From my Inbox (U2, drums, kowski, failure)

Time to share a few things from my inbox.  I also have been wanting to participate in Lisa’s “1 Day 1 World Project” which features the 8:00 am hour this week (more here).  During this hour, I enjoyed some Keurig coffee and here is the slideshow I made to go with it (link HERE):

From My Inbox:

First, as many folks know – U2 has been in the news because Apple attached U2’s latest release it to all iTunes accounts by default- (more here) and there were vids going around with young folks were like “U-who?” – and this image for the new iPhone was sent to me:

 

This U2 image reminded me of my favorite U2 song, New Year’s Day – the long version, which I sent to my oldest brother this weekend – so it was actually in my outbox, but I played it this morning too.

This song is special to me because even though I do not like all of U2’s material – back in 1983 I loved this song from the very first time I heard it.  I still recall that day vividly! My older brother was sitting at the kitchen table – reading The Buffalo News (we were not a Courier-Express family) and he had the large newspaper pages spread wide open.  His breakfast dish was to the side and the radio was on.  He was singing along with the long version of this New Year’s Day and it sounded good.   I was quite young – not yet in high school –  but I paused in the kitchen to feel the music – and this song (the version with the instrumental part at the 3rd minute) will always remind me of that chilly winter day back in early ’83 – and it serves as another example of how I am grateful that my older siblings exposed me to a lot of great music!

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Second, some of you know that I am half Polish and proud of it.  An old nickname of mine from the 80’s is “Vet-ski” – and my cousin Kathy still uses it!  Anyhow, someone sent me an email with this “Kowski” tweet from darren rovell about the NFL Kowski’s this weekend:

@darrenrovell

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Third, I enjoyed a small morning laugh with this inbox video of the “Oceans” song, which is a popular song in the Christian community -and actually it has been OVER played all summer!

In this video snippet – watch how the drummer of this band goes off and does his “thang” – just funny:

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Fourth, terrier-man shared a potent little post (HERE) where he presented something for all of us to think about:

He writes:

At what point do we suit up and fight the real wars that need to be fought? Banks have devastated the American economy, wiping out trillions of dollars worth of equity amassed over a life time. Fast and packaged food producers kill more Americans every day, through diabetes, hypertension and obesity than Al Queda has killed in the last 15 years. (more here)

 

Source: Terrierman.com and Huffington post

I have had a huge wake up call this year regarding all food – and not to make any of you feel guilty – but if you have not started thinking about the crap that we are consuming with most packaged food – that has NO NUTRITION – well at least just think about thinking about it – ha!  And without coming down too heavy on you – just keep in mind that little things we do – really do add up to impact our health – and positive change starts by becoming “aware” 🙂

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Lastly, from my inbox – Delancey Place (HERE) shared from a book about comedy from author Mike Thomas, – which had a potent little reminder about the need to fail.  The cast Member Alan Arkin described his appreciation for the Second City Theatre with this:

” …it gave us a place to fail. Which doesn’t exist in this civilization anymore. There is no place to fail anymore. And failing at something is crucial. You don’t learn from anything unless you fail. And we were not only allowed to fail, but almost encouraged to take chances every night onstage.”

Keep in mind that failures, messes, and setbacks are a natural part of life.  Stop beating yourself up over certain things – especially if you have had made mistakes of have had things flop – or if you are kicking yourself for things you know you could have done better – it’s okay. This kind of stuff is just part of a healthy life!  But so often in our culture there is shame and disappointment connected with flops or failures- or we just come down way too hard on ourselves – but all of these things need to be embraced with more GRACE!  Sometimes we let failures and mistakes disproportionately occupy our thoughts and  it robs us of health instead of becoming a catalyst for appreciation and growth.

Also, did you ever notice that for some reason – we humans always like to compare our weaknesses to someone else’s strengths.

So I just want to say be encouraged today.  Choose “what” you rehearse in your head – and let it be to focus on things that give life.  We all have losses and we all have different times where we woulda, coulda, shoulda did things different – I know I wish I could go back to make different choices to a few specific times- but I am here and now!   And with grace I move forward.  I also have learned to modify my expectations – and that is very life giving too, but that is for another post sometime.  🙂

I close with some words from Denis Waitley:

“Failure should be our teacher – not our undertaker”

So let’s all enjoy right “now” – right now!

As we start a new day today – as we start a new week  – and actually tomorrow (9/23) we all start a brand new autumn season – so let’s embrace the simple joy that can be found in this very minute.  🙂  I know I am.

Peace ~