Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. It seems like we fall into the same pattern every month. The month just begins, then we blink two times and are almost three weeks in. Speaking of weeks, we are two weeks away from Halloween and three weeks from the next time change. I so prefer “Falling Back” as opposed to “Springing Ahead.” Though it has been nice having cooler weather, I am not ready to go straight to frosty, winter mornings.
Happy Anniversary to you and your loved one if you are reaching another milestone year together. And Happy Birthday to all of you who turned a year older this past week! My husband’s birthday was yesterday, and we cooked a Thanksgiving meal for his dinner. I have always joked that if my husband ever left me, it would be for turkey.
Quote of the Week: “Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed.” –Peter Drucker
Song of the Week: This week, I want to introduce one song that has two versions recorded over a decade apart by the same band. In 1970, Chicago released “25 or 6 to 4” as a last song to fill in the space on their album. The song’s title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 a.m. Robert Lamm, one of the band members, was writing the song in the middle of the night and couldn’t clearly see the hands on a clock. They looked to be in the position of 3:35 or 3:36 time frame. In 1986, Chicago released a slower version with heavy drums and a kicking horn line. The lyrics are the same, but this version of the song is my favorite.
This song isn’t the only one to have multiple recordings. In 1992, Eric Clapton recorded “Layla” as a ballad 20 years after he and his band Derick and the Dominoes had released it as a fast song.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: I know what you’re thinking, and yes, we are talking about time. But not just the passage of time, but also how to use your time. The southeastern United States has just come through a seriously chaotic and disastrous time. People everywhere have pulled together to donate supplies, money, and time to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene.
I have always thought that no person should ever get bored, which we define as having extra time on our hands and not knowing what to do. If every person would choose just one cause to support (by donating time as well as money), the world would be a happier and safer place. You can support organizations that benefit worthy causes ranging from animals to veterans and the homeless as well as foster care and the elderly. Hospitals need people to sit and hold newborns in the NICU so they can grow stronger. Children of all ages would love to have mentors to spend a bit of time with them and make them feel special.
I know it sometimes feels that the world is too big and that what you can do wouldn’t make a difference, but you’re wrong. You are exactly what people need. Your life experiences are an encouragement to someone who has gone through the same thing. Please consider giving just a little of yourself to make someone’s day brighter.
Joke of the Week: I thought about procrastinating, but I decided to wait.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to all those who use their time to build up others. I used to hate the expression “It takes a village” because I had the mindset that as a parent, I should have been able to take care of raising my own children. Then, I realized that the more sets of eyes you have on your child, the better. Also, each person who is in your “village” gives something to your child…a bit of themselves. Maybe it’s talking with them about video games or giving them pointers on how to play their sport better. We need each other. Thanks for giving the best of you!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.