Oh What A Night

Once upon a time I worked for a non-profit organization that serviced at-risk youth. This one time we had a big celebration gala to honor all the community members, superintendents, volunteers, business partners, and staff. This was a night full of mingling and meeting new people. What a great night to honor those who work hard and have donated so much of their time to an organization that focuses on drop out prevention.

At this particular event, alcoholic beverages were available as a possible drink option. To get into the "classy" mood, I decided to walk up to the bar and order a White Zinfandel.

"Well hello there, may I have a glass of White Zinfandel?" I politely asked.

"Hmm... I'll need to see some ID."

"Say What? Well, I work here, see..." (I point to the badge that states I am an employee of this non-profit organization).

"Nope, I need the ID."

"Well, I left it in the car, and it is quite far away. I promise, you have to have graduated in order to be in this job, I graduated 4 years ago, I'm legal!"

"You know what, I really don't believe you."

"Oh my goodness, I'm 26! Here is my birth-date: 2-22-84! See, 26! I wouldn't have just made it up!"

"Woah, that's definitely older than 21. I know that for a fact!" says the younger of the two bartenders. "Yeah, I guess we can trust her."

"Ok, but next time, bring your ID."

"Yeah, gotcha, no prob." I said.

So I grabbed my Zinfandel and headed to the ceremony. We ate, we clapped, we laughed, we "ahhh"ed, and we left.

After the ceremony, a few of my co-workers and I went to a local establishment to enjoy ourselves and do a little dance. Just for legality sake, we'll call it the Crystal Plant.

I have never been to this Crystal Plant place before, and was looking forward to a fun night out with the co-workers I rarely ever see.

I was in the mood to have a lot of fun with these people.

So we arrive.

It apparently is 80's night with a band called the Molly Ringwalds.

We stand around.

Nobody is talking.

We stand some more.

We listen to the band.

The band is energetic.

I suddenly become bored.

I walk up to a group of people and start jamming out to a Bon Jovi song sung by the Molly Ringwalds.

The girls in the group stare at me.

I scream, "woohoo... we're half way there, oh oh, livin' on a Prayer!!!!"

They begin to laugh.

I question the reason why they laugh.

I'm unaware.

I sing and dance some more.

I feel awkward.

I go back to the group of coworkers.

We stand around.

We decide to head upstairs for more room and sitting space.

We stand around.

The Molly Ringwalds finally close their set.

4 co-workers leave, they are bored and tired and say they are "old."

I begin to think that this night is not all what it was cracked out to believe. As I think this, familiar music begins to play in my ear.

"What joy, something to dance to! Hooray! Hey all, let's go out on the dance floor. Who's with me?"

The sound of birds chirping suddenly rang in my ear.

"Come on, let's go!" As I walked away, I assumed people were following me. When I turned around, to my surprise, I was alone.

"Forget y'all!" I thought. So I decided I would dance by myself on the dance floor. The story of my life...

I look around, and think, "hmm... these people are definitely older. They are definitely in their late 30's- mid 40's. This is quite weird."

So I decide to head back upstairs with my non-dancing co-workers.

"Hey Shoh, did you have fun?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Umm... nobody went with me, it's not the most exhilarating experience to go dancing alone."

"Aww... I'm sorry."

"Yeah, sure."

We stand around some more.

... and some more.

"Hey Shoh, we'll go dancing with you." says my co-worker friend and her husband.

"Ok! Hey other co-workers, you wanna go dancing now?"

"Nah."

"Yeah right!"

"Nope."

"I'm good."

"Sure, I'll go."

"Really?" I question.

"Yeah, let's do it."

So we go out on the dance floor. The four of us. The lights are so bright, it seems like we're dancing in the afternoon.

I begin to observe these middle/over the hill aged people, and I begin to laugh. It was quite humorous watching the business men and women bump and grind to Justin Timberlake, Sexy Back.

At this point I'm only concerned with my friends and the dancing that we are engaged in. As I dance, co-worker friend #1 says, "SHOH, watch out!"

"What is it?"

"Do NOT turn around!"

I'm thinking, "What is happening behind me, what kind of crazy is doing something behind me?!"

So I turn around.

Lo and Behold, I see a 39 year old woman in Daisy Dukes with certain areas of her skin hanging out in all forms and shapes booty dancing and climbing up and down a pole. A few seconds later, a man with many wrinkles, and several strands of grey hair decides to place his body behind hers moving in rhythm to the music.

This was quite a sight to see.

These were professional adults acting like teenagers.

I didn't know what to think.

The woman was very close to me while she was dancing on the pole.

I am thankful my co-worker friend moved me out of the way.

Apparently the pole dancing woman was millimeters away from touching me with her hanging skin.

Whew, what a close one!

We move to a different location.

We dance some more.

We see more older drunk people bumping and grinding.

I felt quite peculiar.

We decide to stop dancing and return upstairs.

We see the other co-workers.

They are still standing.

We stand some more.

We become bored.

We decide to leave.

We find the car.

We leave.

We are not sure as to what to think about the Crystal Plant.

It was an interesting night.

We arrive at my house.

I go to bed.

I pretend I never saw what I actually witnessed that night at the Crystal Plant.

The end.

My Realization

Once upon a time I had a really tough month. Maybe more than a month. Maybe a tough 2010, and several months prior to that as well. Life has been somewhat difficult. I really don't have much room to complain. I am pretty much healthy, I have a job, I have a home, I have food to eat, I have a family, I have friends, and most importantly, I have a relationship with the Lord. As I look back and think about what has been so dreadful, I realize that many of my "issues" boil down to what is self adoration. Yes, different struggles have occurred based on certain life situations I have recently experienced, but the emotional attachment I have with these all revolve around me. ME ME ME ME ME. Yuck. "What am I going to do in the future?" "Why are all MY friends moving away?" "How come no one is paying attention to ME?" "Listen to MY jokes!" "I can't eat this type of food, I'M hungry." "I don't care about meeting new people, I have plenty of friends." "I don't want to go to work." "Let ME talk about MY struggles, and if we have time, we'll talk about you." "I don't want to do this, or that, or anything." "I'M tired of dealing with ___________, I'M ready to just give up!"

Dang girl...

It sounds like I have a pronoun problem.

The realization of this self absorption is a helpful step in making a change. Instead of focusing everything on me, I realize that my direction needs to be on God. My focus needs to be on how to serve HIM, and serve his people. It's nice to know that regardless of any sin I may be in, or any self pity I encounter, God is always faithful. Through prayer, patience, and faithfulness, I know this soon will pass. Times will be tough, times will be good, times will get harder, and times will get better. No matter what situation I encounter, God deserves all the Praise and Glory. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..."

Once upon a time I created a blog to tell funny stories.

Once upon a time I couldn't think of anything funny to tell because I had a hard time enjoying the pure pleasures and gifts from life.

Once upon a time I decided to write about my true struggles to anyone willing to read.

Once upon a time I gave my life over to God to be used by him.

I am a sinner in need of a Savior.

Thank you Lord for your Mercy and Grace.

The end.