Hey Kids,
Today is a day to celebrate.
Not just because we were accepted into an ownership of a houseboat.
Not just because said houseboat is located on Lake Powell.
Not just because we will be on that houseboat on Lake Powell for hopefully years to come.
But because we have enough friends who are willing to say good things on our behalf to help us get it.
Now to learn how to pilot a houseboat.
Post 3-023
Hey Kids,
Today was the first real day with Daylight’s Savings time in play. It’s so shocking how long the afternoon and evening stretch that first day against a regular week day schedule.
I remember those days when I was a kid. They always got me into trouble. As kids, we learned to use the afternoon against the decreasing sunlight to judge when to get within range of our parents calling us home for dinner from the front porch. Every year, on that first Monday, my light sensors would be out of calibration against the new time settings, enough to leave me out just a little too long, miss the call for dinner, and wind up grounded for the rest of the week.
So today what did I do? Unlike years long gone, I was part of the dinner making process and therefore could not be called in late for it. So, as the other worker bees filed out of their work hives and the freeways filled with their cars buzzing home for their own dinner calls, we went mini-golfing late into the extended afternoon.
We had BLT’s when we got home and no grounding was necessary.
Day 14
What’s the point?
To climb a mountain. Why?
To exercise? What for?
To work hard? For what?
To deal with life? To what end?
When it comes down to it, there really is no answer that works for everyone. And there’s really no reason at all to push yourself. In fact, life would that you don’t. Don’t believe me?
Tell someone you’re on a diet. See how long before you’re told that it won’t work, or you’re not doing it right; not giving up enough stuff, eating the wrong things.
Start a new exercise program. You won’t be doing it long enough, at the wrong time of the day, or you’ll hear some story about someone who, despite being fit, died at a young age.
Set a goal. It’ll be too high, or too low.
Write something. You spelled it wrong or you’ll be told how they should do it too, you know since writing is so easy- a monkey can do it.
You see, no one wants to see you do something out of the ordinary or accomplish something.
I don’t think it’s always mean, but it’s discouraging. And ultimately, the naysayers are right.
There’s always a better way to diet and exercise. There’s always a taller mountain. There’s always someone who worked less and got more. There’s always a better way, someone more accomplished, or a threat of failure and total humiliation.
So what’s the point?
What is it? You know what makes you feel good. You know whether a challenge is rewarding to struggle for. You’re the one that has to tough it out; do the work. You’re the one that has to live with the results.
Don’t let perfection stop you. Go for it. For you. For your reasons. Climb your mountains, set your goals, do what you want to do and do it because you want to. Just be prepared to be asked, “Why? What’s the point?”
You don’t owe anyone an answer, but if you don’t know, ain’t no one going to be able to explain it to you.
Christmas, for me, is all about tonight and early tomorrow morning. The culmination of all the festivities, the lights, the trees, the goodies, the songs, and the whole crazy month of December and then some, bringing us to the one night when we all get together, make the phone calls, and think of those who are dear to us. The family and friends gathered together in a family room, exchanging gifts and sharing a joyful time is what it’s all about. Yes there are rough patches in getting so much family together, but there always is. On Christmas Eve, it’s just fun.
I know Jesus fits in the middle of this as Christmas, remembering the greatest gift of God to us all. It saddens me, however, when that thought is used as a stick to make people guilty to be excited about the candy n the stocking and the gift shopping and wrapping. Let’s be honest, most of the things we deem “tradional Christmas” has absolutely nothing to do with Luke 2.
Don’t get me wrong, I love taking my own personal moments, usually during a rendition of “Oh Holy Night” and think of the bigger picture. Of Grace. Of miracles. Of God. I cherish those moments. But Tonight, its about the presents. It’s about the ones around me. It’s about thinking of those who are not. It’s a time to laugh together. To hug. To kiss under the pagan mistletoe and feel and share the love of others.
Jesus is invited too. But not at the exclusion of everything else. It doesn’t have to be a black and white thing. Christmas is a time for all of it.
With that Have a very Merry Christmas Eve!
Mike M Jensen 