Notes from Steve

My friend Ryan is the head guy for conservation in Story County.  He’s been talking about a 22-mile paved trail connecting towns in Story County - called HOINT (Heart of Iowa Nature Trail).  Anyway, the ribbon cutting was this last weekend, and a bunch of riders went to celebrate this fantastic addition to Iowa’s trail system.  It rained a lot (a lot, a lot, a lot).  But - the trail is fairly flat and concrete, and aside from getting extremely damp - it was fine.  Sometimes we have to celebrate regardless of the weather conditions.*  Trust me - it makes for better stories.  It was a great time.

On Sunday - the praise band I play with performed on stage at the Iowa State Fair.  We were the only act on Sunday morning (which is the best time for a praise band to play) and usually our crowds are fairly slim … but this time - we had a good crowd, and it was fun!  I think I thought too much about it in the past and got all nervous … meh.  I’ve told people that I can have 3-4 different types of expectations about anything - negative, realistic, and positive (and uber Pollyanna positive - which is exhausting).  If I assume a negative perspective about a situation - I can only be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.  Realistic?  (“Yep, that’s what was supposed to happen.”) Optimistic? (“Oh no, it wasn’t perfect.”) … Pollyanna?  (“I didn’t win the lottery!?!”)  I expected a small, non-existent crowd and rain, but it was a good crowd and perfect weather.  Yay!  

I think life is best when we are good with whatever.  Rain, sun, crowds, noisy, quiet … I think that I’ll just take the perspective of “it’s all in the plan” and let it go at that … then how can I be disgruntled?  I’ll just do my best and keep truckin’ along.  (It’s not up to me.)

*It’s too cold to ski - but you’re already there, so you ski.  Outdoor wedding - hot, windy, rainy, cold … you get married anyway.  Blizzards on holidays?  Merry whatever!