Life is about perspective.
I think of the analogy of seeing the glass half empty or half full. It's the same glass, yet two people see it totally different. Optimists and Pessimists. I think that we all have an inclination to be positive or negative. I'm guessing that part of it is in your nature and part is learned. But either way, we have a tendency to see things in a positive light or a negative light.
And people think they can't change.
Let's talk about pessimists first. It's extremely draining to be around someone who always sees the negative side in every situation. Someone who jumps to worrying or the "but what-if such-and-such bad thing happens??" The person who always has a story to show how they are worse off or someone who discredits your bad day by telling you how they should get more sympathy than you. Annoying.
The fact is, it's extremely draining to be around perpetual pessimists. For me, if I don't find a way to phase that person out, I will most likely call them out at some point b/c I just can't handle it. Don't get me wrong, though... there is definitely times for complaining, legitimate reasons to worry, or one-up someone with your "I have it worse" story. But the truth of the matter is that no one likes being around someone who is constantly a buzz kill.
Now let's talk about optimists... they aren't always cheery to be around either. Just like someone who is constantly negative, it's also annoying to be around someone who is just too positive. I am sorry, but sometimes, you have to be like, yeah, your day/situation sucks and there is nothing good about that! If someone is always positive, it can come across as fake and not genuine at all.
I guess what I'm saying is we need balance. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn't see the glass half empty or half full (maybe the cup was just not the right size to being with?). I feel like I am a realist. I like to look at the situation and think of realistic outlooks. I will admit when something is super crappy but also try and see the positive in something, if there is a positive to been seen.
So, if you find that you are too optimistic or too pessimistic, there is hope for you. You can change! Like any other habit, it takes deliberate attempts to create the changes you want. If you constantly see the negative in things, try and think of one positive after you've caught yourself thinking negatively. And remember that just because you might have a "bigger better" story or you might have it worse off, realize that for the other person, they are having a moment where they need you to understand, not try and top it. If you are overly positive, try and see why someone is frustrated or not on cloud 9 with you. We can all use a little sympathy at times.
I am not sure why I blogged about this. I was actually intending on blogging about attitudes and how I find it annoying that people are rude to those closest to them when someone else makes them mad. I mean, be nice to your friends, even if you are feeling crabby. We can at least try and empathize and be someone to vent too! Or if you don't feel like talking, tell your friends you are having a bad day so we know not to take it personal! Ok, I will save that for another day :)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Question for Pet Owners
If someone offered you $100,000 to give up your most beloved pet, would you make the trade?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A Letter To the Vikings and Chargers
Dear Vikings and Chargers,
I just wanted to apologize for your losses this year in the playoffs... and every other year you've ever lost a playoff or Super Bowl game. Anytime a decedent of the Clark family likes a team, that team becomes cursed and will never win a Championship game.
Yet, because the Clark decedents are loyal people, we refuse to cheer for any other team above the Chargers and Vikings. Unfortunately, that means that you will never win a Championship game.
On the bright side, we are your most loyal fans! And we hope that little factoid brings at least a little ray of sunshine into your lives!
Signed,
Jessica (for the Clarks)
I just wanted to apologize for your losses this year in the playoffs... and every other year you've ever lost a playoff or Super Bowl game. Anytime a decedent of the Clark family likes a team, that team becomes cursed and will never win a Championship game.
Yet, because the Clark decedents are loyal people, we refuse to cheer for any other team above the Chargers and Vikings. Unfortunately, that means that you will never win a Championship game.
On the bright side, we are your most loyal fans! And we hope that little factoid brings at least a little ray of sunshine into your lives!
Signed,
Jessica (for the Clarks)
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Letter to the Chargers
Dear Chargers,
Oh how you continue to let your fans down... year after year. If only you knew how much your fans love you and count on you for a win when it mattered the most. Even though we know you will let us down, we still get our hopes up; keeping our fingers crossed, we think, "maybe this will be the year!?!" But, hark, it is never the year. Never. Ever.
Only a team like the Chargers can have a kicker with a 60+ successful kicking streak and then miss 3 kicks in a row during a play off game. Only the Chargers would kick a challenge flag, draw a 15 yard penalty, and negate the yards they just conquored. Only the Chargers would lose to a team like the Jets, THE JETS, when it really mattered.
We cheer for you week after week. We wear your shirts. We proudly display your bumper stickers on our cars. We even schedule our vacations around the possibility of your playing in the Super Bowl. And what do you give us in return? 14 points. A kicker with his head in the sand. A team with their head up their @sses.
