Remember years past when a man came by the house with his toolbox wanting to know if we had anything that needed fixing? (or maybe you are not that old…LOL) Mother had set things aside that Dad couldn’t or didn’t know how to repair and she would pull them out to see if he could figure out what was the matter. He would study the problem intently, whether it be a toaster, sewing machine, light fixture, furniture or windowsill. Each was approached with the same intensity as if it were the most important problem in the world. Then his eyes would like up and he would remark with joy, “I think I see the problem.” We watched quietly as his nimble fingers worked diligently to solve our “problem”. When finished, Mother would ask what we owed him and requesting a small charge, would smile with the receipt of the payment and thank us and be on his way.
Everyone seemed so happy that he always knew what to do. I
wished I could do the same with mine or anyone else’s problems. As he had
done, I just wanted to “Fix It!” I wanted to be a “problem fixer.” But
over the years as I have tried to help my friends, family and community solve
their problems, I began to realize that if I fixed it for them, they would not
experience the learning coming from solving it themselves. Sometimes we do have
to have others “fix our problems” when we don’t have the knowledge or
materials to “fix it” ourselves. Other times we just need to run our ideas
by others so we can figure out the solution ourselves. But the journey is in the
process…learning how to “fix it ourselves”.
Pleasant journey. Marilyn [email protected]
Emerging Courageous News
Update…I’ve spent this last week rereading all the stories
and poetry sent in to Emerging Courageous Online Magazine since it’s inception
and categorizing all of them so you can more easily find stories and poetry of
interest and placed them in an archive. Check them out and let me know how you
like the new format. Enjoy, Marilyn
Stories Categorized by Topics
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/topics.htm
Poetry Categorized by Topics
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/topicspoetry.htm
*In regard to Newsletter on Creativity – “Without
doubt, creativity is one of the four aspects of a good strong foundation for
healthy life in mind and body.” Tony DeLiso
“Tony, what are the other three?” Marilyn
*Thank you so much for the Newsletter. You are an awesome
gal!!! So talented, and still discovering more. Plus you have always been so
giving of your time and talents for others. Keep on Keeping on!!” Julia
Slaymaker
“Julia, I’m over the hill. Watch out, I’m on a roll.” Lovingly, Marilyn
* “What is a Survivor? Living today to the fullest.
Waking up tomorrow and doing it again.” Bob Perks
http://www.bobperks.com/Welcome.htm
Betty’s story “God helps those who help themselves” appears in Emerging Courageous archives http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/June2002/helps.htm
Betty’s web site with other stories of courage http://www.betty.newsmoose.com/
Pick up Betty’s book entitled It takes two Mountains to Make a Valley at your local bookstore. You will enjoy her humorous approach to living life courageously. I’m reading it now. Let her know what you think of her book at [email protected]
Count your blessings. As always, I appreciate your
comments.
Peace and God Bless,
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor
www.emergingcourageous.com