Stress

I am writing a paper on stress management tonight...what a fun subject to write on, haha. Speaking from one who experiences stress regularly. Thought I would share some alarming statistics on stress!

-75% of the general population experiences at least "some stress" every two weeks.
-Half of those experience moderate or high levels of stress during the same two-week period.
-Millions of Americans suffer from unhealthy levels of stress at work.
-Worker's compensation claims for "mental stress" in California rose 200-700% in the 1980s.
-Stress contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and other illnesses in many individuals.
-Stress also affects the immune system, which protects us from many serious diseases.
-Tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications account for one fourth of all prescriptions written in the U.S. each year.
-Stress also contributes to the development of alcoholism, obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction, and other harmful behaviors.

These are not very uplifting facts...my advice, don't let them stress you out!

I Love This Feeling!

Does anyone else love the feeling of completion? When you finish a big task and feel a sense of relief. Last night I completed a 25 page paper. I do believe it is the longest paper I have written to date. I felt so excited last night to know not only that it was done, but that I was able to successfully do it and feel as if it was half decent. (Now we will wait and see what the professor thinks) Depending on how well I do on this final paper and one other short paper that I have not received a grade back on yet...it will determine if I get a high B or a low A. I am praying for the A, but would still be satisfied with the B. Anywho, I rewarded myself for finishing the paper by sleeping in until 7:45 this morning. Now I must actually get ready and go to work! Have an awesome day!

Site of the day...

UrbanDictionary.com I have been on this site previous times but revisited it today after one of my students said I word that I didn't know the definition of. I must say that this site cracks me up...I don't know how in the world some of these people come up with these words and their definitions but they probably could cause me to laugh for hours. Just a warning...some of the words are not appropriate on this site. But feel free to check it out if you want a laugh or really want to know what some of the words on the street our youth are using mean.

A Typical Blonde Moment...

Except I'm not blonde! So today I was taking Bertha...my beast of car. She's actually my 2nd car that is used just to haul kids and stuff around, she's a 92 Ford Explorer, or should I say Exploder! Or as my grandma says FORD...Fix Or Repair Daily. So, I was at the gas station filling her up at $2.99 a gallon and I forgot to put the gas cap on. I got to my destination about 4 miles away and got out of the car and released the little gas door was open and I obviously drove off with it on my bumper. I went back to look for it but no such luck. It was gone! I guess gas caps are a hot commodity to sell on e-bay! LOL! So, needless to say I had a blonde moment and $11 later I have a new gas cap.

As One Door Closes...

Another One Opens...

Today I was given some semi-sad news. I have been working on the side helping a good buddy of mine at his mortgage company. It was a per-diem type deal. He is a very good friend of mine, former roommate, and I got him into the mortgage industry back when I was doing it full time. Well...today he told me that he has ran an add to hire someone full time and won't need me help come a few weeks when he hires someone. It kind of made me sad. I mean I know my ministry role comes way before the one I had at the mortgage company, however I enjoyed the work (I sometimes miss the mortgage world) and the money was good. Now I must buckle down and restructure my finances and see what I will do.

But I remain faithful that God has a plan. I think this has something to do with me finishing my education. Recently I have began getting frustrated with myself and my online courses through CCU. I don't feel challenged and I slack off since I am not in the classroom. So I began pursuing in-class courses and have met with two Christian colleges here locally. I don't know financially how I will swing it but I will pray that God will direct me in what I am supposed to do.

On an even more positive side note...I have to earn my own support working at Youth for Christ. Basically I fundraise a portion of my salary and benefits from donors. Well, yesterday to my surprise I received my largest single check since I started working there almost a year ago. I wasn't even expecting this person to give but it came as a wonderful and encouraging gift. I am very thankful!

May God continue to bless you and may you remember as one door closes, another one opens.

How Can A Brother & Sister Be So Different???

