Defining

A defining moment is a point at which the essential nature or character of a person, group, etc., is revealed or identified.

Allowing a single moment to define us is differnt, and totally manangable by our own person.

9/11 is characterized as a defining moment for our country. It revealed our collective nature as a whole. A defining moment might happen at the grocery store when you are given back too much change - how you handle the situation at that moment, may define your character. These might be similar but not totally the same as "aha" moments when you discover something about yourself or a situation... when you finally get it.

However, there are moments... &$@# happens... we make mistakes...

But do we allow that moment to define us, our year, our lifetime? We can make that choice... it doesn't just happen to us. An event may happen to us, but how we handle ourselves after that event - we choose.

Do we feel bad? Come to a place of forgiveness of self.

Did we hurt someone else? or their property? Apologize, perform restitution.

Anything else we can do? If so, do it. If not, apply one or both of the above, and then move yourself along.

Most importantly, contemplate what you can learn from the situation... change the way we do things, make new and different friends, try something else in a similar situation. Become a better person because of it.

Older folks have had several situations like this so far in their lives; younger folks may experience this for the first time and feel unsure as to how to handle themselves.

The best thing is to forgive, and do better.

:)

Catching Up

I feel like I need to catch up before school starts next week, so I thot I would jot down a few happenings.

After my two vehicles blew engines, my son got a new car (new to him,) and he is jazzed.

And I got a new car (new to me,) and it gets me back and forth to work.

We walked through the Gate of Honor on a Memorial 5k for our town's 9/11 Rememberance gathering.

High school team has played two football games so far: 1 loss (slightly expected) - 1 win (phenominal against local rival)

Other son is about to come home from a 2 1/2 week job of feeding firefighter crews up north on the High Cascades Comples fire. Good money.

Both have changed their previous life plans in the last week (sheesh)

I need to register both new cars, check to see why my school doesn't have my online class schedule, make the last payment on my Treehouse accommodations for Hawaii (end of October) along with making the car rental reservations. Lots to do, always.

:)