Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. There are so many things that I'm just not good at. Here are ten of them.
1. Dancing. I dance like a midget in a hurricane.
2. Baseball. I played for years, and never really achieved much in the way of skill--plus I hate it.
3. Lying. This just seems to come naturally for some, but I find the truth to be much easier. There is incredible freedom in truth.
4. Being sympathetic to those who make poor choices. This is partially because of #5 on this list, but I am earnestly trying to improve in this area of life. I'm not there yet.
5. Overcoming personal self-righteousness. I'm a smart guy. I know this and have known it for most of my life. As a by product of that self-awareness I often fall into the trap of thinking I know better. It's not that I think I am better, I just often find myself thinking I know a better way to do or say just about anything--especially where my faith is concerned. This is an unhealthy habit that I've been made aware of by the Holy Spirit in recent months and am trying to work on.
6. Playing music by ear. Many talented musicians can hear a melody and join right in. Not me. I usually need to have sheet music, and some time to practice. However, in nearly twenty years of playing music, I have become really good at looking like I know how to play by ear when only playing as an accompanying instrumentalist.
7. Eating slowly. Many people eat slowly so as to savor the flavor of whatever delectable bit they're biting. I inhale it, because frankly I would rather be doing something else.
8. Doing nothing. I need my brain to be nearly constantly active. Sitting still, menial labor, and other mindless activities are a challenge. In school I overcame this by drawing on everything. Not much has changed in thirty years.
9. Remembering short term. I can tell you vivid details of conversations from twenty years ago, but I might not remember what I went into the kitchen to do when I get there.
10. Determining proper cooking portions. If I am cooking for more than 4 people, which is fairly often, I am horrible at determining the proper amount of food to prepare. I always cook way too much.