Competition Can Be "Real Goods", Right?

It is that time again. Yes time to head to Springfield and watch the State Fair Queen Pageant. I have been attending since 2002. It has been an interesting and fun experience through the years.

Lots of pressure and not always a lot of fun for the contestants. But why can't it be just the opposite? Lots of fun and not much pressure. I would think seeing a young woman in a more natural state, competing this way, would be the right way to select the winner. Ah yes, the argument of how well could she handle herself in different situations, some with pressure and difficult people and others totally out of her control. Well I really believe if she is at this point of the competition her '"real goods" got her there.

There are some "real goods" that are important: great communication skills, good personal appearance, the ability to get along and be flexible. But generally speaking these things are important for everyone, everyday, everywhere.

Wow, we all could be and should be winners, right?

What a difference life would be with positive attitudes everywhere, smiles, hugs, happiness and peace. What a life, a very good, simple, natural, joyful life!

SO, not gonna happen right? Competition the "devil's advocate" the way the world REALLY is, what a shame!

Perhaps with God's help someday soon we will be able to see a change and competition would include fellowship and helping each other to strive to be their very best every day, simply, joyfully, naturally and thankfully. We would win the competition for ourselves, others and our Lord.

Oh yes GOOD LUCK Malory! You have already won by being all the above. Let's hope the judges are not blind and see it. I am privileged to have you in my life! This blog is for you! As was my first blog:)

RED KEDS

As a small girl I really wanted to wear Keds and red ones at that!

Being the oldest I usually got the clothing and "new" shoes that were eventually passed on down. Kathy, the next in line got bypassed with the shoes since she had a much wider foot. So I think Patti more than likely got the hand me down shoes. We lived in a time when you had to pass clothing and shoes on, especially in a family of 4 kids. In the end there were 6 kids but during the tighter financial time there were only 4 of us. And you know we did not get "the best" [Red Keds] but our lives were full and we were happy.

I don't remember having a "tude" like kids today do, however I am sure we too were tough to our parents, BUT we had respect for our parents, teachers and for ourselves. I have to look real hard these days to find that in the children around me.

When we were young you were noticed if you were a problem child and disrespectful. Isn't it something that today a child gets noticed for being good and respectful? What is wrong with this picture? But then who am I to judge. I have not been blessed with children, but perhaps that just is the blessing......

I suppose I can judge because I work with children as a photographer, as a Girl Scout Leader, as an aunt, as a step mom and step granny. I just hope I have somehow instilled in these young people a bit of good and respect. Only time will tell. I am lucky to have great nieces and nephews as well as through the years all of my Girl Scouts are really great girls. Oh and yes most certainly the majority of the kids that have worked for me know what respect is. Of course there are a few who have had "tudes", but still they are great kids.

Now back to the Red Keds. Yesterday at church one of the girls had Red Keds on and she most certainly does not have a "tude". I began to think about all of this and then I thought, aha maybe I had a "tude" and that is why I never got my Red Keds.