The Generosity of Galloping Horses

I was just reading a devotional about judging, and the author used an example from her own life. She related that she was able to visit both her grandmothers' homes, both of whom were quilters. While one grandmother made her practice endlessly, and made her rip things out and redo them to her satisfaction, the other grandmother was always encouraging. She would call out to the grandfather things like, "Look how Laura's improving! I do believe she's turning into quite the seamstress!"
While both women made quilts, the perfectionist wouldn't enter a quilt contest unless she was confident she would win. Her quilts were a work of art. The other woman was more prolific; she had fun, and made functional quilts with great love. Her seams weren't straight, the corners not tight, and the edges had puckers. Her motto was, "You'll never notice from the back of a galloping horse."
What a great attitude! I love it. Perhaps because in my quilts, my projects, and in my life my seams may be a little crooked, too. I'm thankful for those who look with eyes of kindness and generosity, and even squint if you have to, to ignore the flaws you'd never see from the back of a galloping horse anyway.

Gosh!

Recently this question was posed to us, "Are you an asset or a liability?"
It was in regard to emergency preparedness, and I thought it was worth of a bit of pondering. The answer is that I am an asset, as I have food, water, equipment, and some skills. That's emergency preparedness.
What about other areas of my life? As a friend am I a giver or a taker? A glass half full or a glass half empty? An lifter-upper or a dragger-downer?
In my ward am I one of those, or one of those? In my family do I give more comfort or cause more worry? Am I someone anyone would want to be stuck in an elevator with?
This question has popped up in my mind at different times, and helped me to smile when I didn't really feel like it, and give an extra ounce because I really want to be an asset, not a liability.

( My pictures never seem to go where I want them, so let me explain: Dangerous Ground; This mortal experience can be! Colorful Thermal Garden; interesting things along the way. Hiking: though we may need to rest, it's upward motion we're after. Ol'Faithful, what we need to be~steady and worth the wait.)

And the Answer Is...

The first thing I did was make sure there wasn't a third shoe in there, though I really knew there wouldn't be. Zach; yup, and left and a right. Jen; capris. Jenna; LA Fitness, Barbie Training Camp.
In the blink of an eye I thought: How humiliating. I'm already here. I've already changed in the bathroom. I look ridiculous. What if I see someone I actually know? Is there no limit to the embarrassing things I can manage? Really? Who would dare to say something? (Maybe that snotty lady from the pool who said, "Excuse me...I"m trying to DO something here." Like I wasn't?)'sigh'.
Second blink of the eye: You know, I'm more than the sum total of my shoes. You know what else? Who would DARE to say something?! Everyone walks around here not making eye contact with anyone. And this is the one that tipped the scales: I always told my daughters act like you like it- walk with your head up and shoulders out- put a big smile on your face and give off such an attitude of confidence everybody will wish they had what you have. So I did. I squared my posture and strode out onto the floor and up the stairs to the treadmills like I owned the place. Past a dozen guys lifting weights who are so busy watching themselves in the mirror they didn't know anyone else was on the planet, past two dozen people huffin' and puffin' on elipticals so hard they didn't have the air to comment, and into the only empty slot on the treadmills. If anyone saw they pretended they didn't. That was very sweet of them, don't you think? On reflection I believe that my own mother was right. One day she heard me going on and on about my hair when I was in high school. She said something like, "You know, most people are so worried about themselves they really don't even give you a second thought." Humbling, but true. Nevertheless, I was very careful the next time I packed my gym bag.

Hmmm?

So, what would YOU do? Scenario: You've packed your gym bag at o'dark-thirty, had another 'fun' day at the job 20, raced to the gym to sneak in some kind of work-out before you pick up the husband in an hour (another story for another time) and TA-DUH! You have one white shoe with navy trim and one gray shoe with lime green trim. Looking forward to your replies. :)