Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Coming Soon... Before and After shots of a SERIOUS haircut.

For my birthday, I wanted a haircut. Yup, lame, I know. But in these economic times I couldn't justify the expense. So it kept growing and growing, until I realized I could donate a chunk to Wigs4Kids. And with the money from my parents, I scored a haircut - and I think I like it! :) We'll see when I actually do it!

That was a terribly written paragraph, sorry about that, I'm too lazy to redo it though.

Some quick things:

1. LOVING Miss California. You GO GIRL. A genuine woman of character. Wishing her the best. Missed the drama? Check it out here.

2. Obama drama - just not a fan, but eagerly awaiting SOMEONE with my conservative values to take a leadership role... Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?????

3. Still Broke - Still paying for an empty home. SOON, I'm hoping, SOON, we'll rent the place. BUT, reminded recently that broke in this country is no where near broke in other countries... Seriously I have more than some people see in their lifetime. And what else??? It would take a LONG time for me to die of starvation, I've got plenty o' fat stores to last awhile.

4. Thankful for a great ward. I seriously just landed my dream calling - Relief Society Teacher. AWESOME!!!! I'm so excited. Love to teach, love Relief Society, and love the gospel. Plus, it's only once a month.

5. A recent lesson learned: I'll spare you the long version. But simply put, for several years I suffered from an entitlement problem, without actually admitting it. My dad who I've mentioned before was born into poverty and climbed out of it, without a handout. He didn't start earning the big bucks until I was out of the house. My parents struggled financially for a long time, my mom made our clothes, we did NOT get to do lessons or sports of any kind, we NEVER went out to eat, my parents just didn't spend what they didn't have, and that wasn't much. Anyway, fast forward a few years my dad remarried a great woman, with a great daughter. I struggled to see how my dad was able to provide so much more for them. That I was with him through the poor, hard part, and missed out on the abundance when it finally came. Simply put, I felt I was "ENTITLED" to gifts and generosity from him. I never realized this, until THIS AMAZING TALK, said this:

Being provident providers, we must keep that most basic commandment, “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement. Some of us feel embarrassed, ashamed, less worthwhile if our family does not have everything the neighbors have. As a result, we go into debt to buy things we can’t afford—and things we do not really need. Whenever we do this, we become poor temporally and spiritually. We give away some of our precious, priceless agency and put ourselves in self-imposed servitude. Money we could have used to care for ourselves and others must now be used to pay our debts. What remains is often only enough to meet our most basic physical needs. Living at the subsistence level, we become depressed, our self-worth is affected, and our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and the Lord are weakened. We do not have the time, energy, or interest to seek spiritual things.

So I'm here to repent. That I owe my dad an apology. That truly no greater financial lesson could he have taught me than to earn what I receive, be grateful when I've been blessed, and to turn around and give, because it always comes back.

Dad, you HAVE been generous, I was blinded by what I thought I was "entitled" to.

You gave me more than anything money could have bought. A life lesson, worthy of learning. Love you, and am praying you feel better!

7 comments:

the ohana said...

Elder Hales talk was my favorite during the last conference too. I can't wait to see that new hairstyle. Happy birthday in advance!..

Barb Zinn said...

YOU have "grown up" to be such a WISE woman! I love you Lucy.......
I LOVED your post and the "wisdom" you are willing to share! Now can we see the new haircut! :)

becca said...

Cant wait for pictures of the hair!!!!

Let me just say, here here! I too am quite grateful for the character building experiences of our youth. Dad and Mom taught us much I think about frugality and doing without. Very sweet post to dad. Love ya sis!

Gwenda said...

Waiting to see the new hair cut!

Your upbringing sounds simular to my own.

Crystal said...

Can't wait to see the new do!

Monique said...

I love these posts. They are always uplifting and just what I need. Thanks Lucy!

And, by the way, THAT IS A DANG CUTE HAIRCUT!!! Love it. Geez, that is a LOT of hair! How much weight did you loose after that haircut?? 5 lbs? :) Seriously cute.

{leah} said...

{love the hair!!!}

Thank you for the reminder. We live in such a greedy time that I think we forget that the most prescious thing we can have is our family, and it's right in front of us.