What Happened to the Kid?

I just read a great story about a mother and daughter who were caught in a rain storm at a department store and it brought back memories of playing in the rain when I was a kid. Whatever happened to the kid in us? Have you seen the commercial on TV advertising a vitamin that brings that kid out again?

It seems we grow older with far to little color, and we get immune to the simple joys of living. We seek stability and longevity for some reason even though deep down we know life is so short. We loose the ability to take risks, and become so careful and drawn up that we begin to squeak when we walk. We get serious and that doesn't fit with a life that is mostly trivial. Mull on it a while; money they say makes the world go round, but isn't money trivial? You can't take it with you, and if you have money you probably have very little time to enjoy it.

There is only one remedy for this grownupitis - the next time it rains go outside and run around, get muddy, and soaking wet. When you look in the mirror you will discover a smile that you probably haven't seen in a long long time. So, lighten up and don't take things so serious. We all have a kid inside that needs to play, be carefree, and laugh - mull on it a while and you'll see what I mean.

Your Life Story - Tell it to Your Self

What do you really remember about the past? Just imagine, its evening and the sun is barely sinking with it's usual beauty of red, orange, yellow, and purple. amazingly the chores of the day are done, dinner is over, and the kids are involved in something that doesn't demand your attention. As you sip on a good cup of java you begin to think of the past. What do you think of? What comes to mind?

Odds are you've never had such a moment to begin with. But, just give it a thought and consider your history for a moment. If you were to tell your life story what would you tell? I know, it's a session of 20 questions, but just entertain the thought for a moment. Telling your life story may be the best thing you've ever done.

I'll never forget an assignment given in class a couple of years ago, "walk, tell your life story until the wind blows it back in your face." That was it. All the students looked at one another for a moment and then we went our separate ways walking and talking to ourselves. I know it sounds crazy but it was one of the best things I've ever done, and...yes, I admit it, its one of the best things I still do. The most difficult person to understand is our self, and a review of our history is somewhat a review of our self.

If you give it a try you will find yourself telling a story of stories because life is mostly just that; a story of stories. Right or wrong, the events of the past shape our view of the present as well as our expectations of the future and you may be surprised at the bogus mindset developed by past expereince. One thing to remember, its important that you walk and that you have no time limit for the exercise. Give it a try...it is mullination at its best.

Packing up to Move

Stuff, stuff, and more stuff! It's amazing how much "stuff" you accumulate over the years. With a move just around the corner I began rummaging through the shed and I'm shocked to discover all those duplicate items. I have two of everything, especially when it comes to small tools that are easily misplaced and rarely used. Items presumed lost, then replaced in a time of need, and miraculously they show back up out of nowhere. Maybe I could practice a little more organizational skills when it comes to the shed out back.

I've discovered that you accumulate a lot more than stuff over the years. Friendships, stories, lessons learned, lessons given, experiences that stick, and strong emotional attachments. It just goes to show that life really consists of the relationships we have with people. The stuff means very little, but the relationships and their effect last a life time. Life always boils down to who you love, and who loves you.

Maybe it would be a good idea, from time to time, to pretend you're moving. What would you pack, what things would you sell at the yard sale, and what would you haul to the dump? And while you're pretending just go ahead with everything except the packing. Trust me, if you ever actually move you'll be glad you had those moving drills over the years.

Who needs people?

Independent, self-sufficient, the entrepreneur spirit - it's the American way? Maybe, but maybe not. It seems to me we have a shift in values from "let me do it" to "somebody else should do it for me". And then you add the side note, "and leave me alone while you're doing it." Culture, value systems, and life itself is strange to say the least. Is anyone really independent and self-sufficient?

The trend seems to be a work at home and do your own thing, but in reality not one of us could function without someone else. Even the entrepreneur running a one man business is totally dependant on the consumer. Something within us demands togetherness but we fight against it with all our might. The typical trend is to come together, develop or discover an issue, and then choosen sides and part ways. Think about it; we are the United States of America - why? Why not the United State of America? It seems we always come together to divide up, like choosing teams on the playground. Some say we have two political parties, but actually there are simply two parties of parties and the fun is long gone.

Strange - we need each other, but the first chance we get we divide up. Yes, as they say, people are strange, and we're a little strange ourself. There must be a reason for it all - maybe we actually need something or someone else. Mull on it, and you'll see what I mean.

Life Happens

There are some things in life you can really count on, I mean really count on. You can know with absolute confidence that life happens and life changes. Now that is profound don't you think? You can never alter life happening, it just does. And, you can never change the fact that life changes. Now, that makes me feel so much better just knowing there are things I can count on.

So, here is the point of mullination - why do we cringe at news of change? Why do we act so surprised, disappointed, or even devastated at times because of the happenings and changes of life? I guess it's because we are creatures of habit, and deep down we kind of like it the way it is. We may complain throughout the day but all in all we basically wish most of life would just stay the same.

If life is going to happen anyway, and changes are inevitible - maybe we should learn to role with the flow, sink our lives in what really matters, and embrace the wonder of this ever changing world we live it. And, one more very important thing; cherish the "now", because the "now" won't be here for very long. Ever heard, "don't wish your life away"? Mull on it, and you'll see what I mean.

Third Shift - Can't Wait!

I've never worked third shift on a regular basis, and I wonder how those that do get used to it. Occasionally I have third shift nights when sleep seems to be sleeping somewhere else. I used to feel weak during sleepless times, but third shift last night awakened some new thoughts. I felt I was allowing things like worry and fear to penetrate too deeply so I turned to one of my favorite passages - Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It seemed the place to turn because typically those things that rob us of sleep come from moments of doubt. But, maybe that's not all that true all the time.

Eventually I continued reading and verse nine caused the stir, "My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you." I began to think of all the night time happenings in the bible; often in dreams of the night God spoke, and sometimes He even awakened His people from their sleep for a special message. The Psalmist speaks of thinking of God on his bed, and continuing through the night watches. So, I guess third shift isn't all that bad after all.

During the night all is quiet and we are left to our thoughts alone....well maybe not all that alone after all. From now on I'll not begrudge the night nudges, but rather embrace that time as special time with the Father. Who needs sleep after all? Who would have ever thought that third shift was something to look forward to?

Dan

Third Shift - Can't Wait!

I've never worked third shift on a regular basis, and I wonder how those that do get used to it. Occasionally I have third shift nights when sleep seems to be sleeping somewhere else. I used to feel weak during sleepless times, but third shift last night awakened some new thoughts. I felt I was allowing things like worry and fear to penetrate too deeply so I turned to one of my favorite passages - Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It seemed the place to turn because typically those things that rob us of sleep come from moments of doubt. But, maybe that's not all that true all the time.

Eventually I continued reading and verse nine caused the stir, "My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you." I began to think of all the night time happenings in the bible; often in dreams of the night God spoke, and sometimes He even awakened His people from their sleep for a special message. The Psalmist speaks of thinking of God on his bed, and continuing through the night watches. So, I guess third shift isn't all that bad after all.

During the night all is quiet and we are left to our thoughts alone....well maybe not all that alone after all. From now on I'll not begrudge the night nudges, but rather embrace that time as special time with the Father. Who needs sleep after all? Who would have ever thought that third shift was something to look forward to?

Dan