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...]
Special Blog Post About the Boston Tragedy
April 16, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
If you’re like most people, you’re wondering how to talk with children about the tragedy that occurred in Boston yesterday. Here’s some advice. I truly hope it’s helpful. Respond to emotion with emotion. Feel your children’s feelings before you analyze them. Hug them. Cry with them. Listen. Listen longer. Keep listening. Even longer. Don’t be afraid of silence. Don’t say anything that would cause them to question if their emotions are right. Depending on your children’s ages, don’t assume they won’t hear about the bombing even if you haven’t discussed it. If you don’t homeschool, chances are good that teachers will bring it up. They’ll want to be helpful and maybe they can relate it to content they’ve been … [Read more...]
Grieving the Boston Bombings – Practical Insights to Help Process
April 15, 2013 by · 1 Comment
In light of the tragic bombings in Boston today and the loss of life and the number of injured, I thought I’d repost this blog (with some slight edits) from about a year ago. --- Grief is on my mind and it’s probably on yours. And, it’s in our hearts. Fear and confusion may be on your mind and you may notice it in your children, depending on how aware they are of what happened. Would it surprise you to know that understanding how we are smart can help us process grief, fear, and confusion well? It’s true. And, it’s important because grief isn’t well understood. Too often, people can be made to feel they’re not grieving right. Really? Disappointing. If your children have definite intelligence strengths, you’ll want … [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...]
Smart Interactions: An Orlando Example
February 13, 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. — We walked past many unique stores and restaurants. We noticed one restaurant up ahead with a patio area looking over the water. We headed there. We settled into our table. Blue water was off to my left. The large Fulton’s Crab House, designed as a river boat, was also there. Straight ahead sat my good friend, Christine. Past her, I noticed many red geraniums planted on the walk way. I hadn’t noticed them when walking to the patio. After attending a leadership retreat in Orlando with 70 colleagues, most of us were spending several hours at Downtown Disney. Christine Sneeringer and I began by … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #47: Looking Ahead
December 28, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — I hope you’ll approach 2013 with resiliency and resolve so you find the opportunities hidden in each new day. I intend to. Leave the past in the past and move forward. Look back only if it helps you move forward. It’s easy to trip over your own feet so be careful. If there’s something you need to still understand that happened this year, process your thoughts and feelings now. You have four days. Seek truth. Look hard. Harder. Find what is new and good and possible and step into that. Big steps. New challenges are bound to be a part of 2013. Respond appropriately. Making resolutions day-by-day rather than for the entire year can be helpful. Love well. … [Read more...]
Understanding the “Self Smart” Child during the Holidays
December 12, 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. — Are you self smart? Do you know children or teens who have self-smart strengths? This month can be hard for them. Watch for emotional outbursts and whiney behavior that may indicate their needs aren’t being met. What do self-smart people need? They need time to think of ideas and answers to questions. They think by reflecting and they often go deep within themselves. They compare answers and ideas, looking for the one that just feels right. Ask them for input earlier than you might others so they have additional thinking time. It may help to ask questions separately. For example, don’t ask … [Read more...]
Personal Liberation for A Constrained Picture Smart Person
October 24, 2012 by · 7 Comments
I’ve invited Randy Thomas to write today’s blog. Do you remember in last week’s post, when I mentioned a friend who doodled as a child and now creates art from similar doodles? That’s Randy. Randy is also the talented person who takes my words, titles them, adds the pictures, and launches them here. He’s perfectly smart to do this well! I think you’ll enjoy learning what it meant to Randy to find out he is smart because he doodles. He’s not just artistic or creative. He’s smart. There’s power in that word. Being picture smart means he processes ideas differently from me. I’m not sure I can relate, but that’s okay. The fact that we’re smart differently actually enhances our working relationship. Take it away, … [Read more...]
Invest in the Process: Lead Your Child to Achieve the Desired Product
October 17, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Invest in the process that leads your children to the product you hope they achieve. That was the theme of last Wednesday’s blog about parents developing their children’s music smart abilities. I loved writing that post because I was able to honor my parents. The same philosophy can be applied to the interests and abilities of picture-smart children. Friends of mine have enrolled their children in special group art classes because their daughters enjoy art and seem to have definite abilities. Now both girls (ages 11 and 10) have created a line of products they’re selling to friends. What a … [Read more...]
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