For Naught

The words "...sell themselves for naught" have been running through my brain for the past week or so.  I've been pondering on just what this means.  I mean, I've read them many times in the past, but my eyes have gone right over them.  Have you ever read something and certain words stick out to you so much that it's all you can remember?  That's how this has been.

I remember the day last year, when #4 and I were in the grocery store.  He passed by the gift cards--it was near his birthday time.  He mentioned, quite excitedly, that they had gift cards for Club Penguin--a game he plays online (very rarely).  I asked him why they would sell gift cards as this is a free site.  He told me that you can buy clothes and accessories for your penguin.  Hmm.  Sounds like buying nothing to me.  Nothing you could put your hands on.  Nothing you could taste or feel.  Basically, buying air is what you'd be doing.  I tried to explain this to him.

Sell yourself for naught--sell yourself for nothing.  I've heard a lot lately about people who are addicted to various substances.  They not only sell themselves for nothing, they sell themselves for worse than nothing--diseases, terrible sicknesses, early aging....They sell their very lives for things that destroy them.

Yes, in this day and age, we sell ourselves for nothing.

These words also made me think about how I use my time.  Do I sell myself--my time and effort--for naught?  Yes, life is to be used for the betterment of yourself and others, but do I use it for that purpose?  Do I miss out on opportunities because I can't get past what I want?

My dad, when the Warden and I were first married, would remind me to not forget to have fun--especially as we were so poor we felt we couldn't afford fun.  As long as we don't go overboard, fun is necessary.  It's part of striking a balance.

So, we all have time wasters, but how do you come to a balancing point?  Are there some things that you spend your time on that bring nothing into your life?  I really enjoy facebook.  I love that it's connected me to so many others, but I have to share that too much time on anything is selling myself for naught.  I check in daily.  I try to uplift others.  I don't, however do the games.  That's right, I have no farm.  That, although entertaining, can be a huge time sucker, and what do you get out of it?  Naught.

There are so many offerings out there that do nothing for us.  The word "sell" at this point in our world, with the economy being what it is, really stands out.   We, ourselves, are our most vital commodity.  What are we selling ourselves for?

...And I Saw That It Was Good

Sometimes things just seem a bit overwhelming.  It's hard not to get dragged under by it all.  This morning was one of those mornings.  Just seemed like everything was out of order.

When I heard the humming of the dishwasher, it made me stop and pay attention.  When I get overwhelmed, I frequently turn on auto pilot.  I just start doing stuff to chip away at the bigger pile without even thinking.  This morning, I had done the dishes.  Not only that, but the washing machine was agitating away upstairs too.  I had done this as well.  Oh, there were lots of things I hadn't done yet too, but for just a moment they faded away to somewhere in my subconscious.

As I stood in front of the dishwasher, I heard these words in my head (or was it my heart?), "And He saw that it was good."  Gosh!  If God Himself stopped after each thing He did and gave Himself a good ol' pat on the back, shouldn't I too?

Sometimes I get wrapped up in all the mistakes I make.  Sometimes I let it really drag me down.  Why?  Why do I do this to myself?  I do an awful lot of good.  I would even suggest that I do WAY MORE good than I do bad.  Shouldn't this get the recognition it deserves?  Way to go me!

So, what have you seen today that was good?  I bet you hand some kind of hand in it.  Even if it was just a little thing, take a moment and bask in the good you've done for your world today.  All I have to say is "Good job" to you!

Defy Gravity

#1 checked a Glee soundtrack CD out from the library. The other day, after the American Mothers convention, I was driving home from downtown in #1's little blue car, feeling particularly upbeat and happy--thinking about all I'd learned that day and all that was going to transpire that night and what lies ahead in this coming year. I was also contemplating my goals, and what I want to be and do, and this song came on. Wow! Hope it uplifts you and makes you understand who you are to this world like it did me....