Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Holiday Message
Written by me, five years ago...
Greetings Friends!
I want to start by saying that this email is being written by me, Hope Kathleen, and it is NOT a forward and I would prefer if it didn't turn in to one. I have to warn you that this will be a lengthy read so you might want to save it for when you have a few minutes. Last year I had an experience or maybe did an experiment, not exactly sure what to call it, but I wanted to share it with friends.
Instead of making a New Year's resolution last year I decided that I would make a holiday resolution. My holiday resolution was to go through the holiday season being genuinely friendly to people. Genuinely friendly meant I wouldn't be sickeningly cheerful or phony in any way but I would try to maintain a friendly attitude in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle. I know I will not remember all of the specific instances that the genuine friendliness came into play but I will share the ones I do remember.
I think one of the things I figured out fast was that it was a lot harder to maintain a friendly attitude and it would have been a lot easier to get drawn into the crankiness and irritability that seemed to be all around. That was probably the most difficult part for me, making a conscious effort not to get drawn into a downward spiral. I also came to the amazing realization that the better my attitude was the more open I was to seeing good things going on around me.
I remember one day a few weeks before Christmas I was talking with a friend at the grocery store (names and identities have been changed to protect the innocent ;-). Also in the store that day was the neighbors of my friend with whom there had been a long standing disagreement. To my surprise my friend said that she thought it had gone on long enough and took the first step by going over and initiating a conversation with one of the neighbors. The conversation went well and although I don't think they have become the best of friends it was at least a step in the right the direction. (If the "friend" I am referring to recognizes this story I just want to say I was so proud of you that day! Bravo to you for being the better person!!)
My own grocery store experience happened one day while I was waiting in line at the deli counter. There was a woman with her young son also waiting and when it was their turn the woman got the basket off the counter (where you discard your tickets after your number is called) and let her son put the ticket in the basket which he enjoyed very much. So after my number was called I got the basket down, handing the little boy my ticket and let him put it in the basket. If you could have only seen how excited he was. He then went on to tell all about the stuff in the carriage including a birthday cake for his brother or sister. Something so simple seemed to make his day and in effect it made my day that I could be a part of it.
On another occasion I was in a local department store and there was this man with his arms overflowing with holiday purchases. I thought I could sense his crankiness just radiating off from him. I was seeing this as an opportunity to apply some genuine friendliness and while I stood off to the side trying to think of way to defuse the situation another shopper came by and offered to get the man a shopping cart. To my surprise the man I assumed to be cranky replied with a smile and a laugh that it would make his life too easy if he actually got a cart and we all got a laugh out of that.
I know there were other specific instances but in the long run specifics are not what's important, it's the feelings I got from the instances that I carry with me. It could be something as simple as holding the door open for the person behind me at the post office even if it meant it was another person I'd have to stand in line behind. I'm no saint and I'm not trying to sound mushy or preachy. I was just feeling today like with the obvious division in this country after the recent election that now more than ever it is important to remember that we are all human beings and when given the opportunity the human spirit can prevail.
I will be making my holiday resolution again this year. And by the way I found that it was a resolution I could carry with me throughout the year. I'm not asking anyone to make the same resolution or a similar one. I just hope that when you're standing in a mile long line waiting to make your purchase, feeling tired, stressed and annoyed, that you'll remember that the other people in line are probably in the same boat as you including the clerk running the register. And even if the other people are exuding crankiness you can make a choice not to get caught up in it too.
Often I listen to a Texas country music station (99.5 The Wolf) on the internet. Each day at the end of the morning show one of the dj's always says something that I really like...look out for one another, take care of each other, we're all family.
Wishing you all at least a few moments here and there to enjoy the true spirit of the holiday season.
Love,
Hope
Greetings Friends!
I want to start by saying that this email is being written by me, Hope Kathleen, and it is NOT a forward and I would prefer if it didn't turn in to one. I have to warn you that this will be a lengthy read so you might want to save it for when you have a few minutes. Last year I had an experience or maybe did an experiment, not exactly sure what to call it, but I wanted to share it with friends.
Instead of making a New Year's resolution last year I decided that I would make a holiday resolution. My holiday resolution was to go through the holiday season being genuinely friendly to people. Genuinely friendly meant I wouldn't be sickeningly cheerful or phony in any way but I would try to maintain a friendly attitude in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle. I know I will not remember all of the specific instances that the genuine friendliness came into play but I will share the ones I do remember.
