5 Things I'm Thankful for Today.

1. Fall weather. 60-degree temps? In the deep south? Yes, siree. Bring it on.
2. Crock pots. The scents wafting throughout the house, the prep and being able to do other things while meals are cooking, the multiple servings of meals when the slow cooker has finished slow cooking...it's all good. Literally.
3. Hope. 'Cause you know, it's a pretty huge motivator and the best non-narcotic ever. Ever. Also, it can keep you going through the next week, which is amazingly nice.
4. Football season. You know, my teams don't have to win, but it's really nice when they do. Well, when some of them do. Specifically the Saints and LSU. I'd love for Southern Miss to do well, but...maybe next year. :-)
5. A grandmother who recovers well enough from her stroke to come home. And parents who are willing to change their lives to help her. That was long, but I think necessary.

The Two-Minute Warning.

Along with most of America, I've been watching a lot of football these past few months. 

(And, along with most of my region and family and friends, I was highly excited about LSU's Cotton Bowl win last night and sadly disappointed about the Saints' wild card playoff loss today.)

But I digress.

As football season quickly dwindles away for 2010-2011, I've become more and more aware of "the two-minute warning." I can't count the number of times I've heard that statement in football and wished that more facets of this game of life contained a heads-up for what's about to happen: prime time to make pertinent decisions, a glimpse that the end is in sight, or just the chance to wind down from the past (often very emotional) game that's occurred.



That two-minute warning.

Man, the times I could've used that. I'm guessing I'm not alone in this, and that we all would appreciate a little advance notice -- before the slam of a door, the opening of a window, the end of a game, the opportunity to make a crucial play.

I guess the bottom line is that we don't get a two-minute warning in life, but we do get a heads-up. Vibes, gut feelings, prompting by the Holy Spirit -- I've heard them referred to by many names and in many forms.

In the Communications/PR field, it's common to create plans for crisis situations. It's also recommended. And while it's highly unlikely (and a little freaky-sounding) to do the same for every possible personal crisis, I am learning more and more that it is really incredibly wise to be prepared. That way, when the two-minute warning (slash nudge slash gut feeling slash sixth sense) comes around, we're not caught so off-guard. We can start taking deep breaths, looking to the future instead of beginning what can turn into an endless dwelling on what's about to happen.

This might sound jaded, but I'm going to start thinking a little more about being prepared for that two-minute warning before it comes.

Knowing the future is near, being optimistic about it, putting myself in gear for good times ahead, and wrapping up my current game/status/situation. That can't be too bad, right?

Let's hope not. Because this year, for this redhead, focus is the name of the game.

Watch out, ADHD thoughts and tendencies! You're about to get a run for your money!

This is the two-minute warning!