How I love the salt air…..ocean breeze….waves crashing over my feet….. After playing in the ocean, I am so delightfully salty. As an avid cook, I know that the right about of salt in a dish can meld the flavors and make the taste buds come alive! I was reminded this morning that I need to stay salty…..to enhance the lives around me….to make me even more…me.
You are the salt of the Earth; but if salt looses its flavor, how is it to be seasoned? It is good for nothing else than to be thrown out.
You have heard that it was said long ago, “You should not murder” and whoever murders will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of judgment. Whoever devalues his brother shall be in danger of judgment as well.
If you do good things (aka bring your gift to the altar) and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift and go your way. First be reconciled with your brother and then offer your gift.
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. Give to him who asks you and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
You have heard that it was said, “you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. If you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Reminder to self: Salt is always used to benefit other things. One does not simply eat salt. Salt dissipates so others can shine. But salt is glorious and valuable…just like me.
I am Becky Pruitt-Lukovic and I approve this message!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!
Blending is not my favorite thing--unless of course it involves ice and lots and lots of tequilla.... The art of blending a family is complex and takes the finesse of a virtuoso combined with the hardiness of a pirate. Usually I simply get that deer in the headlights look and freeze until just the right moment and then run.....smack dab into a Mack Truck!
Mateys.....We need Rum!!
Blending is much harder than I anticipated. Teenagers love me.....my own kids typically love me.....well....typically..... I am fun....really.....I promise!!! I cook!! I listen....usually. Blending is like living in a foreign country---everything I need, I have to go through my translator.....(Hubs) and everything they need, they go through the translator (dad). I feel as if I must sit back and watch and wait for the pieces to connect----excruciatingly painful for a woman of action----and divest myself emotionally from the outcome. I have to be the grown up....I can't get my feelings hurt....I have to keep waiting and waiting for that moment where I get some sort of "tada!" moment. Did someone say Rum?!?!?!?
I am not sure what exactly I envisioned----maybe the Waltons.....or Little House on the Prairie when they adopted Albert.....or.... I just want to hit that little button that says Blend------I want to make it happen instantaneously!!! I want them to be comfortable....I want me to be comfortable......I want The Man to be comfortable.....I want Junior and Chickadee to be comfortable......mostly I just want to have a family that loves each other and engages with each other....creating a new living breathing organism.....a beautiful blended family.
The problem is that I get my feelings hurt......they get their feelings hurt.....The Man gets his feelings hurt.....and we all compartmentalize and talk to our translators. Sometimes it feels as if I am on a reality tv show---negotiating back and forth....making alliances....and plans.....and super secret alliances....and super secret plans.... Rum! We need more Rum!!!
At times, I feel caught in the middle in the fray between exes.....at times I feel left out...in my own home.....because this is a family that is not mine....they have a history I don't share.....I feel like an intruder....an interloper.....watching something beautiful from the outside. It's a club I can't join......I'm not really even a step-mom.....I am simply Becky. Some days I am okay with that.....and some days it just really sucks.
It's time to re-evaluate......to step up to the plate......to risk something in order to gain something. In my fears that they won't like me, I have become something that is not quite myself. In the words of Ray Hunt, "If you do what you always do, you will get what you have always gotten." It's time to return to me......learn the language......ditch the translator....and take a risk.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Resolved the Sequel....2012
2012 is here.....I wasn't quite ready for it's appearance, but since I can't seem to stop the sands through the hourglass, I need to make resolutions.
Although resolutions have gotten a bad rap of late, I think they are necessary....at least for me. The beginning of the year gives me a good reason to reflect and to adjust my course....to tweak what I am doing to refine the direction of my life. My resolutions aren't wishful thinking but rather mindful thinking.
So....for 2012, I am resolved to:
Invite people over for dinner regularly and set a beautiful table.
Paint my guest bathroom.
Turn my eye-sore side yard into something beautiful (or at least begin).
Attend networking events to promote my business.
Be brave and introduce myself.
Be braver and say hello to someone I've met before--even if I think they won't remember me.
Do some form of exercise every day-even by walking through the neighborhood.
Play Tennis.
Cook from a recipe more often to get more ideas.
Purge my clutter.
Offer more grace to those closest to me.
Discover something new.
That is it in a nutshell......welcome 2012!!!! It's going to be a great year!!!