For the most part me and my little sister (she's 17) get along pretty well. I love her beyonds what words can express. But sometimes I wonder how we can be so completely different? A friend of a friend manages a clothing store and is looking to hire a few teens. So, they asked if I knew any. Well I recommended one of my students from Campus Life and my sister. Well, I find out my student from Campus Life had an interview today so I call my sister to see if she had heard from the store. She said they left her a message yesterday but she never called back! WHAT IN THE WORLD? If you know me you know I am big into making a good impression on prospective employers. I began to tell my sister how this is the real world and for her not returning the call in a timely manner was rude. I asked her if she was going to call them back to day and she said probably. My question is why didn't she hang up with me and call that instant? I don't get this kid an how different she is then me! I had a job when I was 15 and she is going to be 18 in six months and needs get a job! She has a car now, maybe she should try and earn some money to support herself. Gosh I love the kid but her actions sure do frustrate me. Okay, I am done venting.

Your Opinion Matters

This was a post I wrote for my Organizational Behaviors course...

"People are usually more firmly convinced that their opinions are more precious than that they are true." George Santayana.

Humans are definitely an interesting breed. We all want to matter. I don't know of many people who would say I don't want to feel like I am needed, wanted, valued, or matter. We all are seeking validation to a certain degree.

We all have opinions and a variety of different topics. We often form our opinions based upon the influences around us. We might not always think for ourselves or research something but we will form our opinions based on how the people we trust feel on something. Personally I experienced this a few years ago. The city I live in had a huge push for "Measure Z" on the ballet. Measure Z was basically Measure Zoo. It was to increase the sales tax to improve the local zoo. There were these elephant cut out signs everywhere you looked and window clings on tons of cars. I didn't really research the props and cons of this measure but was told by my closest friends that I HAD to vote for this measure to protect the zoo for future generations. So, I didn't even form my own opinion, but just accepted the opinion of those I was close to. You see if anyone attacked my friends' opinion on Measure Z they would defend it like it was their first born child. They didn't care the results of increased sales tax whether that was a plus or a minus, they just cared that people understood how precious their opinion was.

Often in ministry we might not always have the best ideas or opinions. I work in youth ministry and I sometimes will have an opinion on something and I don't necessarily even care if I am right, but I just want someone to validate my opinion. I think all of our minds work like this. We don't want our opinions attacked, we just want to know that our opinions matter, that they are precious.

If Person A in and organization always put down Person B's opinions, made them feel like they didn't matter, or that their opinions were stupid it would hurt Person B. They would feel as if they were under personal attack. Eventually Person B would feel so worthless that they would no longer share their opinions or possibly eventually leave the organization for feeling a lack of worth. This could really effect the organization because Person B could have shared some great insight into things that will no longer be available. I think it is very important to work with the Person A types so that they see that it is okay to disagree with an opinion but sometimes it is more important to affirm how important it is for people like Person B to share their thoughts and to validate they are important...they are precious.

You Never Really Realize How Good You Have It...

So, this week I have began the wonderful season of allergies. Every March it happens and lasts until around June. Runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, soreness of throat. Many of you probably experience the same not-so-wonderful symptoms. So, like I always do around this time of the year, I go into the doctor and get a prescription from some meds. Pretty easy step to help relieve some of the allergy issues. Yet, I still question why in the world do I have to have allergies, it is such a pain, such a hassle, and I just wish I didn't have them.

Then it hit me, you big complaining baby. You are lucky that the only health things you have to worry about can be controlled by medicine and you can go on with your day to day life. You see I was given the opportunity to speak at a church youth group this week. Had a great time, met some really neat kids, and am good friends with the youth pastor and his wife. All around pretty cool time, except for the tear jerker. One of the youth came up and shared with the youth group and leaders that his 3 year old little brother, Hudson, was just diagnosed with cancer. That out of no where he had pain in his legs, then he couldn't walk, then in the middle of the night he woke up screaming because his head hurt so bad. Upon going to the hospital they found that this sweet, innocent little boy has cancer which has spread throughout his body and has destroyed many of his body parts. He went into a 3 hour surgery that ended up taking 10 hours at Childrens Hospital. And this is just the first surgery and soon he will beginning kimo and radiation. I could not imagine going through this at 23 years old, let alone 3 years old. I began to realize how I have nothing to complain about, compared to what this little boy is going through many of us have nothing to complain about. I don't have kids but if I did and this was my son, I don't know what I would do. So, if you are out there reading this, I ask you to join me in prayer for Hudson and let's keep in mind that our lives are not so bad when we think of what he is enduring.

