Spread the Love

Before you start reading, press this link to play music for thought for this blog!


Valentine's Day
It kind of has that mushy gushy sound to it, right?
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Yeah, that's what I thought.

Whether you're into Valentine's Day or not, it has one real meaning: love. I'm not thinking about the couple type of love, and definitely not the type of love in "Anchorman"- 'I love... lamp?'

No, what I'm talking about is a different love. It means being kind and truthful to all those around you. Being that person that, even when you disagree, doesn't criticize or condemn. Providing a smile to everyone. Being honest, but holding back negativity.

Now I will be the first to admit that I don't always do this. But I've been working on it. Instead of saying something hurtful, even if I'm kidding, I take a moment to think. LOVE. Spread the love to everyone.

When you greet someone, give them a compliment. Spread the love. As you walk, smile at those people that you go by. Spread the love. We can change the world by spreading the love.

If we loved everyone around us, by being kind and truthful, we could change the world. Imagine a world where you got a compliment and smile no matter where you were, what mood you were in, or what was going on that day. You would feel loved, right?

We can do that! All of us can manage to be kind and truthful, and work towards loving everyone around us. What a world of love! We can spread the love everyday.

Even when Valentine's Day is done, that doesn't mean that the love should stop. Love continuously, and we will change the world, one smile at a time.

Forget that mushy gushy stuff; we are going to spread the love and change the world!

Stationed by the ear of corn,
Erin

P.S. For one more song of inspiration, click here

MAIL CALL!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I really like getting mail
"the old fashioned way."
You know, via the United States Postal Service.

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When I was little, I would run into the Post Office with my dad, just hoping that there would be something in Box 330 with MY name on it. Highlights magazines came once a month, but my favorite time of the year was when my grandparents traveled to Arizona and would send me postcards from the road.

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, all the way to Mesa...I knew their route by heart! Pictures of cornfields, Dorothy and Toto, snow covered mountains, and cacti covered our fridge. I loved the feeling that I was on vacation right along with them, even though I was at home enjoying the cold, Minnesota winter.

Here at college, when the sign on the front desk of Bailey Hall reads, "The Mail is Here!" I race to my mailbox and peer inside. I anxiously await the arrival of my copy of the Martin County Star, a church newsletter, or the occasional note from my mom.

But the best days are the ones when letters from Myrna show up in Box 105! Myrna, a lady about my grandma's age who attends my church back home, was my FAVORITE lunch lady in elementary school. The day she retired, I wrote her an impassioned letter, telling her the food at MCW would never taste good without her cooking it. I was one angry 2nd Grader! She wrote me a letter right back, explaining that she was sorry she had stopped working at school but that she needed more time at home with her family. She kept sending me letters, too. They'd show up when I got my picture in the paper for playing a solo in the 5th Grade band concert, when I made the 7th Grade Straight A Honor Roll, and when I was elected Chapter FFA President.

I figured the letters would stop once I got to college, but they didn't. The letters got newsier -- telling me about all the happenings in Trimont and with Myrna. She always ends her letters with, "Well, that's enough boring stories from a 70-something."

I tell you what, friends, I never get bored reading stories written by someone who took the time to think of me.

You like getting mail?
Send some of your own.
Become pen-pals with someone you met at WLC or SLCCL.
Write your Grandma just to say "Howdy!"
It feels just as good to stick a letter in the mailbox as it does to take one out.

Stationed by the plow,
LIZ

Giving: An inconvenience?!

Listen to this catchy tune while you read my blog (click on the blue words!).

I had just finished a long day, one could say I was on the "struggle bus." I had been frustrated by homework, by friends, and all I wanted to do was give up. I did not want to give up any more of my time for homework, for FFA, for my fraternity, or for that matter any other project I had going on. All I wanted to do was relax, maybe watch a movie or just hang out with some friends. I wanted to do what was convenient for me.

This is a type of situation I am sure all of us have encountered at least once before. Recently, I have become frustrated with so many problems and stressed about getting everything done, that I have forgot about giving of myself. I had lost track of those simple principles we learn as we are growing up- to think of others before yourself, to not take anything for granted, to be patient, etc.

Convenience has become such an emphasis in our lives, from ipads to fast food restaurants. We tend to have less patience and do what is suitable for our lifestyle. That night I was so frustrated, I couldn't sleep, my mind was buzzing with thoughts! What was so bad that day that I am this upset? Why am I being so selfish? How can I fix this?

I realized that it may not be the EASIEST or MOST convenient thing, but I needed to GIVE more of myself. Even if I did not feel like I had anything left to give, even though I had piles of homework and many projects to complete, even if it meant sacrificing my precious time, I have to take time to help others, to finish an important project, to do well in school....
...to fulfill my potential to make this world a better place, I have to GIVE of myself.

How do each and of everyone of us stop from falling into the convenience of selfishness?
What are you going to do today to GIVE of yourself?
Will you make the CHOICE to give even when it isn't the most convenient option?


Stationed by the door,
Justin Crowley