This was sent to me by Nubia (LA Times Pressmans blog) and contains a good life-lesson.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between the two "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A Little Humor
I received this in an e-mail yesterday. It impressed me for two reasons; 1. it's a funny story, and 2. it speaks volumes about prejudice and assumptions about people. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
"For anyone who didn't see David Letterman's take on this:
(And it's a true story...) On a recent weekend in Atlantic City , a woman won a bucketful of quarters at a slot machine. She took a break from the slots for dinner with her husband in the hotel dining room. But first she wanted to stash the quarters in her room. "I'll be right back and we'll go to eat," she told her husband and carried the coin-laden bucket to the elevator.
As she was about to walk into the el evator she noticed two men already aboard. Both were black. One of them was tall...very tall...an intimidating figure. The woman froze. Her first thought was: "These two
are going to rob me." Her next thought was: "Don't be a bigot; they look like perfectly nice gentlemen." But racial stereotypes are powerful, and fear immobilized her. She stood and stared at the two men. She felt
anxious, flustered and ashamed. She hoped they didn't read her mind but gosh, they had to know what she was thinking!!!
Her hesitation about joining them in the elevator was all too obvious now. Her face was flushed. She couldn't just stand there, so with a mighty effort of will she picked up one foot and stepped forward and followed
with the other foot and was on the elevator. Avoiding eye contact, she turned around stiffly and faced the elevator doors as they closed. A second passed, and then another second, and then another. Her fear increased! The elevator didn't move . Panic consumed her. "My God," she thought, I'm trapped and about to be robbed! "Her heart plummeted. Perspiration poured from every pore.
Then one of the men said, "Hit the floor." Instinct told her to do what they told her. The bucket of quarters flew upwards as she threw out her arms and collapsed on the elevator floor. A shower of coins rained down on her. Take my money and spare me, she prayed. More seconds passed. She heard one of the men say politely, "Ma'am, if you'll just tell us what floor you're going to, we'll push the button." The one who said it had a little trouble getting the words out. He was trying mightily to hold in a belly laugh. The woman lifted her head andlooked up at the two men. They reached down to help her up. Confused, she struggled to her feet. "When I told my friend here to hit the floor," said the average sized one, "I meant that he should hit the elevator button for our floor. I didn't mean for you to hit the floor, ma'a m." He spoke genially. He bit his lip. It was obvious he was having a hard time not laughing. The woman thought: "My God, what a spectacle I've made of myself." She was too humiliated to speak She wanted to blurt out an apology, but words failed her. How do you apologize to two perfectly respectable gentlemen for behaving as though they were going to rob you? She didn't know what to say. The three of them gathered up the strewn quarters and refilled her bucket. When the elevator arrived at her floor they then insisted on walking her to her room. She seemed a little unsteady on her feet, and they were afraid she might not make it down the corridor. At her door they bid her a good evening. As she slipped into her room she could hear them roaring with laughter as they walked back to the elevator. The woman brushed herself off. She pulled herself together and went downstairs for dinner with her husband.
The next morning flowers were delivered to her room - a dozen roses. Attached to EACH rose was a crisp one hundred dollar bill. The card said: "Thanks for the best laugh we've had in years." It was signed:
Eddie Murphy
Michael Jordan"
"For anyone who didn't see David Letterman's take on this:
(And it's a true story...) On a recent weekend in Atlantic City , a woman won a bucketful of quarters at a slot machine. She took a break from the slots for dinner with her husband in the hotel dining room. But first she wanted to stash the quarters in her room. "I'll be right back and we'll go to eat," she told her husband and carried the coin-laden bucket to the elevator.
As she was about to walk into the el evator she noticed two men already aboard. Both were black. One of them was tall...very tall...an intimidating figure. The woman froze. Her first thought was: "These two
are going to rob me." Her next thought was: "Don't be a bigot; they look like perfectly nice gentlemen." But racial stereotypes are powerful, and fear immobilized her. She stood and stared at the two men. She felt
anxious, flustered and ashamed. She hoped they didn't read her mind but gosh, they had to know what she was thinking!!!
Her hesitation about joining them in the elevator was all too obvious now. Her face was flushed. She couldn't just stand there, so with a mighty effort of will she picked up one foot and stepped forward and followed
with the other foot and was on the elevator. Avoiding eye contact, she turned around stiffly and faced the elevator doors as they closed. A second passed, and then another second, and then another. Her fear increased! The elevator didn't move . Panic consumed her. "My God," she thought, I'm trapped and about to be robbed! "Her heart plummeted. Perspiration poured from every pore.
