Autumn

     In the spring, we bloom and are nurtured by our families.  In the summer, through heat and hurricanes, droughts and downpours, we continue to grow and are busy at work.  We produce the seeds of the next generation.
     In the autumn, we have matured.  Our years as a child and parent have completed a cycle.  The cooler, calmer days create the most colorful views.  We can share our perspective and wisdom gained through experiencing many seasons.  Before winter sets in, we have the opportunity to enjoy the glory of autumn.

Insults

     Some insults are intentional and made out of anger.  Other acts or remarks, not intended to be insulting, can be taken that way.  When we perceive someone's remarks as insulting, we are implying that they are wrong and that we are the victim of unfair judgment.  Our response can register from just feeling minor annoyance to the extreme of feeling abused and slandered.
     If you have ever unintentionally insulted someone, you may wonder why they got the wrong impression.  Perhaps your actions or choice of words were misunderstood.  Or perhaps the person feels defensive, trying to make you feel guilty, and expects an apology.
     No one wants to be misunderstood or feel unfairly criticized.  We should be able to take another person's remarks with the spirit in which they were intended.  We don't have to label them in our mind as insults but realize they may just be the other person's point of view.

Another Point of View

     First, understanding our own point of view is difficult.  We experience life through our own value systems and emotions and have confidence that our own opinions are correct.
     Second, understanding another point of view is very difficult.  We must really want to do this before we can be successful.  We have to temporarily set aside our own view and judgment to be able to see through the eyes or walk in the shoes of someone else.
     Finally, understanding another point of view doesn't mean we have to alter our own.  It can help us clarify our thinking and hopefully improve our ability to get along with others.  It can help us understand the bigger picture.  Seeing another point of view is part of grownup thinking.

Forgiving

     The Lord's Prayer says, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."  Christians believe that God can forgive everyone everything, so why is it so hard for us to follow His example and forgive others?  I'm not usually one to quote the Bible, but  common sense shows the benefits of forgiving and being forgiven.  I'm not talking about criminal behavior but about everyday happenings among ordinary people. Our emotions can get the upper hand, and we can get our feelings hurt.  We find it easier to judge the mistakes of other people than realize our own.  Our emotional state and our judgmental nature make forgiving difficult.  When we don't forgive, it hurts others and ourselves. We can't change the past, but we can try to forgive and forget, and move forward.

Weeds

     Weeds are part of nature just like flowers and vegetables, but we see them as unplanned, unwanted, unattractive, and bothersome.  They seem so persistent and reappear even with our best efforts of control.
     Other types of weeds pop up and distract us from the beauty of life.  We try to plan and be ready for what happens within ourselves and between ourselves and others, but much is beyond our control.  Weeds happen.  If only we could pull them out and discard them from our memory, we would get a better view of our beautiful garden.

Personal Economics

 1.  Get an education and training while you are young to qualify for employment.
 2.  Add experience and continue to update your skills.
 3.  Increase your flexibility to qualify for more than one kind of work.
 4.  Save and invest part of your salary.
 5.  Get health insurance and participate in a pension plan through your employer or independently.
 6.  Only have children when you can afford them.
 7.  Live simply and be frugal until you can afford more.
 8.  Realize that the cost of almost everything will increase.
 9.  Only go into debt when absolutely necessary.
10.  Be independent.  Don't expect someone else or the government to solve your economic problems.

Labor Day

     Labor is usually thought of as work done for monetary compensation.  We all appreciate people who work for a living so their families are supplied with basic needs.  Most people want to work, hopefully at something that is satisfying, but if not, at something that pays the bills and creates a feeling of accomplishment of earning your own way. No one wants to be unemployed, worrying about the bills stacking up.
     Another type of labor is not compensated with wages but is a labor for life.  Everyone has a mother who went through pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, and then cared for us during our early years.  Today many mothers go through both kinds of labor, one that creates a child and one that provides a paycheck.  Fathers also labor at work and at home.
     Thank you for all the work you do especially for the labors of love.  Here's hoping the unemployed will soon obtain work and have more to celebrate next Labor Day.