You think you are great. You think your 11 game winning streak is impressive. Well, you're not and it isn't. What's impressive is a family who has been faithful to you for 40+ years and 3 generations (with a 4th generation who will also be faithful once they are old enough to know how to say "Chargers").
Even though you dangle carrots in front of us year after year before you rip it from our eye-sight, we are not going anywhere. No way. We are faithful. We will not let you down. We will continue to cheer you on. We will wear your colors proudly.
All we ask for in return is for a win when it matters. Just ONE win. But, if you can't pull off that one win, please, at the very least, play the game with your heads on straight rather than up your butts.
Sincerely,
Jessica (for all the Clarks)
Oh how you continue to let your fans down... year after year. If only you knew how much your fans love you and count on you for a win when it mattered the most. Even though we know you will let us down, we still get our hopes up; keeping our fingers crossed, we think, "maybe this will be the year!?!" But, hark, it is never the year. Never. Ever.
Only a team like the Chargers can have a kicker with a 60+ successful kicking streak and then miss 3 kicks in a row during a play off game. Only the Chargers would kick a challenge flag, draw a 15 yard penalty, and negate the yards they just conquored. Only the Chargers would lose to a team like the Jets, THE JETS, when it really mattered.
We cheer for you week after week. We wear your shirts. We proudly display your bumper stickers on our cars. We even schedule our vacations around the possibility of your playing in the Super Bowl. And what do you give us in return? 14 points. A kicker with his head in the sand. A team with their head up their @sses.
You think you are great. You think your 11 game winning streak is impressive. Well, you're not and it isn't. What's impressive is a family who has been faithful to you for 40+ years and 3 generations (with a 4th generation who will also be faithful once they are old enough to know how to say "Chargers").
Even though you dangle carrots in front of us year after year before you rip it from our eye-sight, we are not going anywhere. No way. We are faithful. We will not let you down. We will continue to cheer you on. We will wear your colors proudly.
All we ask for in return is for a win when it matters. Just ONE win. But, if you can't pull off that one win, please, at the very least, play the game with your heads on straight rather than up your butts.
Sincerely,
Jessica (for all the Clarks)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
'tis the season...
Ahhh... the joys of Christmas! Shopping, family, friends, baking, gifts, snow, entertaining, parties, decorations, food... and the list goes on. This time of year should be filled with joy and merriment, but often times, it's dreaded and many people wish it would pass quickly so they can get back to the normalcy of life.
Well, I have a few things about this "holiday season" that I'd like to address.
The first thing is shopping. Even if you didn't procrastinate on shopping for gifts, you probably still have a few last minute things you need to pick up: stocking stuffers, a gift for that last minute relative who decided to come to the family party, groceries, or a bottle of wine for the family member who is hosting you this year... either way, you most likely will be out, battling the crowds, before Christmas day arrives.
It's very easy to get frustrated with the crowds and madness. Everyone is taking up the aisles, people have grumpy looks on their faces and are huffing and puffing at people in their way, no one will move out of the way so you can lean over and grab the one item you came in for, someone cut you off and took the last parking spot that you've had your blinker on for and been waiting for as the previous occupier was backing out, the cashiers are grumpy because, well, they work retail, and shopping takes twice as long just because it's a very busy time of year.
Here is a tip to help you keep a smile on your face and a bounce in your step as you brave the crowds. Understand that there will be lots of people, be patient w/others and give yourself plenty of time. If you go to the store knowing and accepting that it's going to take a while and that there will be tons of people in your way, you will be less likely to be annoyed. Don't go shopping if you have some place to be in 20 minutes. You will just get irritated. Be the person in the aisle who lets someone else go by before you cut them off. Be willing to walk a little ways from the parking lot to the store (if you aren't worried about getting the closest spot that will reduce some stress). And smile at those around you. Who can't use a little Christmas cheer? =)
The next thing I would like to address is family, friend and work get-togethers. If shopping and gift buying wasn't stressful enough, just wait till you host 20 of your closest friends and family. If you've hosted before, you know that it's stressful. You have to make sure your house is clean, food is prepared, entertainment is provided, drinks are available, coordinate who's sleeping where if you are having people stay over night...
If you are hosting, let your guests know where they can find snacks during "non meal" times, get them their first drink and then tell them where they can help themselves for any additional drinks they might want, and even ask for help preparing meals, bringing part of the meal and with cleanup. Don't stress yourself out with making an elaborate meal. The whole point is for your family and friends to get together to celebrate Christmas. If you need to make some frozen pizzas so that everyone has time to visit, then make a pizza. Christmas is not about ham, homemade bread, and pie... it's about celebration. So don't let busyness get in your way.
