Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.







Let's be more aware of all the choices, situations, twists and turns that brought us to this place right here and now. They May Be Miracles.



Friday, April 16, 2010

Do be do be dobedobedo...


Have you ever been somewhere...in a store...walking along...mowing your grass...in a stadium...wherever,
and you see someone (or a group of people) looking up?  And then...you feel like you have to look up to see what they are looking at.  And then, you notice that everyone walking by is looking up to see what everyone is looking at.  Has that ever happened to you?  Do you have the urge to look up right now just because you see a picture of me looking up??  You know, my little guy when he was about 12 months old for a few months in there at least, was famous for looking up and pointing up at things ALL THE TIME!!  He figured out that people would always look up and ask him what he was looking at and it became a game for him!  We found it quite humorous because anytime we were in a restaurant or just out and about and a stranger would come over to say "hi" to him (he's quite sociable and draws people in) he would point and look up and make them look up too!!

How about....




Oh...does that make you tired or what???  Don't you just feel like yaaaaaaaaaaaaaawning????  Who can't help but yawn when you see someone else yawn?  It's sooooo  CONTAGIOUS!!!!

You know, the other thing that never fails for me?  It's when someone smiles at me!  I HAVE to smile back!!  Here's a smile for you:



Now, if all of these "non-verbals" are so contagious and we can't help but subconciously follow the example of the people who started it...let's consider the things we are leading people into...the things we do and and the way we live...the things that our children and friends either admire about us - or seem to copy whether they are good or bad.  I learned a long time ago (as I'm sure you did too) that the, "Do as I say and not as I do" theory is a big farce!  No one cares about what you say when they can compare it to what you do!!  In bloggy land most people only have the opportunity to learn about you from the things you write, or "say" -- but in real life -- it's much different!  What are your children, grandchildren, other family, friends, or acquaintances learning from you?

Just a friendly reminder that people are watching.  Ignore this if you are notoriously paranoid (take your meds and repeat after me, "No one is watching...no one is watching...no one is watching..."). 

If I ever needed proof of this all I'd have to do is listen to my oldest daughter talk to her younger siblings!  Holy Moses!!  I always feel like I'm listening to a tape recording when she shows them how to do something, or when she "reprimends" them for doing something wrong!  Have you ever watched your kid or grandkids when they were playing "house" and listened to they way they "played" mom or dad?  Yikes!!! 

You know Ghandi's famous quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  All it means is that you need to be and do the things that you want to see others being and doing!! 

My good friend, Kris, is someone I really admire because she's so generous (I know lots of generous people, but I'm going to name Kris b/c she tends to be extremely generous)!   At times when she's caught up with bills and financially in a good place she can't help but give wonderful gifts to people around her...friends and family.  When things are a little tight she gives her time and presence to people.  She just loves to give.  She loves to love.  I see her example in all her generous ways.  NEVER ONCE has she ever said to anyone that this was the proper way to live.  NEVER ONCE has she tried to convince others that they should do the same thing.  I think many people want to be like her because they appreciate all that she does and is!!   When people are so generous with me I always hope that I can "pay it forward" to someone else.  I know how good it feels to receive - I want to be able to do the same for others!!

Have a fabulous weekend and put a big smile on your face.  If you can't think of anything to smile about...go out somewhere and LOOK UP... watch as everyone else looks to see what's so interesting, then SMILE and walk away!!!

14 comments:

JustBe said...

Dustine,

I appreciate the kind words...I needed to read them today especially. I love you, dear friend!

Kris

Brenda Susan said...

Great post Dustine! And yes, you made me yawn (Not by your writing though!) but I didn't look up. Ha!
Totally agree with your message that we teach more by what we do than what we say, could go negative or positive huh?
I'm enjoying your blog very much!

Goodnight moon said...

It's so true!!!!!

I love to people watch! Everyone is always so interesting to me.

I found you through SITS...I have a FREE giveaway on my blog. Come by and check it out. Your gonna LOVE it!

I'm a new follower too!

DUSTINE said...

Kris,
You know you are so much more than that little example. As you struggle through today just know how big of a blessing you were to Staci...just being the generous person you are. You always seem to know exactly what a person needs without even asking. You did so much for Staci in those few weeks...and even more for Dan the many months following her death. God sent an angel when he brought you here to earth.
In the hardest times (like today) remember HER HUMOR...she was very funny!! Let her continue to make you smile.
Love you...Dustine

DUSTINE said...

Brenda Susan,
Thank you! Yes...it could go negative or positive...you're right! It's really amazing how we form our character based on the people we look up to and admire...I think even as adults!!
Now, wonder what I needed to do to get someone to look up...lol!
Take care...Dustine

DUSTINE said...

Amber,
Thanks so much for the follow from SITS! I signed up earlier this week and I want to get more involved with it this coming week!! I'll stop over to your blog!
Thanks for your kind words!
Take care...Dustine

VKT said...

Dustine,

You are such a beautiful young woman, inside and out. There is an award for you on my blog if you want it.

Bob West said...

I enjoyed your blog. Very insightful
Here's one you might appreciate
God Bless, bob West
http://westbob.blogspot.com/2010/04/line-upon-line.html

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I am so a people watcher.....my hobby...and some days my humor..

Have a great weekend....

Kerri said...

Hehehe...I think next time I'm out I'm going to just stop and look up and see how many people do the same.

Love your blog!

DUSTINE said...

VKT,
Thanks for the award. I will check that out. Thank you also for your kind words! God bless...
Dustine

DUSTINE said...

Bob,
Thanks for stopping by. I had a short moment this afternoon and read a little bit of your blog...sounds like I need to go back to the beginning - I will do that soon. God Bless...Dustine

DUSTINE said...

Teresa,
Haha...it's great watching people, isn't it? It can be more fun than animals in a zoo (in a good way) - we're all such wonderous and unique creations!! God Bless...Dustine

DUSTINE said...

Kerri,
It really is a fun little experiment. As I said, my little one has gotten us many times with it...and many other people too!
Take care and God Bless! Dustine