I was inspired by this article by Christopher Cedar at the Playing2win site talking about why we love watching sports. He says, "I believe that the pleasure of sports comes not merely from the actual games—the winning or losing—although that is a factor. What draws the fans and inspires them is the event; the BEING TOGETHER. Everyone likes to have something or someone they can support, love, and admire...Sports are great! Sports unite millions of people in a way unlike any other! I believe that this power largely comes from the feeling of belonging and camaraderie that we as fans experience at an event; the thrilling euphoria when “our team” scores, and the comfort and friendship from our fellow fans when they experience loss. It sums up our lives in the space of a couple hours."
That just about perfectly expresses what I love about watching football games -- the chance to cheer on your team even when they're loosing; the atmosphere of being in a room with lots of shouting people all getting worked up and excited about the same thing -- it's fantastic. It's great to see how this World Cup has drawn hundreds of thousands of people together around the world to cheer on their teams, to celebrate, and to just enjoy the atmosphere and excitement. I'm looking forward to getting together with some friends later this weekend to watch some of the games together.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
We've been busy packing, sorting, cleaning, painting, packing.... There's no way around it. It's a lot of work to move, especially when you're moving from a six bedroom house, where you've had an extra room for storage, into a three bedroom flat. But it has to be done. And this time, instead of whining about how much I hate moving, I've realized what a wonderful opportunity it is to get rid of all that accumulated junk. Hopefully, by the time we get into our nice little flat, all the things we've brought with us will be things we actually need or want, and it will fit in nicely....hopefully.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Resting
As of today I’ve spent two weeks and three days in bed. Well, not always in bed, but a good majority of the time, and it hasn’t been easy. I’ve probably complained about a dozen times (maybe more, but I hope not) about how bored I’m getting. Sure a little extra rest is nice – at first, but this really has started to seem like it’s getting to be too much.
It started out with an old problem with my feet acting up again after I tried out a new pair of shoes. I suffered through a painful first day of wearing them, got several compliments on how nice they look, only to have to put them away forever, as I found that the next day I couldn’t walk without a lot of pain in both my feet and had to visit an orthopaedic doctor yet again.
So I started my long wait in bed for my feet to recover and allow me to walk like a normal person once more. Then just as they started to feel better I came down with the flu which has kept me in bed for exactly a week now and I’m still suffering from that.
But as I was taking some prayer time, and I have to admit complaining a bit about my fate, Jesus showed me a much better way to look at this time. He told me that it was a gift. A gift? I couldn’t quite picture that until He reminded me that come the first of next month we’re moving into a flat, and things are going to get very busy. So, yes, this time where I’m forced to get extra rest, to read, to study, to paint, and do other things I enjoy that can be done while lying down is a gift, and I’m doing my best to enjoy it while it lasts.
It started out with an old problem with my feet acting up again after I tried out a new pair of shoes. I suffered through a painful first day of wearing them, got several compliments on how nice they look, only to have to put them away forever, as I found that the next day I couldn’t walk without a lot of pain in both my feet and had to visit an orthopaedic doctor yet again.
So I started my long wait in bed for my feet to recover and allow me to walk like a normal person once more. Then just as they started to feel better I came down with the flu which has kept me in bed for exactly a week now and I’m still suffering from that.
But as I was taking some prayer time, and I have to admit complaining a bit about my fate, Jesus showed me a much better way to look at this time. He told me that it was a gift. A gift? I couldn’t quite picture that until He reminded me that come the first of next month we’re moving into a flat, and things are going to get very busy. So, yes, this time where I’m forced to get extra rest, to read, to study, to paint, and do other things I enjoy that can be done while lying down is a gift, and I’m doing my best to enjoy it while it lasts.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Best Dad Ever
When talking about our goals for the future one of my friends said that his is to be the best dad possible. It’s Father’s Day today, and I just told my dad that I think he’s the best—I always have. I remember arguing with my friends when I was little about whose parents were better. I never could understand why anyone would think that theirs were better than mine. Now, of course, I realize that it’s all relative. Being the best dad isn’t about topping all the other dads in the world. It’s about finding out what your child needs from a parent, and being that for them.
Here are a few of the things that make my dad the best dad I could possibly have:
He stays in touch – Like most men Dad isn’t a fantastic communicator or letter writer, but he always makes that extra bit of effort for me, so that I know that he’s concerned and thinking about me.
He’s always available – If I need someone to check something out for me, or give me practical advice, I write my Dad. I know he’ll answer within just a day or two, and if it’s not something he can tell me off hand he’ll take the time to research it for me and come up with an answer no matter how busy he is. When I lived and worked with him for about a year, if I needed a ride or someone to pick something up for me, he’d do his best to arrange it. He’d often take time out of his work day to help me with a technical problem, or give me some advice or instruction on the project I was working on.
He’s always supportive – Dad has always let me know that I have his love and support regardless of what decisions I make, and that means a lot to me.
He enjoys spending time with me – and it’s an added bonus that we like doing a lot of the same things together, going out for a beer, playing a card game, shooting a game of pool, watching a football game, eating popcorn, etc…
And there are many more things, of course, but these are a few of the main things that I love about my dad, and that make him, in my eyes, the best Dad in the world!
Here are a few of the things that make my dad the best dad I could possibly have:
He stays in touch – Like most men Dad isn’t a fantastic communicator or letter writer, but he always makes that extra bit of effort for me, so that I know that he’s concerned and thinking about me.
He’s always available – If I need someone to check something out for me, or give me practical advice, I write my Dad. I know he’ll answer within just a day or two, and if it’s not something he can tell me off hand he’ll take the time to research it for me and come up with an answer no matter how busy he is. When I lived and worked with him for about a year, if I needed a ride or someone to pick something up for me, he’d do his best to arrange it. He’d often take time out of his work day to help me with a technical problem, or give me some advice or instruction on the project I was working on.
He’s always supportive – Dad has always let me know that I have his love and support regardless of what decisions I make, and that means a lot to me.
He enjoys spending time with me – and it’s an added bonus that we like doing a lot of the same things together, going out for a beer, playing a card game, shooting a game of pool, watching a football game, eating popcorn, etc…
And there are many more things, of course, but these are a few of the main things that I love about my dad, and that make him, in my eyes, the best Dad in the world!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Beautiful Game
Every four years Nepal goes football crazy, as young and old alike turn on their televisions and tune in to the World Cup. We are five days and 15 games into the group stage of World Cup 2010. I'm looking forward to watching my personal favorite team, Spain, play their first game this evening (or afternoon depending on your time zone).
This month's edition of Activated focuses on "The Beautiful Game" with quotes from football star, Pele. "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." And, as editor Keith Philips reminds us, "every day can be a defining moment".
visit www.activated.org to read more
This month's edition of Activated focuses on "The Beautiful Game" with quotes from football star, Pele. "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." And, as editor Keith Philips reminds us, "every day can be a defining moment".
visit www.activated.org to read more
Welcome
From Clouds to Sunshine is a place to find positive inspiration for everyday life. I will post inspirational thoughts and articles, personal news and pictures, and occasionally some of my artwork, all with a positive theme. I hope that you will be inspired.
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