A coworker of mine is moving to The Big Apple and made a list of things that she will and will not miss about living in Michigan. That got me thinking about what I would and would not miss about my life here. So I decided to do something that I do best and make a list!
Would miss:
~~ My family
I have always been really close to my family. Even when I went away to school I made the 2 hour drive home almost every weekend. And now that my niece and nephew are at fun ages {almost 4 and 7 going on 16} I would miss the time I get to spend just being silly with them and tucking them in some nights. And the way my niece loves me and my nephew tries to avoid goodnight kisses and then runs after me to kiss me when I walk away. They love me and I love them to the moon and back, because the moon is really far away!
~~ My church
As much as the people there drive me batty sometimes, I love it! I have never found a place where I felt more welcome and at home than The River Church in Holly. Nevermind the shameless plug!
~~ My friends
I have always been a bit of a loner, but I have collected a random assortment of close friends in my travels through life that I love dearly. Some I have known most of my days, and others I have met recently, but all of them are so valuable to me and I don't know what I would do being so far away and having to collect more friends in a new place.
~~ Up North
No matter where you live in Michigan's lower peninsula, there is always an "up north" whether it's Bay City or Mackinac there is a place to escape. Michigan has some of the most beautiful scenes that I have ever seen and I would miss them. From the great lakes we are known for to the quiet country towns that no one has ever heard of there is somewhere beautiful just a couple hours drive away.
~~ Being able to use my hand to show where I live
I've been made fun of for answer the "Where are you from?" question by holding up my right hand and pointing to a place a little west of my thumb, but it comes in handy and I love it!
~~ Kid Rock
While I am not the biggest fan of his music, it's kind of cool to be able to say that I live in the same city as someone that famous! Sightings of him in my area are so common now that he rarely gets mobbed by fans. It's pretty likely that if you frequent a couple select restaurants/bars that you'll see him quite often.
~~ Driving
If I moved to a big city I think I would lose my mind not being able to drive. Driving is my therapy sometimes. It is only when I get behind the wheel and let the wind play with my hair on a dark country road that I can truly let go and talk things through just me and Jesus!
Would not miss:
~~ Snow
Driving in it, walking in it, looking at it, knowing that it's falling outside. All of the above. I really don't like snow! Spring comes too late and Fall is too short for me to enjoy winter. I would be content to have snow on Christmas day and have it gone by Dec. 26. End of story.
~~ "The Look"
The look is what people give me when I say I'm from Detroit. {I'm not actually from Detroit but if I said I grew up in Davisburg even many people in Oakland County would have no clue where that is!} The look describes their thoughts of "but she looks like a sweet middle class white girl, how can she be from Detroit?" And that look is further heightened when I say I live half way between Detroit and Flint, both cities ranked in the top 10 {maybe even top 5} most dangerous cities in the country! Again I am a classy, small town, white girl who probably wouldn't last one night in the D or flint for that matter.
~~ Ohio
Driving out of Michigan almost always requires a drive through Ohio, a.k.a. the armpit of America! It's a long, boring drive with nothing to look at except "touchdown Jesus" which burned to the ground 2 years ago. I'm not sad it's gone because it was an awkward site, even for Christians, but it at least gave you something to look at and talk about on a boring drive through the armpit of America!
~~ The UP
I am proud to be a born and bred Michigander, but there are just some things I don't understand! One of those is why the UP is even part of Michigan in the first place. It isn't actually connected and it's closer to Canada and Wisconsin than to us. But nevertheless, it is a part of my home state and I have learned to accept it.
~~ The economy
For obvious reasons.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Sanity lost along with the stocks page
I never thought my life would revolve around a stock page. You know the page most of us had to look at for a high school assignment about finances and then never looked at again. The one that is tucked in the paper behind the Money page (that also rarely gets the love it deserves) and has the teensiest font known to man. That page that no one under the age of 65 or anyone with a computer and a basic knowledge of this recent phenomenon known as the world wide web ever have to sift through.
But, alas, this week my life and mental health have hinged on that very page. People are never happy. I think I always knew that, but this week it has become very apparent. I answer the phones at a local newspaper (along with a barrage of other task that mean nothing to you) and people are never happy.
