With airport security lines, rising fuel costs, and increasing travel inconveniences, it takes real determination to enjoy the journey.
Many travelers are frustrated and angry by the circumstances and restrictions of travel today because they forgot to bring the most essential carry-on: a smile!
Travel is only enjoyable when we purpose in our heart to enjoy whatever happens.
Beyond the oversimplified hooey of positive thinking, there is an attitude that reflects a genuine gratitude just to be alive. And then to have the opportunity or the health or the finances to move around at all should be a great source of thanksgiving for anyone.
Travel is great because we get to do it. That should be enough.
No matter how often or how far we travel, there is nothing more important to take along than the smile which reflects an attitude that appreciates life, people, God's creation, and the freedom to be on the move.
Let's try smiling as we travel. People will be as happy to see us stay as they are when we go. We might even amuse ourselves in the process! Simply, smile!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Presidential Dealings
I have been in a place or two where it just seemed like we would never arrive at our destination. After waiting and waiting, it felt like we were doomed by another delay.
And then I remembered, ice cream.
Interestingly, I heard on the radio last week that July is national ice cream month as declared by a famous happy camper, Ronald Reagan. After all, who better than a smiling aging president to declare that it is time to have ice cream!
Actually, I was quite impressed with the thought that ice cream should actually be declared permissible and even preferable. This declaration by a man who seemed like a really nice grandpa. I have no idea about most of his politics or any of his accomplishments or absence of them. I know he was an actor at some point in time, but I think the 'ice cream' declaration proved that he was no poser.
Delays can bring out the worst in us, so I have come to believe that President Reagan had learned something really important. When life brings another delay and you can't fix everything, you may as well enjoy a little ice cream on the journey. It might make you fat, but at least you will be happy when you arrive!
Mark
And then I remembered, ice cream.
Interestingly, I heard on the radio last week that July is national ice cream month as declared by a famous happy camper, Ronald Reagan. After all, who better than a smiling aging president to declare that it is time to have ice cream!
Actually, I was quite impressed with the thought that ice cream should actually be declared permissible and even preferable. This declaration by a man who seemed like a really nice grandpa. I have no idea about most of his politics or any of his accomplishments or absence of them. I know he was an actor at some point in time, but I think the 'ice cream' declaration proved that he was no poser.
Delays can bring out the worst in us, so I have come to believe that President Reagan had learned something really important. When life brings another delay and you can't fix everything, you may as well enjoy a little ice cream on the journey. It might make you fat, but at least you will be happy when you arrive!
Mark
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Party with the Girls
I just got home from Florida, and the memory of my first tea party is fresh on my mind.
We were up late on Monday, but when I finally woke up on Tuesday I saw the note under my door.
It was an invitation. "Dear Mark, PLEASE come to my tee party" (as spelled).
And then there was a map showing "my room" and "your room". Not bad for a seven year old.
Well Libby and her four year old sister Anna and I had quite a "tee party". It was actually my very first tea party, since I had raised only sons, and had never learned the fine art of pretending to drink tea and eat plastic donuts for breakfast.
Anyway, I had a blast.
And as always, the surprise element of travel yields some noteworthy stories, but the reminder that we must become like little children to enter God's kingdom is on my mind this morning. I guess I have just become a hard "tee partier" in my old age.
Mark
We were up late on Monday, but when I finally woke up on Tuesday I saw the note under my door.
It was an invitation. "Dear Mark, PLEASE come to my tee party" (as spelled).
And then there was a map showing "my room" and "your room". Not bad for a seven year old.
Well Libby and her four year old sister Anna and I had quite a "tee party". It was actually my very first tea party, since I had raised only sons, and had never learned the fine art of pretending to drink tea and eat plastic donuts for breakfast.
Anyway, I had a blast.
And as always, the surprise element of travel yields some noteworthy stories, but the reminder that we must become like little children to enter God's kingdom is on my mind this morning. I guess I have just become a hard "tee partier" in my old age.
Mark
Monday, July 14, 2008
Favor
Savvy will sometimes get us there faster, but there is no substitute for favor.
