Last evening at 1810h I walked out of the hotel; the conference was finally over. I realize — uh no — I have always known that I stress out over the little details of things. Big picture stuff I can handle. Last minute details, hours before the ‘deadline’ – they nearly do me in every time.
The evaluation forms show an overall conference rating of 4.3/5. Not too shabby I think. Comments were not anything I wasn’t expecting: the typical thoughts on food, noisy ventilation, too short, too long. One final report and I’m done this baby. Being education chair was great but oh so time consuming. (My volunteer capacity is not really over … I don’t say no, remember? I now have a bigger title but what I think is actually less work than this past year.)
At least it’s over and I can start thinking about Africa!!!! Only 24 more days (maybe less when you read this … check the counter over on your left).
It seems as though I’m coming up with a fair number of analogies lately. This last one comes as I should be preparing for my conference today and tomorrow.
Recall, if you will, the final scene from Bridget Jones’ Diary. Bridget realizes her object of affection has just read her diary … good and bad, with a lot of the latter. And what does she do? Does she trust that he will sort it all out, separating grain from chaff? Nope. She panics. She thinks that this inadvertent vulnerability is going to backfire. That once again she has done something to lose the guy she wants (and, whom may even like her in return).
Now, I didn’t get this insight while watching the movie, but people relate to pop culture. I speak this to all of you; friends and family and strangers, guys and girls alike. Why is it so hard for me to be vulnerable, to tell people those deep bits of my soul, to risk it all? Sometimes I may not tell you something because I am scared. I don’t want my secret to be the fatal flaw or the thing that makes us slowly grow apart. Because, well, it’s happened before. So, here’s my leap of faith: I will endeavor to trust you. Perhaps trust will overcome fear.
(This line of thought also reminds me of the Hamster Parable told by RLP.)
Galatian’s 1:1-5 has been what I’ve read for the past couple of days. Each time I read the passage, I’m amazed at what Paul has packed into such a few short lines. Short, concise, easily understandable … yet could take ages to unravel all of the nuances.
Paul, an apostle–not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead–and all the brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hi Mom,
Welcome to my blog. There are lots of things here. I think it is fairly self-explanatory to find your way around: you can search or even browse through archives or by subject headings. Commenting can sometimes be a little tricky, so let me know if you’re having difficulties.
Love you much,
J
PS – Yes, sometime I do write about what I had for dinner (I recently had a post about Thanksgiving dinner for example).
I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll say it again … I don’t get hockey or football or baseball for that matter. I mean, I know the basic rules and I know the difference between periods, quarters and innings and I know a few team (and even player) names. I just don’t get the passion behind undying support for “your” team. Until playoff time, and even a great deal into playoffs, I am as fickle as can be when choosing “my” team. Every so often I will try to follow the general happenings a bit. For example, the Riders won last night (against Montréal no less). There was even the Detroit/Phoenix game on last night during my dinner with Sarah at Moxies. I think Detroit needs new uniforms … the red one does not make me want to cheer for them.
This evening, in continuation of my procrastination, I scanned the channels and was about to watch the Senators/Canadiens game this evening. But no. I cannot watch said game. Instead of options, I “get” to watch the Leaf/Flames game. And how is one supposed to pick a team from that match-up I ask?
Rather than pick between two equally unenchanting options, I have decided to quit procrastinating, sit myself down and work on this conference thing (5 more days and counting! — the pressure’s on).
Of note, it is made more enjoyable by the sounds of Regina Spektor ([thanks Sally for the heads up] notably 20 years of snow) and Imogen Heap‘s Speak for yourself.
