If you need a jumpstart to kick off your spring try these fun creative exercises to spur you on.
1. Make a list of "I love to..." and then decide to enjoy your life
2. Start a Fun Club and do fun things even if you are the only member
3. Write a "Things that Make My Heart Go Pitter Patter" list and gratefully reflect on it often
4. Write a love letter from your creative-self and mail it to yourself! You will be thrilled when you receive it. I did a similar thing in a class when I wrote a letter from my new book to myself. It was wonderful when it arrived in the mail!
5. Decide to give yourself a break. Receive a "Free Pass" and stop kicking yourself for your
mistakes.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Laughter is Good Medicine
I just returned from a great week in Arkansas. Mark the kids and I joined my sister and her family who flew in from Los Angeles for Easter break. We all gathered together with our two cousins Jeffery and Jonathan where we got to see Jeffery’s adorable little girl for the first time and his wife, my aunt June, her friend Dave, and our sweet Grandmother.
We also got to spend some time with our dad and step mom, so it was an action packed trip. Although I dearly love each one, there is nothing like the connection I have with my sister, Lisa.
Whenever we’re together we laugh our pants off, so we’ve decided that we need much more of the laughter drug throughout the year. Living on opposite coasts doesn’t make it easy. However last year we managed to see each other three times. And every November 4th, is a regular date when we are together celebrating our grandmother’s birthday.
I will be in LA this summer taking my daughter to college, so you can bet that the air will be filled with spontaneous, uncontainable laughter. I don’t think Mark has ever seen me laugh so much or so hard. Lisa and I have the same comedic lens, which tickles us silly, bringing out the childlikeness in each other. Who couldn't use a refreshing splash in a cool spring?
We also got to spend some time with our dad and step mom, so it was an action packed trip. Although I dearly love each one, there is nothing like the connection I have with my sister, Lisa.
Whenever we’re together we laugh our pants off, so we’ve decided that we need much more of the laughter drug throughout the year. Living on opposite coasts doesn’t make it easy. However last year we managed to see each other three times. And every November 4th, is a regular date when we are together celebrating our grandmother’s birthday.
I will be in LA this summer taking my daughter to college, so you can bet that the air will be filled with spontaneous, uncontainable laughter. I don’t think Mark has ever seen me laugh so much or so hard. Lisa and I have the same comedic lens, which tickles us silly, bringing out the childlikeness in each other. Who couldn't use a refreshing splash in a cool spring?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Sport of Wisdom
If you are a parent of a middle school boy chances are that you have heard that there is a great deal of apathy from kids in this day and age. My middle school son came face to face with his lack of effort yesterday, which almost got him ousted off his soccer team.
Even though my husband and I have continued to drive home the message of diligence, accountability and the fruit that results from applying oneself deliberately, it wasn’t until he sat before his teachers parroting the same message that the sound waves seemed to reach his ears.
It dawned on me that the lack of intention in our youth is a result of the lack of intention in the world around them. This generation believes everything will effortlessly land in their lap, because they live in a world of illusion spawned by TV.
Many adults are just as careless about their life, fritting it away with out much thought or intention. It wasn't until I was in my forties that I woke up and realize that this was the only shot I’d get, because there are no dress rehearsals! I guess it is time to get back out our character study on wisdom titled Searching for Treasures, that I have used for twenty years with my kids.
Now I continually pray for wisdom and understanding for my children and this generation. Lord, help this generation! Give us wisdom and understanding. Fill us with the knowledge of Your will. Check out this applicable verse for soccer players!
"Doing wickedness is like a sport to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding." Proverbs 10:23
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Col. 1:9
"Teach me to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” Proverbs 24:3
“The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
Even though my husband and I have continued to drive home the message of diligence, accountability and the fruit that results from applying oneself deliberately, it wasn’t until he sat before his teachers parroting the same message that the sound waves seemed to reach his ears.
It dawned on me that the lack of intention in our youth is a result of the lack of intention in the world around them. This generation believes everything will effortlessly land in their lap, because they live in a world of illusion spawned by TV.
Many adults are just as careless about their life, fritting it away with out much thought or intention. It wasn't until I was in my forties that I woke up and realize that this was the only shot I’d get, because there are no dress rehearsals! I guess it is time to get back out our character study on wisdom titled Searching for Treasures, that I have used for twenty years with my kids.
