Ah, it's that time of year again. Time for 'out with the old, in with the new.' A time for cleansing, purging, rethinking habits and practices. A time for resolution.
Notice I didn't say 'resolutions.' I am not referring to those well-intended but rarely achieved monumental goals we set for ourselves. I don't mean a rigid, new exercise program, or a nutrition-depleted diet "guaranteed" to transform you into the wo(man) you've always wanted to be, or the no-fail organizational plan offered by any number of resources.
What I am talking about is resolution, as in clarity of detail. Not unlike the resolution factor of a conventional television set, wherein the greater the number the finer the image, the resolution in question follows the same pattern: The greater amount of quality time devoted to the important details in your life and surrounding environment will likely result in a life lived more fully with a finer, clearer "image."
I realize I may have you thoroughly baffled and in all frankness, I'm challenging myself in developing this thought process. What I am attempting to convey is the idea of narrowing our focus on what we know and deem to be of utter importance - and letting go of the rest. As a society in whole, we are so very easily distracted by the periphery: Work; play; volunteerism; television; computers and accessibility to information they provide; children, friends, family... The list, really, can be endless. And I would be surprised if some of you weren't vehemently protesting to the necessity of each of the subjects I listed. I don't disagree. But in the grand scheme of things, their necessity is marred by a foggy overlap that muddles our perception and distorts our priorities. Let's take a look at a few examples.
Work. Surely, I am not dismissing the necessity of work! No, I am not. And yet, what happens when work becomes an obsession, when the spouse/parent comes to love their job more than their family? What happens when elective overtime becomes routine? Or work becomes an indispensable resource to fund the purchase of extravagant toys and vacations? Family relationships suffer. Children, spouses, healthy commitments are neglected. Priorities are skewed. Time lost cannot be regained.
Computers. Yup, the seemingly requisite data processing systems are periphery to some degree. Undoubtedly, we have made them an integral component to certain everyday life functions. Beyond those simple and mundane functions, however, exists a whole other world we have chosen to create and abide in, a world that separates us from friends, family, neighbors. It allows us to isolate ourselves and lose the ability to intimately interact with others. It distances us from others. And that is not healthy. We have become a fat cow society, a phrase I'm sure I did not coin, but aptly depicts the lazy, lard-filled people dotting the landscape. Computers cause us to abandon our basic need to be in active fellowship and communion with one another. We are a people that need other people, whether we agree or not. Computers cannot fill that void.
Volunteerism. I must be jesting, right? What could possibly be wrong with lending a hand where a need is recognized? Volunteering can be wrong for a couple of reasons; one, if our heart is not sincere but rather hoping for praise, compensation of any sort, or glory. Two, if the degree of volunteerism takes valuable time away from your first priority, which should be your family. Volunteerism should be a willing sacrifice of time, talent, or financial resources, but not to such a level of putting your family needs on hold. Even good intentions can go awry without clear and prayerful consideration.
So, where is this post going?! What I would lovingly propose is for you to take stock of your past year; assess thoughtfully where you spent your time, your energy, your finances. Are the answers clear and easily found, or do you struggle pinpointing the relevant ventures? If you elect to make a New Year resolution, let it be for resolution - that attention to detail that will provide healthy highlights to your days.
May God be your guide as you ask Him to 'teach us to count the days and teach us to make the days count.' (Life Means So Much by Chris Rice)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Loving the Little Guys
True confession time: I have not always loved the little guys. Who are they, you ask? They are the mom-and-pop shops. The locals. The small, family-owned businesses who fight valiantly to stay in business.
I have historically been a mega-shopper. I frequent the nondescript warehouse stores because I buy into the "more for less" mentality. I'm all about saving a dime where possible. And when it comes to purchasing staples in bulk - you know, those items that make it onto every shopping list - warehouse operations certainly serve a purpose.
But what about the infrequent shopping excursions? What about the opportunities to treat yourself to something special? Is that really when you want a mass-produced, preservative-laden, cookie cutter bargain?
