Just Smile

With all this snow, a lot of people flock to the bus for transportation vs. risking using their car. When that happens, guess what, buses get crowded. Couple that with extra heat because it is cold, long trips, etc. it is easy to get frustrated. In listening to the news, the anchor told people to just Smile. What are you really going to do about it? It is what is, you might as well just smile and deal with it!

Get and Give

We were downtown this weekend with the kids and like with all other trips, our ears are burning with "Can I get this?" or "Can I have that?" etc. It is tough, because we are very fortunate to have "things" and to be able to do fun activities. So, after hearing this over and over, we made a deal....that for all the things we "get" that we thing of something to "give" as well. I know, it is better to give than to receive...but we are talking about a 7 and 3 year old...you have to start somewhere. At the very least it will get them (and us) to think about it more.

Scorecard

This morning at Church, pastor had a great message about giving back. Especially in this coming week where we pause to be thankful for all that we have, it is also very important that we think of how we can help those who dont have as much. Pastor's message was great because sometime we think that there is some kind of scorecard, or tally of all the things we do. When in fact, it only needs to be one action, one person, etc. So, when you think that you cant make a "big" impact...challenge yourself to just impact One person, or One family....dont worry or think there is a scorecard.

Perspective

About a month ago on a visit to the local Barnes and Noble, I came across a book "9 Things a Leader Must Do." With my interest in leadership, and the fact that t book was small in size, pages and price :-), I said what the heck. Then over the course of the last month on my rides to work on the Bus or Water Taxi I have been reading it and have been pleasantly surprised about how the use of religion is weaved through the book. Not typical in many books I have read. Regardless, as I start to finally wrap it up, there was a bible verse that help provided some much need perspective about worrying about what will happen next. From Matthew 6:31-34

"So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father know that you need them. But see first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all thes things will be given you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own.

In these trying times where we worry about what is coming next, how to prepare for this or that, the economy, etc. This provides some of that perspective that it is out of our hands. First and foremost put God first, and he will provide.

Can you handle it?

We listen to Spirit 105.3 and there is a commercial spot where someone says something that helps me in a lot of tough situations...it says "God doesnt give you things that he thinks you cant handle." I think about that a lot when stuff is flying at us all the time. From school to work, to boards, to fundraisers...there is a lot of "stuff" that comes our way...but if we keep the perspective that God only puts things in front of us that he knows we can handle, it provides a sense of Peace that we can do it.

Same People, Different Places

Yesterday the kids and I were at Husky Deli and over sandwhiches and ice cream, a number of other people came in and out. Then today, on the way to soccer, we stopped in to Cafe Ladro for the normal Grande Soy White Chocolate Mocha, and low and behold, the same people were there at the same time. Got me to think that as much as people are unique and different, we have a lot in common as well.

Make it happen

The other day I was getting off the water taxi and the deck hand tells the guy behind me, "Have a Great Day!" Typical response would be, thanks or you too. However, this guy had a pretty cool response...."Make it Happen" The comment stuck me a) because it was totally different but b) because it is totally true. Having a great day requires you to make it happen...it just doesnt happen, you have to make it happen.

Welcome

The other day I heard something and I thought to myself, "I should post that on the blog"...but then I realized that the http://seattlejensens.blogspot.com site is about the family and probably isnt the place for those random things (I call them nuggets) that I/we see, hear or deal with. So, I thought I would start a new blog that is that catch all for all the random stuff that comes up. Of course, deep down I do believe that things are not all random...there is a reason for why you see something, or hear a conversation or read an article. God puts those experiences are put in your path for a reason....unfortunately, God lets you try and figure out how they supposed to impact you.

Anyway, I hope it is interesting to follow.