Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — I golfed yesterday. I’ve enjoyed learning to play. The exercise, fresh air (even when it’s very hot), and fellowship is refreshing. Work is never-ending. There’s always something I could be doing, but yet I golf. I’m a better person because I leave work and my to-do list behind every once in awhile. It’s one of the ways I take care of myself. What about you? How are you taking care of yourself? What works for you? What about your friends? Any changes you want to make? You’re worth it! … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #18: Putting Down The ‘To-Do’ List Once in a While
May 18, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #17: When Was The Last Time You Put Someone Else First?
May 11, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — My brother and sister-in-law were going to host their small group and I volunteered to make the dessert since I was in town. Listening to the options Debbie gave me, I first thought of choosing one of the chocolate options because that would be my preference. But, I didn’t. I chose to make the lemon bars because lemon is my brother’s favorite flavor. I was surprised how often I thought of Dave while making them. Then, later, with anticipation, I cut the bars from the 9x12” pan. After dinner, he passed the plate and waited until everyone had one. I enjoyed waiting for his reaction after he took his first bite. Putting Dave’s preferences first was … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #16: Finding Fulfillment in Your Day
May 4, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — Driving to my nephew’s college graduation has me thinking. Is what you do day by day fulfilling? How do you know? What’s the evidence that it is or isn’t? Do your friends use the same standard? Who inspired you to choose your college major or career? What did this person do that helped you? How is looking back to remember beneficial? Who do you know who you could inspire today? Will you? Here’s an assignment for you. If the person you thought of above is still alive, call them and thank them for their influence. … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #15: The Anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing
April 20, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — Yesterday was the 17th anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma City. That’s hard to believe! If I wouldn’t have flown to Oklahoma for an event yesterday, I wouldn’t have remembered. We know that challenges affect people’s beliefs and attitudes, even if they’re not personally involved. Did this one influence you in any way? Why or why not? Do you know others who were affected by it much more than you were? Why do you think that is? I wonder why we remember what we remember and forget what we forget…. --- Photo credit goes to my friend Randy Thomas. Thanks Randy! … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #14: It’s Friday the 13th, Do You have Paraskevidekatriaphobia?
April 13, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — It’s Friday the 13th. What feelings does this invoke? Do you have paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th)? Why or why not? Are you concerned enough about people who believe in superstitions that you’d challenge someone’s thinking? How might you go about having that conversation? … [Read more...]
The Gospel According to a Five Year Old on Good Friday
April 6, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — Today’s thought provoking discussion starter is a picture (full picture below.) Study it. What do you see? What thoughts are provoked? What feelings? Just before Christmas, I posted this picture drawn by the five-year-old son of friends. It blessed so many people, I thought it was appropriate to post again. His dad saw the picture and asked, “What does this mean?” His son answered, “This is Jesus lying in the manger thinking about the cross, and this is Jesus on the cross thinking about the manger.” Complete. That word comes to mind. Easter. “It is finished.” … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #13: Is April Fool’s Day Harmless?
March 30, 2012 by · 10 Comments
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — I was going to post some quotes about April Fool’s Day, but I can’t. I don’t want any of us thinking about or discussing the quotes I found. Just a sad and disgusting perspective on people. Friends are worthy to be fooled. You can’t hurt anyone. You get the picture. What do you think? Is April Fool’s Day harmless? Harmful? Does your motive matter? For instance, if you played a joke on someone, but you didn’t want them hurt by it, would that make it okay when they were hurt? If those questions don’t interest you, how about discussing these quotes? There’s much here worth unpacking. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #12: Not Beating Myself Up = Growth
March 23, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — We didn’t post a new blog this Wednesday. Did you miss it? I’ve been posting new material every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for quite a while now, but not this week. I’ve been in South Carolina all week and just became overwhelmed by all there was to do to get ready for the large convention I’m speaking at. I should have written Wednesday’s post a few days earlier, knowing that I’d be busy and distracted. But, I didn’t. I was busy then, too! The “Old Kathy” would have beaten herself up over this “bad” planning. The new one didn’t. I decided the world would not end. I chose to believe that if people missed Wednesday’s blog, they’d … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #11: St. Patrick’s Day Edition – Can We Trust in Luck?
March 16, 2012 by · 2 Comments
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — My Great Aunt Erna had an uncanny ability to find four-leaf-clovers. It was the strangest thing. The whole family would be at a park or an outdoor concert and she would look around where she was sitting and find one or more. The rest of us rarely found one. Many believe they bring good luck to the finder. I’m not sure that was the case with my Great Aunt. In honor of her and tomorrow’s celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, here are some quotes about luck. Think about these questions as you read them: Do you agree with one more than another? Why or why not? How might you convince someone that the ones you disagree with are not true? “Those who have … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #10: Springing Forward and Perspective on Time
March 9, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — Some of us in the world will move our clocks ahead for daylight savings time tomorrow night. We’ll lose an hour. If you’re like many, you’ll complain. But, think about it. Don’t you lose other time by wasting it? It’s in your power to use it well, but you don’t? Does that bother you? Why or why not? So which is it? Is time valuable to you or not? Does your behavior line up with how you answer this question? … [Read more...]
Follow Kathy!
You can also sign up for our helpful bi-weekly (on Tuesday) Celebrate Kids newsletter.