Oct 28, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
No more can I say I’m approaching the half century mark. That day finally arrived recently, and I find myself asking what happened to all the things I’ve always wanted to do in my life.
It seems that I’m asking this question with the disheartened assumption that somehow it’s too late, that there isn’t enough time left to start something or reach a new goal or be whatever it was I wanted to be when I grew up.
In my weariness the other day, I shared my question with my daughter. In her encouraging way, she asked me, “What would you like to do?” Then she insisted, “Do it!”
She also shared one of her favorite quote books with me which her dad and I gave to her when she graduated high school. She pointed out a quote on one of its pages which gives a list of accomplishments by various people:
“At age 7, Mozart wrote his first symphony. At 12, Shane Gould won an Olympic medal. At 14, Leann Rimes topped the country music charts. At 17, Joan of Arc led an army in defense of Europe. At 57, Ray Kroc founded McDonalds. At 71, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. At 80, George Burns won his first Oscar. At 104, Cal Evans wrote his first book on the American West. (I believe in you compiled by Dan Zadra)
According to this list, it seems one is never too young or too old to achieve something new!
Then I came across a statement made by William James who was a 19th-century American psychologist and philosopher and also the brother of novelist Henry James. He wrote, “Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.”
That reminded me of something a friend once shared with me. She was telling me about a senior friend of hers who was in his nineties and was remodeling his house. She asked him why he was remodeling his house, and he said because he would take his concept of home into eternity with him. And he wanted his sense of home to be something that was current, progressive, fresh and new.
So what are some of the things I’ve always wanted to do and haven’t done yet?
I’ve always wanted to write a book. I’ve also dreamed of being a songwriter. I’m always thinking how cool it would be to invent something that would prove to be an indispensable product for many consumers. I’d love to remodel some historic building, run an art gallery, share a business with my daughter and write a book with her, too.
There are many places I’ve never been to and many things I’ve never done. I’m certain I’ve not yet become the person I’ve always wanted to be. But on that note, maybe we’re always in the state of “becoming,” and we never reach the point where we say, “There’s nothing more for us to learn or experience.”
You and I wouldn’t be eating Big Macs if Ray Kroc had thought there was nothing more for him to do just because he had turned 50. He had seven years to go before he would establish the first McDonalds. And I guess I still have another 54 years to get my first book published. I don’t see painting or acting on my horizon, but then again — who knows! Perhaps there’s some talent yet to be discovered and unleashed that I don’t know about.
I’m starting to get the picture. Living the life of our dreams never reaches a final destination. Our lifetime is always ahead of us. The journey continues. Since progress is God’s law, we will always be learning, growing, exploring, discovering and accomplishing. The best is always yet to be.
If we don’t do something, that something may never get done!
Let’s never stop believing in ourselves, in our potential, in the possibilities for our life, in our dreams, in our hopes. God never sees a young or old you. He only sees his beloved you.
I’m always telling my daughter to never stop dreaming and to never stop striving to accomplish her dreams. I guess I need to heed my own advice!
Oct 28, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
Amazon.com boasts more than 200,000 titles on the subject of happiness. Yet with all the reading we’re doing, many of us will still say we haven’t found it yet. Some say a deep longing for happiness is at the heart of the desire for money, fame and power. Perhaps the best advice anyone could give us is to stop waiting for happiness to come galloping over the next horizon.
From my own experience, I’ve concluded that happiness is not found in our trying to be someone different than who we are nor is it found in running from here to somewhere else. And happiness is not found in the things we desire nor is it based on conditions.
Lately however, I’ve realized that happiness is always within our reach, but to have it we must sometimes take a stand and mentally fight for our divine right to be happy.
This is not a new discovery or one only discovered by me. I’ve found several other folks who have reached a similar conclusion. Such as Abraham Lincoln, who said, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” And Roman Emperor Marcus Antonius who said, “No man is happy who does not think himself so.” Or English Journalist Roger L’Estrange when he said, “It is not the place nor the condition, but the mind alone that can make anyone happy or miserable.”
