A couple of days ago I treated myself to lunch...I'm thoughtful that way. Although I truly do enjoy the company of other people (sometimes) I often prefer to be alone. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my soul craves the opportunity to collect her thoughts....to recharge....to simply "be." While that may be true, as a working mother I am surprised that I do not have a permanent indentation in the meaty part of my shoulder from all of the incessant poking it receives. Allow me to give you an example: "poke-poke-poke-Mom! Mom!poke-poke-poke-Mom!! Mom!!poke-poke-poke-Miss!! Miss!! poke-poke-poke!" There are times when I have to restrain myself from screaming "GO AWAY!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"
And that is why, during my last week of work--a week without students and the typical after-school taxi services I offer my children...free of charge...I'm thoughtful that way...I found myself the single occupant of a table for four in one of my favorite Chinese food restaurants.
As I sipped my soup and chewed my chicken I found that I was finally slowing down...relaxing..."being." When my check arrived so to did my fortune:
"Negotiations move along smoothly. The outcome is favorable!"
My first thought was..."What am I in need of negotiating? Huh? Where's the part that predicts I'm going to collect a windfall?" I have to admit I was a little let-down...I really wanted a "good" fortune...something I could believe in...hang on to...as I began my summer break. But just this morning, after some quiet devotional time alone in my loft, I began to see my "fortune" in an entirely different light. There is another definition of the word "negotiate" as found in Barron's Pocket Dictionary and Thesaurus: "Get over an obstacle or difficulty." ....hmmmm.... now that's more like it!!! I couldn't help but notice that this definition was the third and final entry. This got me thinking that maybe our first, or even second thought, impression, or feeling, may not always be the "right" one. Sometimes we have to negotiate around several obstacles in our paths, in our lives, in our souls to find a favorable outcome.
you are so thoughtful...that way ;)
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