100 Days!

It’s official.  President Obama has survived his first 100 days in office.  In case you’re not clear on what has been accomplished, you can check out this very neat interactive calendar provided by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

You can click on each day, and a pop up shows something that President Obama accomplished on that day.  I think it’s pretty cool.

I also think that over these past 100 days, President Obama has become more comfortable and extremely more confident in his ability to lead our country.  While he always spoke very eloquently about his belief that he had what it takes to lead our country, I feel that now he’s being more assertive about his agenda, and really tackling the issues head-on…as a president should.

Yes, it’s a crazy chaotic situation in America.  We’re at war, in a horrible recession, and facing a terrible sickness-  among other things.  But overall, it’s been a good 100 days.

Kudos to you, President Obama!

Book Review: The Noticer

We all need to be noticed.  And there are times where we can all benefit from a different perspective.  It’s with these themes that Andy Andrews writes the awesome book, “The Noticer”.

Andrews tells the story of a man named Jones- not Mr. Jones, just Jones, who sweeps through a town changing lives by imparting a valuable change of perspective.  Jones encounters different situations that have the opportunity to truly make or break a person’s life: divorce, poverty, an unsuccessful business; and easily and gently explains how that situation can be changed if the person’s perspective is changed.

This book is an easy read, yet a profound one.  I found myself reading it very quickly, then uncovering a valuable lesson or thought, and going back to make sure that I completely understood and benefitted from the lesson.

While some books that encourage a change of perspective can be rather preachy or condescending, this one is not.  It’s light and encouraging, providing useful advice in the same manner that a grandmother might provide over cookies and milk: you don’t feel as if you must adopt the advice, but it seems extremely beneficial and worthwhile to consider.

There are some religious/spiritual undertones in this book; however, it’s not an overwhelming undertone where one may feel as if they are being beat over the head with biblical principles.  Additionally, I found a light reference to some other books that had small biblical references.

Did I enjoy this book: 100%!  Would I recommend it to others: I would absolutely, without hesitation!  I would especially recommend it to those who have struggled with overcoming some of the different situations life presents us (and I think that would be all of us).  It’s not necessarily a book for children, but I would say that a mature young adult could enjoy and benefit from the story that Andy Andrews tells.

All that said- head out to get a copy of The Noticer- and maybe grab one for Mom for Mother’s Day as well.  It won’t disappoint!

Understanding Where You Fit

Around this time last year, I wrote a post: “What happens when you outgrow your friends?”.  Ironically enough, I find myself asking the exact same question now.

As my life shuffles and changes, and I prepare for what’s to come, I realize that I miss the friendships that I had with people before.  However, perhaps the faulty logic for me comes from the fact that I had unrealistic expectations from my friends.

We’ve gotten older.  We live in different places.  We have different demands and priorities.  It’s completely unrealistic to use the college mold of a friendship to fit my real world scenario.  And if I’m honest with myself, we’re all different people.  Not necessarily in a bad way, but because of all the things that I’ve mentioned- age, different environments, different demands and priorities, even different experiences- my friends and I have changed.

Does that mean that we can’t be friends?  Not at all.  Some of the people that I cherish most are people who’ve lived their life completely different from how I choose to live mine.  However, through mutual love and respect, we’re able to maintain a friendship where each person is their authentic self .

However, as the title of this post says, I’m understanding where I fit in the lives of some of my friends.  Not quite a priority (actually nowhere near a priority), but if I ever REALLY needed something, I honestly think they’d be down for the cause.  But that raises a question: If I/our friendship is not a priority, should I be calling you in the event that I REALLY need something?  My thought is no.  And I say that because, if you’re placing a different value on the friendship/relationship than I am, the perceived/potential outcome of a situation where I need you is going to be different for you than for me- because your view of what’s important is different from mine.  Perhaps a better explanation might be like this:  Michael Jordan and I place a different value on $1000.  In the event where $1000 is lost or at stake, the outcome of that situation will be different because Michael Jordan views $1000 differently than I do, and because his view on how important $1000 is/how much of a difference $1000 could make is different from mine.

I’m digressing.  But I suppose that it’s possible that I have indeed outgrown my friends.  And while I still very much cherish the memories and the role that they’ve played in my life to help me become who I am, I’m done shouldering the efforts of keeping in touch and being aware of life updates.  While one could argue that having that role is where I fit in the friendship, I would maintain that even if that were the case, there should be some type of reciprocity.

That said, I’ll go forward from this with a greater understanding of my role in their lives, but also a greater understanding of the role of this friendship in my life.  I’m still blessed to be surrounded by people who care about me and love me dearly, even if it’s not those who I thought would be with me at this part of the journey.

Until next time…

Easter Thoughts

Today is Good Friday.  When I was a kid, Good Friday was little more than the day off before Easter.  While I understood what the day meant, I didn’t feel the significance of the day.  I’m glad that I feel the significance of the day now.

Good Friday and Easter are part of the core beliefs of Christians.  That God sent his son to die on the cross for our sins, and that three days later, he rose from the dead with all power in His hands.  This morning as I prayed, part of my prayer was for God to continuously help me to be mindful of the sacrifice.  And while I do want to be mindful of the sacrifice, I also want to continuously be mindful of the power of God.

Part of the Good Friday story is one, that I believe, represents struggle.  Yet Jesus, who was ever mindful of his purpose endures the struggle so that the purpose and the prophecy may be fulfilled.  That’s a lesson for all of us- we will endure many challenges on the road to our purpose.  However, we must stay diligent and endure so that our own purpose and the prophecy over our own life may be fulfilled.

