Giving

Looking back at my life, I have always been a person who gives of themselves without wanting anything in return. I would say that it has always been in my nature to give to others without any expectations of the recipient. I get joy when I am able to brighten someone's day (sometimes even without them knowing it was me). There wasn't a point when I was expecting anything back or even getting recognition of what I did for that person or that organization.

On Christmas Eve, our Pastor spoke about the topic of giving vs. receiving; very appropriate for that time of year. We give and we receive presents. SOmetimes though, it's hard to receive those presents and even those compliments that other bestow on us. As I was reflecting on this I did realize that I am one of those who fit that category; I feel ackward when people thank me for doing something for them or even when someone compliments me on something. So I guess you would say that I am in the majority in this respect.

One reason why I think I am this way and many of us are as well is that it is easier for us to give that it is to receive. It's easy for us to give our time, our money, our resources. When we are the recipients, it's harder; it's harder because we don't want to feel like a charity case, we don't want to seem like we always need something. I know for me, I want to be able to know that I am responsible for me. I don't want to feel like I am a burden to others (though I know I'm not) and want to be self sufficient. SOmetimes though, reality does come down and hits me on the head.

It's ok to ask for help; it's a normal part of life. Having been through Bible training; I am well aware that Jesus asks for help in many occasions. If he didn't ask for help, the gospel would have never been spread and we would probably not have been given the opportunity to help spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. Looking at asking for help in this way does change my view about asking for help. So if Jesus can ask for help we are sure capable of asking for it for ourselves as well.

With all that being said, I know one of my words for 2015 will be gratitude, gratitude for friends and family who are always there for me no matter what. I hope that all will think about what makes it hard to receive rather than to give and also being able to practice something in the New Year that is positive in your life.

The Dash

Have you ever noticed that when a person passes away the years that are stated are the year they are born and the year that they died. I know it's not noticiable at all but have you ever wondered what happened in between those two numbers? This "dash" represents more than just a character on the keyboard or in a newpaper article. It represents someone's live that they lived and who they have impacted during their time here on earth.

What if instead we don't put those years in but rather described their life here on earth. What would people say then; I would think this would be more impactful than what year they were born and what year they died. Looking back at many funerals that I have gone to, I have had time to reflect on "a life worth living". One parrticular person comes to my mind first and that is my grandfather on my mom's side. He lived his life to the fullest and took nothing for granted.

My grandfather was born to Italian parents, they didn't have much but what they did have was enough for them. My grandfather went to high school but never earned a college degree. He worked for the Navy for 20 years. He has had experiences that one can only dream of. There were a lot of sacrifices though; he had a family of a wife and two daughters and most of the time until my mom was in 3rd grade; my grandmother was the only parent. My grandfather would be out on tour and would only be home on leave or when he was on shore duty.

I knew my grandparents lived simple lives. Both were frugal with their finances because they rew up in the era of the Great Depression and they wasn't much available. They saved their money and only bought nice things. My grandfather was smart about finances and when to invest in something. I'm not saying it was all about their money but they hardly wasted anything.

My grandfather was always a person who was likeable by everyone, he was outgoing but humble and always put someone else first. He would always give a hug or a piece of candy when he could. He made his time here on earth very worthwhile. He didn't invest in things that were meaningless and always knew when to say no.

No matter what he did, he did it with a sense of purpose. Whether it be playing golf with friends or helping my parents around their house. He did it to perfection. SOmetimes that drove people crazy but he got the job done. He knew the importance of an education and though he didn't go to college, he and my grandmother supported me throughout all my academic career.

I remember that when I went off to get my Bachelor Degree, he was a fan of both me and the school I went to. I would sometimes get in the mail articles that he had cut out about the football team and the game that they just played. He was invested in whatever I did. He passed away before I went to Grad school but I know that throughout it all he was with me.

So what's so important about that dash in the paper, it represents the time on earth. With this simple dash, people have a choice: to live life to the fullest like my grandfather or just be surviving. It's ultimately up to you. In fact, here's a better question.. what will your legacy be like? What will people say at your funeral? Now that's something to think about.

Update of Sorts

Wow, so I didn't realize that it has been one year since I've written a blog post. I promise, it hasn't been intentional but just a lot has gone on since then. I know, I know that shouldn't be an excuse but it is for now. I wish I had a grand topic to talk about but I don't really so I am deciding to talk about one of my favorite things (well a sport in particular) that some may think is boring but for me, it's anything but boring. So here it goes....

BASEBALL

Back when I was younger, my dad started taking me to baseball games. I remember going to the ball park, sitting in the stands and cheering for the team my dad was cheering for. At the time, I wasn't really up to speed on the details of baseball, all I knew was that if I didn't root for the Oakland A's or the San Francisco Giants, I was going to have a talking to. Fast forward a few years, I was finally starting to get a handle on the game, I started recognizing who the good players were and who the not so good players were. I learned that being from the West Coast, not to root for any East Coast teams (especially the Yankees), which at the time, I didn't understand but oh well.

I remembered the World Series of 1989 when the San Francisco earthquake hit and I remember how cool that both of my favorite teams were in the World Series at the time. Though, I remember those games, there are some players that I remember watching and remembering that they were some of the better ones. There were players like McGuire and Eckersley and Dave Henderson on the A's. There were players like Williams, Beck, and Kevin Williams on the Giants. Soon came the era of 1990's baseball and my love for the Giants became more and more evident. 

So it was fitting that I was the scorekeeper for the baseball team at my high school. I got to enjoy the game of baseball, while learning the in's and out's of scorekeeping. Learning the positions and the art of keeping score, I was hooked on the game from then on.

Oh, backpedaling a bit, one business trip my dad went on, he brought me back a baseball movie, "A League of Their Own". I think I must have watched it a thougsand times (that's what my mom and dad said). What better that to watch a baseball movie that was all about girls playing the sport I was coming to love.

So anyway, the experience of scorekeeping is one I'll never forget. Baseball has since taken on a new meaning for me and I look at it in a whole different way now. 

There was a stretch of time when I thought that the greatest pitcher/catcher battery was Rod Beck and Benito Santiago of the Giants. I still think those were an awesome duo and they were my favorites from the '90's.  Now for the 2000-present era for me, I would have to choose for the Giants the pitcher/catcher battery of Bumgarner/Posey. They are the up and coming stars of today's baseball.

I have developed a newfound respect for those positions as well. I didn't realize how much of an asset the catcher was for a team. I woould compare him to the Quarterback for a football team. He's the one who tells the pitcher where to pitch and what type of pitch to throw. The pitcher in turn has to trust his catcher and has to trust the calls that he is making. If they don't work well together, the whole game may fall apart.

So yes all in all I would say that it's my favorite sport to watch, I have since developed a love for an East Coast team (don't worry, it's not the team as stated above); the Boston Red Sox, one of the oldest teams in the Modern BAseball era. They also have one of the classic baseball stadiums of the day, still with bench seats and still all wood.

That's all for now, I hope that this is a starting off point for more regular blog posts.