D - all of the above

I hate taking tests.  It's one of the main reasons I didn't sit for my CPA once I graduated many years ago.

I am terrible at making certain selections to questions. I always find myself second guessing my answers.  Then I would end up getting it wrong, because it was my first choice but because of doubt I changed it.

I always like the option D - all of the above... When in doubt go with D. 

I treat my life much like that, when I don't know the answers I'll go with option D all of the above.  Bagel or doughnut.. both.  Coffee or tea.. Both.   Renovate the kitchen, bathroom or office.. all.

As I get older I'm starting to recognize: D- All... Is not always the best answer.
I'm easily over extended at times and to exhausted to enjoy the small things.  It's even more apparent when I see my teenage daughter also pick D- All... She's very much like me at times.

I'm slowly learning and teaching it's about quality over quantity... I not sure I'm scoring on the test of "Life" but I'm certainly learning that sometimes the answers are not D- all of the above.

Insignificant

Did you ever know someone that can make you feel so insignificant?

It's not so much an attitude of them being inferior and high and mighty, rather they just make you feel so low and unimportant.

I have a boss that makes people feel that way.  She plays favorites.  She either likes you or doesn't and if she doesn't: She very rarely gives praises for a job well done and often puts her employees down by being demeaning or giving them cold shoulder.

I've had a few co-workers say similar things and often feel very neglected and have become somewhat resentful.  They have tried to work things out with her, but she often does very little to resolve the issues. 

Because her past actions, when she does do something nice or give praise, it's treated as a cheap sentiment.  Folks joke that it's pointless to say anything because she's untouchable and has positioned herself very well in the company.

I am typically not bothered by such a narcissistic personally, but this boss of mine considers herself a Christian.  Sometimes I try to extend her grace (I don't know her struggles) but I often don't really see her wanting to be better. 

As a believer in Christ, we're called to be humble ... Perhaps recognize ourselves as insignificant... In many ways we are.  But I'm fairly certain Jesus never treated people as being trivial or non-essential.

This makes me look deeply in to my heart, and how I treat people in my life.  Do I build up or do I tear down?  Do I have a loving attitude even when I don't feel like it or like the person?  Do I treat people as being insignificant?

Dirty word: Anti

I just read an article that Ellen Page ragged on Chris Pratt about his his faith and the church being anti-LGBTQ...

What I guess I don't understand is when did we make "anti" such a dirty/ hateful word. 

The definition of anti is: opposed to; against.  In the noun form it means: a person opposed to a particular of, activity or idea.

What's happened in our society is we've added to that to include: hate, anger and disgust.

We can no longer be anti something without adding hostility.  We make assumptions that if you're anti...then you are automatically intolerant and discriminating.   We add that extra to make it spiteful and sting... Which causes so much hatred and divide.

I'll be honest there are many things I'm anti on:  Mustard, Being late somewhere, Talking on the phone, washing dishes, etc.. however I'm wouldn't say that I'm hateful or disgusted over those things (well.. except the mustard...)

As a Christian I may be opposed to certain ideas and beliefs but my entire foundation of my spirituality is built on LOVE.  I've never once hated someone because they opposed my beliefs or ideas, or lived a different life than me.

We're all so very different... We're never going to be wired the same. Thankfully, because what's a world where everyone is the same.

Right now some people are putting mustard on a hotdog.. and enjoying it. 

As humans we have to do better.

The next time you read an article that says: the ______ and ______ is anti _______.

Don't just assume they hate you because you are...

Don't jump on the bandwagon of spewing more animosity...

Agree to disagree.  Because anti isn't a dirty word.

Potassium metabisulfite

We don't like admitting when we screwed up or failed.  I'm no exception... I hate when people see my flaws and inadequacy.

However, sometime we have to put it out there that we aren't successful.  No one is perfect!

 I was 100% successful... Until the Potassium metabisulfite.

I was in the last phase of my first homemade wine.  It was just about the to bottle.  I wanted to add a preservative so my wine would last longer.  So I read the instructions and add the sodium metaphosphate.  Plugged it up and wait the two more days.

Bottling day arrives and my son and I successfully bottle 29 bottles of wine.

With the little bit remaining in my Big bubbler I decide to pour it in a glass and toast my success.

Took a sip... And thought:  this didn't taste right at all!!

I sat down and frowned and wondered what happened.

It took me a while but I realized it had to be my last step, so I went back to my instructions.

Yep. I misread the amount and now my wine could be a bit toxic.  Sigh. Cry. Repeat.

In that moment I felt like a complete loser.  Needless to say I didn't sleep much that night as I was so mad at myself.

The next day I figured I better deal with my disappointment.  I dumped out the 29 bad bottles of wine. Even came up with a little song:

29 bad bottles of wine in the shelf..

It was hard to do but it was a really good reminded that we screwed up (sometimes a lot...)  and more often than we'd like to admit.

Life lessons are good and we shouldn't shame ourselves when we mess up.

And sometimes we need share our struggles and errors we learned... Like 1/4 cup isn't the same as 1/4 tsp of Potassium metabisulfite.