I realize some of you may be skeptical at the idea that you could be happy regardless of your conditions and circumstances. I know I’ve had many times in my life when I’ve sighed and lamented, “What is there to be happy about?” This question is generally followed by my long list of reasons why I can’t possibly be happy.
But time and again in my life, I have indeed proven to myself that a change in attitude and viewpoint leads to a change in perspective and outlook which consequently and inevitably results in improved situations.
I love the old story of the gatekeeper, which for me beautifully drives home the idea that your thoughts will make you happy or unhappy no matter where you are.
There was a gatekeeper to a small town. One day a visitor came to the gate and asked, “What kind of town is this?”
The gatekeeper asked the visitor, “From what kind of town did you come?”
The inquirer reported his town was one of dissatisfaction, disharmony and disgust to which the gatekeeper responded, “You will find this town to be the same.”
Sadly, the visitor went on his way somewhere else.
The next day another visitor arrived at the gate and asked the gatekeeper about his town.
And again the gatekeeper asked, “From what kind of town did you come?”
This visitor gave a glowing report of his former home telling of the love, the sharing and the goodwill of its inhabitants.
To this report the gatekeeper exclaimed, “Come in! This place will be just as that from which you came.”
As I said earlier, I’ve concluded happiness is not found in the running from here to somewhere else. Whether here or somewhere else, happiness must be found within or we’ll never permanently be happy. You take with you what you’ve packed!
I’ve decided that happiness must be as consciously practiced as gratitude, forgiveness and kindness. And as with everything else, the more we practice it, the better we get at it. And when need be, we must defend and argue for our divine right to be happy and not allow anything to rob us or stop us from being happy.
The Psalmist proclaims, “This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24) A couple of verses prior to this one give us some reasons why our divine right to happiness is assured. “The Lord is on our side.” (Psalms 118:6) “The Lord is our strength and song.” (Psalms 118:14)
Two of the biggest deterrents to our happiness begin with “I can’t” or “I could if.” Let’s try beginning our day with “I will” and see what happens. And remember — God wants us all to be happy. That means being happy ourselves and bringing happiness to others around us.
Oct 28, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
Yes, like the popular country song by Trace Adkins says, “Ladies love country boys.” I couldn’t agree more. My mamma raised me to be a “lady” just like the song says of its heroine. Most of my growing up years were in the big city of Dallas where I attended the largest schools in the city at that time. My youthful years were filled with theater, dance, musicals and symphony.
Perhaps you could imagine my mamma’s surprise when I announced I was marrying a country boy from a small North Texas town and was going to live on his family’s cattle ranch. She has often joked that she didn’t raise me to get my hands dirty, so she had a difficult time imagining me living in the country.
Actually, my husband grew up in the big city, too, but his parents bought the ranch when he was five years old, so he spent most weekends and summers of his growing up years in the country doing what country boys do. My husband’s family moved to the country full-time after he graduated from high school. One thing is for certain — my husband grew up with the love of the country in his mind, body and soul. So there was never any question where he and his wife would live after he married — not in his mind anyway.
My purpose with this column is to explain a little bit about why city girls love country boys or at least why this city girl loves her country boy. And I want to talk about what makes a country boy a great father. In doing so, I plan to praise some of the many endearing qualities of my own country boy. And for any of you young gals out there looking for a husband and future father for your children, you may want to consider these qualities as requisite.
Good manners, dependability and honesty are the first three qualities that occur to me. My country boy always says “Please” when he asks his daughter or me to do anything and everything and says “Thank you” afterwards. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. When he says he will do something, he does it. When you need his help, he’s ready and willing. And when he gives you a compliment, he really means it. He doesn’t throw compliments around casually, mind you. If you need the truth, ask him and the truth is what you’ll get. It may not be exactly what you want to hear, but he gives his honest opinion and viewpoint in a gentle and kind manner.
My husband is also sincere, trustworthy, candid, straight-forward, plain-spoken, genuine, truehearted and square-shooting. All of which makes him a bona fide country boy and a great husband and daddy.
