Precious Little Stones

Today was my birthday. After a nap, I read a quick little story called "Precious Stones".  In the story a professor at an American business school, pulled out a jar. In the jar he placed large stones, then small stones, then sand, then water.  The ultimate lesson that he to taught his students was that it is always important to schedule into our is life what's most important. I wondered, how often are we sidetracked by the small insignificant things in our life?  

At that point I, before I jumped on Facebook to check for, or post a status update and then subsequently, turn down an old friends request to play a new the Zynga game, Farmville, Farmtown, or whatever the game of the week. And see who'd given me a birthday shout out, we all love to see those on our "special" or "moment" or day that we choose to share to celebrate.

I then had a thought, how many times or of the actual moments are stealing away to share these moments on carious social media platforms. However, at the same time, we seem to never be able to fit in our schedule the Father and Daughter dance, or the Father and son camping trip.  Ask yourself.  What are my precious stones?  And how can I fit them in first. Because, as I begin this next year in my life, I'm going to ask myself. 

Darrin

Ian and Allie. My precious little stones. 

Unconditional Love

I recently read a quote by Robert Ingersoll.  He stated, "We rise by lifting others".  After reading that pearl of wisdom, I reflected.  How can I uplift?  The path of least resistance, would be by fulfilling an immediate and essential need. 

What is need?  Need as defined in the Webster Dictionary as "the requirement of something because it is essential or important".   After thought and consideration, I concluded that the way to accomplish this task, as a parent, as a son, a husband, a brother, a friend, even an acquaintance is complete and unconditional love. Unconditional love means no matter what wrong, issue, word, slight or misstep I have to love.  I am going to uplift as many people as I can today.

Family, there's no other choice

'I had a scary conversation yesterday. I was asked what motivates me. Then there was an awkward, pregnant pause. I answered on the third heartbeat, my family. 

Some people see that the pinnacle of the social standard can be achieved by other means. Family is anything BUT the other choice. It's a lesson that sometimes is difficult to learn.

"A hard head makes a soft ass" is what my grandmother used to always used to say. But for some reason my head can't be hard enough, and it seems like my ass can't be soft enough. I've learned about the perils of making the wrong choice, not choosing family. 

Some behavior is learned. It's been said that learned behavior is a behavior that was observed by an individual that they find it to be beneficial to them in some way. There's a motivating factor behind it. 

Also, it can be conditioned. the learned behavior is a conditioned response to a stimuli through either voluntary or involuntary intent, so if a behavior can be learned, it can be unlearned as well. 

When I behave in certain ways, I wonder where I learned, or what conditioned response or stimuli I've received in order to drive my behavior. I think that behavior is a series of choices. I'm going to make the right choice, learn a new behavior, choosing my family. 

Saturday Morning Coffee

Saturday morning is a day when most people relax. They may watch a ball game, nap or knock out the honey-do list. Things are a little different for me, Darrin Marion a Zionsville Coffee Shop Owner.

But to me, Saturday means something a lot different. Actually, Saturday is the day I'm the busiest. And you know what? I love every bit of if. Not because of the hustle and bustle. Or the expected question and answers that you hear in your average run of the mill third wave coffee shop. 

Saturday is when I get to see my family. In the Spring and Summer there is the Farmers Market, and in Zionsville, it's absolutely beautiful. My kids run back and forth between the shop and to my wife at the market.

Lately, my son is growing up becoming a tween, and he is growing fast. He's at the point where he's grumpy and sleepy. He still loves Saturday. Though I think he loves the breakfast burritos more than anything.(smile) But there's another bright spot. My daughter. She wears her hat every week (I have my employees wear a hat per Health Department regulations). She jumps up to the register, rings up customers, she even washes and wipes down counters. That makes me happy and proud like Pharell says, " In a room without a roof!". Anyway, I love my Saturday morning coffee. And that's why.