I think one of the things I figured out fast was that it was a lot harder to maintain a friendly attitude and it would have been a lot easier to get drawn into the crankiness and irritability that seemed to be all around. That was probably the most difficult part for me, making a conscious effort not to get drawn into a downward spiral. I also came to the amazing realization that the better my attitude was the more open I was to seeing good things going on around me.
I remember one day a few weeks before Christmas I was talking with a friend at the grocery store (names and identities have been changed to protect the innocent ;-). Also in the store that day was the neighbors of my friend with whom there had been a long standing disagreement. To my surprise my friend said that she thought it had gone on long enough and took the first step by going over and initiating a conversation with one of the neighbors. The conversation went well and although I don't think they have become the best of friends it was at least a step in the right the direction. (If the "friend" I am referring to recognizes this story I just want to say I was so proud of you that day! Bravo to you for being the better person!!)
My own grocery store experience happened one day while I was waiting in line at the deli counter. There was a woman with her young son also waiting and when it was their turn the woman got the basket off the counter (where you discard your tickets after your number is called) and let her son put the ticket in the basket which he enjoyed very much. So after my number was called I got the basket down, handing the little boy my ticket and let him put it in the basket. If you could have only seen how excited he was. He then went on to tell all about the stuff in the carriage including a birthday cake for his brother or sister. Something so simple seemed to make his day and in effect it made my day that I could be a part of it.
On another occasion I was in a local department store and there was this man with his arms overflowing with holiday purchases. I thought I could sense his crankiness just radiating off from him. I was seeing this as an opportunity to apply some genuine friendliness and while I stood off to the side trying to think of way to defuse the situation another shopper came by and offered to get the man a shopping cart. To my surprise the man I assumed to be cranky replied with a smile and a laugh that it would make his life too easy if he actually got a cart and we all got a laugh out of that.
I know there were other specific instances but in the long run specifics are not what's important, it's the feelings I got from the instances that I carry with me. It could be something as simple as holding the door open for the person behind me at the post office even if it meant it was another person I'd have to stand in line behind. I'm no saint and I'm not trying to sound mushy or preachy. I was just feeling today like with the obvious division in this country after the recent election that now more than ever it is important to remember that we are all human beings and when given the opportunity the human spirit can prevail.
I will be making my holiday resolution again this year. And by the way I found that it was a resolution I could carry with me throughout the year. I'm not asking anyone to make the same resolution or a similar one. I just hope that when you're standing in a mile long line waiting to make your purchase, feeling tired, stressed and annoyed, that you'll remember that the other people in line are probably in the same boat as you including the clerk running the register. And even if the other people are exuding crankiness you can make a choice not to get caught up in it too.
Often I listen to a Texas country music station (99.5 The Wolf) on the internet. Each day at the end of the morning show one of the dj's always says something that I really like...look out for one another, take care of each other, we're all family.
Wishing you all at least a few moments here and there to enjoy the true spirit of the holiday season.
Love,
Hope
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Good Luck Real!
Salt Lake pissed on the Fire!
In an Eastern Conference Final match that came down penalty kicks, Real Salt Lake was able to hold off the Chicago Fire for a very exciting win. Real owes a debt of gratitude to their goalie Romando, who managed to save not one, not two but three penalty kicks! His saves made up for some bad kicks by his teammates and earned them the Conference Championship as well as a ticket to Seattle next Sunday night to play in the MLS Cup.
Best of luck to Real in next week's match. Hopefully they will show the Galaxy that unlike the Yankees, championships can't be bought!
In an Eastern Conference Final match that came down penalty kicks, Real Salt Lake was able to hold off the Chicago Fire for a very exciting win. Real owes a debt of gratitude to their goalie Romando, who managed to save not one, not two but three penalty kicks! His saves made up for some bad kicks by his teammates and earned them the Conference Championship as well as a ticket to Seattle next Sunday night to play in the MLS Cup.
Best of luck to Real in next week's match. Hopefully they will show the Galaxy that unlike the Yankees, championships can't be bought!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Eleven-Eleven
Remember to thank a Veteran everyday.
The freedom we take for granted on a daily basis was given to us by our Veterans. It is our Veterans who know more than anyone that freedom is not free. And although today is dedicated to show our appreciation to those who have served, we should also show our appreciation any day or everyday when the opportunity presents itself.
