“What is success? To laugh often and much. To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children. To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others. To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I don't laugh enough, but I want to. It is my nature to laugh hysterically. ROFLOL is how I like to live. I love to have fun, but often find everyone is too busy to join me. People often wrongly assume I am busy; so I am working toward being busy so I am not so bored and lonely. I have a tendency to let the thick of thin things get me down. I want to turn more of my time to serving others, but serving my family and supporting my husband is my number one priority.
I love intelligent people. To me, intelligent people are those who rise above the squalid and mean; who realize what it takes to be great and reach out and bring people along with them. Intelligent people do not live a double standard. They expect high standards of others because they live a high standard themselves. They treat others with respect and are friendly, and for that, they are respected in return and have many friends. Intelligent people do not punish others because they cannot stand a differing idea from their own. They aren't threatened by civil discussion of principles. They realize that the discussion of differing ideas can bring improvements previously undiscovered. An intelligent person does not necessarily have a formal education. They have natural gifts that allow them to understand and love people and get along.
The affection of children can heal any sorrow. Their innocence and unconditional love can make the unbearable, bearable. Here's an example that never ceases to warm and comfort my heart. When I cry, whether happy or sad, if my youngest daughter sees it, she immediately goes and brings me a tissue. I don't remember that I ever asked her to do this, but for as long as I can remember, she gets me the tissues. It makes me smile. It helps me feel loved, and usually it ends, with my arms wrapped around her. Who can resist a sloppy kiss, a crayola picture, sticky little hand prints of love? I can't. Affection from children is like the smell of rain in the desert.
I'd much rather earn the appreciation of honest critics than endure the betrayal of false friends. I am so grateful when people honestly try to "get me." When they seriously do, and then compliment me, I feel it is sacred. Because, it's usually sincere. My biggest weakness is seeing everyone as a friend. Something I definitely need to work on. Because I assume that if I see someone as a friend, they will also see me as a friend. I am learning, IT"S NOT TRUE!!! But because of this weakness and failure to see people as strangers, I sometimes feel betrayed. I can honestly say I live a high standard, and I expect others to. It is baffling to me, when I am upset about something, and I decide to take the high road and bite my tongue, that others, can malign me, trash me, and make me out to be something I am not. I know it's ok though, because I will always be open to anyone asking me how I feel about anything. And as long as God knows my heart (and He does), then I don't have to worry about what anyone thinks or says about me. I can let others sins and weaknesses be God's problem, because my sins and weaknesses are mine and His.
I love beautiful things. Beginning with nature. I'm a sucker for a lovely sunset. I love sunrises but I don't like to be up for them any more than necessary. I like forests (oh the wind in the pines) and oceans (oh the sound of the waves) and wide open plains and farmland. I love caterpillars and lightning bugs and butterflies and songbirds. I love the sound and smell of rain and how the earth seems so clean after. I HATE crows! Especially at girl's camp. Haha. I love the stars and the milky way and planets, constellations and unusual things in the sky. Like planets aligning and meteor showers and eclipses.
But I really do like beautiful THINGS. Since I've become a realtor, I love beautiful houses. I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but I like it. I love beautiful clothes and shoes and purses. I love seeing beautiful places like museums and the art in them. I like going to plays and musicals. I love to see performances with dance. I love nice furniture and decorations and historical and antique things.
I am a pathetic optimist. I think I can say yes to everything and do it. I write lists pages long and never finish them. I fill notebooks with notes and quotes and ideas, and lose them. I love being grateful and seeing the good in others. I hate being disappointed by people. I love catching people doing good things. I don't understand miserable, unhappy people or what makes them tick. I like helping people discover their amazing-ness. I like to see people heal. I love to see people come to understanding. I love connecting with others.
I pray every day to leave the world a bit better. My dad gave me about 1,000 nicknames and somewhere along the way, Blessing, became my favorite. Yep, he calls me Blessing. How do you think THAT makes a daughter feel? I pray every single day, every time I pray by myself...to BE a BLESSING. Then I leave it to God to show me the ways I can. I'm happy to bounce along never knowing if my life is really meaningful, but every twice in awhile I say to God. "Am I really making a difference with my life? Would you show me that I am really being a blessing?" And God is more good than anything of course. And He laughs at me, and puts someone in my path that usually says those exact words back to me. "You were such a blessing to me when you...." I am usually astounded that it was something simple and I didn't realize how much it would mean. And then I thank God, and on those rare occasions, I know that I am a success.
But, I know tomorrow, I'll wake up, and do something that helps me know, there is lots more work to do. That *I* am a work in progress. That God isn't finished with me yet. That I have more to repent of and more to learn. Success is a life long pursuit. And I'm going to keep at it.