Then one of the men said, "Hit the floor." Instinct told her to do what they told her. The bucket of quarters flew upwards as she threw out her arms and collapsed on the elevator floor. A shower of coins rained down on her. Take my money and spare me, she prayed. More seconds passed. She heard one of the men say politely, "Ma'am, if you'll just tell us what floor you're going to, we'll push the button." The one who said it had a little trouble getting the words out. He was trying mightily to hold in a belly laugh. The woman lifted her head andlooked up at the two men. They reached down to help her up. Confused, she struggled to her feet. "When I told my friend here to hit the floor," said the average sized one, "I meant that he should hit the elevator button for our floor. I didn't mean for you to hit the floor, ma'a m." He spoke genially. He bit his lip. It was obvious he was having a hard time not laughing. The woman thought: "My God, what a spectacle I've made of myself." She was too humiliated to speak She wanted to blurt out an apology, but words failed her. How do you apologize to two perfectly respectable gentlemen for behaving as though they were going to rob you? She didn't know what to say. The three of them gathered up the strewn quarters and refilled her bucket. When the elevator arrived at her floor they then insisted on walking her to her room. She seemed a little unsteady on her feet, and they were afraid she might not make it down the corridor. At her door they bid her a good evening. As she slipped into her room she could hear them roaring with laughter as they walked back to the elevator. The woman brushed herself off. She pulled herself together and went downstairs for dinner with her husband.
The next morning flowers were delivered to her room - a dozen roses. Attached to EACH rose was a crisp one hundred dollar bill. The card said: "Thanks for the best laugh we've had in years." It was signed:
Eddie Murphy
Michael Jordan"
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
LA Times Pressman Bloggers
The funeral for Bryan Padgett was held today. It has been a very long and difficult week, and now begins the long and difficult adjustment for the Padgett family. For as long as I've known Ed, this was the first time I'd met all his children or any of his siblings. It was also the first time I've met some of the contributors to Ed's blog. For my readers who are not familiar with how my blog came about, I am a contributor on Ed's blog, the Los Angeles Times Pressmens Twenty Year Club. We each have our own personality and point of view, which adds the to blog's diversity. I've known Nubia for years, but it was my first time to meet Jesse and Kanani.
Kanani is perhaps one of the most loving, warm women I've ever met. There is a calm, easy-going part of her personality that made me feel at ease immediately. Jesse is also a friendly, warm and supportive person and I enjoyed meeting him, as well. I am honored to be a part of their "family" and look forward to watching our friendships grow. I'm sure we will all be there for the Padgett family in the difficult days ahead.
The events of the past week have reminded me of how important friendships and relationships are in our lives. I value my friends and family because without them, my life would be so empty and unfulfilled. My heart is happy knowing that I have new friends in Kanani and Jesse, as well as the rest of our little family. I thank God for this wonderful gift.
Please continue to pray for the Padgett family, and our troops and their families.
Kanani is perhaps one of the most loving, warm women I've ever met. There is a calm, easy-going part of her personality that made me feel at ease immediately. Jesse is also a friendly, warm and supportive person and I enjoyed meeting him, as well. I am honored to be a part of their "family" and look forward to watching our friendships grow. I'm sure we will all be there for the Padgett family in the difficult days ahead.
The events of the past week have reminded me of how important friendships and relationships are in our lives. I value my friends and family because without them, my life would be so empty and unfulfilled. My heart is happy knowing that I have new friends in Kanani and Jesse, as well as the rest of our little family. I thank God for this wonderful gift.
Please continue to pray for the Padgett family, and our troops and their families.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Our Perseid Adventure
It is 2:01 a.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2007. Expanding on a long-standing family tradition, the entire family and my sister went up to a mountain road, away from the city, so we could have a good view of the Perseids. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Perseids, it is a meteor shower that is visible at the same time every year. This year is supposed to be one of the best for viewing the Perseids because there is no moon.
Our original plan was to travel to Blythe or Laughlin, check into a motel, and watch the meteor shower from the desert. In the past, we've always set alarm clocks and sat outside to watch. We would usually see one or two falling stars, but never enough to be really impressed. This year we had plans, but when Ray couldn't take the time off work, we came up with an alternate plan. At 11:00 p.m. we drove up the Cajon Pass onto Highway 138 toward Silverwood. When we were well away from the city lights, we pulled over on a turnout, parked and settled in to watch the meteors. It was fun to sit out there in the middle of nowhere and scan the sky to see the occasional falling star. We talked, laughed and made a plan for next year to go camping in the mountains to watch.
Of course, we all realized that tomorrow night will offer the greatest opportunity to see the meteors, but Sunday would be impossible since we work on Monday. It was fun anyway and we are looking forward to next August. I may still go outside to see if I can see anymore meteors tomorrow night.
God bless our troops and their families. Also, God bless Ed, his late son Bryan and his entire family. May the Lord hold them close to His heart.
Our original plan was to travel to Blythe or Laughlin, check into a motel, and watch the meteor shower from the desert. In the past, we've always set alarm clocks and sat outside to watch. We would usually see one or two falling stars, but never enough to be really impressed. This year we had plans, but when Ray couldn't take the time off work, we came up with an alternate plan. At 11:00 p.m. we drove up the Cajon Pass onto Highway 138 toward Silverwood. When we were well away from the city lights, we pulled over on a turnout, parked and settled in to watch the meteors. It was fun to sit out there in the middle of nowhere and scan the sky to see the occasional falling star. We talked, laughed and made a plan for next year to go camping in the mountains to watch.
