In life I have learned that everyone has hang-ups and self esteem issues, or at least they should have some self esteem issues else they are a little or a lot too proud except for those with one more chromosome.
I cannot read Preston's mind but I watch his actions and I have to believe he has an advantage over all of us regular folks. Sure, he does suffer from anxiety sometimes like the Holy Shit story I told but he wakes up every morning ready to take on the world in a positive manner. He never and I really do mean never wakes up angry or mad or thinking about how he might be slower in speech or slower to learn and he certainly does not grouse around about work. On the contrary he gets up, makes his bed, puts on his clothes with a positive attitude and there is one problem here. He opens all the window shades then strips and puts on his clothes for the day, You might have to visualize that to understand it. Now maybe that is a good thing in that he does not get hung up about who might see through his window and see his modestly round body butt naked. He just does not have all the hang-ups or baggage the rest of us carry around. Back to his routine: He then goes around the house turning on every light, closes every cabinet or door and opens doors that are closed so he can turn on the lights then shuts the door as he goes on his routine. If you left something out on the counter like Shouna does (often) when she is making her HOT WATER (that is another story we should cover) and most of the time it is actually in the microwave where Preston finds it and puts it in the sink and the dishwasher. NOTHING should be left where it does not belong, not even the microwave because if it is done you should have removed it and gone on to your own chores or duties. Can you imagine what life would be like if we would just do the things we know we should without hesitation or procrastination or a bad attitude. He doesn't even consider how helpful this is to others or how it makes the house neater or cleaner or less messy or nicer for everyone except of course Shouna who would like to get her hot water before the CLEANER comes through.
I don't know about you but I get embarrassed easily and always feel that most people are smarter than me and I am a person always concerned with who likes me and why don't they are why don't they respond as I wish they would. It drives me nuts that I cannot remember everyone's names or respond quick enough and think of what I should have later after it is too late. If that does not make sense to you let me give you an example and I will not give you names to protect the innocent. Last night I was at a concert and there was a person there who is a leader and I know him very well but for some reason he made no attempt to reach out and say hello which in Oklahoma is a requirement for even complete strangers. If you are a Yankee you obviously find this uncomfortable until you acclimate your behavior. For Yankees eye contact with a stranger is off the charts as unacceptable but in Oklahoma it is a requirement of social norm. So I was wondering if he has a burr up his butt ( that is Okie talk for having a problem with someone) or if I had offended him or if he was perhaps embarrassed because of something he had done. Or how about the person you want to be friends with but for some reason you feel they are ignoring you. Well the point is Preston does not see this and does not concern himself with what others are thinking, he just loves them anyway. He approaches them and does not allow them to pass and leave an elephant in the room. Do you know what I am talking about? Preston believes it is his duty to talk to everyone and be friendly with them. He also has an agenda of love to pass along and it typically is about Jesus or he shares a story about someone who passed away years ago or recently and he feels you should know it. Basically his extra chromosome allows him to be un-inhibited, kind of like the person who has to do some drinking to loosen up. So the moral to that is if you think you need a drink to relax just get an extra chromosome.
Well in summary if you are not satisfied with yourself because you had one of the following issues:
I cannot read Preston's mind but I watch his actions and I have to believe he has an advantage over all of us regular folks. Sure, he does suffer from anxiety sometimes like the Holy Shit story I told but he wakes up every morning ready to take on the world in a positive manner. He never and I really do mean never wakes up angry or mad or thinking about how he might be slower in speech or slower to learn and he certainly does not grouse around about work. On the contrary he gets up, makes his bed, puts on his clothes with a positive attitude and there is one problem here. He opens all the window shades then strips and puts on his clothes for the day, You might have to visualize that to understand it. Now maybe that is a good thing in that he does not get hung up about who might see through his window and see his modestly round body butt naked. He just does not have all the hang-ups or baggage the rest of us carry around. Back to his routine: He then goes around the house turning on every light, closes every cabinet or door and opens doors that are closed so he can turn on the lights then shuts the door as he goes on his routine. If you left something out on the counter like Shouna does (often) when she is making her HOT WATER (that is another story we should cover) and most of the time it is actually in the microwave where Preston finds it and puts it in the sink and the dishwasher. NOTHING should be left where it does not belong, not even the microwave because if it is done you should have removed it and gone on to your own chores or duties. Can you imagine what life would be like if we would just do the things we know we should without hesitation or procrastination or a bad attitude. He doesn't even consider how helpful this is to others or how it makes the house neater or cleaner or less messy or nicer for everyone except of course Shouna who would like to get her hot water before the CLEANER comes through.
