Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Certain things always put a smile on my face. What about you? What causes you to smile? Is it small things, big things, or some of both? Who could you make a list with? You’ll learn a lot about the person’s priorities, desires, and joys and they’ll learn a lot about yours. You’ll see the core needs showing up in your list. Dads holding children’s hands. Grandchildren hugging grandparents’ necks when saying goodbye. Young teens playing with yo-yos in the airport to pass time rather than texting or playing a game on a hand-held device. (This is such a fun memory for me to come back to.) The first buds on a … [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...]
Invest in the Process of Celebrating Your Children
October 10, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — If children struggle academically they’re sometimes offered extra help at school. Parents may pay for special testing and then tutoring designed to increase achievement. What about music? “Tutoring” isn’t the right thing to think about. Lessons might be. When my parents were alive, they were sometimes asked what they did to cause both my brother and me to “turn out so well.” People may have pointed out that both Dave and I have earned Ph.Ds, were devoted to God, involved in church, healthy, and generally doing well. My mom and dad hemmed and hawed and never really knew what to say. One … [Read more...]
The Question of Legacy: What can you do today, tomorrow, and in the days that follow to be more certain that your beliefs are passed on? Will you?
September 28, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Click image to see larger version. Yesterday would have been my mom’s 87th birthday. She’s been alive in heaven now for just over 3 years. I still miss her. So does my entire extended family. I’m surrounded by things that remind me of her. Many are beautiful, valuable, and meaningful. More important to me, though, are the beliefs I inherited from her and my dad. They’re way more valuable than anything I now own. What can you do today, tomorrow, and in the days that follow to be more certain that your beliefs are passed on? Will you? … [Read more...]
The Music Will Live On
September 12, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — The brain is like other muscles. Once stretched, it never goes back to its original size. If there was a viola in the room, I could pick it up and play it better than those of you who never have. I was raised by music-smart parents. For as long as I can remember, my Dad sang in the church choir. He had played the trumpet throughout school, including at Purdue University. My Mom played the piano and also sang in the church choir, but not for as long as my Dad did. My brother, Dave, who is three years older than I am, started on the piano and when he was old enough to learn another instrument, chose … [Read more...]
Parents of Olympians Meet Needs
August 6, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Last week, I wrote about how our five core needs are relevant to our Olympians. It’s been interesting to watch coverage and predict how some are meeting their needs. What about the parents of the Olympians? What might happen if they try to meet their five core needs ONLY in being parents of these amazing athletes? Security: Who can I trust? My son. He will win a medal. Identity: Who am I? An Olympians Mom Belonging: Who wants me? My son is glad I help him in so many ways. He’s glad I’m his mom. Even his teammates seem to enjoy having me around. Purpose: Why am I alive? I support my son. I … [Read more...]
Identifying Eight Common Denominators in Intelligence Paralysis, Part 1
July 18, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Summer can be a perfect time to awaken each of the eight smarts in your children. Just because your children were born with the capacity to develop their smarts doesn’t mean they will. Awakening them is essential. And, the earlier you do it, the better. There’s a greater likelihood they’ll become strengths. (I blogged about eight ways of doing that here and here.) Another thing to do in your remaining summer weeks would be to work to undo any paralysis that has occurred. Yes, it’s possible that one or more of your children’s smarts have been paralyzed. It can be just temporary if the right … [Read more...]
Celebrating Flag Day, In A Whole New Light
June 13, 2012 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. — I joke with people that I bleed red, white, and blue because I love America so much. I was raised in a flag waving, politically active family. My grandfather (my mom’s dad) was an alderman in my city for over 25 years and then elected the first full-time mayor. I have fabulous childhood memories of not only waving flags, but pushing tiny ones into our front yard to decorate on different holidays, including the oft-ignored Flag Day. That’s tomorrow – June 14th. When we use all 8 of our smarts when thinking and learning, we draw conclusions we wouldn’t have when thinking with just our 1-3 … [Read more...]
A Beautiful Tribute Video to Charity Hope Black Hadick
April 25, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Intelligences never work alone. They work in pairs, triplets, and even four or more will work together to enhance our work and life. (Creating a great meal and gathering for friends requires the use of all eight. Maybe I’ll blog about that next week.) Children and adults can choose to support a weaker intelligence by using a stronger one at the same time. For example, if someone isn’t very logic smart, picturing math problems may help. Even using two weaker smarts is better than using one alone. Two strengths used together can be very powerful. An example of this principle of smart integration is the embedded video below. It was created to honor the life of Charity Hope Black Hadick, the daughter of the friend I posted about on … [Read more...]
Honoring Charity’s Life, Family & Community
April 23, 2012 by · 3 Comments
My heart is heavy for friends who have lost their 22-year old daughter, Charity, to rapid, shocking cancer in the form of a brain tumor. Just headaches a week ago. With Jesus today. My heart is in my throat and I can hardly think straight. Tears cloud my vision. I can only imagine what her parents and young husband are going through. She also leaves behind an 8-month-old son, siblings, and many relatives and friends. Charity’s dad and I have 165 mutual Facebook friends. Therefore, I’ve seen probably hundreds of posts requesting prayer over the past three days as his friends reach out to their networks. Many people have updated us so he didn’t need to spend time or energy doing it. I sometimes joke that not all Facebook … [Read more...]
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