Of course, we all realized that tomorrow night will offer the greatest opportunity to see the meteors, but Sunday would be impossible since we work on Monday. It was fun anyway and we are looking forward to next August. I may still go outside to see if I can see anymore meteors tomorrow night.
God bless our troops and their families. Also, God bless Ed, his late son Bryan and his entire family. May the Lord hold them close to His heart.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Tragic Loss of Bryan
My heart has been aching since I heard the news this morning that my high school buddy, Ed, lost his son in a car accident. There are no words capable of expressing my sadness and sympathy for my dear friend. It's hard to imagine that kind of loss, especially since Bryan was a young man justing starting his adult life.
If I could, I would gladly take some of the pain away from Ed and the rest of his family. In the days to come there will be so many things taking place they won't have time to think. But life has a way of waiting for you to come back to it and that's when the reality will hit.
I am praying that the Lord will keep them close and guide them. I've always believed that if the Lord brings you to it, He'll see you through it. Please add the Padgett family to your prayers.
God bless you, Bryan. Watch over your dad and the rest of your family.
If I could, I would gladly take some of the pain away from Ed and the rest of his family. In the days to come there will be so many things taking place they won't have time to think. But life has a way of waiting for you to come back to it and that's when the reality will hit.
I am praying that the Lord will keep them close and guide them. I've always believed that if the Lord brings you to it, He'll see you through it. Please add the Padgett family to your prayers.
God bless you, Bryan. Watch over your dad and the rest of your family.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Back in the Saddle Again!
Happy Monday! Since my last post, the slumber party went off without a hitch and was a success. I'm also about 95% recovered from the cold I caught last week.
Summer has gone by way too fast and I'm beginning to dread the return to reality that hits once the kids return to school. This coming weekend will be the beginning of my final vacation for the summer. We plan to head out to the desert this weekend in hopes of seeing the Perseides (a yearly meteor shower) in an area free from lights. This is something we have done for the past 6 or 7 years with the kids. It's become a ritual at my house for us to set alarms for 2 a.m., then trudge out to the front yard with blankets and lay on the lawn to see the meteors as they come down. Trouble is, where we live there are too many streetlights. It seems like every year we say, "Next year let's go somewhere we'll be able to see better."
Watching (or trying to watch) the comets is one of those unexplained traditions that came out of nowhere. I can't wait to see if one of my children carries on this ritual with their children. If they don't, you can be sure I plan to!
Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone...
Summer has gone by way too fast and I'm beginning to dread the return to reality that hits once the kids return to school. This coming weekend will be the beginning of my final vacation for the summer. We plan to head out to the desert this weekend in hopes of seeing the Perseides (a yearly meteor shower) in an area free from lights. This is something we have done for the past 6 or 7 years with the kids. It's become a ritual at my house for us to set alarms for 2 a.m., then trudge out to the front yard with blankets and lay on the lawn to see the meteors as they come down. Trouble is, where we live there are too many streetlights. It seems like every year we say, "Next year let's go somewhere we'll be able to see better."
Watching (or trying to watch) the comets is one of those unexplained traditions that came out of nowhere. I can't wait to see if one of my children carries on this ritual with their children. If they don't, you can be sure I plan to!
Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone...
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Sick Today and the Slumber Party
Today I'm not feeling well. I've caught a cold that seems to be getting worse by the day! Sunday it started with a sore throat, Monday I sneezed all day so I took 2 Benadryl capsules and went to bed at 8:30. Yesterday I was woozy from the 2 Benadryl I took the night before and spent most of the day trying to wake up. Today I'm sneezing my head off, I have a runny nose and my stomach hurts. I'd love to go home and sleep the rest of the day but I can't. All I can think of is my daughter's slumber party on Friday night and all the preparations I have to make.
Of course, the slumber party should be fun. . .it's a 1980's party! My daughter is planning on wearing jeans with leg warmers, a big t-shirt cut at the neckline to hang off one shoulder, lots of plastic bangle bracelets and, of course, some big plastic earrings that were mine in the 80's. Since she has naturally curly hair, it'll be easy to duplicate the spiral perm with an old banana clip and she's planning on wearing make up that I will put on her, just like I used to wear. I'm really looking forward to the party, if only I could get over this cold!
I hope everyone is enjoying their day and please remember to pray for our troops. My cousin, Jan, deployed to Iraq today so say a special prayer for her.
Of course, the slumber party should be fun. . .it's a 1980's party! My daughter is planning on wearing jeans with leg warmers, a big t-shirt cut at the neckline to hang off one shoulder, lots of plastic bangle bracelets and, of course, some big plastic earrings that were mine in the 80's. Since she has naturally curly hair, it'll be easy to duplicate the spiral perm with an old banana clip and she's planning on wearing make up that I will put on her, just like I used to wear. I'm really looking forward to the party, if only I could get over this cold!
I hope everyone is enjoying their day and please remember to pray for our troops. My cousin, Jan, deployed to Iraq today so say a special prayer for her.
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