Something to look forward to

For some reason this happens to me during football season the most. I become very aware of a need to have something to look forward to. With football (college and NFL), almost every week there are entertaining games to watch. Then there was the midterm elections with all the results coming in and being counted yesterday. Baseball is over (who cares, right?) but I had a hot take last week that baseball isn’t America’s pastime anyway.

In the big picture, I think it’s healthy to have something to look forward to. It’s part of human nature (I hope the Michael Jackson song is stuck in your head now 🙂 ). But at the same time, I don’t always want to be chasing that high. Sure, it’s good and fun to have great things going on in our lives, but there will absolutely be days that nothing is going on and not much is on the horizon. Yes, I’m talking about you winter. As I’ve gotten older, and more crabby (am I really turning into the “get off my lawn!” guy??), winter has fallen down on my list of favorite seasons. In Nashville, I loved the snow. But there wasn’t much else I loved about the cold, winter months. When I worked at CMT, I’d leave home in the dark and get back home after work in the dark. Those were dark days, pun intended.

I try to remind myself that there’s a bigger picture. It’s OK to NOT have something in the near future to look forward to. But also not to forget that it’s great to find things to be happy about, and even create things to look forward to. Of course, life isn’t just about being happy all the time because, first of all, that’s impossible and if we were to expect that, we’d be setting ourselves up for extreme lows. But do find joy in the small things. That’s something I’m going to try doing this week, especially as winter approaches where it’ll be dark by 6pm.

Plus, Alabama has lost not once, but TWICE, this season and if that doesn’t make you happy, nothing will. 😉

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

The Purge Has Begun – Getting a New Phone Soon?

I’ve dropped my phone too many times, and the last one finally chipped part of the glass clear off the phone! I can deal with a few cracks or scratches, but now that the glass is starting to chip, I’ve got to face the facts. It’s time for a new phone.

Should I go ahead and get one now?

Should I wait for possible Thanksgiving black Friday deals?

We’re so close to the holidays, I’ve got to believe there will be a special deal or two I can take advantage of. So I’ll wait. But… if this phone drops even ONE more time, it might be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Because of that, I’ve finally saved and deleted all the photos and videos from my phone. Next up is making a list of apps I need to download on whatever new phone I get. Oh, should I get the new Galaxy Z Flip4? I’m generally against the idea of a full screen that flips. There’s just no way that type of screen can last. Not to mention it’s well over $1,000. That goes for the iPhone, too. Sure, everybody has one, but I am stubbornly saying no. The phone I have now is a Motorola and it’s been good. I don’t particularly like the Motorola offerings today. I’m mostly leaning towards Samsung or the Google Pixel phone.

Do you love your phone? What are the pros and cons and would you recommend it to your friends? Until I get a new one, I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite photos from all the pictures I saved.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Ten Hot Takes of the Week – November 7

Welcome to the second edition of “Ten hot takes of the week.” If you missed the first set of hot takes, check them out here. Moving on to this week, which includes an election on Tuesday, some of the hot takes below are political. If you have a few to add, share them in the comments. Enjoy!

Tom Brady is not the GOAT.

Alabama Crimson Tide football has peaked.

Donald Trump will not be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024.

Church songs are mostly written for women.

If there was a “White History Month,” people would riot.

The father should be included on the decision about the fetus.

Corvettes are only cool to men over the age of 60.

Oprah Winfrey is irrelevant.

Stranger Things will turn out like Lost. Cool show, but way more questions than answers.

Eagles are bullies.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Prayers and wishes

During one of last week’s football games the commentator was telling the story of one of the players who had a hardship. After explaining the story he said something along the lines of, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you,” except he said… “prayers and wishes.” I get it that people are tired of hearing “thoughts and prayers” because it’s a phrase that’s way overused in society today, especially when people need prayers and thoughts, but also “money and work and help and encouragement.” So the announcer guy might have just been trying a new phrase that wouldn’t be dismissed by those hearing it. My immediate thought, though, was that he’s equating a prayer with a wish.

That ticks me right off! Not because someone else thinks of prayers as wishes, but because I wonder how many of my prayers, if you were to read them off a piece of paper, would look a lot like a Christmas wishlist.

God, forgive me for coming to you with a list of “wants.” Help me to remember you’re constantly involved in my life and YOUR wish is that I live as a new creation. When I pray, help me to listen as much as I talk. Remind me of your love, faithfulness, and protection as I acknowledge my lowly status, my ineptitude, and my need for forgiveness and fortress. You are not the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Who you are is one that answers prayers from believing hearts, even if it’s not what I’d wish for.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

The Etsy Christmas Commercial – The Music and More!

I’m just a human. Why is it that these Christmas commercials almost make me shed a tear every time I see them! Usually it’s Publix with the tearjerkers but Etsy has a new commercial that will warm your heart. They call it a “holiday commercial” but we all know it’s Christmas. Take a look…

The song in the ad is “Baby Where You Are” by Ted Lucas, which just the title alone reminds me of Christmas songs like, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and Jon McLaughlin’s “Hallelujah This Christmas.”

Even though it’s barely November, I guess it’s time we all admit the Christmas season is upon us and I’m not upset about it. I love Christmas, and Christmas music! In fact, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a new loved one in your life, check out my two children’s books, “Big and Small, God Made Them All,” and “The Brave Bamboo.” If you decide to get one, I hope it’s a big hit!

Big and Small, God Made Them All (paperback)

The Brave Bamboo (hard cover)

Thanks for dropping in!

-Out of the Wilderness