God bless.
D~

If you're bored...

Check out http://www.knoxskorner.com/home.php?page=mm Hilarious clay videos!

New Born Baby

Today I got to hold a beautiful new born baby. Mazzy was only about 21 hours old when I held her in my arms. It was amazing to look down at this beautiful lil human and think wow, God created this! This little baby grew inside her mommy for nine months to come out as a little person. I was really in awe. Little Mazzy is beautiful and precious!

Friends (Part 2)

It doesn't matter how tore up we look we still love each other! Becky (BK) and Jen (mama j - j.Lo) are two of my dearest friends on this earth. We go back all the way to the days on 7th grade...Ahwahnee Warriors! It is insane to think we have been friends for over 10 years!!! A whole freakin decade! This two girls have stuck by my side through hard times and through good and I am so blessed to have them as friends! The memories are countless. We could probably sit around in our jam's, eating pancakes, and watching some TV for hours and just laugh at all the crazy, silly, fun times we have had! Like when Jen and Bec kidnapped me and took me to their church at night...wow was that an experience! LOL! This is a shoot out to two amazing women! I hope we grow old together! I love you both! (Oh and Jen this is in pink for you...since its your signature color!)

Friends (Part 1)

I am truly blessed to have such amazing friends! This week while I was in the bay area because of my grandpa's death I was able to visit Jason, Nina, and Scott at their pad up here. How funny is it that these three Fresno kids all end up in the bay area and are sharing a place together. Or according to Nina..."Her Place". I think back to all the memories I have and how many fun times there were. I hadn't seen Scott in almost a year and he is still as funny as ever. And Nina and I had flashbacks to driving the good ole Peoples Church van listening to Hanadey on the AM dial...Oh Nina, You're A Great American! And lets not forget debating with Jason why American Idol is a fun show to watch. I am really glad in the midst of all the stuff that was going on I was able to get some time with three super amazing friends!!! (Oh and this pic is from 2004 when we did a S.F. trip...wow we are old! And Jen and Bec...see Friends Part 2!)

Good Bye Grandpa...

When I got the call that Grandpa Don had passed away I was first shocked and somewhat in denial. The quickly changed to guilt. Guilt because I had told Grandpa I would come visit him ever since his last time in the hospital over a year ago and I never did. Guilt because Grandpa’s birthday was just some weeks before and I failed to call him. Now I would never get to tell him I loved him again or that I was sorry for not coming to visit or calling often enough.

On the drive to the bay area I began to think of how I would never see him again. That one day if I got married he wouldn’t be there or if and when I had a child they would not know their Great-Grandpa Don. I began to think of how I could remember him rather than thinking of all the future lost memories.

I will always have the pictures from when I was a little boy and Grandpa would come and visit. Like the one of me sitting behind the big steering wheel of Grandpa’s RV. Or me pushing my bubble lawn mower with my 49ers jersey on. Or riding my tricycle holding that 49er doll Grandpa got me. The doll that I still have, and I am almost certain if Grandpa heard me calling it a doll he would tell me it wasn’t. Boys don’t play with dolls, sorry Grandpa it was a doll. I will never forget the times when I would call Grandpa on the phone and tell him the grades I got on my report card. I was a pretty good student for the most part but Grandpa always pushed me for excellence. If I got a B he was asking why it wasn’t an A. I needed to get those good grades so I could go to Stanford and live near by him and Margie. I am a little sad that plan never happened. Or how Grandpa was always question how I was doing with the ladies. In more recent years memories would include times when I would come and visit for Dorette’s surprise party and Grandpa thought it was non-sense that they got her a male stripper. Or when Jen and I were leaving and going into San Francisco, Grandpa and Margie debated which route was the best way for us to get there.

Grandpa Don, I may have not been able to tell you one last time that I love you and I may have not been able to say good bye, but forever you will be in my heart.