Five minute Friday-On forgetting

Every Friday The Gypsy Mama gives a prompt and you are supposed to write about it in 5 minutes.


She says: I remember how powerful the written word is. To encourage, to laugh, to cheer, to pray, to listen, and love. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes. Five minutes to just write, and not worry if it’s just right or not.
Kind of like how friendship should be.
Got five minutes? Join us, and share what you have to say as well, whether in the comments or in your own blog.

Let's begin!

On forgetting...

The month of May has turned into the month of May-be: May-be the rain will stop, May-be we will have a sunny day again, May-be the difficulties and problems in my life will all magically iron themselves out.

Whatever my circumstances, wherever I am, however, I must not forget that I must, as 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells me, to “live by faith, not by sight”.

God has equipped me in wonderful ways for a marvelous purpose in this life, and much like a saw or a chisel, sometimes I need to be sharpened to be at my best. He will never give me more than I can bear and is always there for me.

It is I who sometimes wanders off the path, and wonders why He has forsaken me, or why He is challenging me so.

Then I remember, that I am the one who left, that I am imperfect, and that I am a work in progress, that I am only human, after all, and sometimes that can be both a painful and wonderfully fruitful process.

I just have to remember to keep the faith.

Morning in the Garden

 Just an additional note here: The dark, wet weather of the last couple of weeks has abated for now, so I joyfully took the opportunity to sit on my front steps this morning to pray. I shot the image above of the view from my porch to share with you. I was reminded that without the rain-and the loving, tending hand of my mom-this garden would not be the absolutely gorgeous space that it is.

Did she just say what I think I heard?

There is always a lot of laughter in our house, as everyone shares a delightful, often offbeat, sense of humor.

I can say that I have my own special kind of contribution, although often unintentional, always spontaneous, that my family has nicknamed “Kimisms”.

You see, once in a while my command of the English language becomes, well, less than commanding, and the unusual mix of words and phrases brings on plenty of laughter.

Allow me to share my latest example with you…

My parents, my husband, my older brother and I were enjoying dinner together this past weekend when the conversation turned to the widely publicized dire prediction that the world would end that very evening.

I asked if anyone had seen our niece’s Facebook post in which Chelsea had commented-tongue firmly in cheek-that she and a friend were going to be getting their hibachi fix before the world ended.

Now, that may seem like a simple statement to repeat, but here is where the conversation quickly went south. I couldn’t pull the word “hibachi” out of my mental file drawer. For some reason, the only word that came up was brazier, which is pretty much the same thing as a hibachi.

What I thought I said was that Chelsea was going to be getting out her brazier for a last barbeque. However, that cooking implement is pronounced “brey zher”, with the emphasis on the first syllable. What actually came out of my mouth was that Chelsea was going to be getting out her “bruh zeer” (emphasis on the last syllable) for a final barbeque. Yes, I said that my niece was going to get out a brassiere to cook her last meal.

Well, you can imagine what ensued: looks of puzzlement, corners of mouths trying to stave off the beginnings of giggles, eyes looking to one another to confirm if they had heard what they think they heard, and then the dam broke. Everyone at the table dissolved into side-splitting, tear-inducing laughter they were so greatly amused. I, too, joined in, once they pointed out to me what I had actually said.

You have to admit, the mental image of grilling over a charcoal filled “bruh zeer” is pretty darn funny.

So, dear readers, I invite you to laugh with-and at-me this morning, and remember to take yourselves lightly today.

It's Monday-Woohoo!

Ocean Sunrise © K. Hall

I will shout with joy this morning-Woohoo, it’s Monday!

So many possibilities, a fresh new week in which to discover new strengths, acquire deeper wisdom, accomplish written goals, laugh more often and love more deeply.

That’s what Monday and every other day of the week is for.

Every sunrise is a fresh start, an opportunity to begin again, to right wrongs, ask forgiveness and extend grace with faith, moment by moment, to each person you encounter today, especially yourself.

Remember, it’s not about what gets in your way or who gets in your face or under your skin, it’s about how you choose to respond each time that will bring you to a more joyful, satisfying place, where the sky is bluer, air is clearer, and yes, the ocean is warmer.

Come on in, the water’s fine!

Tell me how you will view your day through a different perspective today.

Who knew...about Dayspring?

Who Knew Wordle © K. Hall

Today I am introducing a new feature that will appear randomly as I discover new and interesting resources, ideas and things that I think may be useful to you, dear readers.

So, welcome to the premier post of "Who knew?"!

Who knew that Hallmark has a Christian division called Dayspring whose mission is to “connect people with the heart of God through messages of hope and encouragement”?

