Just When You Think You've Lost

It is amazing how many actions come right after you think that you have won or lost something. This week has been chock full of examples that have either come up and smacked me in the face or have creeped in my mind without me even knowing I had been harboring those thoughts.

I had been struggling with the fact that my success in my job was not quite as successful as I wanted. I had yet to make a sale; and even though I have contributed in many other ways, I was beginning to feel like a failure. The only thing I have ever truly sucked at was hammering a nail. Try as I might, the nail goes in either crooked or has been pounded to death. I don't know why, I just can't "nail" it!. I was beginning to think that I would never be able to nail down a sale.

So, just when I was feeling as if I was in the wrong job, BINGO! I called a lady, expecting to be put on hold. Instead, after a short conversation she told me she was ready to try it. My first sale! A lot of fist pumping occurred, and I am not sure, but I think my boss did a little happy dance. And just when I thought it was a fluke, my second occurred. Now I know I can do, not just teach! And I feel as though a huge brick was lifted off my shoulders. I got so excited, I forgot to eat!

I know this is how the Cowboys must have felt, only in reverse. They thought they couldn't lose after a 24 point lead. But just when they thought that maybe it wasn't their day, Detroit decided to remember why they are so far unbeaten this year.

My sister and I sold her blankets and my books at Marina Market Days on Saturday. It was a beautiful day, and many people were out just enjoying the cooler air and the bright sunlight. They were most lookers and not buyers. But just when we thought we were going to lose money that day, she suddenly sold a few beach throws, and a couple of people stopped and bought my book. It felt good, especially when a total stranger stopped and browsed the back of my book. She looked at me and said, "I've read this book, you had some weird things happen to you when you were going back East, right? Your book was excellent!" I was shocked, and a very pleasant feeling oozed up from my toes to my smile. Just when I thought no one except my friends would ever read my book, a total stranger, with a simple comment, made my day!

Last week, I decided to dress up a little more than my usual wear of jean capris and t-shirt. Somebody in the office said I looked really nice that day. Just when I thought nobody noticed. That was the day I got my first sale. Coincidence? Maybe. But then again, maybe I was set up to be relaxed and that was what allowed me to reach my goal.

It is the same with your daily diet routine. Just when you think you have lost the ability to get back on track, you lose a pound and realize you still "got game." Not sure about those pesky Cowboys...

I think the point is, you can't ever think that you have lost. When you do, it is like you are giving up hope. And some days, hope is all you have to fall back on. You must always remember just when you think all is lost, someone, something, or maybe even God, comes along and changes your thinking and makes your day.

Saturday our Marine's Charlie Company came home after many months in Afghanistan. Sherry and I watched the waterways in hopes of seeing their ship come so we could stand along the shore and cheer them on. We knew we would not be able to get to the parade on time, so we wanted to have our own. But we never saw the ship. Thinking we lost our opportunity, we both mentally welcomed them back. As we were going home, we noticed there was still quite a crowd gathering. At a stoplight, I rolled the window down as asked if we missed the troops. One lady told us that they were delayed in California and should be by in about 10 minutes. They were coming by Southwest Airlines and upon landing at Corpus were to motorcade down Shoreline all the way to the base. We hastily found a parking spot and ran for a space to wave as they passed. Shortly thereafter, escorted by police and our Patriot Honor Guards, two big buses of Marines came rolling down the road. They were greeted by all with flags, waves, and thumbs up. You could see their surprise and delight as they realized what was going on. I bet they were grinning from ear to ear all the way as they saw almost 2000 people cheering them on the entire ten miles to the Naval Air Station, where their families awaited them. It really made us both proud and humbled that we were a part of their homecoming.

Just when you think all is lost....

Yep, a show of patriotism and a Few of the Proud is all it takes to make your day!

Welcome home, Marines. Thank you for a job well done, and thank you for your service and sacrifices.