Retards Anonymous

My daughter and I were having a random conversation when “stupid people” emerged as a topic. Now, I’m not talking about regular people who just don’t know any better. No, this group consists of those who don’t know any better and really can’t figure out that they should. It’s because of this group that warning labels were created such as:

On a toaster oven: “Warning, inside coils will be very hot when oven is turned on.”

Duh, how can you not figure that out on your own?! It’s these kinds of people who tend to annoy us and yet amuse us at the same time. Comedians refer to these people all of the time and make a fortune off of them. And you know that the real reason it’s so funny is because somewhere there really is a person who thought or did that very thing.
Following our conversation we felt compelled to help this group somehow. So, in an effort to do just that, we decided that someone should organize a new therapy group: Retards Anonymous, a place where stupid people from all walks of life can go for help. But it doesn’t have to stop there, because Retards Anonymous can be expanded to help even those of us who are really smart but have, on occasion, done some really stupid things. I have to admit that even I could probably use some help in this area. You know what I’m talking about. You’ve been there too. You do something and then think, “Oh my God! How could I have just done/said that?!” And then of course you laugh with everyone else around you, because there really is nothing else you can do at this point, and chalk it up to a “blonde moment” or a “senior moment” (even though you’ve never been a blonde and you haven’t even hit 40 yet).
Nah, never mind. Life would just not be the same without stupid people and those embarrassing stupid moments we all have. Plus, just think of the number of comedians we’d put out of business.

Am I there yet?

The other day my son and I were driving somewhere (as usual) when he asked the question that so many parents hear from the rear of a car, "Are we there yet?" Upon hearing my response he then followed with, "Where are we? How much longer?" About the same time that he posed these questions, my thoughts were rambling about life and in that moment I asked myself those same questions:

• Am I there yet?
• Where am I?!
• How much longer?!

How is it that life is so short but seems to drag on endlessly at the same time? Lately I feel like I've been trapped in the same spot for too many years and I feel certain (or at least I'm hopeful) that I have not arrived at the destination that I'm traveling toward. It would be so much easier if I could know just as assuredly as my son did that afternoon that after we traveled through three more towns we would arrive. Not too much longer now...just hold on...we'll be there soon.

I know that my destination is somewhere. I'll just have to learn to exercise the patience I need and rely on a Saviour that has not forgotten where I am and holds the master map of my life in His hand.

Persistence?

Persistence, as defined by Webster, is to "go on resolutely in spite of difficulties." I am by nature a persistent person. Life is hard, and then it gets harder. But along the way there are wonderful gifts and joys that make it all worth while. Take for instance children. They are sweet and loving, and then they begin to grow up and they attempt to pull away from all of the love and instruction you are trying to give them. Raising children is hard, and it seems to get harder the older they become. However, despite all of the difficult times, you love them and they add great joy to your life - they are precious gifts. Professionals tell us everyday to be persistent in disciplining children. Why? They tell me that it will pay off in the end, and I believe them. Persistence is a good thing. I am persistent in raising my children to become productive, respectful, intelligent adults.
I am also persistent on my job. I am a high school teacher. If it wasn't enough dealing with the hormones of my own teenage daughter, I also deal with everyone else's teenagers. At work I can see my persistence pay off more quickly than in other areas of my life. I get the job done, result: people over me are happy, parents are happy, kids make better grades and actually learn something. I like my job.
Sometimes persistence is not so good however. Take my ex-husband for example. We have been apart/divorcered for four years now. I filed for divorce because he is an addict; he has abused many substances in the past but he is "getting older now" so he sticks to beer and presrciption drugs. The day I left him I begged that he go into treatment, if he would agree I would stay. He refused, so I left. I had been persistent in my attempt to make our marriage work for too many years and there had been no improvements, in fact, conditions had steadily declined. My ex however is an even more persistent person than I am. He has persued me since that fateful day despite my refusal to give him any more chances. He is determined to get me back despite having done nothing to battle his addictions.
I think Webster should add some conditions to his definition of persistence. For instance: persist only after what is just; persist after those things that will advance your life and the lives of others; know when to let go. If my ex would persist after sobriety, he might actually get somewhere with me (and his children). Persistence is a good thing, but it must be kept in right perspective and it must be positive.