Blessings of the New Year to you all! I trust that 1997 is gone… can’t say that it was good or bad for any of you, but if we’re all still here, then that’s certainly something for which we should be thankful. =) I recognise that some of us may well be overflowing with thanksgiving over what God has done in your lives this year: a new job, a promotion, a revitalized spiritual relationship, a new romance, an academic achievement, stronger family relations, athletic success, spiritual victory… and some of you might be scratching through your lives like a chicken scratching for worms, trying to discover something from this past year that has been a blessing. I believe, that as long as we learned something in 1997, that we didn’t know in 1996, then it has certainly been worth living. And boy, have I learned a lot…
WHAT DAVE LEARNED IN 1997
I learned that Ph.D. professors sometimes have imaginary pogo sticks.
I learned that friends will go out of their way to help you out.
I learned that trust is much more easily given when it is first received.
I learned that some people are stubborn in their desire to be lost.
I learned that the whole world seems to care when certain people die,
and marginalize the death of others.
I learned that it’s really cool to have a Pentium.
I learned that the funerals of great people really aren’t sad events.
I learned that I do, in fact, have a breaking point.
I learned that God’s vision for me is bigger than my vision for myself.
I learned that tarantulas really do look big close up.
I learned that parents can sometimes have a hard time letting go.
I learned that stress is a great weight loss technique.
I learned that men and women really do look at life differently.
I learned that when you go home, nothing has changed.
I learned that exchange rates mean completely different things, depending
on which way you are going.
I learned that it’s a great feeling to have a work or academic achievement
recognized.
I learned that consistent spiritual growth requires consistent spiritual
effort.
I learned that the price of pineapples just goes up and up and up.
I learned that it really doesn’t take much to make a big difference
in someone’s life.
I learned that Andrews University café still has the best fruit
bar around (and they still serve
potato at every single meal).
I learned that Woodford Square is a good place to get the pulse of human
thought.
I learned that I should never ever ever direct an undisciplined children’s
choir with which I have no history or rapport.
I learned that I can survive having no electricity and no water.
I learned a little bit of Dominican patois (“Ca ka fete?”).
I learned the importance of being proactive, and starting with the
end in view.
I learned how crucial my friends are in my life.
I learned that I should wear my seat belt on the plane at all times.
I learned that my computer is ready for the year 2000.
I learned that tough decisions really are tough.
I learned that pagers don’t work too well in the Maracas Valley.
I learned that 8:00 a.m. New Year’s Day is an interesting time to have
wedding.
I learned that grade deadlines encourage grade corrections.
I learned that keyboardists come and go, but mostly go.
I learned that happiness depends on perspective, not circumstance.
I learned that amalgamating a city from 6 municipalities isn’t an easy
process. (“1 from 10 = 0” sound familiar)
I learned that God is the joy and the strength of my life, and my life
is in his hands.
I learned that I’ve stopped worrying when my maxi or taxi driver takes
chances.
I learned that people value what I have to say most when I’ve listened
longest.
I learned that you don’t have to be 60 to possess wisdom.
I learned that life isn’t about what you achieve, but about how you
live.
What did you learn last year?
Take notes =) I’ll be asking again this time next year.
My love to you all!