The Big Three: the price of eggs

The world can be a crazy place. Sometimes it helps to step back and list a few of the things you’re grateful for. This year, I’m making it a habit to list three blessings each week. Here’s what I’m grateful for this week, February 23 – March 1:

What I’m grateful for:

—Food on our tables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted this week that egg prices will increase 41 % this year and that prices for all food will increase by 3.4%. The price of eggs has definitely gone up in recent years. And I doubt much of the increase has gone back to the farmers. And I’m not getting into how eggs have become a political football. Instead — while that’s all troubling, I’m still grateful for the food in our grocery store shelves and my home. I probably should take it easy on the eggs anyway. High cholesterol and all, you know. Hello Oatmeal! I may not like it much, but it’s still good for me.

—A quote that teaches us something about ourselves. “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” — Aristotle 

—Be an original. A friend of mine sent me a text asking if I had a few minutes to chat. We had worked together three years ago and she had some dirt on a guy from another department who always carried himself with an arrogance that rubbed folks the wrong way. It turns out that contrary to what he presented, nobody has everything figured out.

Yes, he had many strengths, but he had some flaws too.

The news gave me some mixed reactions. It was good to see behind the curtain (even though it came in the form of gossip.) Strangely though, as I talked with my friend, I found myself focusing less on the gossip about the other guy and more on myself.

I was thankful that I was willing to accept my own vulnerabilities. I was grateful that I treated the rest of the team with respect and tried my best to keep the “office games” to a minimum. Instead of playing some fake role, I was myself. Looking back on our interactions, it hit me: When we stop running from our flaws, we find wisdom.

What gave me a smile?

And the Oscar goes to . . .

The 97th Academy Awards will be given out Sunday night. Oh, I’ve seen few of the movies up for nomination. I saw Conclave and thought it was great. Ralph Fiennes was amazing, but I have no idea who will win.

I’ll still be watching. Why? I love seeing people rewarded for their work. I love seeing people at their best. I love the emotion and the rawness of it. Here’s what I mean. J.K. Simmons won the Best Supporting Actor in 2015 for Whiplash.

Simmons does all the normal things. He thanks his wife and kids. He throws in a joke or two and then he reminds everyone to . . . call your mom. I thought that was amazing!