If you said Yes, you might want to re-think your decision. I mean, really, is Starbucks all that much of a treat? Yes, I admit I have enjoyed more than one pumpkin scone there. And their classic coffee cake is, well, classic. It's nothing special or outstanding, though.
What IS special is visiting one of the little guys. On a recent trip to Bishop, I enjoyed a couple genuine treats. My first experience was at the Village Cafe, where I had one of the best breakfasts ever. Let's get this out there right away - the place is not much to look at, but once you take your first bite of whatever you've ordered, made specially just for you, you won't give one hoot what the digs look like! My pancake sandwich breakfast had two of the fluffiest, tastiest pancakes, the over-medium egg was perfect and I could not have asked for better bacon and hashbrowns - both served to the exact degree of crispness that makes my tastebuds dance with joy!
My second memorable treat came from the Great Basin Bakery. I had both a lemon scone and a chocolate-chip scone . Scones can sometimes be a little on the dry side; not these. Not only were they deliciously moist, but they were chock full of flavor. As much as I love chocolate, I rarely have it for breakfast but this chocolate-chip scone was fabulous!
I saved a pecan sticky bun from the bakery for a mid-morning snack. Although it comes with a side pot of icing, I withheld that and found it was absolutely perfect (for me) without. Again, the roll was wonderfully moist and had just the right amount of mouth-watering 'goo' and pecans.
I was also given a loaf of their multi-grain bread. Only word necessary: YUM. I just ate two pieces, toasted, and they were wonderful. The bread is thick-sliced so you really get to taste the goodness of what's inside.
My experience with the GBB will certainly alter my former notion of sticking to the ordinary, unimaginative chain-store experience. My recommendation is to branch out. Check out the little guys, where the goods are made with a little more heart and a little less focus on mass production. It may give you the 'big' experience you were looking for.
I have historically been a mega-shopper. I frequent the nondescript warehouse stores because I buy into the "more for less" mentality. I'm all about saving a dime where possible. And when it comes to purchasing staples in bulk - you know, those items that make it onto every shopping list - warehouse operations certainly serve a purpose.
But what about the infrequent shopping excursions? What about the opportunities to treat yourself to something special? Is that really when you want a mass-produced, preservative-laden, cookie cutter bargain?
If you said Yes, you might want to re-think your decision. I mean, really, is Starbucks all that much of a treat? Yes, I admit I have enjoyed more than one pumpkin scone there. And their classic coffee cake is, well, classic. It's nothing special or outstanding, though.
What IS special is visiting one of the little guys. On a recent trip to Bishop, I enjoyed a couple genuine treats. My first experience was at the Village Cafe, where I had one of the best breakfasts ever. Let's get this out there right away - the place is not much to look at, but once you take your first bite of whatever you've ordered, made specially just for you, you won't give one hoot what the digs look like! My pancake sandwich breakfast had two of the fluffiest, tastiest pancakes, the over-medium egg was perfect and I could not have asked for better bacon and hashbrowns - both served to the exact degree of crispness that makes my tastebuds dance with joy!
My second memorable treat came from the Great Basin Bakery. I had both a lemon scone and a chocolate-chip scone . Scones can sometimes be a little on the dry side; not these. Not only were they deliciously moist, but they were chock full of flavor. As much as I love chocolate, I rarely have it for breakfast but this chocolate-chip scone was fabulous!
I saved a pecan sticky bun from the bakery for a mid-morning snack. Although it comes with a side pot of icing, I withheld that and found it was absolutely perfect (for me) without. Again, the roll was wonderfully moist and had just the right amount of mouth-watering 'goo' and pecans.
I was also given a loaf of their multi-grain bread. Only word necessary: YUM. I just ate two pieces, toasted, and they were wonderful. The bread is thick-sliced so you really get to taste the goodness of what's inside.
My experience with the GBB will certainly alter my former notion of sticking to the ordinary, unimaginative chain-store experience. My recommendation is to branch out. Check out the little guys, where the goods are made with a little more heart and a little less focus on mass production. It may give you the 'big' experience you were looking for.
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