The entire U.S. is in the midst of season finale time on television. All the buzz is about the winners of American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and Survivor. People get all worked up about Bachelor/Bachelorette, Real Housewives, Jersey Shore, and countless other "Reality" shows. I, for one, am not a reality t.v. lover. I will admit that I watch the last few weeks of American Idol, but that is about it. It doesn't entice me all that much to watch other people live their lives. I like to focus on living my own!
We have all become so preoccupied with media that we no longer know what is real versus what is reality. Not one of those shows accurately portrays the lives of the people involved. We aren't there behind the scenes or in the editing room. Real life is not full of one-liners, cat fights, and an endless stream of barely clothed people strutting around. Real people have real issues like paying the bills not deciding upon what club to go to!
I know that reality television is an escape from our own realities...oh, the irony of that one. But, wouldn't it be great if we spent the time devoted to watching our "idiot boxes" (my mom's word for the tv) to spending time with loved ones, reading a good book, excercising, or growing ourselves spiritually. What if we looked at these reality shows as examples of how not to live our lives instead of making those lifestyles our goal?
Reality tv is not real...it won't pay the bills or make us better people. Occasionally we may learn something and we'll be entertained in the process, but are the lessons learned valuable ones? I feel that we would be better off sitting in silence. We could focus on what really matters like enjoying the company of friends and family, finding out what really interests us in life, mapping out goals for our future, or bettering ourselves in some way.
Reality isn't reality anymore...isn't it time we figured out what really is real in our lives, embrace it, and do our best to enjoy it and make ourselves better human beings? One of my favorite tv shows ended yesterday, "Oprah". Her parting words were those of encouragement to find out who we are and go for it! How awesome is that...figuring out who "you" are, not watching other people be "them"????
God Bless,
Tammy
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
5-18-2011...The Dreaded "R" Word
Most of us spend our childhoods yearning for the day that we would be grown-ups. We were in awe of what appeared to be freedoms that almost seemed unobtainable: driving, seeing R-rated movies without an adult, voting, college, having our own homes, and much more. What we were never told is what is feels like to have a dreaded "R" word lurking in the future...a REUNION!!!!
June 7, 1996 I graduated from Christian County High School. Ten years later we had our first class reunion. We went all out: big room at the Holiday Inn, DJ, food galore, decorations, the whole shebang. It was a lot of fun, but since I was into all the planning I didn't really have time to worry about appearances. Oh, I don't mean what my hair looked like or if I had changed that much. I mean the dreaded "what do they think of me now" appearance. You know what I mean..."can you believe she is still working at Wal-Mart" or "I really thought he/she would really be something by now". My favorites, "look at his receding hairline" and "wow, she still isnt' married!"
As my 15th reunion appoaches this summer my "appearance" is weighing more heavily on my mind. I am still part of the planning committee, but this year we aren't going all out. I don't know if it's wisdom with age or lack of spirit, but we just don't see a need for all the bells and whistles. I am grateful of that, but on the other hand that leaves me out in the open for people to really see me. I am still searching for those things I wanted at 18, a husband, a career I love, kids...all are still unobtained. Not that I define myself by what I do or don't have, but sometimes others do.
I suppose I am giving myself too much credit. There are probably only a handful of people who actually care one way or another where I am at right now in my life. I guess I put the most pressure on myself. There are certain milestones in life that you assume you will achieve by certain times. None of those I had in mind have come to fruition. Oh well, life goes on. There's nothing I can do about any of that in the next month and a half before the CCHS 15 year reunion rolls around. They'll just have to take me as I am and I will just have to be okay with that.
June 7, 1996 I graduated from Christian County High School. Ten years later we had our first class reunion. We went all out: big room at the Holiday Inn, DJ, food galore, decorations, the whole shebang. It was a lot of fun, but since I was into all the planning I didn't really have time to worry about appearances. Oh, I don't mean what my hair looked like or if I had changed that much. I mean the dreaded "what do they think of me now" appearance. You know what I mean..."can you believe she is still working at Wal-Mart" or "I really thought he/she would really be something by now". My favorites, "look at his receding hairline" and "wow, she still isnt' married!"
