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Turn Down the Noise For a Peaceful 2021
The United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. And as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables. This “new year’s resolution” was profound for a hot minute, but now I feel like an investigative journalist on minutia. I like fruits and vegetables; they’re good for me and all. But if we’re measuring those against peace and trust, the P&T weighs in like a hippopotamus on a seesaw. I’m looking for a peaceful 2021. I have learned that the things to which we give our attention set our direction. And our direction determines our destination. I Learned This Lesson Early My husband, Bobby Martin, is a…
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A Season of Giving Grace to Others
An acquaintance of ours started a non-profit movement offering free yard signs reminding us to love one another. He posted it on our county’s social media page…and the war began. Within a short time, I counted 102 comments. Ninety-eight of the remarks were fighting with him or with each other. Ironic? Yes. Surprising? Big sigh. No. As I read these ugly comments on social media, I was insulted on behalf of this good man. Why the anger? Why aren’t we extending grace to others? At the same time, his responses – both measured and kind – filled me with hope instead of feeling overwhelmed by the inhumanity of the masses. I…
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Find A Lot With Thanks And Giving
Have you ever felt unappreciated? I have. Many years ago, I had demonstrated a particular skill for saving customer relationships. Consequently, a peer in Marketing asked me to train and implement a program company-wide to restore customers who were in danger of ending our service. With little input from him, my team delivered and made the company A LOT of money. I didn’t think much of the fact that my colleague reported all of the progress to senior management. Then, I got a lesson in life. He won a public thank you from the company president and a BIG promotion. I tried not to feel differently after that, but I…
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Never Lonely with Me
Rubbernecking is one of those things we all hate in principle but engage in at some point in our life. Most people just can’t seem to help it. Have you ever felt simultaneously curious about something macabre and guilty for that same interest? I have. I’ve also been the unwilling subject of that kind of interest. You might have been, too. My husband, Bobby, is a professional Champion drag racer. One of these stories starts with Bobby landing the Chrysler sponsorship for our fledgling racing operation. It started small. Our Hero at Chrysler didn’t even know what a funny car was when he said yes to Bobby. He asked if…