Apollo 13 lesson

We recently watched the movie Apollo 13 that stars Tom Hanks...based upon the true story of the NASA mission. When everything hits the fan and they realize the mission will not be completed, one of the NASA team members says, "This is going to be the most embarrassing moment in our history." The flight commander corrects him and firmly and confidently replies, "I think this is going to be our finest hour."

The team of people who solved complex issues and overcame all obstacles did not accept failure as an option...even though all the data was pointing to losing their astronauts. Those men returned home, and the mission went down in history as the "most successful failed mission." The team's goal of landing on the moon was replaced with simply surviving...making it back home to their families.

During the tough times we are facing individually and collectively, we have a choice on how we will respond. Will we look upon our challenges as the worst of times or will we decide that this may indeed be the opportunity for the best in each of us to shine brightly?

Multi Generations

Since I was in high school, I've been studying the unique generations and how the culture has shaped each of them. For the first time in our history, we have four different generations working together...or trying to anyway. Family life is no exception with multi-generations living under one roof. As conflicts and frustration rise, let me just offer some very basic suggestions (fyi...I have an excellent program that helps one understand the strengths of each generation and how to work together towards a common goal...contact me for more information):

1. Spend time with your elders. The Traditional or World War II Generation have lived through a wide range of life experiences. They have lived with and without. Their wisdom is priceless. Ask questions, listen and learn before it's too late. Besides, you will someday be considered an elder.

2. Encourage and support your peers. We are all on a journey trying to find our way. Let us not get so caught up in ourselves that we forget to offer a helping hand to those who need it. The holiday season is the perfect time to phone friends with kind words or a listening ear. Stuff is just stuff. We're all on this planet together, and we need each other.

3. Invest in our youth. Rather than complain about what they aren't doing, help kids develop areas they are lacking. Volunteer, mentor, coach, train or simply cheer our younger generations on. We'll get from them what we expect, so expect great things!

Lorraine is on Facebook

I haven't been blogging, but I have been Facebooking. If you are on, look me up! It's a great way to stay in touch...share ideas and have some fun.

Tea Party

I was very pleased to see our town respectfully holding American flags today in our fight to regain our country. We drove up and down the street honking our horn in support, and we heard many other folks doing the same.

My only fear is that our outrage will disappear by week's end. If you haven't seen V for Vendetta, I urge you to watch it carefully. It's fiction but not far from the truth...what could be the truth if we continue to sleep walk and allow the government to own our lives and ruin our country.

One sign that really caught my eye: Silence is acceptance. America...we have been silent too long. We let prayer be pulled from our schools which led to taking the word "Christ" out of Christmas. We've let terror invade our schools, and we're giving away all that our fore Fathers worked so hard to protect.

To all who participated, may it just be the start of our involvement in letting government know...we aren't going to take it any more!

Check Your Temperature

I recently attended a discussion on Intelligent Design, and the host reminded us at the beginning what a controversial subject it is and to take our own temperature before we participated. She used the analogy of a meat thermometer...the kind that pops out when the meat is done. Well, she said if anyone got to heated/hot over their opinion, she'd yell out "the roast is burning!" We all laughed.

What a GREAT way to measure how we are doing...in any conversation. Most arguments or conflicts are a result of not getting our way or someone not seeing our view point. We have a clash of ideas, desires, values, etc. If we monitor our temperature and are aware that "our roast may burn" if we aren't careful, we could defuse some situations before they even start. Besides, who likes burned meat?

Gotta move

I've been sitting at a desk a lot more lately than I am used to, and I'm finding that I munch more. I'm not a muncher! It isn't that I'm hungry or even bored. I'm busy enough. I got to thinking that my movement creates energy for me. Sitting still depletes it, thus creating a feeling like I "need" something. So, I'm walking the stairs more and moving as much as possible to curb the cravings. Awareness is the first step. Worth exploring why you might munch and looking for solutions. I certainly don't want a winter layer to have to work off in the summer!!

How Great We Are

I've been learning more about puppies, and I've come to realize that they think they are pretty great. Give them a bone, and they say, "Hey, I'm such a great pup that I got a bone." Give them a hug, and they say, "Wow, I'm such a loveable pup." Buy them a new toy, and they say, "I deserve that new toy because I am the greatest pup ever!" They don't quite seem to get that their owners have something to do with it.

This made me think of how we can often think of ourselves. God gives us special talents and abilities, and we say, "hey, I'm pretty great." I think that we can often forget WHOSE we are and and WHY we are. Our goodness comes from Him, plain and simple. I'm not saying we are worthless...I'm not into the beat ourselves up. To me, that isn't honoring God. But acknowledging that God gave us all that we have and made us all that we are is important...even critical.

Perhaps that is why the song "How Great Thou Art" continues to be a classic...to remind us of who really is great!