Friday, March 06, 2009

Dear MacBook, Thank you.


I’ve always had a good relationship with my Apple products. Let’s be honest, it’s probably love considering I have an Apple sticker on my jeep and my MacBook and iPhone are almost always resting on the pillow beside me when I fall asleep. I always appreciate how these products make my life a bit easier, but today was the first day that my MacBook actually inspired me to embrace the day a bit more than usual.

Yesterday I had to replace my MacBook battery because it kept unexpectedly dying at 50%. As my friend was helping me replace the old battery with the new one, he gave me this bit of advice:

“It actually works better and has a longer life if you let it get down to almost zero before recharging.”

Now, I guess this makes sense, but I quickly discovered that I have a hard time letting the percentage left in the battery get so close to zero. As soon as I saw that little number in the top of my screen go below 50 percent, I wanted to go grab the cord and start charging it back up again. And when it hit the red line of 20 percent, the temptation was even stronger. I had no reason to charge it, it was still working perfectly and there is an outlet at my disposal about every 10 feet. But I kept thinking, “What if I need that power later, I should get it back up to 100% now.”

Then I’d think of my friend’s advice: that what was best for the battery was to let it get to almost zero and that my computer is even smart enough to tell me when I need to charge it with a pop-up window. But I still had this urge to charge it pre-maturely until I pictured the dead battery now buried in my drawer and remembered something:

By trying to preserve charge for some unknown time I was actually making the battery lose its life faster.

And then it hit me. How often do I do this in my own life?

How often am I trying to save up something or hold on to something too much “just in case?” Or because it makes me more comfortable? And what am I missing out on or sucking the life out of prematurely with this approach?

I too often get so caught up in planning out tomorrow and deciding what I think I’ll need for then, that I forget to just enjoy today. It’s so easy to miss out on what’s right in front of me because I’m distracted by thoughts about what I might need if that happens. Instead, shouldn’t I just trust and be thankful for what I have in the moment?

And funny thing. Isn’t that how God designed life for us and what He reminds us of over and over again in Scriptures? He designed a natural rhythm for our lives. Twenty-four hour intervals to go about our daily activities and then rest.

And He’s told us not to worry about tomorrow because each day has enough troubles and worries of its own. And that His mercies are new each morning.

He doesn’t want us worrying or storing things up for the next day, He just wants us to enjoy what He’s placed before us and then asks us to trust Him for the rest. We don’t have to keep our eye on that percentage of fullness like I was doing with my battery. We have His promises that He will provide plenty for each day and the promise that He will always recharge & prepare us for the next day. Why do I always forget this?

You know what? I’m glad I had to get a new battery for my MacBook. Because now each time I see that battery number creep towards zero percent, I hope I’ll remember that I’ve been given the gift of today. And it is enough.


(Matt. 6:34; Lam. 3:22,23; Proverbs 3:5,6)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Check.

I think I owe PayPal a thank you note for their email that inspired me through this picture...



This December, Farrah and I now be able to check these two things off our lists:

1. See NYC at Christmas time including Rockefeller tree lit up.
2. See a Harry Connick Jr. Christmas concert together.

I broke out the Christmas music this afternoon to celebrate.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Christmas in NYC

This picture I received in my inbox today for some paypal promotion is really making me want to go to New York City in December...

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Today.



Both Stine and Allison have shared quotes from Cold Tangerines with me and said that I must read it.

I now understand why. I am loving this book. I find myself trying to savor every word like a piece of cheesecake from Carnegie Deli or like the last day of a great vacation. I don't want to get to the last page too quickly because I'm finding it so inspiring. (I have a feeling I'll just start re-reading favorite chapters and quotes like Stine and Al do now.)

One big thing I'm getting from this book is the reminder to cherish each day for the gift that it is like this quote suggests.

“Today, humble Today presents itself to us with all the ceremony and bling of a glittering diamond ring: Wear me, it says. Wear me out. Love me, dive into me, discover me, it pleads with us.”

In the spirit of embracing today, here is a list of things about today that I have enjoyed...

- fresh flowers on my new coffee table
- main street at dusk (and my view through french doors)
- katie herzig's album Apple Tree
- quiet sunday evenings
- pancakes and popsicles (yes, i've eaten both today)
- a new picture of Alix on my desktop
- wearing clothes that don't match around home and not having to care
- making lists using the new notebook and pencils i got for my birthday
- brave friendships
- feeling inspired

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Shack.

There has been a lot of talk around the book The Shack among people in Franklin the past couple of months, so I was really curious to read it and figure out why. I finally had a chance to read it this weekend, and now I know...

Read this book.

The story totally captured me and it made me think about God and relationships in an amazing way.

You can order it here.

If you read it, let me know what you think! (I don't want to give away the story by saying anything else until then.)

Sunday, December 30, 2007

My 2007 Soundtrack

Last year I looked back at 2006 by remembering the things that captured my heart. This year I thought I’d look back and see which songs captured the emotions and memories of 2007. Music has always played such an important role in my life. In many ways my love for music is why I ended up in Nashville five years ago, how I met some of my closest friends, how I got my first job out of college and more. So I looked at my iTunes play counts to see which songs I listened to the most and were my personal soundtrack for 2007. Life is better with these songs. I recommend listening to all of them…

Memories with Friends…
Just For Now - Imogen Heap
I'm All Right - Madeleine Peyroux
A Good Start - Maria Taylor
To Be With You - Mr. Big
You Get What You Give - New Radicals
Umbrella (feat. Jay-Z) – Rihanna
Til I Hear It from You - Gin Blossoms


Just ‘Cause…
The Limit To Your Love - Feist
Let Me In - Griffin House
Keep Breathing - Ingrid Michaelson
Paperweight - Joshua Radin And Schuyler Fisk
Breathe In Breathe Out - Mat Kearney
Come On Get Higher - Matt Nathanson
Save You - Matthew Perryman Jones
Where I Stood - Missy Higgins
Million Faces - Paolo Nutini
Heavenly Day - Patty Griffin
Fly - Patty Griffin
Natale's Song - Sia
Simple Life - The Weepies

Running at Pinkerton Park…
Far Away - Chantal Kreviazuk
Surrender - Downhere
Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal) - Fergie

Jesus Calling…
I Will Show You Love - Kendall Payne
Into The Day (It's Over Now) - Bebo Norman
I Will Lift My Eyes - Bebo Norman
Lead Of Love - Caedmon's Call
The Cure for Pain - Jon Foreman
Every Season - Nichole Nordeman
When It Don't Come Easy - Patty Griffin

Monday, December 10, 2007

Boards and a Fat Lip

Today I accomplished one of my goals for 2007. I broke two boards at once with both my fist and a sidekick. It was incredible. Here are the 8 broken pieces that remain. :-)





I also managed to get quite the fat lip today. When we kick the boards, the rest of us hold them. On Nick's first attempt, somehow the boards (unbroken) flew out of Jim's hand when Nick kicked them and hit me directly in the mouth. It didn't really hurt, and now I have a funny battle wound from the morning too...







Just another day at Bao...