jayosmond.com Blog

10-30-06

Posted in October Blog by Administrator on the October 30th, 2006

A few years ago, I like so many others, suffered from road rage.  It was my one vice I had that gave me an opportunity to vent my anger where no one could see me.  I labeled many a driver an idiot, a stupid turkey, or whatever expression I could get away with without swearing, cursing, or gesturing.  I thought this was pretty normal, until my boys caught on and called my attention to it.  However, what really cured me was a friend of mine, who I considered a real classy gentleman, and a nice person.  He told me of an experience that has changed my life.

He was driving on the freeway in Springfield, Missouri, feeling okay, when suddenly this car came up from behind and diverted across two lanes, then back again over to the front of him, cut him off, etc., etc.  This triggered an anger he said, that became an outrage.  My friend was so mad, he followed this “wild dirver” for at least two miles down the road.  He said, “I was determined to stop this guy and give him a piece of my mind.”  The driver took an exit and my friend followed.  He even went through a red light right behind this crazy driver, just to prove his point.  Then, this “wild driver” turned into the hospital emergency, jumped out of his car crying, opened up the back car door and pulled a little boy out, and ran into the hospital.  My friend just sat there in shock, with a tear in his eye.

I think about that story often, especially when a driver does something to bug me.  Only now, instead of letting bad driving trigger my anger, it reminds me of how important it is to let sympathy and kindness (even in my driving) prevail.  Now I say to myself, “I hope no one is hurt…or, they are probably late, or someone is having a bad day,” etc.  Never again will I label bad drivers with anger.  Yes, I think I’m cured of road rage.  Are you?

Jay

29 Comments

10-23-06

Posted in October Blog by Administrator on the October 23rd, 2006

A little while ago I was at my son’s scout outing, and I pulled out a piece of paper to write a note to a friend.  I wrote the letters PVBPSB on the note, and the person sitting next to me politely asked what those letters stood for.  I told him that it was an acronym for my philosophy of life.  So, he continued to ask what they meant, and I told him…Plan your life with vision, budget your money with prudence, structure your time with balance.  He seemed to like it, and get it.  I have held true with this formula in my life, and it works for me…I hope it works for you. 

Love, Jay

22 Comments

10-17-06

Posted in October Blog by Administrator on the October 17th, 2006
This last week in Laughlin, Nevada was a very interesting week!  My two sons, Jason and Marcus, were planning to come down to Vegas, and I was going to pick them up at the airport. School was out for a week, and we were going to have fun in Laughlin together. As life goes sometimes, it didn’t work out the way we planned it.  My son Marcus especially had a hard time. Since Kandi was up in Branson with Eric, and Jason had a lot of homework assignments and job interviews, Marcus was pretty much stuck home alone. He and I had some very interesting conversations over the phone about the challenges of being bored, and having “cabin fever.” We also talked about ways to entertain yourself. I told him of the many experiences I had as a kid in motel rooms, airports, and dressing rooms. It is possible to be content. I told him one of my favorite quotes: “To be content is not having everything, but being happy with everything you have.”  It’s true! We all are guilty of looking for something new, a change of scenery, or things to make us happy.
Marcus took well to the quarterback analogy. I told him that when a quarterback goes back to deliver the ball, he has to have some options or he’s toast! I said, he first looks for his #1 receiver, but if he is covered, then he looks for #2. If he can’t make it, then he looks for the halfback to hand off. However, if that isn’t an option, then he looks for the holes in the line and runs himself. Life is like being in a game, and we all have to quarterback the situations most of the time.
I told Marcus that when our expectations don’t match the situation, we either have to change the illusion or change the reality. We have a choice to whine or cry over spilled milk, or get up and put a bandaid on our knee and start over again.
Our attitudes are nothing more than our perceptions of life. We can be pessimistic or optimistic.  It’s a choice.
I think he got it!
23 Comments

10-8-06

Posted in October Blog by Administrator on the October 9th, 2006

Dear Osfriends -

It’s 10:00 PM and I’m writing this note from my room in Las Vegas at the Sun Coast Hotel.  We just finished our show and said goodbye to our sweet friends.  Many of you have traveled a long way to see us.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your efforts and your love!  I had a chance this week to visit with some of you about your lives and the experiences that surround you.  I have a great appreciation and respect for the way so many of you have handled the challenges that life throws at us.  I want you to know that my concern and love for you is real.

Even though we don’t have much time before or after the shows, I see in your eyes and behind the smiles, the hardships which you’ve had to bear.  I am strengthened and lifted when I see you when I’m on stage or off.  I hope we do the same for you!  We all need each other.  I just wanted you to know that I love you all, and hope that you continue on in this life to find love, peace and joy.

I believe strongly that we are here on earth for a purpose.  It is because of this that we all feel close. 

I’m blessed to have you as friends.

Have a great week!

Love, Jay

46 Comments

10-2-06

Posted in October Blog by Administrator on the October 2nd, 2006

Awhile back I posted on my blog, a couple of “Letters to the Advisor.”  I held this anonymous position in my church back in 1984 & 1985, and sure had fun being the “Advisor.”  I mentioned we would look at making more of these old letters available for your reading pleasure (HA!).  The response we had from everyone was great, so very soon you will be seeing these letters on my website.

In the meantime, I’m going to post a couple of the letters here on this week’s blog.  Also, I wanted to mention that there is a new webpage on my site with a few photos taken by my friend, Tom McFarland, during the last show on the brothers’ U.K. tour earlier this year.  I hope all of you are as excited as I am about the DVD that is coming out from this tour.  Take a look at the new webpage at:  www.jayosmond.com/birmingham06.htm

Love, Jay

September 1984

Dear Advisor:

I’m crazy about a guy in my ward.  I tell him (jokingly, of course) that I’m madly in love with him, and I would part the waters of the Red Sea if I could go out with him.  He laughs at me because he thinks I’m joking, but I’m not.  How can I get this guy’s attention? 

Try using a different approach instead of using humor.  In talking with him, tone down and let him take the initiative a little.  Ask questions that are meaningful and sincere.  By trying to develop a more friendly relationship instead of a funny one, maybe he will take you more seriously.

~ The Advisor

November 1984

Dear Advisor:

Why is it so hard to act yourself around your friends?

Becase you are acting instead of being yourself.

~ The Advisor

20 Comments