As my 15th reunion appoaches this summer my "appearance" is weighing more heavily on my mind. I am still part of the planning committee, but this year we aren't going all out. I don't know if it's wisdom with age or lack of spirit, but we just don't see a need for all the bells and whistles. I am grateful of that, but on the other hand that leaves me out in the open for people to really see me. I am still searching for those things I wanted at 18, a husband, a career I love, kids...all are still unobtained. Not that I define myself by what I do or don't have, but sometimes others do.
I suppose I am giving myself too much credit. There are probably only a handful of people who actually care one way or another where I am at right now in my life. I guess I put the most pressure on myself. There are certain milestones in life that you assume you will achieve by certain times. None of those I had in mind have come to fruition. Oh well, life goes on. There's nothing I can do about any of that in the next month and a half before the CCHS 15 year reunion rolls around. They'll just have to take me as I am and I will just have to be okay with that.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
5-4-2011...Accepting Change
The world is full of changes. Some occur on a daily basis such as our clothes, the day of the week, and our moods. Other changes happen over a period of time like the graying of our hair or our maturity. Often changes come unexpectedly and quickly like the loss of a loved one, a change in jobs, or crisis that completely throws us for a loop. The key to surviving any change is the acceptance of it.
We tend to feel as if we have complete and utter control of our lives which is absolutely ludicrous. The thought that we can make things happen in one way or another is only feasible with the smallest parts of our lives: what we wear, how we cut our hair, what we eat for dinner to name a few. Mostly though our lives are full of things we cannot bend to our every whim.
This is one of the hardest things to accept in life. We have to relinquish our perception of control. The key is becoming adept at rolling with the punches and making the best of the situations in our lives. Sometimes, we must admit defeat and move on when the opportunity presents itself. Well, admitting defeat can mean failure and that isn't the case. You haven't failed most of the time. Things just sometimes don't work out. It is imperative to embrace the belief that all experiences are for our growth...some will teach us positive lessons, others will remind us that we are not perfect.
When new opportunities are placed in your path I feel that if they are meant to be all the necessary components come together seamlessly. You have to pray hard for your intended path to be made clear and when it is lit up in front of you be willing to go for it. Though it may be scary, uncertain, and a shift from your "normal" if may very well be the blessing you've waited so long for.
Change can be slow, swift, expected, or world-altering. Change can be good or bad. Change can be sought out or thrust upon us. The only constant in change is that it will occur. Ready or not, here it comes. Be ready to deal with whatever may come. Trust yourself to make the right decisions. Mainly trust in the Lord to do what is best for you...
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
God Bless,
Tammy
We tend to feel as if we have complete and utter control of our lives which is absolutely ludicrous. The thought that we can make things happen in one way or another is only feasible with the smallest parts of our lives: what we wear, how we cut our hair, what we eat for dinner to name a few. Mostly though our lives are full of things we cannot bend to our every whim.
This is one of the hardest things to accept in life. We have to relinquish our perception of control. The key is becoming adept at rolling with the punches and making the best of the situations in our lives. Sometimes, we must admit defeat and move on when the opportunity presents itself. Well, admitting defeat can mean failure and that isn't the case. You haven't failed most of the time. Things just sometimes don't work out. It is imperative to embrace the belief that all experiences are for our growth...some will teach us positive lessons, others will remind us that we are not perfect.
When new opportunities are placed in your path I feel that if they are meant to be all the necessary components come together seamlessly. You have to pray hard for your intended path to be made clear and when it is lit up in front of you be willing to go for it. Though it may be scary, uncertain, and a shift from your "normal" if may very well be the blessing you've waited so long for.
Change can be slow, swift, expected, or world-altering. Change can be good or bad. Change can be sought out or thrust upon us. The only constant in change is that it will occur. Ready or not, here it comes. Be ready to deal with whatever may come. Trust yourself to make the right decisions. Mainly trust in the Lord to do what is best for you...
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
God Bless,
Tammy
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