Just mow around the stump...

Hello all,

I used to work as a Biomedical Equipment Technician in a hospital in Tennessee. Those are fancy words for...I fixed medical equipment. It's a really good career and I did enjoy it most of the time. But somehow, I manifested the most negative, cynical and manipulative person in my life. And to make matters more interesting, I manifested this person to sit at a desk less than 10 feet from me.

Now...I don't think it was all my fault actually. I had been working with a fellow technician for about 3 years, and that technician died of a heart attack one weekend. We were actually very good buddies and I don't mean to make light of the fact that he died, but that's what happened. I left one Friday and never saw him again and I still miss him to this day. Especially when I looked around and saw what kind of idiotic jackass took my buddy's position.

So, I either manifested my buddy's death or God stepped in and it wasn't about me at all. That is what I think happened. Anyway, one day I was venting about my circumstances to a friend/coworker one day and he relayed a story to me that his Father had told him.

"Picture this person as a huge, ugly, dead tree stump in a field of beautiful green grass. When you have to mow that field, don't complain about it and focus on the eyesore in the middle of it. If it is in your way, mow around it. Don't focus on the stump, focus on the beauty of the lawn and nature."

I thought that was awesome and I have used that visualization everyday since then. It really helped me too. I recently left that position to pursue more exciting endeavors...those more in line with my passions. But I will never forget how that simple visualization helped me get through some very tough days.

Thank you God for putting that person in my life and thank God for all my blessings.

I am truly grateful.

Peace to all,

Phil

We are blessed...truly blessed.

There is an old saying, "Count your blessings...things could be worse."

Well, those old sayings come from somewhere and are usually based in truth. I'll go one better. Don't just count your blessings, list them and read them every morning. I keep them posted on my wall so I can see them every morning.

For example, as little 150 years ago, people owned people. Just a few years ago, we got 3 channels on television. When I was a kid, my grandparents didn't have running water or indoor plumbing. My Dad was born at home. College was not an option except for those who were wealthy. 70 years ago, we were in a depression and people were not only broke, they were starving...standing in line for bread. 75 years ago, the convenience of running to the store for a gallon of milk was not an option for anyone. I could go on and on.

Life is good, life is great. We are so blessed! It is imperitive that we take a few minutes out of every day to thank God for all the wonderful things in our life. You will be surprised how your perspective changes.

Peace and love,

Phil