Now I continually pray for wisdom and understanding for my children and this generation. Lord, help this generation! Give us wisdom and understanding. Fill us with the knowledge of Your will. Check out this applicable verse for soccer players!
"Doing wickedness is like a sport to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding." Proverbs 10:23
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Col. 1:9
"Teach me to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” Proverbs 24:3
“The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
Sunday, March 16, 2008
This is Your Life!
The whole room vibrated as the band played and the crowd sang the words, "This is your life. Are you who you want to be? This is your life. Is it everything you dreamed it would be?"
I continue to be amazed every Sunday at church when I hear so much of what is on my heart and in my workshops concerning grabbing a hold of this big wonderful life and living life to the fullest. It's the same message that welled up in my heart when life wasn't a beautiful Sunday drive. The very challenge I faced to keep on living was the instrument that made me passionate about not letting life flee by without being embraced.
It doesn't matter what we feel called to do, we just need to do it with gusto. No more hanging out in the land of just getting by, we need to take hold of the challenge, climb the mountain and be counted as one who is running the race with all their heart. I've heard it said, "If good isn't working, try being outrageous!" Become one who isn't content with average, become outrageous!
I continue to be amazed every Sunday at church when I hear so much of what is on my heart and in my workshops concerning grabbing a hold of this big wonderful life and living life to the fullest. It's the same message that welled up in my heart when life wasn't a beautiful Sunday drive. The very challenge I faced to keep on living was the instrument that made me passionate about not letting life flee by without being embraced.
It doesn't matter what we feel called to do, we just need to do it with gusto. No more hanging out in the land of just getting by, we need to take hold of the challenge, climb the mountain and be counted as one who is running the race with all their heart. I've heard it said, "If good isn't working, try being outrageous!" Become one who isn't content with average, become outrageous!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Possessing the Key
As a girl I had the opportunity to be the lead in my camp’s production of Rapunzel. Recently the Lord began to remind me that like Rapunzel I have always possessed the key to my freedom.
Rapunzel, found her escape to freedom through something she already possessed that was very assessable. Remember her long hair that worked as a ladder for her rescue? Not only did she possess the means to escape her captivity, it was extremely common, yet highly personal.
In the great childhood story, The Wizard of OZ, Dorothy found the very thing she had been searching for right at home where she lived. There is something unique we are meant to connect to resident in all of us.
I’m pretty attuned to living from my heart and in communion with the Lord, but when I make a detour trying to keep up with someone else’s’ pulse, I may miss the obvious even if it is right in front of me. Don't we often seek outside ourselves for answers that only we carry?
It took me a long time to recognize the assets that God innately deposited in me, but when I began to own them, I began to live outside of my prison walls.
At first my son Josh didn't recognize his natural ability with people, even though it makes it easy for him to excel. He thought his ability to make others feel comfortable and accepted was ordinary, not noticing the job offers he gets even when he’s not looking.
“It feels too easy to be a gifting” he said, but that is exactly the point. If something feels effortless it is the signature of divine craftsmanship, because what may be easy for one person is not for another.
What God given key do you posses to your freedom that you haven't recognized?
Rapunzel, found her escape to freedom through something she already possessed that was very assessable. Remember her long hair that worked as a ladder for her rescue? Not only did she possess the means to escape her captivity, it was extremely common, yet highly personal.
In the great childhood story, The Wizard of OZ, Dorothy found the very thing she had been searching for right at home where she lived. There is something unique we are meant to connect to resident in all of us.
I’m pretty attuned to living from my heart and in communion with the Lord, but when I make a detour trying to keep up with someone else’s’ pulse, I may miss the obvious even if it is right in front of me. Don't we often seek outside ourselves for answers that only we carry?
It took me a long time to recognize the assets that God innately deposited in me, but when I began to own them, I began to live outside of my prison walls.
At first my son Josh didn't recognize his natural ability with people, even though it makes it easy for him to excel. He thought his ability to make others feel comfortable and accepted was ordinary, not noticing the job offers he gets even when he’s not looking.
“It feels too easy to be a gifting” he said, but that is exactly the point. If something feels effortless it is the signature of divine craftsmanship, because what may be easy for one person is not for another.
What God given key do you posses to your freedom that you haven't recognized?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
