Friday frivolities

I started this in the wee hours of the morning while at work. Then, you know, I got distracted. Now it's almost night (3:19 pm). I need to put up another post though, so... here goes.


The Parking Lot -
Today I've been working on prep for the Tincaps Parking lot our church operates. The Tincaps are the minor league baseball team in our town, and it just so happens to be one of the nicest minor league parks in the country. We have prime parking space, and even though we don't own the lot, the owners allow us to keep the money we get (basically we have to charge for parking or the owners would not be looked upon kindly - it makes us about $12,000/year). I guess I am once again the volunteer in charge of the volunteers. I've kind of been dragging my feet this year, but the first game is less than a week away (this coming Thursday). So, I've got the schedule book made out, the tickets are sorted by game, I printed off envelopes for record-keeping and deposits, and stopped to make sure I could locate all the signs, barricades and orange cones at church. I think about the only thing left to do is get a bank-roll of money ready for change. Ugh... I'm not looking forward to this.

Food -

I have been on a fairly good food kick lately. For breakfast I scramble up some eggs and veggies the night before, then take them with a couple tortilla shells and some hot sauce to heat up at work the next day. For lunch I prepare a salad the night before of lettuces and veggies, (celery, carrots, cucumber, tomato, etc.) sunflower seeds, and then top with tuna. My afternoon snack is a green fruit smoothie, and Jane usually makes something healthy and hearty for supper.

I've also been doing sort of an intermittent fast. I try to go from 6:30-7 pm until 8 am without eating each day (during the week). I don't know how much it helps, but I figure it can't hurt.

Throat -
Healthy eating has not prevented me from feeling kinda crabby/crappy all week though. Last Saturday I woke up with a sore throat, and it's still just as sore. I'm not sure if it's strep, or just a random drainage-related rawness. I started gargling with salt water yesterday. Arg.

dis-R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Something I keep coming back to - both at work and at church - is the idea of dis-respect. I mean, I get when I'm simply not respected. It's pretty common for respect to have to be earned - and I don't deserve any just because I'm an old guy. However, it seems I'm being treated with some downright dis-respect in both places. Maybe not intentionally, but at least in a lack of consideration. To be honest, I really don't like it all that much. Not that I have earned any great respect, but I don't think I deserve to be disrespected. So I'm fighting a bit of bitterness about it.

Being a six sucks -
So... yeah... given the previous... I do keep coming back to the silly enneagram thing. I have to remind myself that I am definitely a solid 6. And it just plains sucks to be a six (at least in my opinion). Here is what it means to be a six, and you can judge for yourselves. And to make matters worse... yes, I am loyal... until you disrespect me! Then.... Rrrrrrr.

Type 6: The Loyalist

Loyalists are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.
How to Get Along with Me

• Be direct and clear.
• Listen to me carefully.
• Don't judge me for my anxiety.
• Work things through with me.
• Reassure me that everything is OK between us.
• Laugh and make jokes with me.
• Gently push me toward new experiences.
• Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Six

• Being committed and faithful to family and friends.
• Being responsible and hardworking.
• Being compassionate toward others.
• Having intellect and wit.
• Being a nonconformist.
• Confronting danger bravely.
• Being direct and assertive.

What's Hard About Being a Six

• The constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind.
• Procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself.
• Fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of.
• Exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger.
• Wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right.
• Being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations.

This Lenten devotional book -
All this stuff fizzles, though, when I do my daily Lenten devotions using Scott Cairnes' little book 'Love's Immensity: Mystics on the Endless Life.' For all my shortcomings, this was one great stumble of an idea, if I do say so myself! Each day I read a little blurb about a different Saint of old, and then a few writings from said Saint. I have to say, even on days when the writing does not connect, the simple act of stopping, reading, and journaling a one-page response... it can make all the difference sometimes.

A common theme I seem to have noticed among the desert mothers and fathers is their call to humility and simplicity. More times than not it hits me right where it hurts. And it hurts so good! So much so that mundane responsibilities, physical aches and pains, feelings of abuse or entitlement and everything in between... they all pale in comparison to the Source of all that brings joy and worth.

And, let me tell you... one thing I am discovering is that I - yes, even I - can recognize this was no thing I did on my own. I've had this book FOREVER... and just so happened to pick it up during this particular season of Lent. So, thank you, good Father. Thank You, indeed.