I am limited.  I am a human with very real limitations and inabilities.  Yet, I serve a God who is completely limitless in the range of things that He can do.  As I reflect on how God has moved in my life, just over the past weeks and months, I’m in awe.  And for me, that is the other side of the Easter story- the power of God to accomplish anything.  The resurrection of Christ, for those who don’t belief, is perhaps a bunch of loony crap.  But for me, it fully encompasses the ultimate sacrifice and simultaneously expresses the love and power of God.

My prayer is that I’m always mindful and thankful of God’s expression of love; and that my heart is always open enough to yield to Him so that His power may work in my life.

More About Me

Part of the reason that I love to spend time alone, is because I enjoy my own thoughts.  Some of these I share with others, some I don’t; and of course, there are reasons for that.  However, in the last couple of days, I’ve realized some things about me that I’m willing to share:

1. I wish I could have a job that would allow me to talk with my friends every day.
2. Life is about being thankful.  Being thankful leads to happiness.
3. I am terrified that I may one day run into the end of the internet.
4. Television, though appreciated, is overrated.
5. I don’t regret things that at one point, made me happy.  I take the lessons, accept the fact that I have grown from the experience, and move on.
6. I’m on a mission to have the highest quality of life possible- surrounded by people who love me, and who are also pursuing their purpose and their dreams with the same intensity that I am.
7. Cereal and cupcakes are a part of my balanced diet when on vacation.  I generally maintain a kosher diet while I’m at work, so vacations are okay for splurges.
8. North Carolina basketball is the stuff that dreams are made of.  Seriously.
9. I’m generally bad at keeping in touch with people because I hate feeling like the burden of keeping in touch should be mine.  At the same time, if it’s a burden, perhaps I shouldn’t keep in touch with you anyhow.
10. I’m more organized inwardly than outwardly.  I partially think that if I could organize as well outwardly as I do inwardly, I would be insanely OCD.
11. After being pretty far away from my family for the last 4 years, there’s a part of me that wants to be home.
12. I think that I would be an awesome mother and wife- partially because I desire to, but moreso because I see wonderful examples of Christan wives and mothers who inspire me daily.
13. I constantly remind myself that who I am is not limited to my occupation.
14. I think that God is going to allow me to live a long, full life; mostly because of His favor, grace, and mercy; but also because He has given me so many dreams.
15. While I reflect on my times at UNC with great joy because of the people I met, I often feel that my time at UGA was a bit isolating and more introspective.  At the same time, I experienced great personal growth while at UGA, which made it worthwhile.  I have yet to determine how I feel about my time in Florida, other than it’s made me realize that I’m a lot stronger than I thought.

Sweet Caroline…

My Name is Erin, and I Went to UNC

“When you play North Carolina, there’s nothing you can do.” ~ Tom Izzo

Tom, you’re right.  You learned that twice this year.  Once in December, and then just last night.  You all really had a good run.  You really did.  But what it all comes down to is that you’re not North Carolina.

As a UNC alum, there are few moments that affect you like a National Championship.  I remember being on Franklin Street after we won in 2005.  As a senior, that national championship was my one shining moment.  Sitting on my friend’s shoulder, surrounded by thousands of my closest friends and fellow Tar Heel fans is one of my favorite memories of my time at UNC.

I’ve said before that I agree with Thomas Wolfe, as he described his time at UNC as, “…as close to magic as I’ve ever been.”  I’m blessed that there are still times like these, where I feel that magic.

Planting the Right Seeds

I grew up in the country, and around about this time of year, we’d be preparing to plant some flowers.  My maternal grandmother was the quintessential gardener, and always had impeccable flowers around the yard.  One of my fondest memories of my grandmother is of her working in her flowers.  It was something she took great pride in, and I recall several afternoons from spring, and into the early summer, of getting off of the school bus and finding her in some obscure nook and cranny of the yard, figuring out what type of plant would be perfect for that spot.

As a tomboy who loved to be outdoors, helping my grandmother with the flowers was a nice activity.  Perhaps, not my favorite in terms of what actually took place.  However, the quality time that I shared with my grandmother made it all worthwhile.  It was in these moments that I truly understood the value of planting the right seeds.  Not just in the ground, so that one could have beautiful flowers; but also in life.

Anyone who halfway knows The Bible most likely has a general understanding of reaping what you sow.  In Galatians 6:7-10, you can find the following:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

That scripture speaks to the value of planting the right seeds, and the effects of not.  However it also encourages us to not give up in doing good- which I would say can be a challenge.  At least I know it’s a challenge for me.  Yet and still, if I would study the first part, and recall that I’m reaping what I’m sowing , it’s some encouragement for me to stay on the right path.

All of these thoughts were sparked by an email that I received from Mrs. Reba.  Mrs. Reba is a delightful woman who I met at my church when I was living in Athens.  She truly has a wonderful spirit, and always seeks to encourage others.  And, I will say that what I love most about her is her willingness to tell the truth in love.  I think it’s wonderful for people to care enough about you to tell you the truth.  But I digress.

In Mrs. Reba’s email, it included some thoughts about planting the right seeds.  Here’s the snippet that I enjoyed the most:

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

Well said, Mrs. Reba, well said.  This has renewed my focus on what happens later, because as Christians, this life is only a glimpse of what to come.  We’re preparing for eternity.  It just might be useful to plant the right seeds for it.