I can't believe that it is already February. I guess it is true that "Time Waits for No Man or Woman". January was a great month nonetheless...
On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, I was honored to participate in many of the activities for the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America- President Barack Obama. (I still smile as I say this.) History was truly made and even more important was the promise of change. Based on what I witnessed in our Nation's Capital, the world is ready for change. Change is defined as the cause to be different; a transformation.
On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, I was honored to participate in many of the activities for the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America- President Barack Obama. (I still smile as I say this.) History was truly made and even more important was the promise of change. Based on what I witnessed in our Nation's Capital, the world is ready for change. Change is defined as the cause to be different; a transformation.
This life changing event truly taught me to embrace change and be grateful for what it brings. I decided not to make resolutions for 2009 and would instead set goals- S.M.A.R.T. goals.
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Attainable
R: Realistic
T: Timely
My first goal is to not only show that I am grateful but speak it to the air. It never amazes me that I always find something to be grateful for. Sometimes it is the little things, like a free coupon for an oil change or maybe I am grateful for the blessings others have received- like the coming home of The Sands Momo Twins- McKenzie and Lily.
As I start each new day being grateful, I am always reminded of the book "1,000 Marbles A Little Something" by Jim Davis. The excerpt below truly speaks to how we should be grateful for the small and big fortunes of life. I hope you enjoy it as I much as I always do.
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are the most enjoyable for me.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it.
I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older-sounding man with a golden voice. You know the kind – like he should be in the broadcasting business himself. He was talking about “a thousand marbles” to someone named Tom. I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say. “Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well, but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work 60 or 70 hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital.”
He continued, “Let me tell you something, Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”
“You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about 75 years.
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Attainable
R: Realistic
T: Timely
My first goal is to not only show that I am grateful but speak it to the air. It never amazes me that I always find something to be grateful for. Sometimes it is the little things, like a free coupon for an oil change or maybe I am grateful for the blessings others have received- like the coming home of The Sands Momo Twins- McKenzie and Lily.
As I start each new day being grateful, I am always reminded of the book "1,000 Marbles A Little Something" by Jim Davis. The excerpt below truly speaks to how we should be grateful for the small and big fortunes of life. I hope you enjoy it as I much as I always do.
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are the most enjoyable for me.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it.
I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older-sounding man with a golden voice. You know the kind – like he should be in the broadcasting business himself. He was talking about “a thousand marbles” to someone named Tom. I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say. “Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well, but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work 60 or 70 hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital.”
He continued, “Let me tell you something, Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”
“You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about 75 years.
“So, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I’m getting to the important part.
“It took me until I was 55 years old to think about all this in any detail,” he went on, “and by that time I had lived through over 2800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be 75, I had only about a thousand of them left to enjoy.
“So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to roundup a thousand marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I’ve taken one marble out and thrown it away.
“I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.
“Now, let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I’ve been blessed with a little extra time to be with my loved ones.
“It was nice to talk with you, Tom. I hope you get to spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!”
You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show’s moderator didn’t have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss.
“C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.”
“What brought this on?” she asked with a smile.
“Oh, nothing special,” I said. “It’s just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”
I wish you many marbles and the happiest of 2009!
PS: What is your favorite use for your Saturday marble? Please e-mail me at Tomika@TomikaBryant.com – I’d enjoy hearing from you.
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