A treat that my 12 year old son wanted me there. And even let me hang out with him a bit.
Applied Technology Career Days at the fair grounds was the destination. Every which way you turned there were booths about every which company and school in Utah that had anything to do with applied technology. A good share of the booths had some sort of 'hands on' activity for the kids to do to hopefully interest them in that field (however, truth be told, I think the vast majority of those 7th graders came 'for the food' so to speak..... lots of the booths had freebies, light up pens, water bottles, pins, candy........and THOSE were the booths where the masses were gathered. A little reminiscent of sample day at Costco if you ask me.)
One of the displays there was from a company who does work and research of things at a cellular level, so as part of their display, they had this portable, light up, hand held microscope. You could put it on your shirt, and the image you'd see on the screen was each individual fiber that made up your shirt. Same with hair. Super cool. The lady suggested we put the microscope on our hand, which I did - waited for a few seconds for it to focus, and then looked in a little bit of horror at what was on the screen.
Old, cracked, crevicey, wrinkled, nearly-dead-person-looking skin, with several black dots though out.
Blech. And ick.
Tried it again on the other hand.
Same results.
Looking at my hand with just my eye, it looked fine. Yes, a little wrinkled (I AM getting older, you know..) .....but still looked alright, no big black spots at least.
As we moved on from there, I kept thinking about that darn microscope. Then it dawned on me.....THAT is exactly how I have always seen myself. Deep dark crevices, old, wrinkled, and spotted with black dots (trying to be 'figurative' here.....)
Instead of focusing on any 'good' that there might be, more often than not my focus is on the black spots and the wrinkles, and because those things are what I see, it's hard to see anything beyond.
A good friend once said that she is her own biggest fan - not in any prideful sort of way - but she is able to see the good in herself, accept her shortcomings and flaws, and even be grateful for them.
I've always admired that quality in her. Envied it too.
I know in the grander scheme of things there is one who sees beyond the wrinkles and spots. Some days I remember that better than others.
For what ever reason, that image on the microscopes screen has crossed my mind much since that field trip yesterday, and it's sure made me think. A little bit wishing that my 'wrinkles and black spots' weren't quite so many. Wishing perhaps for the ability to 'step away' from the microscope when looking at myself.
Hum.....maybe that's a healthy step in the right direction.
Alright, thanks for bearing with my psychological moment there.....
On some funner notes -
here's some of the fun that was had at Career days:
The rock wall (how cool of the ARMY to bring that for their 'display' - the kids all loved it, and said they would all definitely join the army:)....
....and who WOULDN'T want to be a plumber? They got to unclog the clogged toilet (plastic poop and all....totally NOT kidding!)
Good times with the 7th graders :)
8 comments:
Lately, I have a problem with comparing myself to others. I always have to remind myself that it isn't fair to compare my worst to their best.
Easier said than done though.....
Yeah, we're all probably a little too hard on ourselves. Thanks for the perspective. I love it that my kids still like me around (most of the time) too. :)
Sounds fun. I wasn't even aware they were going until Jax came home and showed me his stash.
I love you even more now that I know you have wrinkles and spots - I am always for more variety and interest over plain, regular and boring;D
You may have wrinkles and spots but man they are gorgeous wrinkles and spots. If only my wrinkles and spots were as attractive as yours...;)
And remember with every wrinkle and spot came a memory, a lesson learned, knowledge, wisdom...
I have realized lately that my wrinkles and spots aren't going away any time soon. It's time to just OWN those suckers and be proud of every last one.
I love you! You are beautiful, amazing, magical, magnificent! Let's get together soon. We can compare wrinkles and spots!
PS - Hula Hoop Champ?! How have you never mentioned that before?! I think that totally beats out my tether ball champ title.
I like the idea of being our own biggest fan. I going to work on that. On a less inspirational note, have you ever looked at your skin under a black light? I'm sure it is as scary as looking at it under the microscope. I have never looked better than the day after I had lasik. Everything was in soft foucs and hazy and I looked amazing!
Well those "AGED WRINKLED" hands sure can still play the piano really well. It is a talent I admire. Thanks for sharing your talents of playing, and creative blogging.
Ange, What a terrific insight! You HAVE been your own stumbling block in seeing your black spots. What the rest of us see is your totally amazingness, your powerful energy, your incredible stick-to-it-ness and much, much more! So Hurray for you... time to let go of any comparison and embrace who you are... your own awesomeness!!! Love you, love you!!
So grateful for another day, another chance, for the blessing of being able to use the atonement in my life.
So grateful I can accept me for me. Somedays are harder than others, but I really do like being me. :)
I have always been so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with the opportunity to know you and your family. I learned so much from your examples! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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