“When you have a flat tire, you must stop long enough to change it” (Dan Jordan).
I’ve decided to fix a few online flat tires. I’ve tried to avoid the problems, as you may have noticed with my random blog posts in the past few weeks. So, I decided to make it official and force myself into some self-induced accountability.
I first read about choosing one word to focus on each year in 2011 on Lindsey Nobles’ blog. I wondered, If I could focus on just one word to describe my resolution for this New Year, what would it be?
BLESSED? This word has been on my mind for sometime now. It keeps coming back to me every time I write a blog post, since that one word represents the theme of my blog, BLESSED: BLESSED: Building Legacies. Encouraging Spiritual Stories. Equipping Disciples.
This one word helps me think about my blessings when negative thoughts attack my mind. But another word also came to mind.
REST? I can’t seem to get away from this one word either. I have to admit, I’ve been quite “rest–less” the past few years. I’ve been on my own “wilderness journey,” seeking that “promised land of rest.” I’ve learned a lot, but I’m still seeking to know more and experience true “rest.” And since I’m also trying to write more on “rest,” I do need to focus on that word, too!
FOCUS! I think of this word all the time! I tend to be distracted a lot. Since I work from home as a freelance writer, my mind always strays outside of my office door to the dirty laundry or messy kitchen. At times, I even find myself cleaning the bathroom instead of working on my writing projects. Or the phone rings. Or an e-mail alert diverts my attention. Or I glance over to Facebook, Twitter, or my Google Reader. Or I get lost in my thoughts as gaze out my office window. So, I chose “FOCUS” as my first One Word in 2011!
Future. I hope you will also stop again soon, I plan share my One Word for 2012 and for the New Year 2013.
What is your One Word this year?
Photo/MilesRoss
Going on a guilt trip this Christmas?
Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe because of self-induced pressure or the weight of others’ expectations. In fact, I get tired even thinking about doing any work that involves writing during the holidays. So, how can I focus on my writing projects with all of the distractions of the holidays? (more…)
We tend to forget that we might have our own stories to tell … We wish that we had preserved the stories of Grandma, but miss the fact that, for our own children and grandchildren (and even for our own generation), we are the ones who must be the storytellers if there is to be a richness of family (or faith) stories in years to come. (Donald Davis, Telling Your Own Stories)
Can you recall some of the stories from your last family gathering? In my family, some of my relatives (again, not to mention any names), repeat the same stories time-after-time at reunions and funerals. I love our humorous family tales. Other stories inspire me to carry on some of our family traditions. But sometimes, our family narratives remind me of some very painful memories. (more…)
“Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring, quite often the hard way” (Pamela Dugdale).
“Mom, Ethan has my new marble shooter, and he won’t give it back!” Six-year-old Aidan whined.
“Aidan, were you playing with it first?” his mom replied.
“No, but I want to play with it!” Aidan demanded.
House rules. “Aidan, in our house we share our toys, and we do not take toys away from each other.” My daughter Tara does not overreact when her boys squabble. She simply reminds them of the rules about sharing their toys.
“But it’s mine! Tell Ethan to play with his own toys!”
“When Ethan is finished playing with it, you can have it back.” Aidan’s mom explained, trying to calm Aidan’s temper. “You have a treasure box for keeping things that are special to you.”
Sibling rivalry. Four-year-old Ethan smiled, as he shot another marble across the floor, under the watchful eye of his frustrated, older brother. And when Ethan’s interest waned, he walked away to another activity, leaving Aidan’s toy on the floor of their family room.
Treasures stored. Aidan jumped up from his puzzle, and he grabbed his toy, carefully examining it for damage. Then, he dragged a step stool up to a nearby bookcase, climbed up the steps, and placed his new marble shooter inside of his treasure box, away from his brother’s reach.
Photos/KarenJordan
How did you help your children handle conflicts?
Several years ago, in a workshop for Christian Leaders and Speakers (CLASS), Christian communicator and author, Florence Littauer, taught us to ask ourselves two questions before standing in front of an audience to speak.
So, I ask myself that question every time as I prepare to stand before an audience—whether it’s a group of writers, a church group, or class of college students.
As a writer and a writing instructor, I recognize the need for people to tell their stories. And I’ve seen lives change as they listen to other people share their life lessons, especially their faith stories. Passing along our faith and family stories also help us make sense of some of the crucial issues that we face in life.
As a women’s Bible study teacher, I know the importance of sharing personal stories with other women, particularly in a mentoring or discipleship relationship.
But as a mother and grandmother, I also know the importance of sharing my stories with my children and grandchildren. My stories are my legacy to the next generation.
I believe in the power of story! And I love to encourage and instruct other people how to communicate their faith and family stories.
So, I want to ask you those same questions that Florence ask us at one of my first CLASSeminars.
Do YOU have anything to say? And do people need to hear it?
Photo/KarenJordan with Florence Littauer
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