What is it about people that make them prevalent to drama? Why do we live in a constant state of dramatic scenes throughout most of our lives? The cameras aren't rolling people! We are not on a reality show! We don't have to blow everything out of proportion, because guess what? People don't care!
I am the friendly voice that will sooth your fears and quiet your doubts about this whole situation, but inside I wonder about you. Is your life full of people and activities? Or just the newspaper and stock market? Are you a financial analyst or trader? Or are you someone who eagerly pulls open the newspaper and begins the search for that one special page that will make or break your whole day?
I don't think I will ever understand you. But I will do my best to make you feel like you have been heard. So I say to you, "I'm sorry and we will try harder tomorrow."
But, alas, this week my life and mental health have hinged on that very page. People are never happy. I think I always knew that, but this week it has become very apparent. I answer the phones at a local newspaper (along with a barrage of other task that mean nothing to you) and people are never happy.
What is it about people that make them prevalent to drama? Why do we live in a constant state of dramatic scenes throughout most of our lives? The cameras aren't rolling people! We are not on a reality show! We don't have to blow everything out of proportion, because guess what? People don't care!
I am the friendly voice that will sooth your fears and quiet your doubts about this whole situation, but inside I wonder about you. Is your life full of people and activities? Or just the newspaper and stock market? Are you a financial analyst or trader? Or are you someone who eagerly pulls open the newspaper and begins the search for that one special page that will make or break your whole day?
I don't think I will ever understand you. But I will do my best to make you feel like you have been heard. So I say to you, "I'm sorry and we will try harder tomorrow."
Monday, October 1, 2012
Today is not my day
I work in customer service and most days it's not too bad. I can answer an angry phone call and make them love me by the end of the conversation. But today, for some reason, that gift has left, taking my compassion with it. Maybe it's still in bed, snuggled under the covers with its head on my pillow. Oh how I wish I could still be there with it. Mondays are always rough, but a Monday after a less than great weekend is even worse.
Usually I can handle the angry or frustrated caller with a polite response and a helpful answer. But this morning, when I was cussed out at 9 am I wanted so badly to hang up on him. It could be my way of teaching him a lesson on how to be polite to the sweet sounding girl on the other end of the phone. Some kind of renegade justice or something. At least in my mind that's how it would be. The result, however would be more like stabbing a sleeping bear. It would just result in an even angrier phone call with a screaming customer on the other end, instead of just an angry one who said a few choice words.
It's times like these that make me cherish the sweet older ladies that call every once in a while. The ones that ask about my day and really want to hear all about it. The ones who send me thank you notes for being so helpful and kind, when really I didn't do anything outside of my job description. The ones who hear the stressed edge of my voice and ask if there is any way they can be praying for me. Not knowing where I stand on God or prayer. The ones that say, "God bless" or "Merry Christmas honey" and then giggle thinking we're being so sneaky when I say it back to them.
It is also a rough morning because I am awaiting 2 emails both with equal parts anticipation and dread. One from a friend that may not have appreciated my honesty, and one from an opportunity that I want but don't want at the same time! I know that my emotions tend to play tricks on me and cause me to second guess everything, so I'm sure that's a big part of it too.
Usually I can handle the angry or frustrated caller with a polite response and a helpful answer. But this morning, when I was cussed out at 9 am I wanted so badly to hang up on him. It could be my way of teaching him a lesson on how to be polite to the sweet sounding girl on the other end of the phone. Some kind of renegade justice or something. At least in my mind that's how it would be. The result, however would be more like stabbing a sleeping bear. It would just result in an even angrier phone call with a screaming customer on the other end, instead of just an angry one who said a few choice words.
It's times like these that make me cherish the sweet older ladies that call every once in a while. The ones that ask about my day and really want to hear all about it. The ones who send me thank you notes for being so helpful and kind, when really I didn't do anything outside of my job description. The ones who hear the stressed edge of my voice and ask if there is any way they can be praying for me. Not knowing where I stand on God or prayer. The ones that say, "God bless" or "Merry Christmas honey" and then giggle thinking we're being so sneaky when I say it back to them.