When I arrived at the airport check-in an hour early on Friday morning, I never thought I would be too late to get an assigned seat. But, the check-in team told me to wait until I got to the gate.
As I arrived at the departure gate, an agent handed me a boarding pass. Then suddenly my savvy instinct kicked in and I asked for an exit row seat, with extra leg room please. Did I mention that I never looked at my boarding pass?
The agent kindly said, "you are seated in first class sir. Why would you want an exit row seat?"
OK, I get it. Favor is better than savvy, even for us slow savvy people. I am praying for favor again, and may the trip home from Tampa be as sweet as the trip down!
When I arrived at the airport check-in an hour early on Friday morning, I never thought I would be too late to get an assigned seat. But, the check-in team told me to wait until I got to the gate.
As I arrived at the departure gate, an agent handed me a boarding pass. Then suddenly my savvy instinct kicked in and I asked for an exit row seat, with extra leg room please. Did I mention that I never looked at my boarding pass?
The agent kindly said, "you are seated in first class sir. Why would you want an exit row seat?"
OK, I get it. Favor is better than savvy, even for us slow savvy people. I am praying for favor again, and may the trip home from Tampa be as sweet as the trip down!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Homing Dog is All Wet
Most of us know of pigeons that return home. Some are used to carry messages. I happen to have a "homing dog" that carries messages.
The dog is a Poinsetter (not a Christmas dog, but his daddy was a pointer and his momma was a setter). Tux is a bird dog and he chases birds until its rains.
Last night, he broke out of our fenced yard and took off after birds. This has happened way too often, but we had a little help getting him home after a few hours... it started raining. And Tux came home (black dog with white chest).
Anyway, the dog reminded me of all the people that need to come home. Some are irresponsible parents, some are selfish children, some are just wandering without any sense of purpose, and some just need to check in before they launch out once again. (I know about this stuff because I have traveled down that road a few times).
Maybe God sent the weather. I guess even a dumb dog knows when to get out of the rain and come home.
Mark
The dog is a Poinsetter (not a Christmas dog, but his daddy was a pointer and his momma was a setter). Tux is a bird dog and he chases birds until its rains.
Last night, he broke out of our fenced yard and took off after birds. This has happened way too often, but we had a little help getting him home after a few hours... it started raining. And Tux came home (black dog with white chest).
Anyway, the dog reminded me of all the people that need to come home. Some are irresponsible parents, some are selfish children, some are just wandering without any sense of purpose, and some just need to check in before they launch out once again. (I know about this stuff because I have traveled down that road a few times).
Maybe God sent the weather. I guess even a dumb dog knows when to get out of the rain and come home.
Mark
Monday, July 7, 2008
Stuck
An elephant is often smart enough not to get stuck in a tight space, but not everyone shares this good fortune.
On the 4th of July, we were traveling to a family gathering when we saw a semi-truck wedged under a gas station canopy. It was a funny sight. (Probably funnier for us than him).
We are often like the elephant when we travel: we try to remember everything, but not everything will fit.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is that we have to carry all this extra weight or stuff around... through the airports, through security, under canopies etc, etc.
I have come to the conclusion after years of traveling that it is usually better to travel a little lighter, even if we could have used some extra gear along the way.
One thing worse than being stuck without something is being stuck with too much of a thing (see the semi-truck). Maybe that is why a famous Hebrew (not Jenny Craig) said "let us lay aside the weight that does so easily beset us".
I concur.
Mark
On the 4th of July, we were traveling to a family gathering when we saw a semi-truck wedged under a gas station canopy. It was a funny sight. (Probably funnier for us than him).
We are often like the elephant when we travel: we try to remember everything, but not everything will fit.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is that we have to carry all this extra weight or stuff around... through the airports, through security, under canopies etc, etc.
I have come to the conclusion after years of traveling that it is usually better to travel a little lighter, even if we could have used some extra gear along the way.
One thing worse than being stuck without something is being stuck with too much of a thing (see the semi-truck). Maybe that is why a famous Hebrew (not Jenny Craig) said "let us lay aside the weight that does so easily beset us".
I concur.
Mark
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