They have lots of beautiful cards and gifts for the loved ones in your lives, or even for yourself. You can shop at their store, not just for the cards, but also for journals, books, art, decor, and graduation and Father's Day gifts, and much, much more, including a sales and clearance area.

Use the link below to click on over, and at least check them out, even if you are not in the market for anything right now. At the very least, take a few moments to send a free e-card-Yes, I said FREE-to someone that needs to hear an encouraging word today.

Who knew? Now you do.

Five minute Friday-When seasons change...

 Every Friday The Gypsy Mama gives a prompt and you are supposed to write about it in 5 minutes.  Only 5 minutes!  Also, no edits!  Just write.  So here goes . . .

When seasons change...

When seasons change, we are given a glorious opportunity to experience something new, to revel in everything that is a part of that new time.

Often, however, we choose to grumble, to be angry, to be hurt that this change has been thrust upon us without our consent.

We turn 30, or 40, or 50, and fret that we no longer have the shape we had when we were younger.

Our faces show lines, and-gasp!-wrinkles, and we are horrified at how we look, and wonder if our husbands will still love us.

Rather than being joyful at the possibilities available to us with each age, we look back with regret at the woman we thought was the best we could be.

Delight in each season, and focus on what is most important.

Enjoy your children while they are young, and embrace their energy and curiosity, even if you are still carrying that extra “baby weight”.

Love your teens, especially if you don’t like them all the time, even if you have dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep and worry.

Like yourself for who you are, for that wise woman you have become, for all that you have accomplished, for all the challenges you have faced, for all the growing you have done, for the aging that has created the fine vintage that you are.

Disclaimer-I took about 15 minutes to write today. Just was really slow coming to me this morning!

Extending grace

Pussy willow © K. Hall

We are so blessed to have some pretty exciting things going on with our family at this time, and recently I was up way, way past my bedtime chatting with one of my daughters about this happenings. When I finally went to bed, I laid awake, just so supercharged about the positive turns and tremendous possibilities that have presented themselves in all of our lives.

Morning came at its regular time, however, and I found myself facing the day with minimal rest. I realized I had a choice about how to conduct myself, and so when I prayed, I asked to be absolutely overflowing with grace. As I noted in an earlier post, I do this daily, but today it was especially important, as I felt my well of tolerance was as shallow as my sleep had been.

That prayer was answered for me so incredibly abundantly, and grace was extended to me, as it always is, in spite of all of my faults and shortcomings. I sailed through my day, with true joy, effortlessly sharing and extending that grace to everyone who crossed my path.

You see, what I realized is that it is when we are feeling at our lowest and are more inclined to be hurtful in our behavior is the very time that we need to request and extend grace for ourselves and to others.

How will you choose to spend your day today, and where will you share and extend your grace?

Telling Miss Jealousy goodbye

Rainy Day © K. Hall

Jealousy. Such an ugly, unnecessary, counterproductive emotion that pushes us to behave in such foolish and hurtful ways.

I always imagine that She (yes, I see jealousy as a “she”) is standing behind me, poking me in the back, egging me on to do and say stupid things, while whispering in my ear, “Oh, yeah? You going to let her get away with that? She thinks she’s better than you. Look at how she’s turning the bosses head, taking your credit, stealing your friends.” Sometimes, it’s more like kicking me when I’m down, when Jealousy says, “Oh, of course he got the job/has the friends/can accomplish that task in a far better way than you could ever hope for. After all, you are lacking. There is just so much that you don’t have going for you. Let's count all the ways in which you just don't measure up.

Ouch.

Yes, Miss Jealousy is a nasty piece of work indeed, and I have fought against her often, and lost more times than I care to admit, as I allow her to rain all over my parade. Recently, though, I had an insight that has allowed me to not even feel or hear many of her taunts, and I want to share it with you in the hopes that you can benefit as I did.

First, every day I pray, among many other things to be full of grace for myself and others, and I also pray for the words from my tongue to be kind and thoughtful. I highly recommend prayer to everyone, even if and especially if you think God certainly wouldn't listen to little old you.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately-positive, uplifting books-and one of my most recent is Max Lucado's "Cure for the Common Life", in which he talks about living in our sweet spot, living the lives for which God designed us. I wrote a post in response to my reading, entitled, “Where’s my ticket, Lord, and whose luggage is this?”, if you'd like to learn about finding your sweet spot in life.

As I reflected later on this same book, I realized that I believe that we covet what others have or are jealous because we are not seeing the gifts God has given us. Instead, we are paying too much attention to the gifts he gave to others.

It is truly that simple. 