If you are going to be a guest somewhere, you better be a gracious guest. Offer to bring something, offer to help once you arrive and don't even offer to do dishes... just start doing them after dinner. There is nothing more annoying than entertaining a bunch of guests who just sit around on their duffers while the host/ess does all the work. They are their to "host" not to be a waiter or waitress. And make sure that if you have kids that they are gracious guests, too. Kids learn how to say please and thank-you before they even have their first memory, so no excuses.
Oh and if you don't want to go somewhere, then don't go. Seriously, there is nothing worse than feeling obligated to go somewhere or obligated to invite certain people over. If you don't want to be there, it will show, and then you will just look like a scrooge.
Finally, I wanted to discuss the whole "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" situation. Okay, here is the thing. If your intent is to tell someone that you hope they have a good day on December 25th, then you should say "Merry Christmas" as that is what the day is called!!! It's called Christmas Day. Christmas. I get that some people don't celebrate Christmas, and if you know that they don't, then it's absolutely fine (and expected) to say "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas. If your friend is Jewish, wish them a Happy Hanukkah.
But if you, in good faith, say Merry Christmas and the person doesn't celebrate Christmas then hopefully they will say something and you will know for next time. If someone were to wish me Happy Hanukkah, a holiday that I don't celebrate and one where the only thing I know about it is that there are 12 days of it and something about a candelabra, I certainly would not be offended. I would just be like, "Oh thanks, you too" and then move on with my life. I mean, if someone gets so offended by Merry Christmas that they lash out or get all bent out of shape, then frankly, I'm more amused than sorry that they take things so personally. I mean seriously people, stop being so easily offended. Unless someone is trying to offend you, just kindly tell them what they said offends you and hopefully they will respect that in the future.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you wish a "Merry Christmas" to people who are clearly of another faith (sometimes you can tell by certain garments what religion someone belongs to, or sometimes you know b/c that person is a friend of yours). Know your audience. But I am pretty sure that most people will be pretty receptive to "Merry Christmas" and the only reason you hear people saying "Happy Holidays" is because they are afraid of offending someone and getting sued.
So anyway, the most important thing of all is to make sure you enjoy Christmas, New Year's Day and the events surrounding it. If you are stressed, find a way to relax. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. And remember the reason we celebrate Christmas!
*<<<-
Well, I have a few things about this "holiday season" that I'd like to address.
The first thing is shopping. Even if you didn't procrastinate on shopping for gifts, you probably still have a few last minute things you need to pick up: stocking stuffers, a gift for that last minute relative who decided to come to the family party, groceries, or a bottle of wine for the family member who is hosting you this year... either way, you most likely will be out, battling the crowds, before Christmas day arrives.
It's very easy to get frustrated with the crowds and madness. Everyone is taking up the aisles, people have grumpy looks on their faces and are huffing and puffing at people in their way, no one will move out of the way so you can lean over and grab the one item you came in for, someone cut you off and took the last parking spot that you've had your blinker on for and been waiting for as the previous occupier was backing out, the cashiers are grumpy because, well, they work retail, and shopping takes twice as long just because it's a very busy time of year.
Here is a tip to help you keep a smile on your face and a bounce in your step as you brave the crowds. Understand that there will be lots of people, be patient w/others and give yourself plenty of time. If you go to the store knowing and accepting that it's going to take a while and that there will be tons of people in your way, you will be less likely to be annoyed. Don't go shopping if you have some place to be in 20 minutes. You will just get irritated. Be the person in the aisle who lets someone else go by before you cut them off. Be willing to walk a little ways from the parking lot to the store (if you aren't worried about getting the closest spot that will reduce some stress). And smile at those around you. Who can't use a little Christmas cheer? =)
The next thing I would like to address is family, friend and work get-togethers. If shopping and gift buying wasn't stressful enough, just wait till you host 20 of your closest friends and family. If you've hosted before, you know that it's stressful. You have to make sure your house is clean, food is prepared, entertainment is provided, drinks are available, coordinate who's sleeping where if you are having people stay over night...
If you are hosting, let your guests know where they can find snacks during "non meal" times, get them their first drink and then tell them where they can help themselves for any additional drinks they might want, and even ask for help preparing meals, bringing part of the meal and with cleanup. Don't stress yourself out with making an elaborate meal. The whole point is for your family and friends to get together to celebrate Christmas. If you need to make some frozen pizzas so that everyone has time to visit, then make a pizza. Christmas is not about ham, homemade bread, and pie... it's about celebration. So don't let busyness get in your way.
