Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Joy Stealers

Yesterday was a good day. I had a meeting concerning the latest numbers for our Pantene's Beautiful Lengths campaign (1,302), the hair cutting event and everything surrounding that day. When I left the meeting, I felt so blessed to be leading this effort. Then, I walked into my office and answered my phone which was ringing.

It was a viewer named Paula and she was none to happy with me. "Last week when north Mississippi was having bad weather, you pronounced Lafayette County as 'LA-fay-ETTE' instead of 'La-FAY-ette'. Since you're from that area, you should know better!" I agreed with Paula and told her that I had been taking all sorts of medicines for bronchitis and really didn't feel like myself last week; I had no doubt I probably had made several last week. I also went on to explain that my weathercasts are impromptu. I have no scripts, no words to read--only a 3-4 minute speech to give off the top of my head along with showing my maps/graphics. I am going to make mistakes and I apologized for the slip up. "Well, I know you graduated from Mississippi State and the correct pronounciation doesn't really matter to you, but we are die hard Ole Miss fans and we are very sensitive to things concerning Oxford." I told Paula while I was at MSU, I was obtaining my Masters degree so there was no socializing going on during that time. I was there to study. As far as college loyalties, I loved Mississippi College since I received my Bachelors there and met my closest friends there. However, I told her many of my family members went to Ole Miss including my husband. "Well, I just wish you would pay closer attention to the things you say and try not to make these kinds of mistakes in the future," she concluded.

Have you ever had someone try to ruin your day? Paula was getting close. After having such a productive, positive Pantene meeting, Satan had obviously put Paula up to bring me down and criticize me until I couldn't take any more.

As you go throughout your day, be aware of people Satan puts in your path who will try to change your attitude and put a chip on your shoulder. Don't let them steal your joy and what all God has for you today.

9 comments:

Wilson said...

Hi, Barbie! It's so true that Satan knows just the right time to send someone to steal our joy. I am sorry that "Paula" ruined your day. Sometimes I just wish that people would use the effort and energy that they do to complain and do something productive instead. In the time it took her to look up your number and scold you on the phone for something so insignificant, she could have read a book to a child, visited a sick friend in the hospital or just spent some time praying. Hope today is better for you!

KeithAR2002 said...

Wow! Talk about nitpicking..... She was probably a lonely old woman who doesn't have anything better to do than make sure Barbie Bassett pronounces the counties of Northern Mississippi correctly ;)

Tommy, Suzanne, and Mary Peyton said...

i will pray that God keeps the "paulas" out of your paths. and we (my husband, tommy, has kept up with this, too!) are so proud of you and the others involved for growing your hair to donate! he says that he can't wait to see everybody get their hair cut!!!

Barbie Bassett said...

The "Paulas" are an every day occurance for me. Some call, some email, some send a letter. I don't always share them with you, but there are some that seem to teach me a lesson when they come my way.

By the way, ya'll are the best!

April said...

You have more patience than I do, Barbie. I don't tolerate negativity all that well. But I'm agreeing with keithar on this one. She is SO nitpicky! I've lived in Mississippi all my life and I still can't pronounce half the counties and cities right. For the longest time, I pronounced Amite just as it's spelled when it is pronounced Ammite. That's one. But the northern counties and cities are hard to pronounce.

But on the real, how sad is that to jump all over you for that and then continuing on and on with no end in site. And I agree with keithar again when I say she is probably a lonely old woman with nothing better to do then annoy local celebrities who screw up one little thing. We aren't perfect! I can promise you she probably has issues pronouncing some of the names here in Mississippi as well. And to that, I say touche, dear Paula. Touche.

Don't let it get to you, Barbie. You know you rock out loud.

jtcttt said...

Satan, is very powerfull. I know it, and you do too.
Just trust in God......
I do>>>>>>>
Jenny trout

jtcttt said...

I know what you mean, seems like everYthing I do lately , satan is there to contradict me. My son and i have been reading the bible every nite. He is 14 years and I try my best to tell him what it means, I just hope That I do my best in interperting it for him. but every since we started reading it, it seems that satan is in my life and is doing its best to do me in. but guess what I love the lord and i aint't gonna let him get me down....... Jesus, is the reason.....
Jenny Trout

Barbie Bassett said...

Jenny, the Bible says if we lack wisdom, all we have to do is ask. I have to believe that if we listen to our conscience (the Holy Spirit), He will help us interpret His word. That's how God speaks to us. So I commend you for having teachable moments with your 14 year old. I know God is smiling down on you!

Terry said...

Hey Barbie:
my sister Sherry is doing the pantene contest with you and she shared this link with me and some of our co-workers. I just had to write and let you know how much i enjoy reading your blog everyday. I know you said in one of them that sometimes you wonder if you should continue writing them , i hope and pray that you do. You are such a blessing to all of us that read them. You really have be such an inspiration to me. My dad just recently passed away and it has really be hard on me and my family. My sister Sherry and I are twins, our mom died when we were not quite 3 yrs old. So you can imagine how important our dad was to us. Things are really hard right now. Losing someone you love is always hard but we also are having to deal with a legal issue with a non-family member. She changed the locks on us during my dad's family and so far we haven't been able to go and remove his personal things. I have to tell you that I don't have much faith in our civil legal system, this is our first time having to deal with the courts and lawyers and it has really been an experience (not good)for us. Luckily my dad did have a will so hopefully if we ever get to court and can go in front of a judge we will finally be allowed inside to remove his things and try to find some closure. I sorry this comment is so long but I just wanted you to know how much you have help me during this time. Some days are really hard but I always feel better after reading your blogs. You have such a wonderful spirtual attitude and your knowledge of the scriptures is awesome. I look forward to reading your blogs each day. Love in Christ, Terry