Thursday, March 15, 2007

Lessons from a rubber chicken.

This chicken head was posted on a thread at the Scrap Etc message board a couple of days ago. My kids have been laughing at it everytime they see it. It's funny. Just that...funny. I set my desktop background to this picture- in 'tile format', so there were about 36 of these on the screen. It was just a joke (and to be honest with you, I don't even know the whole story behind this silly chicken, other than it will be appearing at the Scrap Etc Inspiration Event...and I won't be there to see it in person. SO it goes...) and I laughed along with my kids at the sight of this chicken for the past couple of days.
Chip didn't quite see the humor in it, but that's alright. He still let the rest of us get our giggles, and didn't make a fuss about it all that much. Mostly he just rolled his eyes at me.
So, I understand that not everybody 'gets' my sense of humor. Not everybody understands the whys and ways in which I do things. Sometimes I don't even understand myself...but when it comes to this blog, it's pretty much a 'take it or leave it' approach. I put myself out here. I make jokes, share photos, tell stories, voice my opinion, present challenges, offer advice, ask questions, expose my faith in God, and any number of other things that come up in my thoughts/life at any given time. I just find it sad (after deleting yet another anonymous comment) that some people just can't take a joke and have to constantly look at life from a 'jaded' perspective. I can't express enough how short life really is in the scheme of things, and it makes me sad that there are people living life from day to day, who I feel truly don't "get" all there is to be had in life. Their negative attitude or life experiences cause them to try to bring others down and robs them of the joy they could have if only they could live and let go.
In my earlier post, I joked about inviting strangers at Starbucks to read my blog. I have nothing to gain from such a thing- even if someone took me up on it. I just threw it out there- more as a commentary on what marketing really is about. What I do know is that an anonymous person(s) who has such distaste for my blog, is still reading it after weeks of accusing me of not spending enough time with my family, and for needlessly wasting time updating this blog. I find that to be a backwards compliment. Someone dislikes my blog so much that they keep reading it.
My point is that life is so much bigger than little negative comments. There is a lot of living and joy and rubber chickens out there to embrace and love and laugh at.
There are small things (like Free Starbucks coffee) that bring moments of joy for no big reason...but they are worth sharing with others in life. I totally get that some people have lived through some really bad stuff in life, and it affects them to the core. I get that. Really, I do. I'm not telling everyone to go out, buy a rubber chicken or drink some Starbucks and life will be all happy and carefree. It's not like that at all. BUT, there are little things in life, all along the way, that we can see, touch, feel, smell, embrace, taste, seek and make an effort to find IF we are willing to keep ourselves open to their possibility.
So, there it is. My Nitty.Gritty. lesson from stumbling across a photo of a rubber chicken. I know it won't strike everybody funny in the same way it did for me and my kids. Chip was my real-life example of that. But that's the essence of this lesson. We all come at life from different directions. I can't pretend to know and understand why you say/do the things you do. I keep my blog as a small snippet of my life that I share in this way...but still, it's not the whole me. I just hope that each of us keeps embracing goodness, happiness, joy and even trials in life as they come...and seek to respond to them as best we can.
That's what I'm saying. The good news is there is always hope for everyone to find joy in life. Even if it starts with a silly rubber chicken.

22 comments:

Valerie said...

i so love it that people will say and write such hurtful things about how lame someone is, or their blog or whatever and still continue to read!! so they either like you or are gluttons for punishment.
you're a breath of fresh air for me, missy. keep saying it!

Rosie said...

Negative people just can't stand that other people have happiness. They don't realize that if they would not try to drag others down they might feel some of their own. Keep it up-you are a motivation to many! I enjoy it daily!

Kari said...

This quote appeared on my google home page 'quote of the day' section. It seems fitting here for your ANONYMOUS reader.

He who praises you for what you lack wishes to take from you what you have.
- Don Juan Manuel

Anonymous said...

I, for one, am so glad you have the time to blog and share your world with the rest of us. I read because of what I get out of it, so thank you - and keep blogging!!

Cris said...

Very well said Jody.

Anonymous said...

The chicken is funny.

The mean person is heartless!

:)

Anonymous said...

Hey, can we have a "Name the Chicken" contest? My DSs are currently working on entries!!

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about the anonymous posters that are too chicken to show their name but will still write horribly negative comments.

"If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us." ~Herman Hesse

"Having hatred toward other people is like drinking a deadly poison yourself and expecting the other person to die"

I feel bad for this anonymous blogger that is filled with so much pain and hatred and sadness in their life. What we sow we shall reap - they have an awful harvest coming unless they change their ways.

So to anonymous hater:
It IS possible to change and I believe you ARE worthy of good things. Your life can be filled with joy and happiness and fulfillment - you don't have to feel lonely and hopeless. Are you happy with your life? If you are not, then maybe it's because the energy you are bringing to the table? Has this way of living worked for you? If not, will it ever get better unless you change? I wish you the best.

