So Long 2011, I hardly knew you

Well 2011 is just about done. I think I may have reduced my anger outbursts this year...thank you Jesus. I know it. I have to deal with this not on a day to day basis, but it seems like I need to check myself every fifteen minutes. Of course I am willing to do just about anything as long as my baggage doesn't permanently rub off on my kids. I am praying for the destruction of the generational sin from my family tree, My dad is just doing what his dad did. and I am hoping it stops with me. Today.

Lies,..All Lies!

Why do people have this on their voice mail? "Hi, sorry I missed you. Please leave your name and number, time you called and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If this is an emergency, hang up and call 911." Okay, where do I start? Are you really sorry? Then call me back. Leave my name and number? Thank you for that phone etiquette tip. Why would I call and not leave my name? You have my number. Call me back. So you're going to call me as soon as possible, huh? It's been three days. You are not that busy. No one is that busy. You should have told me that it takes quite a bit of time for you to return calls because you are selfish and lazy. Why do you want the time? Get a watch. Is it so that you can know precisely the time you ignored me? Call me back. And please, really? Hang up and call 911? Thanks for the help. You really went out on a limb with that helpful tidbit. Just call me back!

Moving Research

We're considering relocating. The thought of putting all of our stuff in boxes and labeling them and the garbage, it's overwhelming. A family can get a good idea of their carbon footprint when they move. There's a lot of, "why did we keep this?" I am dreading the whole ordeal, especially the part where I have to find a legit moving company. Last time we moved I was so worried about being ripped off. as it turned out the guys who did it were awesome. But that was across town. This move will be 1300 miles or more. I just tried to get a quote from PODS and the whole time I'm feeling like I am stepping into a database that will take years to extricate myself from. Why do they need so much information? Can't you just give me a standard quote without seeming like you're doing me a favor by "personalizing" my move quote? Please don;t pester me with hollow follow ups.

What Ever Happened to "Excuse Me?"

I just signed up for my free, daily two hours of Starbucks wifi. On the way over I was worried that there wouldn't be a seat available when I got there. Every time I go in that place there's not a seat to be had. When I walked in, there was an entire couch...empty. Could it be true? I ordered my coffee and lo and behold I was home free. About ten minutes into my bliss, this lady shows up and starts to muscle in on my couch. She's jacking my messenger bag and getting herself comfortable and all the while not a stinkin "excuse me" in the bunch. Hey, it's not a crime to be polite! Maybe you could acknowledge me. No, not here...at Starbucks. That would be akin to saying I have a right to exist. It drives me absolutely batty. And then the other day I held the door open for my wife and kids, and another guy found his way in and his whole family and...nothing! What? Do you think I work here at the door? Common courtesy, what ever happened to it? The "excuse me" era is over with. I would write more, but I don;t want to be late for bible study.

Neighbors

I have this new guy upstairs and I think he has a horse. He runs around with ankle weights or something. Dude! There are actually people living below you. Across the hall the late night party people can't seem to get the idea that other people might be sleeping past ten PM. It's a hallway. There is an echo! Down by the washer/dryer our local rock star insists on smoking the herb all day. Nothing like a little second hand smoke to make a guy queasy. trying to explain the smell to my four year old is just the challenge I need. Where are the normal people?

ANGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really got tee'd up the other day and I'm not even going to mention what it was the got me tee'd . It does not matter. What is important is the fact that it is something that is recurring. It is not going away in the foreseeable future. And yet, knowing this I still let this thing...this thing that has happened hundreds of times over the course of my life...I let this thing get me upset. After which I felt like such a rookie. Aren't we supposed to learn from experience? I saw this coming and I still let it get to me. So the past few weeks I've been wondering what it is I'm trying to accomplish here. If my own tools are exposed as feeble then how can I hope to be of any help to you? I'm angry that I still get angry at things I shouldn't get angry about. What a vicious cycle? "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do." Rom 7:15

...and the answer is no. I'm not over this anger thing.

It's 2010 and a half! Hooray! This is the year! I stopped making new years resolutions 15 years ago. I just did. I had become so out of touch with my life that I didn't feel there was anything major I needed to be resolute about. I didn't need to lose weight. I didn't need to stop smoking. I didn't need to try and be a better person. I just needed to make more money. So every year my resolution was to be more disciplined and to work more efficiently. But this year, I have resolutions. I have pages of them! So now, six months in, I will revisit my list. Number one on the list: I am going to beat down the anger that has consumed so much of my life. I will grab it like an attack dog and shake it mercilessly until it is subdued into unconsciousness and then I will stomp it into a satisfactory pulp. Once that has been executed then I will be happier! Yes I will. I will embrace God's plan. I will run arms wide open into God's will for me and for my family. Of course I will work harder, but this year I will attempt to dedicate every ounce of life, every iota of living...this year I vow that every single moment will be premeditated to pleasing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My work, my family, every breath I take will be for Him. Come here 2010 and a half and let me give you a hug.