Focus on the majors

Two of my kids are wearing braces. They use these little rubber bands. Those bands end up all over the house. The car. The driveway.

It drives me crazy, as I’m related to Monk. So I could whine about that to my sons. Or demand that they pick them up and dispose of them. (I’ve done both.)

Or I could let it drop.

I’ve tried to change their behavior on this. No luck. I realized that I needed to step back and spend my critical energy on things that are far more important. They can only take in so much criticism, so I need to use it wisely.

Even if you’re not a parent, you can apply this to just about any relationship. Go forth and do so.

And you have to really look carefully at the photo to see just how small the rubber band is (5 mm or .2″.)

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7 Replies to “Focus on the majors”

  1. This is good advice, for sure. I find it’s really difficult to be a person who reads more visual details than others. In some ways it’s a blessing (because it helps me perform my job as a copy editor) and in other ways it drives me crazy. I’m constantly having to discipline myself to move past the details that are distracting, for much of the time I want to stop and deal with every little one.

  2. For me, it’s those two half backs of band-aids that find their way just BESIDE the bathroom trashcan. I’m practicing my Lamaze breathing as the mere thought of them is causing me to stress out…. Yes, some things I know I should let go of. Thanks for this *gentle* reminder.

  3. Hey, at least your kids wear their rubber bands. Or they’re doing what I did and shoot them at each other…

    Maybe you could look at them as a mini blessing. Each rubber band represents less money out of your pocket on orthodontia, because they help speed up the straightening process.

    Cheers!
    – JT

  4. Glad I’m not the only one who stresses out over these things, Cheryl.

    James – you’re right – I should be glad that they’re using them!

  5. Hey Paul,

    I read the following blog immediately before I read yours. Same message, different vehicle. IMaybe I need to learn this lesson, eh?

    Thanks for the faithful blogging.

    Shane
    ++++++++++++++++

    http://www.markbeeson.com/mark_beeson/2011/07/teach-us-to-number-our-days.html

    I was privileged to preach “live” at our Elkhart venue last weekend. The room was packed as I reminded the group of an old and obvious axiom: “There’s a direct correlation between scarcity and value. What’s rare is precious.”

    We are most foolish when we forget our days are numbered. We squander more opportunities, waste more time and throw away more potentially precious moments when we imagine we’ll always have “later” to do what God has given us “now.”

    Don’t miss today’s good friends, memorable moments, important conversations and loving hugs.

    This is your day. Be wise. Live it well.

    Psalm 90:12 – Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

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