Saturday, November 27, 2010

Living in Superlatives

I have a relative who never experiences anything in a normal, everyday range. Everything (it seems) that happens to her or that she's describing is always in superlatives. The best or the worst. Never just okay. The saddest or the happiest. Never so so. I've been around this person a bit more than normal the last few months, and I've found that it wearies me. Conversations always seem to make me grind my teeth and put me on edge. I don't doubt the sincerity or honesty of the person, but I doubt the necessity of the superlative.

Personally, I like a day without any excessive highs or lows. Middle-of-the-road is fine with me. I don't have the strength to handle superlatives on a daily basis. It's exhausting. I'm content not to be the happiest, most beautiful or most talented person around. ALMOST will do. I don't have to work so hard. Lazy? Not really. Realistic? Absolutely!

For those of you who are wondering what in the world "superlative" is - may I present:


su·per·la·tive
   /səˈpɜrlətɪv, sʊ-/ Show Spelled[suh-pur-luh-tiv, soo-] Show IPA
–adjective
1.
of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme: superlative wisdom.
2.
Grammar . of, pertaining to, or noting the highest degree of the comparison of adjectives and adverbs, as smallest, best, and most carefully, the superlative forms of small, good, and carefully. Compare comparative ( def. 4 ) , positive ( def. 20 ) .
3.
being more than is proper or normal; exaggerated in language or style.
–noun
4.
a superlative person or thing.
5.
the utmost degree; acme.
6.
Grammar .
a.
the superlative degree.
b.
a form in the superlative.

Monday, November 22, 2010

I'm How Old?

I will be celebrating my 63rd birthday in a couple days, and I simply can't believe I'm THAT old! I honestly didn't think I'd be here this long. I thought the Lord would come by now, or that I'd simply die of old age at about age 60 or so! Didn't happen, so here I am.

I think I'm finally learning some things now that I'm old and mellow. (I write that with a barely suppressed giggle.) Notice I didn't say that I've learned them, but I am, at least, in the process.

1. I'm learning that my opinion really isn't the only opinion that matters.
2. Family and friends are invaluable, and I need to cherish them and cultivate our relationships more.
3. My faith in a living, loving God can sustain me through all kinds of trauma.
4. Age really doesn't matter in a friendship.
5. I should have taken better care of myself when I was younger - eaten better, exercised more and faithfully, kept my weight in check.
6. I don't have to say "yes" to everyone that asks me to do them a favor. The world actually doesn't stop spinning and throw me off when I say, "No."
7. Time with my honey is priceless, and we don't have to be doing anything special to make it that way.
8. Laughter (a merry heart) really is the best medicine.
9. Don't sweat the small stuff. In the big picture, some things just don't matter.
10. Express your affection in countless ways - words, gifts, hugs and loving deeds.

I know there are a lot more things that I'm either learning or should learn, but these are just a few. Maybe getting older isn't so bad. Perhaps I really will get wiser. Who knows!

Friday, November 19, 2010

A Merry Heart Doeth Good

Don is almost completely back to where he was before his heart attack on August 7th. He may never recover the little bit he slipped back, but where he is is good. In fact, we haven't seen any drastic slipping for the last three or four months. Hurray!

Lots of people have commented that they think much of Don's success in handling all he's been through is his positive attitude. I would agree. Of course, a strong faith in an awesome God is the first step, but it really takes more than that to go through trials with a smile.

Proverbs says, "A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine." We agree. We laugh. We laugh a lot! At ourselves. At each other. At other people. At a good joke - and sometimes at jokes that aren't even that good! I've learned to take life a bit less seriously. I'm still slightly(?) dogmatic and certainly opinionated. But I no longer insist that you agree with me - or at least pretend to do so. The little things are what make the big things more special. So, I try to pay more attention to those little things. Smiles. Thank you's. Children. And compliments. I value affirmation. In fact, I thrive on it. So, I'm trying to be more affirming to others. Hoping, I guess, that they'll return the favor.

I treasure time with friends and family. I work at keeping a thankful attitude toward God. But most of all - I laugh. Lots of time. Lots of places. In lots of circumstances. Try it, my friend. It will definitely make you feel better.