Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — The waves kept coming. And coming. It if weren’t for the rocky shore, I couldn’t have sat where I was. The water would have come much further. The waves would have calmly died out. Slowed down. Quietly. And then the next waves would have arrived, continuing the pattern. But, there were rocks. There was the shore. The barricade. It’s where the water churned. The waves collided. The ocean roared. These rocks are immovable, but I know they’re smaller than they used to be. The powerful water has acted as sandpaper and the barricade is smaller as a result. Some water gets through. While recently watching and … [Read more...]
Do You Extend Hope to Others?
May 6, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Do you extend hope to others? If you have some, I hope you do. We shouldn’t keep it to ourselves. Does it have to be a big deal? A time consuming conversation? The giving away of something you value? No. Might it be? Yes, and it would be worth it. Can it be a smile shared as you walk past a coworkers? Yes. a genuine question, asking someone how she is, and showing with body language, eye contact, and facial expression, that you do want and care about a real answer? Yes. an anonymous gift of money to someone who needs it? Yes. asking someone for practical help so a need you have is met, but more importantly … [Read more...]
Live long. Die old.
April 29, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — I’m not sure when it started, but it’s continued. At some point in almost every program with middle school and high school students, I have them repeat it after me. “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” Suicide is way too common – it’s the third leading cause of death for 11-19 year-olds. There are no words strong enough to express my grief every time I think about this. Today’s young people are overwhelmed by the amount of information available to them. Be a solid source of truth for … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 6 – Nature Smart
April 3, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — “It sure is ugly outside today.” “What do you mean?” “You know. It’s so cloudy and foggy. It’s dark and the air just looks heavy today.” “It’s just another kind of beauty.” “What?” “It’s just another kind of beauty.” A friend and I had this conversation. I’m the one asking “What?” with disbelief in my voice and a perplexed expression on my face. My friend is so nature smart that she sees beauty in it all. Because of her, I’m more nature smart then I used to, but I’m still not as nature smart as she is. Nature-smart children would rather be outside than inside. … [Read more...]
For God So “Dvu”-d The World
March 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Love is on my mind. It’s Easter week. That makes it “love week” for me. It’s better than Valentine’s love, birthday love, and even wedding love because it’s about God’s love. I’m grateful I know and believe in the love sacrifice God made on our behalf. Our behalf. Ours. He sent His Son to take our sin upon Himself so we’d be forever free from the death penalty. I hope you know Him and believe. Please read what follows. It’s written by Bob Creson of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Titled, “God so ‘dvu’-d the World…” it’s one of the best things I’ve ever read about love. I’m glad … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 5 – Body Smart
March 20, 2013 by · 4 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Each of our smarts, or intelligences, is born into us, but must be awakened by meaningful encounters with people and/or things. My body smart, or bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, was awakened when my parents enrolled me in ballet and tap dance lessons when I was about six-years-old. Prior to dance class, I was certainly moving, but I was clumsy and unsure of myself. Dancing increased my confidence and coordination. I went from taking lessons to becoming an assistant teacher. When I got older, I especially enjoyed softball and racquetball. I also spent years on drill teams and in marching bands. These … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 3 – Picture Smart
March 6, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Surrounding ourselves with people different from us enriches our personal and professional lives. I’m not terribly picture smart so I’m very grateful for the people in my life who are. To be honest, sometimes they frustrate me. But, that’s when I choose (most of the time) to appreciate our differences. It takes character. Especially before understanding that each intelligence has value, I might have been jealous of creative, artsy people. I might have avoided them because I didn’t like feeling inferior when we did certain things together. I’m not proud of that. I’m just being … [Read more...]
Just Watch and Listen
February 25, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — On the way to the grocery store, a friend’s son asked if they could rent a movie from the Red Box he knew was outside the store. After thinking about their schedule, she decided it was okay. After parking the car, my friend and her son waited behind a girl she estimated to be 14 or 15. When this girl realized the Red Box did not have the movie she wanted to rent, she loudly proclaimed, “I hate my life!!!” and stormed off to a parked car. My friend heard her complain bitterly to the driver, actually trying to place blame on her for choosing such a “stupid Red Box.” Have you ever wondered how to determine … [Read more...]
Choose to Invest – Community Matters
February 18, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Choose to invest. About two weeks ago, a Facebook friend posted asking for prayer for Kathryn, a child from my church. I didn’t know her or her parents, but I chose to “like” the page they set up to keep people informed and I’m glad I did. Kathryn is in the hospital for major brain surgery. She’s had two in the last two weeks and symptoms of epilepsy that they hoped would subside continue. I can’t imagine her parents going through this alone. I can’t imagine any of us being alone. We should be in community to celebrate blessings and to support each other in hard times. Belonging matters. Choose to … [Read more...]
Masks Matter
January 28, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Doug, a member of the small group I attend at my church, wears a mask over his mouth and nose for health reasons. He’s had cancer and a transplant so his immune system is weak and he needs to guard his health. He has told us he doesn’t like wearing it. But, he does. Doug’s mask is life-giving. It protects him from something real. He’s not hiding behind it. He’s not choosing to be fake. What about us? It’s so tempting to wear masks so we can hide. Pretend to be perfect. Protect others from ourselves. To be fake. It’s dangerous and damaging, as Jill Savage points out in her must read, No More Perfect … [Read more...]
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