Have you ever played the island game?? It’s a game my family has played for years and it goes like this: If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want to be there with you?
Here’s the kicker... because you play this game with close friends or family, you can’t pick any of them. Ha!! Would not go over well... plus it’s the point of the game as you have already essentially picked them. So you can’t pick your kids, or your husband, or your best friends.
The island game is focused on those peripheral people in your life who you cross your path once in awhile and then you say to someone (who knows the game) "he or she would be on my island!!" Basically, it means that there is something about that person that makes you want to be around him or her more. Or, that you feel a connection with that person beyond your casual relationship.
So, last week I went on a last minute road trip with Chris which involved a stop at her dad's house in Ohio. Yep you guessed it... this build up is all to tell you that Chris’ dad, Dave Witzi, would be on my island!!
Anyone who knows him might assume that I would pick Dave because he is a work horse, or as one of his grandchildren recently remarked... "Grandpa is a beast!!!" He’s pushing 80 and never stops moving. Always on the go...always fixing something...climbing on top of roofs and ladders and most recently vans!! Oh, and let me add that this work is most often for family, friends or the church he is involved with...rarely for himself. But while I admire the fact that Dave doesn’t let his age or his aches and pains slow him down...it’s his attitude that sets him apart and lands him a spot on my island. In his words...”I make the choice every day not to be grumpy!!” I love this!!!!! And when I heard those words it instantly inspired me to try harder to take on this attitude myself as well. Make a choice every day not to be grumpy. Ridiculously simple to state but some days so hard to really live!!! And, let me also assure you it’s not because Dave hasn’t had his share of hardships in his life. Like the rest of us there have been tough times but through them he has managed to make the choice every day “not to be grumpy!”
I figured if this made such an impression on me, maybe some of you could benefit from hearing this as well. Who likes to be around a grumpy person??? Let’s be reminded to find something positive in each day, to let stuff roll off of us with more ease, to find a way to focus more on the needs of those around us, and when all else fails just to try and fake it till you make it!!
Oh and like it or not Dave...you’re on my island!!
Who would be on your island??