So from the bottom of my heart I say thanks to my grandfather, my dad, my uncles, my cousins and the many men and women who have given and sacrificed to serve our country. Your efforts and dedication are truly appreciated.
The freedom we take for granted on a daily basis was given to us by our Veterans. It is our Veterans who know more than anyone that freedom is not free. And although today is dedicated to show our appreciation to those who have served, we should also show our appreciation any day or everyday when the opportunity presents itself.
So from the bottom of my heart I say thanks to my grandfather, my dad, my uncles, my cousins and the many men and women who have given and sacrificed to serve our country. Your efforts and dedication are truly appreciated.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Same Outcome, Different Year
Revvies lost. Go Real Salt Lake!
I think it was about the same last year that my Revvies lost to Chicago in the playoffs and I had to throw my cheering weight behind Real Salt Lake. Although Real failed to make it all the way to the Cup so maybe I should do them a favor and not cheer for them!?
As any good fan would say, there's always next year. But to prove my enthusiasm the 2010 New England Revolution season tickets have been renewed. Yes, it's a hike to Gillette Stadium but it's worth it to be a part of the excitement. Plus at the end of the season we finally made friends with the guy who sits behind us and sometimes brings his son. As the guy, Jim, freely told everyone at one game that his son couldn't make it because he ate half a watermelon and was home with the Hershey squirts. I'm sure Devon would be mortified to know his dad told us all that. And then of course there's the seat lickers who sit two rows in front of us. One rainy game the youngest of the family, probably about five years old, seemed to think licking the back of her seat was a good idea. I thought it was a good way to get the swine flu but every since then the family of 5 was dubbed the seat lickers.
So we'll see what 2010 holds in store for the Revolution. Only 138 days till the season opener, GO REVVIES!
I think it was about the same last year that my Revvies lost to Chicago in the playoffs and I had to throw my cheering weight behind Real Salt Lake. Although Real failed to make it all the way to the Cup so maybe I should do them a favor and not cheer for them!?
As any good fan would say, there's always next year. But to prove my enthusiasm the 2010 New England Revolution season tickets have been renewed. Yes, it's a hike to Gillette Stadium but it's worth it to be a part of the excitement. Plus at the end of the season we finally made friends with the guy who sits behind us and sometimes brings his son. As the guy, Jim, freely told everyone at one game that his son couldn't make it because he ate half a watermelon and was home with the Hershey squirts. I'm sure Devon would be mortified to know his dad told us all that. And then of course there's the seat lickers who sit two rows in front of us. One rainy game the youngest of the family, probably about five years old, seemed to think licking the back of her seat was a good idea. I thought it was a good way to get the swine flu but every since then the family of 5 was dubbed the seat lickers.
So we'll see what 2010 holds in store for the Revolution. Only 138 days till the season opener, GO REVVIES!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Pumpkins and Playoffs
It's the lucky pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
I carved this pumpkin Saturday night and it turned out to be a lucky pumpkin. Revvies came out of the first leg of a Home-Home on aggregate playoff series against the Chicago Fire with a 2-1 lead. For those unfamiliar with soccer that means each team gets a game at home and it's the combined total of both games that decides the winner. If there's a tie at the end of the second game it then goes into overtime and if necessary penalty kicks to decide a winner. It sure felt good to see the Revvies come away with the lead yesterday. GO REVVIES!
Steve Ralston underwent successful ACL surgery last week and as I hope with all my might that he returns to the Revolution line-up next year I came across the following comment about Steve's injury and future...
My immediate thought at the time was that he probably was finished for good but then I recalled what I've been saying for years: "Death, Taxes, Steve Ralston."
Thanks KaptPowers, I needed to hear that!
I carved this pumpkin Saturday night and it turned out to be a lucky pumpkin. Revvies came out of the first leg of a Home-Home on aggregate playoff series against the Chicago Fire with a 2-1 lead. For those unfamiliar with soccer that means each team gets a game at home and it's the combined total of both games that decides the winner. If there's a tie at the end of the second game it then goes into overtime and if necessary penalty kicks to decide a winner. It sure felt good to see the Revvies come away with the lead yesterday. GO REVVIES!
Steve Ralston underwent successful ACL surgery last week and as I hope with all my might that he returns to the Revolution line-up next year I came across the following comment about Steve's injury and future...
My immediate thought at the time was that he probably was finished for good but then I recalled what I've been saying for years: "Death, Taxes, Steve Ralston."
Thanks KaptPowers, I needed to hear that!
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