Blog Archives

Priorities

11/30/2012

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2" in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes."

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your

health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

I've Learned . . .

11/28/2012

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Here is another contribution to Grace Drops from an unknown source, most likely the Internet. But as I looked over these simple statements I found that they are mostly true and very helpful.

I've learned....
That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned....
That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned....
That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned....
That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....
That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spec- tacular.

I've learned...
That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....
That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....
That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned....
That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned....
That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Fences or Bridges?

11/26/2012

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence – an 8-foot fence – so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down anyhow." The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post hole differ and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you." The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge – a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work – handrails and all – and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said," but I have many more bridges to build."

Every day we have the choice of building fences or bridges. One leads to isolation and the other to openness.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

A Matter of Worth

11/24/2012

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a twenty dollar bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this twenty dollar bill?" Hands starting going up. He said, "I am going to give this twenty dollar bill to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the bill up.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands went up in the air.

“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” and he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.

“Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth twenty dollars. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. YOU ARE SPECIAL!

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Contentment

11/22/2012

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

It was spring but it was summer I wanted; the warm days
and the great outdoors.

It was summer but it was fall I wanted; the colorful leaves
and the cool dry air.

It was fall but it was winter I wanted; the beautiful snow and
the joy of the holiday season.

It was winter but it was spring I wanted; the warmth
and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the warmth
and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the freedom and
the respect.

I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted; to be mature and
sophisticated.

I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted; the youth and
the free spirit.

I was retired but it was middle-age that I wanted; the
presence of mind without limitations.

My life was over but I never got what I wanted.

Jason Lehman – originally published in a Dear Abby column, February 14th 1989, when Jason was fourteen-years-old.

Happiness does not depend on the amount we possess, but the ability to be content with what we have. Enjoy the moment. Blessings on this Thanksgiving Day!!

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Honesty Really is the Best Policy

11/19/2012

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Truth seems to be a negotiable commodity these days. Convenience is more of a determining factor than character. Now and then the price paid for deception is made clear. Consider this story.

Once a peevish old fellow boarded a train, occupied the best seat, and then tried to reserve still another for himself by placing his luggage upon it. Just before the crowded vehicle stated, a teenage boy came running up and jumped aboard.

"This car is full," said the man irritably; "that seat next to me is reserved for a friend of mine who has put his bag there."

The youth paid no attention but sat down saying, "All right, I'll stay here until he come."

He placed the suitcase upon his knees while the elderly man glared at him in vain. Of course, the "friend" didn't appear, and soon the train began to move. As it glided past the platform, the young fellow tossed the bag through the open window remarking, "Apparently your friend has missed the train. We mustn't let him lose his luggage too!"

With a horrified expression on his face the old gentleman began to fume and sputter. The lie had cost him his possessions!

We live in a culture where truth is sacrificed on the altar of convenience and circumstance. Those little lies that may help us avoid responsibility or accountability at the moment may seem innocuous and of little consequence, but they chip away at our character. It is easier than being straightforward and honest. As in the story above, while building character may be costly, there is most definitely a price to be paid for the lack of it.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Don't Forget the Corners

11/16/2012

One day while walking down the hall of an office building I saw a smartly dressed gentleman looking at the floor rather intently as he strolled the corridor. Upon reaching the end of the hall, he put the toe of his shoe into the corner and made a mashing motion. Turning back toward the elevator, he realized that I had been observing his little ritual. He volunteered the following explanation.

He said, "I have become compulsive about clean elevators and floors. You can tell when a floor is really clean. If you put the toe of your shoe into the corner and twist it, and it doesn't make a scraping sound, then it's clean. That floor was clean. I want my facility to be really clean."

I thought about what he said. In our lives we should strive for excellence. Whether it is our marriages, our jobs, or in our personal character, we should not settle for anything less. It is easy to focus on the big things and be satisfied. But we shouldn't forget the corners of our lives.

Refusing to engage in negativity, criticism, and gossip is cleaning the floor. Replacing those traits with praise and encouragement is cleaning the corners. Striving for excellence means cleaning the corners.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Faith and the Flower

11/14/2012

A group of botanists went on an expedition into a remote section in the Alps, searching for new varieties of flowers. As one of the scientists looked through his binoculars, he saw a beautiful, rare species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine. To reach it, someone would have to be lowered into that gorge. Noticing a local youngster standing nearby, the man asked him if he would help them get the flower. The boy was told that a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon. Excited yet apprehensive about the adventure, the youngster peered thoughtfully into the chasm.

"Wait," he said, "I'll be right back," and off he dashed. When he returned, he had a man with him. Then the boy said t the head botanist, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you, but his man must hold on to the rope. He's my Dad!"

What a beautiful illustration of faith! The boy knew that Dad would not let harm come to him. The boy had confidence because he knew the strength and the heart of the one who held the rope.

When we go through the struggles of life, when the problems seem to engulf us, do we have confidence in the one who is holding the rope? Those who take the time to nurture their spirit seem to be able to better weather those storms.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Family Problems ???

11/11/2012

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Somehow, as I have gotten older, it seems that life has become more complicated. Now, with this story, I am not making light those who have found themselves in blended families, but it does underscore possible complications.

Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation. One of them kept complaining of family problems. Finally, the other man said, "You think you've got family problems? Listen to my situation. A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown-up daughter, and we got married. Later my father married my stepdaughter. That made my stepdaughter my stepmother and my father became my stepson. Also, my wife became mother-in-law of my father-in-law. Then the daughter of my wife, my stepmother, had a son. This boy was my half-brother because he was my father's son, but he was also the son of my wife's daughter, which made him my wife's grandson. That made me the grandfather of my half-brother. This was nothing until my wife and I had a son. Now the half-sister of my son, my stepmother, is also the grandmother. This makes my father the brother-in-law of my child, whose stepsister is my father's wife. I'm my stepmother's brother-in-law, my wife is her own child's aunt, my son is my father's nephew. . . And I'm my own grandfather! And you think you've got family problems.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).

Choices

11/10/2012

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left that job to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Michael continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything." 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'"

Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).