Pass It On!

By now I’m sure you have all noticed the new color scheme of this page and the new banner. 

Alot of times in our lives there are people behind the scenes doing things for us that we don’t always stop to appreciate or say thank you.  It might be your mother, spouse, or person who packs your lunch every morning .  It could be the newspaper boy who tosses your paper at your front door instead of in the bush by your house.  It is all the people we don’t see doing little things we’ve come to expect like having fresh brewed coffee waiting for us in the morning, errands ran for us, and an occassional smile.

Today I’d like to thank my oldest daughter for the inspiration and motivation she had to take the picture used in the above banner.  This photo was taken last summer at the Central Park Zoo in New York City.  You might say these turtles were also behind the scenes as we walked across the bridge they went un-noticed until my daughter spotted them. 

A special THANK YOU to my husband for creating the banner and assiting and placing the colors on this blog. 

Let me know what you think!

In the meantime, for today, find the people in your life who are behind the scenes and tell them THANK YOU.  Two simple words can go a long way for the little and big things someone has done for us.

Can you think of anyone behind the scene in your life?

Every once in a while I load up the old Ebay page and either buy or sell something.  Some of us have done it.  I don’t usually do it alot, but after years of patronage I’ve accumlated a ranking in the few hundred range.

Last week, I listed an item for sell for a family member.  For the first time in years I was confronted with a difficult buyer from the get go.  This woman sent me an email requesting an invoice for payment.  In her email she went on to give me instructions in this color of text on how to bill her for the item won.  This color is quite hard on the eyes.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Needless to say the invoice was not to her specifations and she sent another email questioning my reliability as a seller. 

I, of course, became offended that this person would insinuate that I was anything but an honest seller and that my item won’t arrive as described in the auction.  It down right had me boiling for most of the day, but finally reason overcame and simmered me down.

Not all of you may face this situation as I have with the lady and the item on ebay.  However, somewhere, sometime, you will face people who upset you, annoy you, and down right make you angry.  Walk it off, talk it off (walls work best), and work it off.  Don’t hold these feelings inside nor take them out on someone who is an innocent bystandard.  Don’t jump in the heat of the moment either.  Give yourself time - reason will come to your rescue.

After I received this woman’s email, I walked away from it.  I sent her a new invoice.  Then I went about my daily tasks and tended to the needs of my children.  In the evening I talked about it with my husband.  After a good night’s sleep and letting the ashes of anger smolder, I responded via email.

Today, step back from the person or the situation that bothers you, hurts you, angers you, or annoys you.  If the pot of misery is stirring, talk to somebody and invite rationality to join in the situation.  If it takes a day or two to gather your thoughts, work through your feelings, go ahead and take your time.

Remember how you handle a situation today will pass on and effect others tomorrow.

What situation are you dealing with today?  How will you handle it?

I have probably said it before, and I’ll say it again, kids movies have the greatest lessons and themes for even us adults.

Six years ago my oldest daughter was born with a vascular birthmark.  Three years ago, like most toddlers, she began noticing how she was different from everybody else.  Since that day, we have instilled into her, reminded her, loved her with these words. “God made you special and he loves you very much.” 

Sound familar?  They come from the video series of Veggie Tales.

Last night I sat down with all three of my kiddos and watched another kind of movie with a simular theme:

It’s all about being unique.

Max Lucado’s Hermie and Friends series is a wonderful reminder to kids and adults that God made us all different with a purpose in mind.  Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure is a prime example of teaching ourselves and our children that it is okay to be different in the world today.

This quaint little story line is all about two brothers who are different in more ways than one.  Even though, they are both mesquites, one brother has a straight nose and a sense of adventure.  The second brother, whose nose is crocked, can’t find his way around the garden without getting lost.  Together they pair and find out that their differences are what make them unique and special.

The important lesson in this story – We are all special and uniquely made.  Those unique qualities set us apart from anyone else, and allow others to love us in different ways, special ways, heartfelt ways then someone else.

If you have someone unique in your life, a child perhaps, this movie is a great way to show them how important they are not only to you, but to God, and the world around them.

Today, tell someone what makes them unique and how that uniqueness is special.  Don’t just look at the physical attributes in a person, like eye color, skin color, or hair.  Look at their heart and what you can find inside them.  For example, a person who volunteers time to help others, how someone always says good morning, or thoughtlessly does something that makes you feel good or special.

Who is special in your life?  What makes them unique?

One of the things that frustrates me the most, and probably most parents, is when my family isn’t paying any attention to me.  Kids simply ignore you when you are talking to them. Spouses, on the other hand, will pretend to listen to you and even agree with what you’re saying.  Then more often than not, they become stupefied when you ask them to do the thing they agreed to do when they weren’t really listening to you.

PAY ATTENTION!

The most important thing we can do for each other is to pay attention and focus on another person.  When someone is talking to you – listen.  When someone is demonstrating something, like a child and new drawing – look at it – really look at it.  When someone is calling your name, don’t turn your back and keep walking.  There might be nothing but a road of regret facing you and a whole lot of love and blessing standing behind you waiting to be recognized.

