicious plain tart and tart pear frozen yogurt topped with kiwi, mango, blackberries, strawberries, and a raspberry drizzle in a store-made and delicious waffle bowl. I also got to try Greek food. Something about Chicken Souvlaki? And it came with lemon rice and some sort of sauce that seems like a yogurt base with cucumber in it? Just guessing. There was so much food that I am STILL working on leftovers and it's now Friday!
Thursday I went to the library and tended to my dogs again. Oh, and somebody turned in my library card. I think I just dropped it outside when I got out of my car the day before. Then, I went to attend a public meeting regarding my neighbor's proposed addition and requested housing variance. I'm totally not opposed to it but they have a neighbor who is. I'd like to do my part to help the variance be granted. However, they needed 3 out of 7 council members and only 2 showed up, so I ended up chatting for an hour then going home. I sorted my laundry, then started a load that I haven't finished yet, but at least it's not all over the floor anymore, since I brought the lost laundry hamper up from the basement..Finally. :) I didn't really get any reading done yesterday (a.k.a. the Thursday in question), but at least I finally got a full night's rest!
I'd completely forgotten that my life used to be like this before I got married: constantly on the go, never a break, but even busier and more socially involved. I can't believe I was able to do that and not completely exhaust myself! To add to the crazy week, today is the day I get to see my hubby again! It sounds like I'll go pick him up from the airport and we'll hang out in SLC overnight. A mini vacation, possibly. I wonder what we'll do with my dogs if I stay up there...Well, that's all my boring babble. Ciao, world. :)
I got up early this morning to let the dogs outside before I got ready for work. As they scampered around like crazy things, I spotted a bird in the neighbor's yard. I actually got to watch him catch a worm! Then, after his hard work, he skittered across the grass and onto the sidewalk to start enjoying his breakfast. Do you know what happened after that? Another bird found him. It then proceeded to chase him around, through the air and on ground, to try and steal his hard-earned worm. How sad! I had to go back inside to begin my day, so I don't know who ended up getting to eat the worm, but I hope it is the bird who spent his morning catching it.
This experience was kind of like my theory about piñatas-stand behind the big kid who's going to break the thing open and swoop in for the kill if you expect to receive any of the spoils. Don't aspire to be the one who actually succeeds in releasing the sugary goodness for everyone else. (However, it's really satisfying to succeed, so I probably wouldn't actually do this; but if I were the smallest participant, therefore being highly unlikely to crack the piñata open anyway, and only in it for the candy then this would be utterly brilliant.)
I've copied this because it doesn't always open on Facebook and I would like to keep it somewhere. It's my Bucket list. I'm SLOWLY chipping away at it, but I still occasionally add to it. Therefore, I may never finish it, but I'm sure going to try!
What You Must Do Before You Die...
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to London, England |  Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go up in a hot air balloon | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to Visit the pyramids of Egypt | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to participate in the Kodiac crab festival | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I absolutely MUST Take My Hubby to Hawaii | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I absolutely MUST Serve a Mission with my Hubby | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to Australia | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to New Zealand | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to perform on Broadway. :) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I absolutely MUST have children | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to change my hair color, or at least get highlights | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to swim with dolphins | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit Ireland | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit Scottland | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go Scuba Diving | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to save a life | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to make a difference | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go on a Safari | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go sailing | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to Mexico | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit Nauvoo, IL | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to Machu Picchu | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit sites of the Aztec Empire | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to travel around Italy | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit Spain | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to India | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit temples on every continent (that there are some) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to visit American Revolution Historical Sites | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to the Philippines with my Mother | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go on a cruise | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go on an overnight hike |  Completed on06-09-2010! | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit the Disney World Resort | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to be in an opera | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to explore a castle | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to visit the Louvre | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to be a good cook, and not need a cookbook to do it! | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to Tahiti | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to the Bahamas | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Latin | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Portuguese | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to explore a rainforest | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Tagalog | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Italian | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn French | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn German | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to be in a movie (not a Home Movie) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn to Surf | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to be someones mentor | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to milk a cow | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to China | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to take a road trip | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Japanese | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Spanish | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to try Yoga | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn Hawaiian | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to go to a STANDOWN concert | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to write a Childrens book | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to Publish a Childrens book | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to learn how to do acrylic nails | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to build a home, as in physically participate in the erection of my own person house-like structure. | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to get a black belt... in something. :) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1031 days ago | I want to see the northern lights | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1030 days ago | I want to have 1 million dollars (I know thats not as much nowadays, but its enough to take care of who I leave behind!) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1030 days ago | I want to have one of those libriaries that takes up an entire room, you can only access through a small ladder underneath the room, and that has an attached ladder that slides all the way around the room/shelves | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1030 days ago | I want to learn how to play guitar | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1030 days ago | I want to write a song | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1030 days ago | I want to visit niagra falls | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1030 days ago | I want to raft the grand caynon | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to visit the Everglades National Park & Pet a Manatee | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to go to a Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to explore the Carlsbad Caverns in NM | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to visit the Biscayne National Park | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to visit the National Park of American Samoa | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to learn to play tennis | Completed on 06-14-2010! | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to be able to hold my breath more than 15 seconds BEFORE I die...without actually dying. :) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to be able to do a scorpion | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to travel to all 50 states | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to finish my floral design certificate, IF I go back to the Central Valley (Cali) | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1029 days ago | I want to learn to play the piano | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1027 days ago | I want to celebrate Chinese New Year in China | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1027 days ago | I want to go on a Canyoneering Adventure! | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1027 days ago | I want to travel to Brazil | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1016 days ago | I want to drive a Quad | Completed on 07-24-2008! | |||
| Posted 1016 days ago | I absolutely MUST Finish a Bachelors Degree | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1008 days ago | I absolutely MUST learn the art of Bonsai! | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 1008 days ago | I want to become skilled in Ikebana | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 407 days ago | I want to go to a club! | Completed on 03-26-2010! | |||
| Posted 407 days ago | I want to take dance at a STUDIO. | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 407 days ago | I absolutely MUST have my own business/sell my own Khreations | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 407 days ago | I absolutely MUST be debt free. | Not done yet | |||
| Posted 329 days ago | I want to have a paint-filled balloon fight | Not done yet |
