Today started out with an engine overheat light in my van. The same van that is starting to rust out in several conspicuous places, like some sort of lacy slip showing and whose passenger side mirror is being held on by duct tape, the silver kind that is quite obviously the choice of wrecks everywhere. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and put upon by this unexpected and likely large repair bill coming my way, especially when I will be heading to Milwaukee starting on June 2nd to take classes and then later in the week to shop at the Bead & Button show. I need my wheels to get me where I need to go and I don't want to be stranded in downtown Milwaukee like that one year (remember that fun Heather and Rosanne?).
While waiting to drop off my car with my trusted mechanic Dave, I spied a poster on his wall from the organization GiveMore.com. It was called the Declaration of Contribution. Apparently this is exactly the message that I needed to read at this particular moment.
DECLARATION OF CONTRIBUTION
I WILL
MAKE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN
FOR OTHER PEOPLE
FOR THOSE HERE NOW AND
THOSE WHO COME AFTER US
WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH AND I FALL
SHORT I WILL REMIND MYSELF I CAN
ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING
WITH TIME, EFFORT, PATIENCE, AND RESILIENCE...ANYTHING
WHEN MY SITUATION IS NOT THE BEST I WILL
DO THE BEST WITH WHAT I HAVE
I WILL BE RESOURCEFUL AND RESPONSIBLE
I WILL GET OVER MYSELF AND
EXPECT MORE OF MYSELF
I WILL BE OBLIGATED TO THIS WORLD
AND THE PEOPLE IN IT
I WILL GIVE MORE. I WILL ENJOY MORE.
That is exactly the message that my soul needed today. A true Random Act of Wisdom.
They sell a poster of this, and I think that I am going to buy it.
What Random Acts of Wisdom are you finding today that come when you least expect it but need it most?
16 comments:
i am so sorry to hear about the car... and this poster is wonderful... it's funny, but seth godin just posted about caring more... it moved me to the point of needing to stamp it into metal... thank you for sharing that erin - and i do hope that the car repair isn't too debilitating financially...
Oh Erin, what a great random source of wisdom this was. I hope the van repair is nothing more that a screwy lightbulb that just "felt" like lighting up... just for attention.
{Hugs!}
I love this Declaration of Contribution! How fun that you came across it today when you really needed it. I'm so sorry about your vehicle troubles. Just yesterday we found out we will have to pay nearl $3000 for repairs on my husband's SUV, and this on the heels of paying nearly $600 for repairs on my daughter's car. Ugh....
Thanks for sharing the link! I hope your day improves!!!!
We have a hunk-o-junk sitting in our driveway too, it gives creative messages and the occasional stall so there it sits for sometimes use as we know it wants all out money! I love the declaration, sounds simple enough, but we all need reminding I'm sure.
My husband is a Glee fan, this season I've caught some of the show with him. The other night I say some of a show on the bio channel about how the series started. The choreographer was musing about how he had this collection of small ladies, one big guy (Cory I think -prom king guy) and one in wheels. He was explaining that big guy couldn't sing or dance but showed up and tried genuinely every day with a monster effort. He was talking about how it came off as endearing. And you know I could see that. And I thought of myself, fumbling, figuring out things online and trying not to sound look like a complete amateur. Well I thought at least I can strive for endearing :)
Your van may just need a new thermostat. My engine light came on. I took it to Advanced Auto Parts and asked them to to read the code (it is a free service, they connect a small box and get a code reading). The code said the engine air intake was too high (hot). It just needed a new thermostat as the other was giving an incorrect reading. Not an expensive repair at all, especially if you know someone that is handy around a car! I am hoping that it is a simple issue. I hate it when the engine light comes on!
Great poster too!
As someone who was the Queen of Car Troubles for a couple years, you have my complete sympathy!
I'm glad that you found some inspiration in that poster, though. It takes a certain kind of person (an awesome one) to notice words like that and to be touched by them in spite of car stress!
One thing I've been repeating to myself whenever I try something new is a great quote that goes something like... in order to be the best, we have to be willing to start out as the worst. It helps me with those perfectionist tendencies. :)
Sorry to hear about the car. Hope it's be something fast and easy to fix -- and nothing too pricey.
It's funny how you can sometimes stumble upon qoutes just when you need to hear them. Some days or maybe weeks ago I was feeling low and just generally feeling crappy about what my life is like while browsing Pinterest. There I suddenly found a pic saying "It's just a bad day. Not a bad life." and while it might not sound like the most philosophical or poetic saying, it was just what I needed to hear that day. Life is long (hopefully) and the bad things, while they seem so overwhelming at the moment, are just one, hopefully small, portion of life. And just because it's bad now, doesn't mean it'll always be bad. Tomorrow IS another day -- and if it doesn't change tomorrow there's the day after, next week, next month, next year. Bad things aren't forever. But of cause that's not how it feels in those miserable moments and that's exactly when you need to hear those words from someone else.
Oh those vehicles are pesky things when it comes to maintenance. None of us wants to spend the money but a lack and a lass sometimes you just have to do it. That poster is wonderful. How do those famous lyrics go? I may not get what I want but I get what I need :-)
Well, this post is a random act of wisdom, for one.
I don't know what my deal is this week. I've spent the last two days feeling stuck, which then made me feel cranky and frustrated (and unable to sleep). As I lay down last night, I realized it's up to me to change my attitude. If I feel frustrated, I'll be frustrated. So, I'm trying to stay positive today, even when I'm making no progress on projects that pay the bills!
I feel your pain AND I raise you by a suspicious smell that began in my garage last week, got stronger every day until it was permeating inside the house as well and culminated with me backing down the driveway yesterday realizing that GASOLINE was pouring out of my car's underside and splashing all over the driveway. Yes, my car is leaking gas and is currently at the shop while I'm waiting to find out whether it's a simple seal or line replacement...or whether there's a hole or crack in the actual tank that will require replacing the tank. The car is 10 years old and over 100,000 miles on it. Needless to say...I am perusing Car Max and various other car sites through a veil of tears and sniffles because I see a car payment in my future. Ugh.
i was doing my quiet time the other day. i'm in mark right now. and came across the story of jesus walking toward the apostles on the water during a storm. he did this more than once. and the apostles are afraid, because they think he's a ghost. and jesus says, "it's all right. it's just me. don't be afraid." and i thought, "wow." how worked up i get about things that scare me, that worry me, that frustrate me, that make me angry and make me feel like i'm out of control! but jesus says, "it's all right. it's just me, perfecting you. don't be afraid."
i'm praying for your car and your trip. blessings on you, sister.
Erin,
I am so sorry for your car trouble. It is always one of the most frustrating things. I can empathize, the only thing I need more than my car is my phone and I shattered the glass on mine yesterday... :-)
I adore the declaration of contribution... Super amazing. Thank you for sharing it!
Good luck with your repairs... hope they are minimal.
Hope to meet you at Bead and Button!
Kris :-)
Wow, goodluck to your club. More power to your blog, too!
Thanks for the inspiring poster. I was feeling sorry for myself and the poster was a nice wake-up call to get over myself.
Hi Erin! I had a few minutes to go hopping, and I'm so glad I came to see you. LOVE this poster, it does really say it all, doesn't it. We all need to be reminded of this, when feeling ;(. Good luck with the van, throw some tape on it and go play, you deserve it! xoxo Riki
Erin, I love the Declaration; there are so many ways to be in love with the world..including baseball games and cocktail parties. Give a damn make meatballs.. I totally get it. Joan Tucker
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