“You Bring More To The Table Than You Think, Rod!”
“Set out each day believing in your dreams. Know without a doubt that you were made for amazing things.” - Josh Hinds
Nora and I had a nice 2.5 hour impromptu conversation Monday night discussing pretty much everything from what is the definition of a “good friend”, people’s paths, the roles of certain people in our lives, our roles in the lives of others, things I’m working through, things she is working through, the TOD group, our Guardian Angels, communication, religion, the past, the present, the cook-off this past weekend, the rodeo meeting today, her dogs, work, our respective paths forward and what’s coming next for each of us. There were more tangents happening than a super computer could process, but I like that kind of free thinking. We were bouncing all over the map and hitting on pretty much every topic and then we started talking about my journey for the last three years, and that’s when the shift occurred in me. I knew it was my time to listen.
I write a lot on the last three years and what I’ve learned. I know I have a different focus and zest to learn and give everything I possibly can, but Nora reminded me of something very important that I may have forgotten. There is more to me than the last three years, and that’s when today’s title came about. Here are a few of the things she told me.
“Rod, 50 years has gone into making you, not just the last three years…sure you have learned a lot over the last three but the other 47 years are just as important and played a significant part in making you who you are today...you’re smart, successful, good looking, established, caring, giving, loved, surrounded by people that care about and for you, you help others, you inspire, you get people to think…all of that did not just happen in the last three years…three years ago when Shelley left was just a milestone and starting point in your life for it to get even better and look at where you are now…there’s more to you than you may see or think… those are some of the things you bring to the table, Rod”
“I was watching you move around at the cook-off and observing the air of calm about you and how you projected it to others without even knowing it…I could see the changes in the people you interacted with as you walked up or by…I saw the smiles on their faces…I really needed you there at the cook-off but knew you were processing some things and did not want to ask but still kinda knew you would be there…when you sent the email Saturday morning that you were on the way, well I just kinda knew it…in fact, we were gonna go home on Saturday and so were Clay and Linda until we got the email from you…we wanted and needed you there for who you are…”
I smiled at Nora and said “you know what tomorrow’s TOD is gonna be about don’t you?”
Whatever your age, that’s how many years have gone into making you the person you are at the very second you are reading this TOD. Every experience has shaped you in some form or fashion. Like me, I think we sometimes tend to minimize or think that we do not always have something to offer, but the truth of the matter is that we always have something to offer. Just spending time with someone is bringing something to the table. Talking on the phone is bringing something to the table. Exchanging hugs and smiles brings something to the table. Saying thank you is bringing something to the table. Sharing your feelings is bringing something to the table. I could go on and on, but I think you see the point I’m making. Don’t underestimate your gifts or contributions to those around you. No matter how small you may think something is, you are bringing something to the table. Allow those in your life to enjoy it, and more importantly, allow yourself to enjoy it.
Action Item – Take a look at your table. I am certain you offer than you can see. Ask someone close to you and just see the answers you get. You are important.
Positive News
Another Chance
The 2010 Rodeo Ticket Sales Committee Campaign officially kicks off this afternoon. We get another chance to help raise money to send some kids to college. Investing in “our” future is a positive thing.
“Set out each day believing in your dreams. Know without a doubt that you were made for amazing things.” - Josh Hinds
Nora and I had a nice 2.5 hour impromptu conversation Monday night discussing pretty much everything from what is the definition of a “good friend”, people’s paths, the roles of certain people in our lives, our roles in the lives of others, things I’m working through, things she is working through, the TOD group, our Guardian Angels, communication, religion, the past, the present, the cook-off this past weekend, the rodeo meeting today, her dogs, work, our respective paths forward and what’s coming next for each of us. There were more tangents happening than a super computer could process, but I like that kind of free thinking. We were bouncing all over the map and hitting on pretty much every topic and then we started talking about my journey for the last three years, and that’s when the shift occurred in me. I knew it was my time to listen.
I write a lot on the last three years and what I’ve learned. I know I have a different focus and zest to learn and give everything I possibly can, but Nora reminded me of something very important that I may have forgotten. There is more to me than the last three years, and that’s when today’s title came about. Here are a few of the things she told me.
“Rod, 50 years has gone into making you, not just the last three years…sure you have learned a lot over the last three but the other 47 years are just as important and played a significant part in making you who you are today...you’re smart, successful, good looking, established, caring, giving, loved, surrounded by people that care about and for you, you help others, you inspire, you get people to think…all of that did not just happen in the last three years…three years ago when Shelley left was just a milestone and starting point in your life for it to get even better and look at where you are now…there’s more to you than you may see or think… those are some of the things you bring to the table, Rod”
“I was watching you move around at the cook-off and observing the air of calm about you and how you projected it to others without even knowing it…I could see the changes in the people you interacted with as you walked up or by…I saw the smiles on their faces…I really needed you there at the cook-off but knew you were processing some things and did not want to ask but still kinda knew you would be there…when you sent the email Saturday morning that you were on the way, well I just kinda knew it…in fact, we were gonna go home on Saturday and so were Clay and Linda until we got the email from you…we wanted and needed you there for who you are…”
I smiled at Nora and said “you know what tomorrow’s TOD is gonna be about don’t you?”
Whatever your age, that’s how many years have gone into making you the person you are at the very second you are reading this TOD. Every experience has shaped you in some form or fashion. Like me, I think we sometimes tend to minimize or think that we do not always have something to offer, but the truth of the matter is that we always have something to offer. Just spending time with someone is bringing something to the table. Talking on the phone is bringing something to the table. Exchanging hugs and smiles brings something to the table. Saying thank you is bringing something to the table. Sharing your feelings is bringing something to the table. I could go on and on, but I think you see the point I’m making. Don’t underestimate your gifts or contributions to those around you. No matter how small you may think something is, you are bringing something to the table. Allow those in your life to enjoy it, and more importantly, allow yourself to enjoy it.
Action Item – Take a look at your table. I am certain you offer than you can see. Ask someone close to you and just see the answers you get. You are important.
Positive News
Another Chance
The 2010 Rodeo Ticket Sales Committee Campaign officially kicks off this afternoon. We get another chance to help raise money to send some kids to college. Investing in “our” future is a positive thing.
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