Can you hear me now?

While waiting to check out at a store, the clerk asked the women in front of me for an ID. The women whipped out her iPhone and showed a picture of her driver’s license on the phone. This baffled me! Really, was the license just too heavy to carry or what if someone steals your phone?

My earliest memory of a phone was a rotary dial which hung on our kitchen wall. There was a stool nearby to sit for a chat. The other phone in our home was located in the hallway near the bedrooms. Oh what fun to eavesdrop on an older sister’s phone conversation as they did their best to tell teenage secrets in this public area. My grandparents had a party line phone. When their “ring” rang, it was a race to answer the call! If you talked too long, a neighbor on the party line would pick their phone and let you know it was time to say good bye. Still remember getting a princess style phone in my room when I was a senior in high school. Life was good, no more kitchen or hallway phone conversations for me.

 Fast forward to the first phones in cars and those huge handheld cell phones, if you had one you were COOL! The phones of today are a vast improvement in technology and they do so much 

more than make and receive calls. I retired my Blackberry for a smarter phone recently. Miss my crackberry because we understood each. This new phone is really much smarter than I am and reminds me often. With some help from the younger generation I have figured out how to make calls, send text & emails, download music and take pictures. Even mastered to be a good “Angry Bird” and not know many “Words with Friends!" I can make my phone be a flashlight, thermometer and scan product bar-codes. There are many other things my smart phone can do; I just don’t have a clue!

Guess Verizon should change their catch phrase from “can you hear me now” because making calls on a phone is so yesterday!

Where I came from!

Three stops lights and a famous sign reminding you not to speed through town like hell because it is God’s County is where I came from!  It is often said” home” is where the heart is however we never forget our roots and the place that taught us life’s early lessons. When asked over the years where I’m from, the answer remains this special small town in Texas. While living here was a short period in my life, it left a profound mark that shaped me.

Growing up in a rural area, you understand the importance of faith, family and work. Your faith had to be strong to survive in the farming & ranching business and trusting the Lord would provide especially with rain and sun (at the best times). Local churches are the social hub of the community serving as gathering places for Sunday service and their halls hosting potluck dinners, wedding receptions, dances or bingo games.  Families were large and you really never escaped the watchful eye of a relative so it was best to behave as you never know who is watching!  Kinfolk were your neighbors, classmates and your parents knew if there was trouble at school before you got home!  We understood the value of a job done right and work was your contribution to the family. Whether it was household chores, branding cattle, driving a tractor or hauling hay, each was done when asked the first time, completed correctly and you left anyplace better than you found it.  Words like integrity, loyalty, character, sacrifice, and compassion were demonstrated by my parents, extended family, teachers and the most everyone I knew.  

It has been over 37 years since I lived in this town and visit just occasionally. It is often said you are the sum of your life’s experiences and mine has been so blessed with opportunities and friendships maybe not available had our family not moved from this town.  Each new opportunity taught me to appreciate the work and sacrifice involved to make it happen because I could be back hauling hay!

I pray I never forget where I came from…..

The Perfect Job!

The perfect job, does it exist and is it about the hours, title, benefits or just the money? If you have ever "worked", then this thought might have crossed your mind.  My father once told my sisters and I, we should find something we love to do and the money will always work out. Dad has been right so far! 


I was fortunate to find a career that I do love, most days! Who wouldn't want to wear shorts and tennis shoes to work, watch sports for free (and I mean every sport), be given a closet full free of t-shirts and polos and if you ever need anything there is a colleague or former athlete to call for help. So what is the downside to this gig, you ask?  For someone who has lectured extensively on the subject of life balancing in Athletic Training, I was a poor example of late. Tired from many years of long hours and dealing with the day to day grind, I found myself rethinking my career choice.

My daughter gave me a book for my birthday that helped refocus my life. After reading The Happiness Project, I realized it was how I looked at my job and life that may have added to my stress. Yes, the hours and numbers of injuries may not change and there will always be work stress but how I approached each one could change. With the summer to reflect on what changes I needed to make in my life and career, the answer was clear. Specially, what did I love about my job and focus on this instead of the negatives. 


My wise and dear friend Terri once told me, " you can accept it or choose to leave!"  I choose to accept and embrace the things I love about my job! I am blessed with wonderful and supportive co workers who make me laugh and athletes that trust and appreciate my care. Really, what other job can you ride on a firetruck in parades and dress like "Twins" with 5 others for Homecoming Spirit Day! Most of all, each day I can make a difference in someones life. This does not mean I will ever like cold weather at soccer games, just sayin'!

         I may have the perfect job!

Making even more!

I receive daily emails containing quotes, scripture, jokes and a motivator of the day. Do my best to read each one daily and it always amazes me that they arrived on the day I need that message! Here is a sample of one I received this week:


Making even more!
Strength does not get used up when you use it. In fact, it grows. Sharing your wisdom with another person does not take that wisdom away from you. It actually deepens your wisdom, and makes it even more profound.
Providing gentleness does not in any way diminish the gentleness you have. It makes your gentleness richer and more meaningful. You can speak the truth all day long, and at the end of the day that truth is more plentiful than it was at the beginning. You can exercise compassion for month after month, and you'll end up with even more compassion. Some of the most powerful and valuable things in life are the things that never get used up. Indeed, those things such as kindness, integrity, truth, compassion and wisdom become more plentiful the more they're used. As each moment passes, make full and meaningful use of life's goodness. When you do, you'll be making even more.

Ralph Marston


Freely you have received, freely give.

Matthew 10:8

Have a great week,

Cathy

The days are long, but the years are short!

Winning your daughter a prize at the County Fair...priceless!

One of my Secrets to Adulthood became very clear on a recent trip to visit my daughter. Amanda moved out of state to work on a second degree and was taking a summer school class at a campus an hour bus ride from her home. During my visit, I offered to drive her to and from school so we could chat and she could sleep in on those days! Keep in mind, last time I was her chauffeur to school was probably 9th grade! What a delight to hear about her class (no clue about the subject matter) as we drove to our sightseeing adventure for the day like attending a County Fair. She joked, I was the oldest and only Mom in the commuter lane and I replied " she better have all A's and good conduct marks on her report card!"

All those years of driving carpool, being a room mom and scout leader, I wish I had been more focused and appreciated being " in the moment" with my children. Like most with a full time career, spouse and volunteer work, you get lost in just getting through each day. Days turn into months, months into years and one day, the house is empty.  Remember the days are long, but the years are short.... it is never too late to enjoy the moment! 

 " The Happiness Project" book author Gretchen Rubin  produced a one minute movie about this subject, here is the link : http://www.theyearsareshort.com/  ( may have to hit refresh for link to load)

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