Keeping track

Some things are just easier on paper. Over a year ago I found this journal in the freebie box at church, "God's Little Devotional Journal for Teens." There's a devotion and a column for writing on each page. The original owner had only written on 2 or 3 pages, and then moved on, and someone had dropped it off at church. I thought there might be something in the essays or quotes I could use, so I brought it home, where it sat for some time. Then one day I decided to record the names of people to whom I'd sent notes, because each page was dated (but no day of the week, so the year didn't matter). Although I use e-mail and blog, I still enjoy sending and receiving first class mail the old fashioned way. Along with the name of the person, I also noted why I'd sent the card or letter--illness, death in family*, birthday, new baby, baptism, etc. Today I looked through it, and found over 100 names--and since I didn't have it with me in the summer there may have been more. It is a nice way to recycle an old calendar or day book, and it's much easier than trying to enter it in a computer program. I sit at the kitchen table, go over the names in the church newsletter, or notes I've taken during the week of others I need to thank for something, or that I jotted down from names read during a church service, write out a few words on my little card, record it in the journal, and put them in the mail slot. It's probably not more than 30-45 minutes a week, if that, since I don't do it every week.

I'm so glad I thought to note why I was sending the card--I realize looking through the names that for many people this will be a difficult Christmas because of a death or loss--I've forgotten, but they certainly haven't. And I'd completely forgotten that Tom (our best man and my husband's friend since childhood) and Pat welcomed their first grandchild. Also, it's a reminder that some people are still "at home" or in a nursing facility, and perhaps I need to send another card. I have trouble moving information from my short term into my long term personal memory bank, and just like my computer hard drive, I get glitches and unexplained shut-downs. I also noted if I used my own cards--which I sometimes make just because it's fun, or if I sent a blog post to someone who doesn't use the internet. I used to make little notes on my calendar so I could remember, but this works much better. There's still enough room I can use it another year or two.

Also, looking through it today, I see there are many sayings and proverbs that are great. They have no attribution, so I hope they are in the public domain.

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.

Definition of status: Buying something you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't like.

The way to get to the top is to get off your bottom.

You can lead a boy to college, but you cannot make him think.

Don't ask God for what you think is good; ask Him for what He thinks is good for you.

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.

There are times when silence is golden; other times it is just plain yellow.

Then the little essays are worth reading too, even though some are directed toward teen-agers.

"According to nutritionist Pamela Smith one hundred laughs a day provide a cardiovascular workout equal to ten minutes of rowing or biking." [My note: I've never counted how many times I've laughed in a day, but this idea might be worth watching a funny movie rather than riding a bike.]

"Farmers have a saying that goes, "Once you're standing in the pigpen, it's a little too late to worry about soiling your Sunday clothes." And that sound piece of advice carries beyond the farm. The key to avoiding wrongdoing and compromise in life is to decide in advance to stay as far away from it as possible." [My note:] Good advice for future Madoffs and Blagojeviches, whose misdemeanors and crimes are all over the paper today.

After a paragraph or two about a job interview, the essay concluded: "There are a few things you should never discuss with coworkers: your love life, your medical history, and your salary." Good advice at any age!

After a Mark Twain anecdote about a lawn mower, this advice: Treat what you borrow as if it were a prized possession, returning it promptly. If something happens to it while it is in your possession, make repairs or replace it, not to your satisfaction, but to the satisfaction of the owner. Always remember, while the item is in your hands, it is not yours, It still belongs to the other person." [My note:] Rush Limbaugh likes to say, "Talent on loan from God," but that applies to everyone. Instead of thinking God has "gifted" you something think of it as a loan to be given back.

Notes at the end of copied manuscripts: "He who does not know how to write supposes it to be no labor; but though only three fingers write, the whole body labors." [My note: And so it is with blogging, but 9 fingers instead of 3 (I'm a touch typist--ca. 60 wpm. My left thumb has nothing to do; does yours?).

*You can google anything--advice on writing a condolence letter.