Did I say patient? My most favorite daddy-daughter memory was when my husband would come in the house after a long, hot day working outside. He would immediately be greeted by our little daughter who had comb and spray-bottle in hand ready to give her daddy what she called a “wet and wild” hairdo. And of course he obliged his daughter’s request for him to sit on the floor.
When I think of my dear husband, I can’t help but think God is smiling and saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 17:5)
Now don’t get me wrong. My husband is not always the most perfect husband and dad. Like the rest of us, he makes mistakes and doesn’t always make the best choices. But nothing can take away the goodness God instilled in him. And that’s true of you and me, too. Our innate goodness can’t be lost or robbed from us either.
Maybe we forget sometimes to let our better qualities guide us. And maybe we get down on ourselves when we fail to live up to our divine potential.
But my southern roots promise “tomorrow is another day.” If God isn’t keeping score of our mistakes, why should we? Didn’t Jesus teach us how to amend for our faults and flaws when he said, “Go and sin no more”? (John 8:11)
So here’s wishing all you dads out there a happy Father’s Day — country dads and city dads. You’re all good in God’s eyes!
Oct 28, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
I married my sweetheart the year “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” hit the movie screen. And my honey and I were at its premiere! And yes — our anticipation is high for the next movie! We didn’t need to see a movie trailer to whet our appetites for a new fix of Indiana Jones.I’ve read that George Lucas is worried that it will be impossible to satisfy hardcore fans. All I can say to Mr. Lucas is, “Don’t worry about that! It will be impossible to NOT satisfy me!”
I’ve been asking myself today just what is it about Indiana Jones that I long for and can’t get enough of. As I was trying to find my own words, I thought it would be fun to ask a few friends what it is about Indiana Jones that appeals to them. Within five minutes of sending out my email inquiry, I received over a dozen replies. Here’s a sampling:
“Indiana Jones embodies what everybody secretly wants to be: A world adventurer who’s fearless, courageous, smart and indefatigable. (He gets the beautiful girl too!)”
“They’re enjoyable on a very fantastic level. Incredible stunts. Some humor…I think there’s a certain element of — Now THAT’S a movie!”
“Besides all the obvious sexual heat that simply radiates off the man, I believe the most appealing side of Indiana is about the quest. He is a seeker of truth, always looking for what has yet to be found. This attribute is fascinating, and is perhaps the reason for anyone desiring to be an archeologist in the last 20 years. There’s something about the quest for truth and enlightenment, understanding our past and our purpose in the present and potential for the future.”
“No matter what happens, he still keeps trying.”
“He takes risks and in the end they always pay off.”
“I like Indiana Jones movies because there’s a lot of action in all of them. I also like the way he talks.” (Me, too!)
“Adventure — a time to escape to a different world — wouldn’t it be fun to do that? I’d be scared but I’d love it! No snakes please. Handsome hero.”
“Fantasy of the highest order. He is an academician that sheds his skin and changes into a world-class soldier of fortune that perseveres in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and does it for the greater good. He is what we would all like to think we could be.”
“Why do I watch Indiana Jones movies? I love his dauntless courage, his sense of adventure and his persistence despite the odds. Aren’t those qualities in all of us often just waiting to be discovered?”
All these folks took the words right out of my mouth! I also like how Mr. Lucas describes Indiana: “He’s just an average Joe who’s always in over his head and somehow seems to get through it.”
One could say — he may not win every battle, but he does always win the war. That’s encouraging! And it certainly seems true that with Indy, you can’t keep a good man down. Glad to know that! I for one love his make-it-up-as-he-goes-along style. So yes, he makes mistakes. Who doesn’t? But he is a real guy, an every man’s hero. Somehow this makes his quest to preserve knowledge, protect the weak, and fight tyranny and evil plausible and possible. Also encouraging!
And who can forget his quotable quips, such as “It’s not the years, honey, but the mileage.” My husband liked that one!