Anonymous said...

Hai..
Seems we are family.. an uncle of mine told me when a part of our family migrated to the States changed their name into Ferlaak instead of Verlaak. I stated browsing and googled a bit and came here. Just saying Hi.. what a big world:p

eek said...

Hi there-
I've been just lurking lately :). You know, I don't quite understand why people have to post negative things. I love your attitude - isn't life too short to be angry and mean?
e :)
p.s. have i told you your babies are too cute?
p.p.s. i just got my hair cut almost as short as yours - i will post a pic when i get a good one!

Wendy said...

Blog On Jody! Blog ON!!
We Love you. chicken and all

JR's Thumbprints said...

That chicken head looks like a fish head to me.

Anonymous said...

I don't quite get the chicken humor (although my kids would definitely giggle at it), but that's ok because I LOVE your blog. Keep 'em coming!

Laura said...

Jody--I am not sure if I have ever commented on your blog, I know I've tried or at least had the words/thoughts to do it. Not even sure how I came across your blog about a year ago, but I was going through a hard time and you totally had the story/words that I needed. I THANK YOU for that.

I am a total "Nitty Gritty" fan and love your blog. You have been a true inspiration to me. I love how you live your faith, love your family, etc., etc. and the way you express a little bit of it here on your blog and share yourself. Your blog is great, I hope you don't ever stop inspirating/motivating your "Nitty Gritty" fan base!

Have a beutiful day!

Laura said...

wow...sorry for the misspeallings. I'm usually a very good speller...inspirating and beutiful...mmmm...I'm typing here in the dark before the kiddo's get up. I need coffee.

Have a beautiful
and inspiring day!

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing that the person "hating" on your blog doesn't have any children, or his/her criticism of you would be hypocritical. After all, in my experience, updating my blog takes no more than 15-20 minutes. It's the reading and commenting on others' blogs that takes up the most time.

It's so sad to me that Moms aren't allowed, in some eyes, to have something that belongs just to them...a place to go to express feelings, ideas, etc. I am a stay-at-home Mom and I love being able to communicate with my girlfriends at my computer with a mug of coffee at any time that works for me. I think it is very valuable. Yes, it can get out of hand, like anything, but it's a great outlet...and most of us understand and appreciate it.

So keep blogging...God sure speaks to us through you.

aimee said...

I think you are doing what God says to do--share Jesus and his life--and you are also showing, through your blog, that sometimes life is just unfair, even for a Christian, but that life does not have to be unfun, unhappy and unloving because of the unfairness. So rock on.

smalltownchicklet said...

Sometimes a rubber chicken is JUST a rubber chicken. And this one is hilarious! I enjoy reading your blog, and making it a part of my day. Keep on keepin' on!
~G~

Anonymous said...

I am probably older than most of your readers, but I just wanted to tell you that I look forward to reading your blog everyday.
Currently I am in a Bible Study with several younger women who are going through major trials in their lives.
I've decided to share your website with them because I think they would benefit from your positive attitude,feelings, advise, etc....and of course the humor. We all need that in our lives.
Thanks for putting yourself "out there." This reader is encouraged, uplifted, and yes, entertained, as I'm sure many others are, too.

FlipFlop Mom said...

My son and I giggled at the chicken right away.. we thought it was GREAT!!!
I am glad that you blog everyday.. You have inspired me to do the same.. not having small children at home anymore ( sniff sniff.. and I'm only 34) I can feel lost...so you have inspired me to find one thing each day that tickled me and I share it!! THANK YOU for that!!
"I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorry".. Jeremiah 31:13
I can guarantee you do this to me!!!

FlipFlop Mom said...

Oopsss. that's sorrow.. not sorry.. Ü

Tina said...

I hope you don't mind, but I found your blog through baby Noah's. I was in unbelief as I read what you have had to endure. Today is Teagan's birthday and I wanted to tell you I am sorry she is not with you.

I have found that people that are critical of others are usually jealous of that person.

This reminded me of a day my children and I had at Wal Mart some months ago. It all started when my son got out of the van and a bird pooped on him. Then there was the redneck in the pickup with the opera music blaring, and the toy car we played with and my son said it sounded like there was a duck in the stereo. As we were heading to the checkout, we heard the strangest noise. There was a boy with a rubber chicken and when he stretched it out, it made a hilarious noise. He kept doingit, and every time he did, I laughed so hard I almost wet myself, being 7 months pregnant. I have 4 boys, so of course they saw the humor. Later at dinner when we told my husband about it, he just didn't get it. I will always remember that day when I let loose and had a lot of fun with them. Sorry this is so long... God bless you.