If you come from ancestry like mine (generations of nit-picking Jewish women), then it's easy to see the glass half empty instead of full. But, we can choose to step out of our destiny. When I do that, I appreciate just how fortunate I am.
This past weekend, my mom and brother-in-law celebrated their birthdays, shared on the day prior to Independence Day. Many never see their mom reach 84; count me as lucky. In a couple of weeks, Dad hits 88. Wow.
While my relatives were whooping it up on their birthdays, I was hunkered down at the bridge table in Des Moines, Iowa. "What is bridge?" some guys asked me one day in the hotel elevator. "It's like boxing with your brain," I responded. My reply was off the cuff - yet pretty accurate, I do think.
I love attending midwest tournaments. Not only do I get to spend hours upon hours competing at my favorite pastime, I get to spend time with favorite teammates and friends. On top of all that, even driving to and from the tournaments is relaxing and awe inspiring. On my way home, I took these photos of Iowa and Minnesota farmland. Taking in the great nothingness of cornfields, dotted with modern windmills, as I listen to Chopin, Judy Garland and show tunes is simply exquisite.
In my "spare time" this week, I prepared photos and brochures for a new home that I will be marketing as of tomorrow. What a delight to be able to highlight such an incredibly beautiful home - and represent really lovely clients, too. (I always brag to people that my clients are the best folks in the world; they truly are!)
Yes, the real estate market is difficult these days, and I made so many errors at the table I can't count them all, and on my way home traffic crawled for half an hour due to an accident, and my parents' health is not what it used to be. But, I choose to look at the glass half full, thank you. Or, in my case, 93% full.
Not quite the jackpot. All the same; I'll take it.
Good post Peg
Posted by: jammen | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 10:53 AM