Thoughts For This Morning . . .
October 25th, 2006 at 9:48 am by Dee O'Neil Andrews
Christianity should shine through us like sunshine through a pane of glass. We should make it shine so clearly that people will say, "What a beautiful day" not "What a beautiful pane of glass"
I've mentioned before that I get a daily morning email from a Christian service out of Colorado (one of my favorite states since I came close to death there a month ago but survived) called "This Day's Thought." Each one includes a thought for the day, a scripture for the day and sometimes a smile for the day.
I like getting it. A lot. I look for it and along with my morning coffee it always starts my day off right. With some good thoughts, a thoughtful scripture and something to start the day smiling about.
The one above came yesterday and I love it. I've been thinking about it and how true that should be. We "should" be transparent in other words.
Gosh . . . do you think you are? Am I?
Tom and my close friends think that the older I get the more transparent I've become - much more myself. Much more outgoing and outspoken and - well - the real me, whereas for years and years I was much more introverted and considered that to be who I was. I've resisted thinking that I'm more extraverted, but maybe that is because over the past couple of years I've been forced to be confined at home for such long periods of time.
But you know what? Blogging has been my salvation from depression and sadness and long time feelings of worthlessness. Truly. I'm absolutely serious here. (As my kids used to say all the time, I'm "serious as a heart attack!" I have no idea where they got that, but that's what they always said.)
So let me ask you a question. Do you think my blogging personality (and real one for those of you who know me, have met me or even talked with me on the phone) is one of a more introverted, thinking person or extraverted, life of the party person? Or a combination of both? Chime in y'all!
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Speaking of personalities and such, I updated my Profile yesterday with a more recent picture of myself. It's something I've been wanting and needing to do. So take a look at the "real" me. It's a bit out of focus up close, but then - hey - so am I most of the time, don't you think?! ha!
Anyone want to venture a guess about how old I am? I may even engage in true confessions later today and tell you all either at the bottom of the post or in comment. So stay tuned. You may be amazed. Or disappointed as the case may be.
Of course the first one of you who says a young 75 (Tommy) will be in big trouble. And those of you who already know can't guess (although you could be nice and mention my age in dog years, which would be a pretty great age for a woman of my age to be. I fully expect Greg to do so anyway seeing as how he's so attached to his psycho-pup Chipper.)
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I love the cooler fall weather, being able to leave the windows open. I like the trees turning colors a bit (not much here) and I like all the harvesting being done. Fall is a time of nostalgia for me. How about you?
I've written before about loving most the pungent acrid smell of the cotton burrs burning at the gin that filled the air with its smokyness for miles around as the cotton was being harvested. On our way home last month we saw field after field after field of cotton being harvested in south Arkansas and northern Louisiana. Fields of maize and grain. I miss the farm and the fall harvest.
But I hate the shorter days and early nights. This weekend it will be even worse with darkness falling here a bit after 5 p.m. Our boxes sitting around everywhere seem to loom in the darkness and I love the light.
I guess I'll have to be more like those window panes I started off talking about. Transparent so that whatever light there is can shine through.
Blessings to you all this day! Dee
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You reminded me of an incident that happened 30+ years ago when we moved from Lubbock, Texas to Beaumont, Texas.
Of course, in Lubbock, cotton fields abound and you watched as they picked their crops. We never said harvested cotton. It was “picked” cotton. After moving to Beaumont, we became close to friends who were rice farmers. One day I asked John, “John, when do you pick the rice?” He hooted loudly and laughed and laughed. He then explained that you “harvest” rice, not pick rice. It never dawned on me but I could envision why you might “pick” cotton, but you would never “pick” rice.
Every since then, we have had a good laugh. Couple this with trying to eat the shell portion of a stuffed crab and I really felt “from the sticks” so to speak.
Have a great day and I agree with you that the thought for the day is a good one. I like it also.
If I had to guess your age, I would guess about 56. Hope I am at least on the under side! Have a great day!
8 1/2 dog years! I am supposed to know, but I forgot.
You are certainly NOT worthless. I’m as serious as a heart attack.
I would say that the real you verses the blog you is more outgoing and real. The real you is more transparent. I like the real you. But at times in your posts I can hear your voice saying it in my head. I don’t think any of us from up here think of you as introverted in the least.
Dee, Introverted? No I don’t think so.
I love this post Dee. I guess it is what I was trying to say. I think my “murkiness” often comes when I try to resist what God is trying to make me into. Maybe someday I will let go and let him mold me and make me (how many phrases come to mind that are in our hymnals). I know the age, so I will wait and let the boys guess!!!
Good morning Dee - Hadn’t really thought of the “introverted” vs.”extroverted” thing — I guess someone who is willing to write about the realities of their experiences from the “shopping mall samaritan” to the “hospital angel” (and clumsy cleric) — and writes so openly about things that may not show (I had used the word expose but that might be misunderstood!!!) you in the best light — someone who can do that must have a strong sense of self-worth and openess to other people — so I suppose that’s extroverted.
I like the new picture — down to earth and homey — but I also liked the other one - seemed very elegant and classy (not to say that you look “not classy” in this picture he hastened to say taking his foot out of his mouth)
You don’t look a day over 39 (and I hope that is a safe low end — I’n not good at judging ages from pictures - — maybeyou are actually in the categoryof Dr. Phil’s “50 and fabualous” — Maybe I’ll stop now before I really put my foot in it.
I’ve seen your comments around the various places that we seem to share in our INTERNET journeys. Alway find your comments to be insighful helpful and often with some much needed humor — You rock — keep it up!!!
God Bless
Charlie
Dee? Outspoken? Say it ain’t so!!
I like both photos, although the old one looks more formal. I think you are an introverted extrovert. I think you are about my age - see my post from today.
Guess your age? Are you kidding?! The last time I guessed a woman’s age it did not work out well at all so I won’t try.
Intro or extroversion have less to do with public personas than we often think. Everyone thinks I’m an extrovert because so much of what I do I do in public, interacting with many people. But my favorite time is time alone.
I suspect the “real you” is comfortable with being alone, being reflective and thoughtful, but also more comfortbale interacting with people as time goes along.
Great quote! Love starting my day with that thought.
You are no introvert, as they say it takes on to know one , and you an’t
you are a blessing !
and I would say you are A very young 50ish
have a great day!