Remember Christmas Day when we were young children, and how much attention we paid to what all our siblings got, and we went into private or public accounting of how much more everybody else got, and how they all got much more of what they wanted? Oh, yeah. those embarrassing memories can provide such great teachable moments for us.

To give you an actual current example, I have to admit that I had always been envious of certain traits that my husband possesses, and thought that if I could be more like him, then I would be....happier, be more productive at work, etc.

After I read Lucado's book, though, it hit me like a freight train. God didn't gift me with those traits because they weren't necessary for what he designed me to do.

He packed my bags. For me.

Just. For. Me.

It took my breath and my jealousy away.

Today, I am just grateful for, not envious of, my dear hubbie’s ability to streamline a process like nobody’s business, and to be incredibly creatively efficient and organized at anything he tackles. His skills complement mine, and are part of what I love about him.

I have not completely shut Miss Jealousy out of my life, and I still have to work at ignoring her any time that I realize I am going green-eyed over something or someone. However, that awareness of my own special gifts, of the skills that I share that I just can't not do, keep me more grounded these days.

Baby steps, baby steps, every day, and I have to remember to extend the same grace and forgiveness to myself that I extend to others.

What have you been jealous of that you can finally let go of today?

Start your Monday with some laughter

I am a huge proponent of joy and laughter, as you might have guessed. I came across this video through my mom (thanks, mom!), and thought my readers would enjoy starting their week and their day with a laugh. After all, who can resist a talking dog?

Just a couple of notes: While this video is family friendly, I cannot vouch for any of the others in the series. Also,  sorry to say that I don't have anything to do with those annoying ads that cover the bottom of the video, and I can't shut them off for you. You can shut them off by clicking on the small "x" in the right hand corner of the ad, though.

Five minute Friday-Deep breath...

Every Friday The Gypsy Mama gives a prompt and you are supposed to write about it in 5 minutes.  Only 5 minutes!  Also, no edits!  Just write.  So here goes . . .


 Deep Breath...

I take a deep breath, knowing I draw in patience at the same time. Patience to deal with the challenges of the day ahead.

Deep breath to be calm in the face of an angry customer.

Deep breath. To remind myself that underneath anger, always underneath anger, is fear.

Deep breath, knowing that if I can gather patience, and find a sense of calm, I can be helpful, and maybe I can help address or assuage the fear.

What are they carrying today, that they bring with themselves to my window?

Shallow quick breaths of grief, of a family member who doesn’t have much longer on this earth?

Shallow quick breaths of worry, of wondering how they will pay their bills?

Breathe deep, jump in to the waters of the day, and spread calm and grace. That is what I strive for every day.

Never alone

Sunlight through clouds © K. Hall

Ever have one of those weeks where everyone and everything seems to be against you, where it feels like all the lights just go out and you are just left to fend for yourself? The refrigerator stops working, your kids are all mad at you-again, and you are sure your friends and co-workers are all conspiring against you?

I was driving to work a while ago in the midst of one of those periods, and the morning was very gray, cold and cloudy. It reminded me of recent days, when my life just hadn’t gone smoothly at all. I was feeling weak, downcast, and dark. And alone.

Since having a very sunny disposition is my normal state, but knowing deep down that I was just indulging in my own private pity party, I quickly added guilt to my growing stack of negativity. After all, what good is a tall tower of pessimism without a generous topping of guilt?

Knowing intellectually that I had lots to feel good about and much more for which to be grateful was all well and fine, but finding my way back there emotionally was another thing entirely.

Because my resources in the car were limited, I reached for the first thing I could lay my hands on: my ipod. I plugged it in to the dash, turned it on, and put it on shuffle mode.

 “Never Alone”, by Barlow Girl, poured out of my speakers, and tears of gratitude slid down my face.

I had let my sour, sullen skyscraper throw a huge shadow over my inner light, and make me believe that I had shut it off. In fact, I realized that the light is not mine to extinguish, as it is the light of God, shining through me, showing the way, providing warmth and grace and forgiveness to me, no matter where I am, no matter if I am behaving well or not, no matter if I feel worthy of His grace.

Are you are feeling alone or thinking that your world has gone dark?

I lovingly invite you to open the door to God’s light within and bask in His love, for you really are never alone, even if you have never known a relationship with Him.

Keep the faith

Keep the faith Wordle © K. Hall

When our children are babies, we are just so excited for that day when they can actually talk. That first spoken word: “mama”, “dada”, or even “no”,  just brings us so much joy!

Fast forward a few short years, and for the first time, we hear our beloved toddler repeat our words. Not necessarily the good ones. We wince, embarrassed for ourselves and our child. Yikes! Who knew they were actually listening?

