Look for the good

Recently, after a flight home, a tablet was inadvertently left behind on the airplane.
This was not realized until the next morning. Panic ensued and my husband and I quickly sought for answers on how to best track it down.
We were prompted to visit the airlines web page and found a lost and found claim form. We filled it out, adding every detail about the tablet that we could think of. We sent a signal to the tablet, and forced it to lock and set a password to keep personal data safe. And then we waited… each of us expecting different outcomes. A couple of weeks passed and then an unexpected email was received.
The tablet was located! Faith in mankind was restored!

I couldn’t help but wonder, what caused us to expect such contradicting outcomes.
Was it a male/female thing?
Do each of us view the world (and people) differently because of external influences? (Work, media, etc.)
Have our past experiences impacted our way of thinking?

Abraham Lincoln once said…

“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”

While that may be true, it stands to reason that the opposite is also true.
If you look for the good in people, expecting to find it, you surely will!

Being Ernest

Growing up, music was a part of our life.
We always had the newest players on the market.
I remember vinyl,  cassette tapes, and 8-track.
Family trips to the cabin kept us away from television (it was never missed).
The Carpenters, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and others were always there.
Dancing, is a natural byproduct of music. So of course, dancing was (is) also a part of our life.
Daddy/Daughter dates that involved dancing were ALWAYS attended.

Today, while vising dad, we got to dance again.
After morning stretches, the participating residents have a brief free-style dance off.
An invitation was extended to dad to join them.
He was promptly wheeled over to the dance floor and I followed.
As soon as the music started, I grabbed his hands and we started dancing to Jail House Rock.
Every now and then, I would stop swinging his arms to see if he would lake the lead.
I told him that we danced like this before.
I let go to show him a copy of this picture that was on my phone.

I put the phone away and returned to the dance floor.
This time, he took the lead and grabbed my hands.
I continued to swing his arms and we danced some more.
I love our visits most when bits and pieces of dad resurface…
even the tiniest ones matter!

Grateful in Any Circumstances

All winter long I watched a man live under the freeway at the exit near my home. Living there alone, in the cold. I noticed that in spite of his circumstances,  he took great care in keeping his "home" clean and tidy. Litter was promptly removed. His meager belongings were rolled up and tucked away when he was not there.

I drove past him all winter long, noticing him, but ignoring him. I would sometimes wonder where he goes when he is not there. If he had enough food to eat. If he was able to clean up once in awhile. If he had a mother to call on Mother's Day.

Today, I left work early to make the day's deposits. I decided to hit a bank closer to home because I wanted to indulge myself with a Swigs drink. (One life's luxury that is often taken for granted.) I was prompted to exit the freeway early and to grab some money out of my wallet. I did...and there he was.

I rolled down my window and he ran over to accept my offering. I asked him his name and introduced myself as well. I then asked him if there was anything that he needed. His answer was unexpected. He looked around and told me with a smile: "I have everything I need!".

I gained a greater understanding of gratitude today! How often have I found myself wishing I had more; something different or new? How often to I look around and realize that I already have everything that I need? How much joy have I lost because I did not see?

Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.
We can be grateful!  

~Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Read the full General Conference address HERE)

Being Ernest

The Last week my youngest daughter joined me. I was prepared to trim his nails, but they were already taken care of. He was dressed and looking nice in the BYU shirt I bought him the week prior.

I arrived today during breakfast.  He was being fed and wearing that same BYU shirt. I managed to get brief eye contact, so he knew I  [someone] was there. I waited for him to finish eating and then took the chair next to him. I sat there for a while and watch him tighten the lid on his drink.  I rubbed his arm to remind him I was there and he returned the gesture by patting my knee and telling me I was a good guy.

Our visit was relatively brief today as I spent the time watching him while he slept in his wheelchair. I chatted with a caregiver prior to leaving and she offered reassurances that he seems to be in a good place. Content and at peace with his circumstances. I am too.