For me, Indiana Jones is one of the most admirable role models in cinematic history. Oh I know — it’s only a movie. But why not watch a movie whose hero encourages and inspires while he excites and thrills? I walk out from watching an Indiana movie ready to take on, meet and master whatever obstacle or hurdle is trying to thwart my progress or block my path. And somehow, I am confident that I will succeed!
Courage, confidence, persistence, expectation are powerful allies when we face any foe, and these qualities strengthen our faith and trust in the power of God, good, to win the day. There is no mountain too steep. No evil too strong. And my friend is right. These qualities are within each of us waiting to be discovered. God gives each of us exactly what we need when we need it. So we, like Indiana, can be undaunted, unstoppable and victorious.
So as I sit here and anticipate the next Indiana Jones saga, I can’t help but sigh and say — in the words of Marian Ravenwood from Indiana’s first movie — “Indiana Jones. I always knew someday you’d come walking back through my door.”
Oct 28, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
Perhaps you’ve heard the expression, “Ignorance is bliss,” or “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” I had never given this much thought until a few months ago when I was driving on a very narrow road on top of a volcano. Actually, I wasn’t the one doing the driving — my husband was. I was sitting on the passenger side determined not to look out the window at the sheer drop off inches from our tires.My remedy to allay my fears was to hold up the roadmap with my right hand in such a way that I could not see out the window. This seemed to keep my gaze fixed on the sure road in front of me. So, in this case, perhaps ignorance was bliss. If I didn’t know how close to the edge we were, I wasn’t afraid.
Actually the phrase, “Ignorance is bliss,” comes from a poem by English poet, Thomas Gray, titled “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College.” The complete phrase is, “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.”
But is it possible to really know too much?
Some equate the innocence of childhood with ignorance. And some wish they could return to their childhood, believing that innocence — or lack of worldly knowledge — is a pleasant alternative to the harsh realities of adulthood. Such a person might feel that growing up has brought too much awareness of the flaws of mortal life, and he believes not knowing something would be more comfortable than knowing it.
Although at times in my life I might have agreed with such sentiments, I can’t see how ignorance ultimately helps. It seems more like a stick-your-head-in-the-sand approach to a challenge, problem, fear, worry or concern. And with our head in the sand, we will never be able to see the solution that could be right in front of us if we were looking for it.
Maybe this desire for ignorance stems from not understanding the power and freedom knowledge can provide. Of course, this kind of knowledge is not found in the limited and ever-changing mortal perspective, but in spiritual knowledge.
If we hold a mortal point of view, we have difficulty seeing beyond that view and thus find the infinite generally unreachable and unattainable. By its very nature, the mortal viewpoint remains ignorant of the potential and possibility that spiritual knowledge provides and promises.
Spiritual knowledge would conclude that the cause of all evil is fear and ignorance. From this premise, evil could be proven powerless if fear and ignorance were displaced or replaced by spiritual knowledge.
It was surely arrogant ignorance that crucified Jesus! And consider other evils the world has seen since — also perpetuated by arrogant ignorance. No, I don’t think that ignorance has led or would ever lead to a more blissful world!
So with the hope that spiritual knowledge could be my best hope in my own personal fight against evil in its many forms, I continue my journey toward such enlightenment.
I’m not saying we must go back to school and get a degree in Bible History or Theology in order to gain spiritual knowledge. In fact, Jesus told us what we must do. We read in the book of John how Jesus’ peers were amazed at his knowledge since he didn’t have any formal education on spiritual matters. They wondered, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”
Jesus response was, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (John 7:15-17)
This says to me that I must endeavor to understand more about the nature of God and His purpose and will for His creation. This will help me better understand my own spirituality as His child, and I will become better acquainted with my divine heritage — my divine rights, my spiritual qualities, my God-given talents. Then with this spiritual knowledge, I can free myself from bad habits, bad manners, bad traits and tendencies, and bad attitudes.
So in the long run of life, ignorance may perhaps provide a few blissful moments, but I think I’ll go for the more certain bliss that spiritual knowledge can bring.