It is also a rough morning because I am awaiting 2 emails both with equal parts anticipation and dread. One from a friend that may not have appreciated my honesty, and one from an opportunity that I want but don't want at the same time! I know that my emotions tend to play tricks on me and cause me to second guess everything, so I'm sure that's a big part of it too.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
1 negative vs. 9 positive: which would you believe?
Imagine you are walking down the street and 10 people are walking toward you. 9 of them say such sweet and positive things to you and 1 says something nasty. Which are you going to remember? Chances are the 1 negative will become a booming voice that shouts over the voices of the 9 others. So this is why we must choose if we will build someone up or break them down. And also, surround ourselves with people that will build us up instead of breaking up down.
I like this quote on the back of a Starbucks cup:
How many times have you been told you couldn't do something, and then said "I'll show you" and done it anyway? Not many of us have the courage to continue in a course of action when we have felt defeated so many times before.
One thing that I find most difficult to do is to sing in front of people. I love to sing! Especially singing to praise Jesus, but I have a hard time actually being on stage.
A former worship leader kind of ruined my confidence in that department. He probably didn't do it on purpose, but his actions spoke louder than his words and told me that I was not good enough. So I believed it, even though so many people have told me different. I've had multiple people compliment me, from sweet ladies in front of my in church that lean back and whisper "Honey your voice is so beautiful" to friends that tell me "You should be up there" every time a new female vocalist is brought on stage to sing.
I just smile and thank them for their kindness, but it doesn't go much farther. It's like there is something blocking their compliments from truly sinking in. Like that worship leader's actions are standing guard at the pass between my brain and my heart, not allowing anything positive to pass.
I'm not mad at anyone, just making an observation.
So badly I would like to get up on stage and sing like I know that I can. But when presented with the opportunity, it never seems to go according to plan. My nerves and that guy's actions get the better of me and I forget how to sing!
What would you like to do, but have allowed someone's negativity to get the better of you? Tell me that I am not alone in this!
I like this quote on the back of a Starbucks cup:
How many times have you been told you couldn't do something, and then said "I'll show you" and done it anyway? Not many of us have the courage to continue in a course of action when we have felt defeated so many times before.
One thing that I find most difficult to do is to sing in front of people. I love to sing! Especially singing to praise Jesus, but I have a hard time actually being on stage.
A former worship leader kind of ruined my confidence in that department. He probably didn't do it on purpose, but his actions spoke louder than his words and told me that I was not good enough. So I believed it, even though so many people have told me different. I've had multiple people compliment me, from sweet ladies in front of my in church that lean back and whisper "Honey your voice is so beautiful" to friends that tell me "You should be up there" every time a new female vocalist is brought on stage to sing.
I just smile and thank them for their kindness, but it doesn't go much farther. It's like there is something blocking their compliments from truly sinking in. Like that worship leader's actions are standing guard at the pass between my brain and my heart, not allowing anything positive to pass.
I'm not mad at anyone, just making an observation.
So badly I would like to get up on stage and sing like I know that I can. But when presented with the opportunity, it never seems to go according to plan. My nerves and that guy's actions get the better of me and I forget how to sing!
What would you like to do, but have allowed someone's negativity to get the better of you? Tell me that I am not alone in this!
All I've seen of nature
All I've
seen of nature
Lends to the belief
That whether plant or
creature
All will suffer grief.
Mankind
no better creation
Than any God did make
But we all have the
option
To succeed or break.
It
is not our lot in life
That determines who we'll be
Whether it is joy or
strife
The choice is up to me.
I wrote this a few months back, but I am hoping it helps to spark something in my creative process!
I have to write like my life depends on it
I've heard it said {thank you Jen} that writers write, everyday. Looking back over my days, I write a lot, but how often do I write things for me? How often do I let my imagination take the wheel and drive me wherever it wants to take me? When was the last time that I wrote something and thought, "Wow that was really good!"? It has been way too long. The most I write is for work, and that is usually just copying someone else's words into a different format. That is not writing. That is copying. Or cheating. Depending on how you look at it.
I like to tell myself that I don't write a lot because I am busy and that I'll make time for writing when I'm not as busy. But in reality, I am only going to get busier from here. In the next few years I will likely {and hopefully!} get married and maybe have a couple kids. Will that make me any less busy? I highly doubt it!
