Amateurism may change for good.

It has too. New legislation in the Ohio state senate will allow colleges to help parents get to the football games. That's a good thing. This is what I'm talking about. This is the type of benefit ncaa football players should get.

Retirement, Healthcare & Knees

In 100 years, I'll be dead. I'm pretty sure of that. It's not a premonition. Just facts, right??!!! Imagine I retired in 31 years. That would make me 71 which is when my social security letter says I can retire with full benefits. Well, I'm pretty healthy now. I had a hernia repaired in 1977 and an ACL reconstructed in 1993. No broken bones, no cancer, no birth defects. Things are looking good... If I had to have retirement money saved for 69 years AFTER retirement, I should've started saving 10 years BEFORE birth!!!
I have no children and I'm not married. Now this could be tricky. When I get to retirement, what if I don't have the money to live with comfort for say, 30 more years? I have no kids to help out. I have no husband to pool my money with to have a sustainable livelihood.
Here's the other big thing, HEALTH INSURANCE!! My knee will not last forever. I will likely have the ACL surgery redone because of awesome advances in technology. But the who and how of payment is something I have suddenly began to think about.
Then I really began to think about something. I have to be as healthy as possible. I have lots of information about ACLs, knees, ACL injuries and other tangents. I also did research years ago (when I had my injury) about how to further prevent injury to my other knee and strengthen both knees.
I used to eat way too much sugar. I don't anymore. I used to drink sodas. I backed way off that. I don't live a life of luxury. I drive a 1998 Honda. I live in a 1 bedroom. I try and keep it classy cause I like to organic food and that can be pricey.
Ultimately I can make improvements and do lots of good things. Along with that, I know that anything I do pales in comparison to what God can do. God fills in the gap for my retirement, healthcare and knee. He also expects me to exercise responsibility, do good, sacrifice and be obedient. That in itself takes a lifetime whether you live to be 140 or not!

The power of an apology.

I teach 4 & 5 year olds on Sunday morning. They are so interesting. Talking about random things in the middle of our discussion about Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish is very common. Subjects range from cats to ninjas to new shoes to things their moms and dads said.
In Matthew 18:2-4, Jesus said "unless you are converted and becom as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven". I've had a vague unsure understanding of this most of my adult life. I got more clarity last Sunday.
I had mentioned the Sunday before to the children that Jesus met a woman at the empty tomb based on a picture the kids were coloring. That was wrong. I realized that and knew I needed to correct that ASAP!
On the next Sunday, before we really got started I said, "Hey guys I need to ask you to forgive me. (Everyone was at attention) Last week I said that Jesus spoke to a woman at the empty tomb but that was wrong. The women saw and spoke with two angels at the tomb. It's very important to talk about the Bible in a truthful way. Never change things in the Bible even if it seems like a little thing." The look on their faces was amazing. The look was like "why are you apologizing, you don't need to." Their response was what got me. One kid hugged me. Another kid said, "It's okay."
Later I thought, "That's what Jesus is talking about!"
Don't get me wrong, I'm not there yet but I'm getting it.
Be humble. Don't hold grudges. When someone apologizes, be empathetic. Hug them afterwards. Let them know it's okay.

WHAT???

So I was listening to an episode of Freakonomics Radio the other day. Specifically, I was listening to this episode, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/freakonomicsradio/~5/S48ryjB8EUA/freakonomics_podcast040314.mp3 How to Make People Quit Smoking. I'm listening long, minding my business. Suddenly they begun to discuss how 5 of the big tobacco companies sued the FDA over graphics warning labels on cigarette packages. The tobacco companies claimed their something amendment rights were being violated. Apparantky the FDA was compelling the tobacco companies to put these graphic warning labels on the packs if cigar. Why do I hear Fog Horn Leg Horn saying, "Now the smoking a cigarette is only minorly disruptive to the American people's way of life." I actually thought, "WHAT?" Turns out the courts sided with the tobacco companies. As of December 2013, the opinion was upheld. Pardon me; but, this seems a little oxymoronic.

I love the light.

Daylight savings time came upon us w/ not a minute to spare. That is, I was ready! The first two weeks are tough though. I was struggling. I did NOT want to get up. It felt too early.
I got my bearings now. I am getting up and rolling. I know we spring forward only an hour but boy does it feel like 90 minutes. I look outside and have to remember that, yes I really do have more time...
to run
to go to the laundry and throw some clothes in
to head to Trader Joe's and get back before dark
The other thing that catches me off guard is the length of time it takes to get dark when the sun begins to go down.
During the winter, it's like a race. When the sun begins to go down, it's as if it is racing to the horizon. It's so quick. But when the spring equinox begins, the sun begins to lazily fall behind the horizon. She saunters to her slumber. It makes watching sunsets to glorious.
I will relish this time. June 21st will come inevitably and we will begin this dance all over again.