Colleen’s Contemplations
Colleen’s Contemplations is an article full of reflective wisdom written monthly by our Vice President & Store Manager, Colleen Woerner. Want to print a copy or read Colleen’s Contemplations from past months? Visit the Archives .
March 2010
I took a hiatus last month because I’ve been a bit out of
balance. I’ve been letting the bad stuff get me down. I’ve been giving too much time to all the bad news I hear and not enough time to all the good stuff.
So let me for a moment refocus on some of the happy things. Many people are still telling me about the wonderful gifts they received at Christmas from very generous secret Santa’s out there. People of all ages and stages are working to better themselves by going back to school. Parents are being advocates for themselves and their kids in ways that make me very proud. A 10 year old friend recently donated all the free pizza coupons she’d earned from school. Another friend had her girl scouts create warm blankets to donate. Another friend decided that warm socks were her mission, so they’ve been coming in regularly. A couple of older friends decided to go through their cupboards and pantries looking for extra dishes and utensils that they just don’t need any more. One friend had her husband look through his collection of warm coats and donated the ones he no longer wore. Friends whose kids are moving out of stages are seeking out families with kids moving into those stages.
We are a community of encouragers and supporters. Our community can and does take care of the people who live, work and struggle here. We watch out for each other’s kids and homes and families. Bad stuff happens, it always will, but we can’t let it get us down. We need to continue to rely on our faith to get us past the bad times and focus on the good times ahead. Because you know what? Good stuff happens too; it comes along as regularly as the bad but deserves a lot more focus. In two little paragraphs I transitioned from being half empty to being half full, by counting the blessings I see in our community. A hiatus isn’t what I needed, I needed to get back some balance and perspective the way I like to most, by thanking the community that supports me, and allows me to have such a great job.
God bless you all.
Colleen Woerner, WNC Vice President & Store Manager