OK – I talked about schedules yesterday and wow got much stuff done at work Friday before I nip and tuck things away before vacation Tuesday.  So motivated before vacation to prep and pack all the way up to the last second…  But, well, yesterday I missed one appointment – and then during a hockey game that evening I was distracted by my phone and missed a whole goal just 25 feet in front of me…  Don’t blink… Life moves fast, especially in hockey… And you can’t dwell on missed things – like we would encourage a goalie to not get down on themselves for every goal that gets past them – their disappointment is another player’s gain – funny how life in sports is – and life in general… Just “a long strange trip it’s been” to quote the Grateful Dead song.

But honestly we are bound to miss things – mess up – forget things – misinterpret – and just oops it… YET, Life moves on…

This morning I am enjoying a Saturday morning to pre-write some posts for when I am away on vacation – to get to 10 things done on my endless list – to work on some more Christmas cards (I finally have written some and have more to do) – and then I have a re-appointment for that phone call for the person I was supposed to call yesterday – let’s not oops that again…  I also have other open-ended things to do today with friends and family – but really I need to also get into that “I only have so much time here to get some things done and others won’t get done or will wait…” mentality… (OH that is the scripture that landed on my eyes after my post yesterday about structure: Help us Oh Lord to number our days”)… Well, back to vacation prep: OH YEAH – like I need to get to a store for last minute things and to figure out what I want to wear to the wedding – and should figure out my winter boots situation…  You know those last minute things…

I digress – I am even 2 hours late writing a post for today – but since that is my own scheduled schedule with God to write – I don’t worry so much on a Saturday – and sometimes – often – always – God is gracious with us... Yet in preparing for my trip, I just pre-posted a piece of writing that I read about Jacob and how God was always ready to pursue Him and find him finding HIM – Jacob finding God – and God blessing Jacob after they struggled in a physical wrestling (Genesis 32). And a discussion between Jacob and God is like that in the quiet alone times that we are not alone and God can work on us and with us and simply be with us… I know we have times to be excited and moving all about – and we have these quiet times too – well, God bless and blesses them all…

Meanwhile, back to the “to-do” lists, during Christmas card addressing, I have been watching an “I Love Lucy” spoof on a Bob Hope TV Special – with all the normal characters but rearranged – Bob as Desi – Desi as Fred – and a seal in the closet (random)… But Fred is not there (at least not yet) – meanwhile I remember that in my favorite movie “Miracle on 34th Street” that the judge’s politico gentleman is that character from I Love Lucy – Fred. These stars were bit part people and full blown leading actors too. And that is us too – we might be a bit part in someone’s life – even at the hockey game crowded yet generous with each other – or yelling at each other instead – perhaps it is not all about us – it is just a bit part we have in that moment in life and sometimes things get past us and we must move on – try to do better and move on.

I do appreciate how funny good these old 1950’s shows were and are – because they are the first to show the gags without them being repetitive – and they are truly funny people – and they also let us see the slip ups and realness of the fakeness of TV. One such video I “rabbit – hole” was led to is a blooper by Lucille Ball – FUNNY as she messes up and is just a natural comedian with an audience – and says (after she messes up) “I’ll do a bit for anybody” with the emphasis on ANYBODY – being Bob Hope…  Yes, it is extra hilarity that she’s putting herself out there generously and yet begrudgingly – she is just doing a bit part in life: https://youtu.be/5otQotVeTM8?si=wepTaWbqWDKSb-Bp

But isn’t that also a good goal in life? Accept our “bit parts” and keep going –  flaws and flows – just keep going – and always be real. One management book I read said to have “Intellectual honesty” – and if you can’t make something work – don’t lie about it – just be honest and move forward… BE YOURSELF… 

Doing things for others honestly (and “for anybody” like Lucy says) lets us NOT put on the “schtick” of a bit part – but just being ourselves around others…  So perhaps it is better to be more carefree in our living – CAREFREE – not careless – but carefree and just be open to roll with the punches – just hop along life for the ride…  Be that person that God needs you to be next to the person that wasn’t expecting His grace through you.  Don’t be careless – but be more careFREE – and in that mentality – “I’ll do a bit for anybody”… 

Well, the end of this rambling post means I need to get back to more structure of stuff to get done – but also allow my mind to re-arrange into vacation mode – I could write for days and days about my excitement for the trip but I just need to get on it – I am looking forward mostly to just being myself…  I highly recommend that mentality for every one – just do a bit – do a lot – do a little – but just be yourself!

Amen

(Here is another good lucy clip with Bob: https://youtu.be/NEgzoZ55LsA?si=cuw-8gLDjahYVpl5)