jakorte's blog

I keep a little rant file on my thumb drive. Most of the time something has sparked me, and most of the time it’s in a fairly negative way. Going back to my rant journal usually ends up in a GOD –smacking experience. For example, on August 19th I wrote:

“So, I wasted three days and a lot of energy on what turned out to be a misplaced decimal point. Actually, there were two of us involved in this fiasco. Besides three days it took two muddled brains, phone calls to four different departments, and over a dozen attempts to repair the data per the error message. The error message wasn’t all that clear to begin with. Perhaps if it had been, we’d have solved our dilemma more quickly. Or perhaps not.

But, isn't that a lot like our lives sometimes, hours and hours devoted to worry? Does GOD really want us to worry that much about every thing?”

The hours I spent worrying about the implications of the mistake, were indeed, a waste of time. Once the error was identified, once the problem was solved, there were no implications, no repercussions. All that was left was the memory of how I had squandered breezy evenings and dewy sunrises, brows furrowed in “what-ifs.”

Last weekend, I found myself in a conversation with an extended family member who I also consider a friend. We were discussing the fact that I wouldn’t be getting a real raise this year, just a small lump sum taxed at a ridiculous rate. It wouldn’t have seemed so bad, except that it is the second time it has happened to me in this particular position. So, I’m two years behind in raises, in terms of money upon money. I’m two years behind in the savings plan, in terms of money upon money. I’m also facing higher electric, natural gas, gasoline, and water bills. My budget is teetering at the breaking point. But I blithely insist that I do try not to think or worry too much about all that. I recite by rote my earliest memory of surrender expression courtesy of Doris Day: “Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be; the future’s not ours to see.”

That’s when my friend took me over to her refrigerator and pointed to a very small, almost fortune cookie sized slip of faded, yellow paper. “This has been on my fridge for so many years, I’ve lost count. I’ve moved it from my old home to new my home.” What did this cherished slip of weathered wisdom say?

“Worrying is carrying a burden that GOD never intended us to bear.”

In this issue: Stop Worrying, Marcus Aurelius, Doris Day, and Caramelized Onion and Blueberry Salsa Pie recipe.

Now posted: The Pie Experiment, Faith, Current