TO MAKE AN OMELETTE, YOU HAVE TO CRACK EGGS

By Vernalee

How do you like your eggs - scrambled, boiled, poached, over easy...? There are so many different varieties and ways to prepare eggs.

Most of us love omelets particularly when we can put in our favorite ingredients - bacon, sausage, cheese, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Yum! They’re delicious. I’m getting hungry just thinking about the flavor. 

But in order to make an omelette, you have to crack (break open) eggs. 

So similar to our many journeys in life. 

It’s often times impossible to achieve many milestones, without there being a “break” in our “normal.” Yes, it is true that sometimes “in order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that some sacrifices must occur. Invariably, mistakes are made along the way.

Sometimes, our tasks to the next step may be unpleasant, but we have to keep moving and learn to juggle. Even if it’s juggling intangibles like emotions.

As we move progressively forward, I am of the belief that our ultimate goals can be accomplished without negativity if we diplomatically, positively, and effectively move with graceful consideration. We can most certainly break the eggs gingerly with care.

We can also break through the obstacles  to reach our destination and accomplish our goals. Sure, it may be bumps on the road, but if we “stay at it,” our break through will come!  And when it does, just like a great tasting omelette, it will be pleasing and delicious to our soul!  Photo credit: forgeandsmith

3 SIDES TO A STORY

By Vernalee

Nothing beats the wisdom of Mothers. Allow me to share a story whose lessons stay with me 50 years hence. In the late 1960’s while traveling to school, some of us came up with the crazy notion that we would make the bus driver so nervous that she would run off the road. Wow! If successful, we might be off a day from school. We had a hike of over 50 miles to pick up students from varying parts before arriving to Riverside High School.  To accomplish our goal, we started loudly yelling and subsequently, she swirled off the road.

Mission accomplished!

Of course, our young minds did not factor into account the danger of the situation. It bears to reason that - (“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” - Proverbs 22:15).

Much to our chagrin, the bus was repaired overnight. The next day, the driver refused to pick us up. “The Collins kids cannot get on my bus!” Though I was the ringleader, I didn’t open my mouth.  However, my "stand up for his children" Daddy was outraged.

“Nobody is gonna insult my kids! Here. (Reaching my brother the car keys). Drive my car to school.” Off to school we went; the joyride was leisurely fun!

All was well until my mother, Miss Phoebe came home that afternoon.

With a stern piercing look that scared me out of my wits, she called me.

“Your Daddy told me what happened, but I know that you were involved if it had anything to do with you running your mouth! Now, what’s your story? And you betta not lie to me!”

Before I could open my mouth, she said, “There are 3 sides to every story. “What you say, what she said, and the truth!”

As I looked down to the ground, my mother in a robust tone said, “Just tell the truth. It’ll take you farther and spare the rod.”

Shamefully, I told her what I did!

“I’ll fix you. You’ll know betta than to act a fool the next time,” my late Momma said with a roaring penetrating sound. I thought that I was off the hook.

She tricked me, but what could I do or say!

I didn’t get spanked, I received something far worse!

My punishment was -

I couldn’t talk on the phone for a month. It seemed like an eternity.

Afterwards, I never opened my mouth on the bus rides again!

Her rod of correction was taking away something that I loved.

It was a lesson learned the hard way with an indelible imprint that stayed with me ... even to this day!

Photo credit: www.pininterest.com

WARNING - DON'T JUST ANYONE IN

By Vernalee

This quote – though plain and simple - could not have been said better! Protect your mind from unhealthy external influences! Don't allow access to just anyone to speak to your spirit. Bad associations spoil useful habits and infiltrate unwholesome thoughts into your head. Stop letting others put their dirty trash into your cognitive processes. Controlling entry is pivotal. If an unhealthy entry is permitted, an exit is imminent. Stay on guard for what flows through your spirit. It is an “inside, out” flow, however what gets in may be hard to get out! Your words, behaviors, and actions imitate/reflect what you think! Keep on your suit of armor to protect yourself from what can ultimately destroy the goodness that you have worked years to cultivate. Stay on guard! Photo reprint: www.pininterest.com