I love being busy. I live from one distraction to another. Maybe it has something to do with me being {basically} an only child after my sister, 10 when I was born, got married and moved out when I was 12 and her 22. Or maybe it has something to do with this technology-driven world we live in.
I realized that I have such a hard time focusing on one thing at a time. I constantly find myself watching TV and on facebook on my phone, and trying to write something. No wonder nothing happens!
Maybe the characters of my imagination have gone on strike until I give them the undivided attention they deserve. They have written picket signs that say "No attention, No inspiration" and are marching around the creative section of my brain not allowing me to cross the picket lines to access it.
So to appease the little muses in my brain, I am going to do my best to write for me, and them, as much as possible. Maybe not always on this blog, but somewhere. Even if it ends up being words scribbled onto napkins and in the margins of books, I vow to write as much as my brain can spew out through my fingers in the days to come.
I like to tell myself that I don't write a lot because I am busy and that I'll make time for writing when I'm not as busy. But in reality, I am only going to get busier from here. In the next few years I will likely {and hopefully!} get married and maybe have a couple kids. Will that make me any less busy? I highly doubt it!
I love being busy. I live from one distraction to another. Maybe it has something to do with me being {basically} an only child after my sister, 10 when I was born, got married and moved out when I was 12 and her 22. Or maybe it has something to do with this technology-driven world we live in.
I realized that I have such a hard time focusing on one thing at a time. I constantly find myself watching TV and on facebook on my phone, and trying to write something. No wonder nothing happens!
Maybe the characters of my imagination have gone on strike until I give them the undivided attention they deserve. They have written picket signs that say "No attention, No inspiration" and are marching around the creative section of my brain not allowing me to cross the picket lines to access it.
So to appease the little muses in my brain, I am going to do my best to write for me, and them, as much as possible. Maybe not always on this blog, but somewhere. Even if it ends up being words scribbled onto napkins and in the margins of books, I vow to write as much as my brain can spew out through my fingers in the days to come.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
What am I passionate about?
I read an article recently that gave 7 questions to help figure out
what we are passionate about. They are:
1. What puts a smile on your face?
2. What do you find easy?
3. What sparks your creativity?
4. What would you do for free?
5. What do you like to talk about?
6. What makes you unafraid of failure?
7. What would you regret not having tried?
Do these questions help you with finding your true passion?
If I'm being honest, these questions didn't help me at all because my honest answers led me to hanging out in coffee shops, writing, talking to people, and sleeping in! That isn't exactly a career listed in the classifieds!
1. Writing puts a smile on my face
2. Sleeping in is something I find easy!
3. Sitting in a coffee shop with a good book or a great story idea sparks my creativity
4. I am always writing for free
5. I like to talk about Jesus, and books, and life
6. I'm usually afraid of failure in everything, so I don't think this is a valid question for me
7. I would regret not having tried to live for Christ {but what does that mean for my career goals really?}
So where do I go from here?
It's something that has been plaguing my mind a lot lately. What am I passionate about? I will be 25 in 2 months and I have no idea what the answer to that question is. To those of you reading this who know me, I would gladly welcome your input! As well as some real life careers that you think I would be best suited for!
1. What puts a smile on your face?
2. What do you find easy?
3. What sparks your creativity?
4. What would you do for free?
5. What do you like to talk about?
6. What makes you unafraid of failure?
7. What would you regret not having tried?
Do these questions help you with finding your true passion?
If I'm being honest, these questions didn't help me at all because my honest answers led me to hanging out in coffee shops, writing, talking to people, and sleeping in! That isn't exactly a career listed in the classifieds!
1. Writing puts a smile on my face
2. Sleeping in is something I find easy!
3. Sitting in a coffee shop with a good book or a great story idea sparks my creativity
4. I am always writing for free
5. I like to talk about Jesus, and books, and life
6. I'm usually afraid of failure in everything, so I don't think this is a valid question for me
7. I would regret not having tried to live for Christ {but what does that mean for my career goals really?}
So where do I go from here?
It's something that has been plaguing my mind a lot lately. What am I passionate about? I will be 25 in 2 months and I have no idea what the answer to that question is. To those of you reading this who know me, I would gladly welcome your input! As well as some real life careers that you think I would be best suited for!
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