Saturday, May 13, 2006

The Small Steps

Today was about forgetting the world. It was about 84 degrees of sunny weather and a nice breeze. It was about strapping on the bikini and taking it out to the river for a test run. It was about laying on the bow of a friends boat with a fruity drink in hand and soaking up the sun. While all around me were friends listening to music...swimming....laughing and dancing.

Summers are sort of like that here..There are a huge group of us..We are all river rats..We drag out the boats and all meet in a few choice spots. Sometimes those of us who are a little more connected....Drag a camper down to one or the other of the camp grounds right on the river..and camp weekend after weekend until mid September.....When its time to pack it all up again and drag it back to the house.

Today though I just decided to go and forget about all the things that were getting to me over the last few months and just go with the flow. I have come to realize how lucky I am in so many ways.

After writing my last post about the stress level and pressure I was feeling because of a number of things happening in my life right now.....I had several blog friends step up and offer words of support and a friendly ear to let me vent. In case I haven't told you all yet...That meant a great deal to me that you would offer your support and kindness.

It makes me realize that sometimes when I am not able to see the big picture, because my nose is pressed to close to the glass, that there are some really amazing people out there who are still kind and full of compassion.

Its reminded me again that its always about finding the postitives in life. Even if I don't know what they all are right now. These people are definitely one of them. So thank you guys for everything.

I was also reminded that it may not be all about the huge leaps and bounds that happen in our lives. While sometimes these things do have their significance...They aren't what really matter over all. Even though they may seem huge to us at the moment....they are but blips on the radar screen when we look at the full span of our lives.

I was reminded that maybe its the small steps we take each day that really count the most. Those baby steps that we don't really notice or think of individually...But intimately show what kind of person we are. They are the small kindnesses we show others around us..The polite moments when we go that extra mile to be thoughtful or helpful. Its the times we decide to be honest or work hard..Or stand up and try again when we are knocked down. Its the times we look for those positives in a situation even when we think there's not any way there could be one. But we still try.

These things I think are what tell the story of the kind of person we are. The kind of contribution we make to the world around us. Because even if we don't notice these small gestures or acts in ourselves..Somewhere there is someone around us who has.

13 comments:

Forzavryheid said...

Glad you got some time to actually chillax and get away from it all- you deserve it!

Ek verlang na jou

Adrian.

Jen said...

Thank you. Ek verlang na jou Adrian James.

Anonymous said...

You are wise beyond belief, young Jedi master. You get it. So proud of you and yer insights.

"Nose pressed to close to the glass" Great Analogy.

You rock, keep on keepin on.

Love to you and yer friends.

JgStephan said...

I like your post and I'm glad to read positive news from you. :) We have also very nice weather and it's not so cold like in the last month. In one hour I drive to the hospital in Hamburg and I'm sure they will fix my back.
Have a nice week...

exMI said...

I wasn't going to ask about bikini pics. Reallky I wasn't.

It is good to go out and relax. People need to do more of it.

Jen said...

mamabear
Thank you for the nice comments. I will take that as a huge compliment coming from the mom of one of my all time favorite guys!

You raised him right by the way..you have reason to be proud.


JgStephan
I hope they get you fixed up this time around sweetie. Let me know how its going when you get near a computer again.


Jef
Nooo video..but nice try. : )


exmi
I know you would never do such a thing like asking about bikini pictures....I never thought that for one moment..LOL

Jenn Doll said...

Jen in a bikini = RAWR! (I mean, I'm 99.9 1/2% sure.)

Jen, you really are wise beyond your years. It's why when we've exchanged words, I merely listen because I don't feel that there is anything I could say that you don't already know. You've taught me a lot. And for that, I thank you.

P.S. Would you PLEASE tell Adrian not to post in foreign languages! (Last post.) No fair! Oh, and chillax is my word thanks. Did I teach him that? And one more thing, tell him I miss seeing him around these parts.

I really am happy that you had such a good time.

Anonymous said...

Two things.......

Thanx for the music, even papabear said "who is that" went out and bought the CD. Wowzers, he even wrote all the songs.

Thingy Two.......Good Quote

"If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard, because if it isn't there, I never really lost it."

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

Jen said...

Awwwww Jenn
This was not only a really sweet thing to say..but it made me laugh too...Im not sure what I could have taught you.

You are the one who always so smart and together. Holding down a full time job, able to juggle all the other life stuff and still be an incredible Mom.

Proof of that is your amazing little boy.

Im going to copy paste your comments and send them on to Adrian..Im sure you will get some sort of reply...LOL
Thank you for those sweet compliments.



Mamabear
That is one thing E and I have in common..Our parents made sure are musical education was not lacking. Im glad Papabear liked the song..

I think he sort of reminds me of Roy Orbison with alittle dash of Righteous Brothers.

Good quote..and very true.



Jef
NOOOOO your not a bad man...LOL

However, Adrian does own all bikini photos I currently have..Maybe you could negotiate with him..he may work a deal with you...But I doubt it. :)

JgStephan said...

Thank you Jen!
I'm at home, the specialist said I need no surgery and they will fix my back with gymnastic. These are very good news. ^^ The last days I was in the open air bath from our city and I swam a lot, every day 1 mile without break.
Adrian has written a comment in my blog and I was happy to hear from him. We will drink some beers the next time. :)
I understand a little Dutch and I see it's similar like Africaans. "lol"

Anonymous said...

no, no, no, the perfect combination--blend, whatever--is Roy Orbinson and Ricky Nelson. Oh yeah!! I hit that one right on the head.

Score one for old Mamabear!!

Tee-Hee.

Forzavryheid said...

First dibs on ANY bikini videos.

Second- Im in HEATHROW airport right now. Ill be back in Edinburgh in 2 hours.

Third- JENN rocks, and is mother of the year in my book.

Fourth- Glad to see Stephan is all fixed up and ready for some beer guzzling.

Missing you!

Jen said...

Adrian
As you well know there are NO Bikini videos..and you are already in possession of any such photos in existance.

I agree with you Jenn is an incredibly Mom.

I am too happy for Stephan and he better do what hes told by the Doctors or else! : )

Ek varlan na jou