I don't know about you but I get embarrassed easily and always feel that most people are smarter than me and I am a person always concerned with who likes me and why don't they are why don't they respond as I wish they would. It drives me nuts that I cannot remember everyone's names or respond quick enough and think of what I should have later after it is too late. If that does not make sense to you let me give you an example and I will not give you names to protect the innocent. Last night I was at a concert and there was a person there who is a leader and I know him very well but for some reason he made no attempt to reach out and say hello which in Oklahoma is a requirement for even complete strangers. If you are a Yankee you obviously find this uncomfortable until you acclimate your behavior. For Yankees eye contact with a stranger is off the charts as unacceptable but in Oklahoma it is a requirement of social norm. So I was wondering if he has a burr up his butt ( that is Okie talk for having a problem with someone) or if I had offended him or if he was perhaps embarrassed because of something he had done. Or how about the person you want to be friends with but for some reason you feel they are ignoring you. Well the point is Preston does not see this and does not concern himself with what others are thinking, he just loves them anyway. He approaches them and does not allow them to pass and leave an elephant in the room. Do you know what I am talking about? Preston believes it is his duty to talk to everyone and be friendly with them. He also has an agenda of love to pass along and it typically is about Jesus or he shares a story about someone who passed away years ago or recently and he feels you should know it. Basically his extra chromosome allows him to be un-inhibited, kind of like the person who has to do some drinking to loosen up. So the moral to that is if you think you need a drink to relax just get an extra chromosome.
Well in summary if you are not satisfied with yourself because you had one of the following issues:
- bad business business decisions
- trusted a friend and he cheated you
- married and your spouse left you
- you left your spouse because you got mad
- you said something that you wish you could take back
- your finances are not what they should be or are on a train wreck
- your job stinks or your boss is a jerk
- your kids don't meet your expectations
- you don't meet the expectations of your parents or someone you think is important
- you think you are stupid or at least as smart as you think you need to be
- you are insecure
- you are not good looking enough or as good looking as someone else
- you have doubts about yourself
- you made too many bad decisions and you don't think Jesus forgives
- you are a disappointment to yourself
- you think you are not disciplined
- you are too busy or too lazy
- the list goes on and on
there are three options to fixing these and if you can do all three but you may not be fixed but you will feel better everyday:
- get focused on Jesus (not yourself) as he forgives and overlooks ALL the bad, no one is good enough
- get an extra chromosome
- suck it up and get over it
I don't have most of these problems but I, like almost everyone, suffer in self esteem in one form or another and am self conscience about some things which prevent me from being the person I want to be but through the blood of Jesus Christ I can see tomorrow in a better light. So here is my summary:
Some folks have a glass half full
Some folks have a glass half empty
I chose to have a glass completely full
because my water was made crystal clear
by the Blood of Jesus
and the crud of life is filtered by Him
Everyday is a new day and everyday I, just like you, have to get over my hang-ups and dump the crud out and it ain't easy but I look at Preston and am encouraged because he can overlook so many problems that I cannot. If only I had one more chromosome?
So what do you learn in the Osage?
- an extra chromosome could come in handy a lot of times
- life is not easy but an adventure which we can choose to make the best of or we can just keep filling our glasses with crud
- as long as my lens to life is focused through Jesus' eyes tough times are a little easier and folks are a little nicer and stress is a little less
- If you find no other answer then come work at Wings (www.wingsok.org) and get to know all the folks with disabilities and you will be changed in a positive way
Well, thanks for your time,
gary@thepioneerman.com
No comments:
Post a Comment