If you are going to be a guest somewhere, you better be a gracious guest. Offer to bring something, offer to help once you arrive and don't even offer to do dishes... just start doing them after dinner. There is nothing more annoying than entertaining a bunch of guests who just sit around on their duffers while the host/ess does all the work. They are their to "host" not to be a waiter or waitress. And make sure that if you have kids that they are gracious guests, too. Kids learn how to say please and thank-you before they even have their first memory, so no excuses.
Oh and if you don't want to go somewhere, then don't go. Seriously, there is nothing worse than feeling obligated to go somewhere or obligated to invite certain people over. If you don't want to be there, it will show, and then you will just look like a scrooge.
Finally, I wanted to discuss the whole "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" situation. Okay, here is the thing. If your intent is to tell someone that you hope they have a good day on December 25th, then you should say "Merry Christmas" as that is what the day is called!!! It's called Christmas Day. Christmas. I get that some people don't celebrate Christmas, and if you know that they don't, then it's absolutely fine (and expected) to say "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas. If your friend is Jewish, wish them a Happy Hanukkah.
But if you, in good faith, say Merry Christmas and the person doesn't celebrate Christmas then hopefully they will say something and you will know for next time. If someone were to wish me Happy Hanukkah, a holiday that I don't celebrate and one where the only thing I know about it is that there are 12 days of it and something about a candelabra, I certainly would not be offended. I would just be like, "Oh thanks, you too" and then move on with my life. I mean, if someone gets so offended by Merry Christmas that they lash out or get all bent out of shape, then frankly, I'm more amused than sorry that they take things so personally. I mean seriously people, stop being so easily offended. Unless someone is trying to offend you, just kindly tell them what they said offends you and hopefully they will respect that in the future.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you wish a "Merry Christmas" to people who are clearly of another faith (sometimes you can tell by certain garments what religion someone belongs to, or sometimes you know b/c that person is a friend of yours). Know your audience. But I am pretty sure that most people will be pretty receptive to "Merry Christmas" and the only reason you hear people saying "Happy Holidays" is because they are afraid of offending someone and getting sued.
So anyway, the most important thing of all is to make sure you enjoy Christmas, New Year's Day and the events surrounding it. If you are stressed, find a way to relax. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. And remember the reason we celebrate Christmas!
*<<<-
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
It's official...
... I have fully and officially embraced the fact that I am a true Minnesotan.
I've known for a very long time that the moment I get a Minnesota based cell phone number I would have officially committed myself to being a Minnesotan.
And today, that happened.
I will still have my old phone for a few months b/c my contract isn't expired yet, but I am going to strip down the plan so it's not too expensive. So, while I can still be reached on that old number, I prefer to be contacted on my new phone (if you need my new number, let me know).
=)
I've known for a very long time that the moment I get a Minnesota based cell phone number I would have officially committed myself to being a Minnesotan.
And today, that happened.
I will still have my old phone for a few months b/c my contract isn't expired yet, but I am going to strip down the plan so it's not too expensive. So, while I can still be reached on that old number, I prefer to be contacted on my new phone (if you need my new number, let me know).
=)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
JFF (Just For Fun)
Finish this sentence:
You know you have reached a whole new level of friendship when your BFF lets you borrow her/his...
Feel free to answer as many times as you want. =)
You know you have reached a whole new level of friendship when your BFF lets you borrow her/his...
Feel free to answer as many times as you want. =)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Flight School
Have you ever wondered where pilots go to get their training to fly you around the world in a commercial airliner? Well, wonder no more; my mom and I discovered the truth when we were in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport last week.
Pilots train in fighter pilot video games at the airport arcades. At only a quarter per game, it's a pretty cheap education! And we thought education wasn't affordable!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Start Seeing Motorcycles
I got the following as a fowarded email today. Thought I would share on my blog rather than forwarding in an email.
***********************************************
Do you see the motorcycle?
How about now?
The Honda crotch rocket rider was traveling at approximately 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle. The riders reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. The car had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 20 feet from where the collision took place. All three involved (two in the car and the bike rider) were killed instantly. This graphic demonstration was placed at the Motorcycle Fair by the Police and Road Safety Department. A picture is worth a thousand words.
***********************************************
So anyway, the moral of the story isn't "don't ride motorcycles" (of course that's fine) or "don't talk on the phone while driving" (unless you live in a state where it's illegal like CA). Just be careful out there, pay attention, and if you are getting too distracted with your phone call, hang up and drive.
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