Wednesdays Word........Disappointment

As you can see it has truly been a while since I've even thought about my blog. Which for some who are extremely desperate to hear my thoughts it may have been disappointing for you not to see anything from me in a while. If that's the case we may need to talk and just maybe get you a little help. Yeah I've had fleeting thoughts like oh that'd be good but nothing really compelling me sit here and take the time

So many times in our lives we face circumstances that are bound to leave us disappointed, discouraged or lost. Many times these are areas in our life, that despite our best efforts, are beyond our control because of all the variables involved but we still seem to have the most trouble accepting the outcome. Whether these are moments in our career, job seeking, our education, family or personal life it can consume us. Will it affect you? Yes. Does it define you? No. Generally what it boils down to is that we need a new perspective, a new point of view or maybe a wake up call to get us to look at the bigger picture and the greater purpose of our experiences.

We become so focused on the final outcome that we overlook the journey that got us there in the first place. It has become so ingrained in our society to focus on the prize that we forget about everything that comes with it; good or bad. The fact is that sometimes the growing through a process is a much greater benefit than the final outcome. Especially when you look at the odds and all the choices and chances that get us to that specific point at that specific time in our lives.

So why the mushy keep your head up pep talk?

Some of my friends and family know that I had applied to be a part of the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Yes I know I'm a guy but we are people too. But this is a group of parents who use their trip expertise to help others navigate what could be their once in a life time trip for their family by answering questions and giving tips. Tens of thousands of people apply every year but only a few make it each year to be a part of this team. But in the selection process maybe 5-10% get the chance to make it to the next round, which I was chosen to make it on to round 2 this year. Then you have to make a short video and answer more essay questions both about yourself but also "test" type questions on what you'd recommend for families to do. When I got that congratulations email I was shocked because I barely remembered applying since I had a 1 day window because the remaining time I was actually at Walt Disney World. I was also sick and pretty doped up on medicine so that might have had something to do with it too. It was quite the honor to make it that far and a lot of fun creating my video (even though it might of embarrassed my boys a little) and putting together my answers. My wife and I had actually compiled a Disney tip book over the years because of the number of people who knew our love for Disney World and were seeking our opinions for planning their trip.

It was a lot of fun finding a lot of the others who had made it this far too through Twitter and Facebook. Getting to share our Disney"geek"side with others in the same boat who understood what we were going through was a nice comfort to have. As the days got closer for the next cut nerves were obviously on edge for some and a lot of the fun was taken out of the process by a few in the minority that complained and couldn't take the funny cryptic tweets anymore because it was stressing them out. You could see people beginning to obsess over things and could no longer eat or practically function. Then they changed the notification date and that's when I began to look at the process from a different perspective.

I really think the date change to the 11th (Veterans Day) was intended for me to look at what the day really was. It wasn't meant to sit around a computer or smart phone and hit refresh desperately waiting for an email we assume will change our lives or wreck it depending what it says. No it is a day to honor those who have dedicated their lives to sustaining the freedoms that allow us to pursue our dreams such as these. People begin to lose sight of the fact they have even had the chance, of what the majority of the world would consider, of a lifetime and go on a Disney vacation. I have been on a mission trip to the slums of Mexico where I've handed a little boy with no shoes an old soccer ball and you would of thought I gave him a million dollars from the smile on his face. I have sat and read to a little girl on an Indian reservation who in that moment didn't have a care in the world because she had someone paying attention to her. I've packaged meals to be delivered around the globe and I've helped the homeless just 30 minutes from my house. I've been blessed more by helping these people than I ever could in giving someone a 200 word answer on how best to enjoy their time at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade. So I began to step back and not just look at this moment but to all the opportunities I've had to share my love of Disney with my family and friends. I didn't grow up getting to take family vacations to Disneyland or Disney World. My first trip to see the Mouse was when I was 22 and we live just about as far away from each as you can get so we can't just go when ever we want to on top of the fact we can't afford to go several times a year or even yearly like some people. So because of these things I cherish the chances we do get to spend time as a family on a vacation especially a Disney one.

While I didn't get the answer I necessarily wanted, I got the answer I needed to hear at that moment and it wasn't the "sorry maybe next year" it was the.......you are doing things that make a difference so don't worry about this. All this being said will I apply again because I am lucky enough to still be qualified to apply due to my wife and I taking the trip of a lifetime to attend both nights of Night of Joy a few months ago. But I've also been on the other side. A few years ago I lost my job of 10 years with the company I assumed I'd retire from, which obviously ended up not being the case. But with support and trust in God I knew my family would be OK. I didn't know the outcome but I had enough faith to make it through. But for 4 years we didn't take a vacation let alone a Disney one. So making it as far as I did once I was eligible again was an unexpected blessing that sparked that creative writing part of me that had fizzled away this year. And in one of those "just so happened to be" moments that helped reassure me to stick with it I got a message from my sister-in-law this morning that my brother was giddy (if you know my brother this is the proper word) with excitement at the possibility of a trip to Disney World and wanted my help and opinions.

So while things don't necessarily happen the way or when we want them, we should always remember that we are bigger than any title we could ever be given, better than our own opinion of ourselves and the praises we earn from outsiders can't even compare to those received from loved ones. Remember to keep your energy focused on the things you can control, stuff that matters and bring joy to those around you.