Fast forward to the teen years, and many of us would prefer often times to have silence as opposed to the sometimes crabby or mumbled language that passes for conversation with our kids.

We wonder if they are paying attention to all the lessons we teach. We wonder if they are watching the respectful manner with which we treat others. We wonder if they are getting the message of anything good at all, and we despair sometimes at feeling successful as parents.

And then, it happens.

It’s sort of like those toddler moments, because they are repeating what they have heard from us, only this time in an absolutely delightful way.

They might comfort a friend using kind words that mimic ours, stand up for themselves using assertive phrases they learned from us, or use empowering language that you had no idea they knew how to use.

For instance, this morning our daughter (who hated school, by the way), was regaling me with a story of a playful conversational exchange she held with a older coworker who is a voracious reader, and her portion went something like this:

I am being enervated by the listlessly loquacious today, and find myself in a perpetual state of ennui.

Who knew she knew such wonderfully descriptive language, and where is my dictionary so I can be sure of what she said?

Keep the faith. I know I keep saying that, and some of you are so deep into the very difficult times that you can’t imagine having a conversation with your teen, let alone an enjoyable chat with them, not at them. They do hear you. They do listen. And watch. And they test, always checking the boundaries. Just continue to be there with them and for them, and your faith and efforts will pay off handsomely.

What language are you choosing to use today?

Five minute Friday-Motherhood should come with...

Every Friday The Gypsy Mama gives a prompt and you are supposed to write about it in 5 minutes.  Only 5 minutes!  Also, no edits!  Just write.  So here goes . . .

Red Phone © psd Paul Downey at Flickr.com

Motherhood should come with...

A bright red phone that is a direct line to whomever you need that will answer the questions for wherever you are in your parenting. Questions like, “How do I diaper my baby?” (Yes, I did ask the nurses that question when it was time to take our first daughter home from the hospital.) and “Where is the user manual?” (The nurses said the babies don’t come with one, much to my dismay.)

A support group that is always there, for the changing face of the struggles you will face as a parent, and the joys you just can’t wait to share.

A journal and a great pen. And a teacher to stand over you to make sure you write in it daily, even just a few sentences, because you will forget all those adorable, cute moments, sayings and conversations. You do know you lose brain cells every time you have a child, right?

A great sense of humor for all those times that in the future will be funny, but right now, well, you just can’t see the humor for all the crayon on the walls.

And last, but certainly not least: Love. Oh, it already does. That is the one accessory that is included. Lots and lots of unconditional, amazing deep, powerful love.

True Colors

Crayons © Gingerme from Flickr.com

 Many times, you will discover nuggets of very interesting truths in everyday conversations, especially with your children if you learn to listen closely.

Our daughter had attended an event for a college classmate recently and got to catch up with friends there. Some of them did not recognize her, as she had matured from the casual, unmotivated, student into a polished, slender, more purposeful young woman.

She called me the following morning, and talked about how much fun it was to share the vision for her new custom dressmaking business with her peers. We talked about how much she had changed in a couple of short years, and I commented that it wasn’t so much a change as it was the process of her growing into her real self, much like a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly. Leslie agreed, and offered her own analogy of a snake shedding its skin. She added that when molting occurs, the colors of the skin transform from dull to rich, because the true colors become brightly visible. I know, it’s a strange analogy, a fashion debutante comparing herself to a snake, but that is a hallmark of her wonderful ability to think outside the box.

I think she was delighted to see these events in her life not so much as a change from “bad” teen/college student to good, but rather a peeling back of the layers to reveal her real self, to see the real treasure within. It was equally gratifying for me to see her recognize that she has always had talents and attributes that hold tremendous promise and possibility, which she did not always see or believe when she was a teen struggling to find herself and her place.

Inevitably, the words “true colors” in our conversation triggered the record player in my head, the needle dropped onto the 1980’s single by Cyndi Lauper, and I started singing along to Leslie:

I’ll see your true colors,
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you,
So don’t be afraid to let them show,
Your true colors,
Your true colors
Are beautiful like a rainbow

It wasn’t sung beautifully, but it was sung with lots and lots of love and shared laughter. This is just one of those moments that make all those difficult years so worthwhile.

Hang on, dear parents, and continue to put one foot in front of the other, and be the parent your kids need you to be as they make their way through the different and sometimes difficult stages of their lives. Listen well to them, as they have much to share.

Remember, too, that we each continue to grow into our true selves, that it is not just the children who are peeling back layers.

Where are you in your metamorphosis, and are your true colors shining brightly today?

How great Thou art

Just a bit of rich, vibrant, satisfying goodness to start your morning.
Let this be your encouragement to let your soul sing to Him today.