We spend so much time in distractions to keep us from our focus.   Most of the time it is our family, our spouses, or even our friends, and sometimes it is the invisible person on the street we never see because we are too busy to pay attention to them in passing.

We are all guilty of it.  I do it myself with my children and husband.  “Just give me a minute,” I tell them when I’m working on something around the house or my face is glued to the computer.  One minute turns into five, five minutes turn into ten, and before I know it they come back fifteen minutes later upset and angry that I’ve forgotten about them.  I haven’t forgotten about them, I’m simply trying to finish what I’ve started, but in the process I’ve left the task I’m working on distract me and pull me away from the focus of my children more times than I care to count.

Today, don’t let life distract you from your focus (the people in your life).  Stop and pay attention.  Whomever you pay attention to today will grow in self worth tomorrow.

Whom will you pay attention to today?  Will it be your significant other, your children, a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or perhaps a stranger?

In the past decade, we have been introduced to the series of books known as Chicken Soup for the Soul.  These books are filled with inspirational tales of people’s daily lives.  Reading these true life stories often make you feel good when maybe in your own life you are feeling bad.

Just like chicken soup.

The think I love most about chicken soup is how it seems to offer so many commodities to us during different stages we are facing.  It feeds our hunger, comforts us in cold weather, nourshes our sick bodies, and makes a great gift for friends and family in a nitch.

Not to mention it taste pretty good too.

Today, if you know someone who is ill, having a rough day, or you’ve just had this person on your mind lately - take them some chicken soup.  Renew thier soul.  Refresh their bodies.  Reignite a friendship.

How many people will you pass on some chicken soup?

“Go for the moon, if you don’t get it, you’ll still be heading for a star.”

This quote by Willis Reed reminds me of the famous saying, “To the moon Alice!”  They just don’t make shows on television like they used to, but even without them we can ecourage others to reach the moon.

Each and every one of us has a little hunk of moon we’re craving and striving to obtain.  Some of us have come in reach of the stars.  Some of us have grasped the stars and forgotten about the moon.  Then there are those of us who are still on the launch pad trying to find fuel for our rocketship.

Today, bring fuel to someone’s rocketship.  It might be giving a child a paint set, or taking five minutes of your time to listen to someone else share their passion.  It might mean slapping a freind on the back for a job well done, or lifting them up when they’ve fallen from the grasp of their first star.

Pass on to someone else the words, the encouragment, and the interest to pursue the moon.  You never know when your rocketship might need a little bit of fuel to get where your heading.

Do you know where your rocketship is heading?

Each year my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) has a rummage sale to raise funds to carry on for the next year.  Today, our rummage sale opened in full swing, including a bake sale, of which I had the privilage to volunteer and be a part of raising funds.

Today, I handed an older gentleman a piece of chocolate cake topped with peanut butter icing.  He took one bite, closed his eyes, and said, “It’s just like my grandma used to make.”  I couldn’t help smiling.  The lady who had made the cake smiled too.  This gentleman went on to say there was three things his grandma made that he loved - rice pudding, tomato casserole, and chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.  Although, since his grandmother died, he hadn’t tasted anything like it, that is until today.

I thought of my own grandmother as he spoke.  As a teenager, my cousins and I would take plastic buckets and go behind grandmas house to pick raspberries and black berries.  Grandma made the most delious jam with those berries.  I too, like the man today, miss my grandma’s recipes.

No one ever wrote them down.  No one ever passed them on.  No one will ever taste that delious taste again.

Today, visit your grandma.  Tell her the favorite thing you like that she bakes and praise her.  Then ask her to please write down the recipe so one day, you can pass it on to your grandkids.

What recipe will you ask grandma for? 

Several days ago, the mother of one of my son’s preschool friends, had her second child - a boy.

Over the past few months I have come to consider this woman to be my friend.  We see each other three times a week, but more than that on occassion we get together for playdates for our sons.  When her son showed up to a preschool field trip with his grandpa, I knew she must have went into labor. 

Later that evening, after supper and kids activities, I made a point to stop in at the hospital to say hello and take her some flowers.  She had, afterall, had a very exhausting and emotional day.  Needless to say, I showed up at the hospital about an hour before visitors’ hours were over.  I almost didn’t make it in to see her.

The fact was, when I picked up the telephone to call for entry into the maturnity ward I didn’t know her name.  Funny right?  I had gotten to know this woman and her son by their first names.  I had gone to her house, she to mine, and we had a mutual friend inbetween.  Thank goodness for that friend and cell phones.  I called that friend to find out what name I missing to gain entrance into the maturnity ward.

While walking down the hall I was taken back to a time, when I had my own children and was in the hospital.  For me, it reflected a lonely time.  I walked past the rooms and saw family members cradling babies, heard soft murmer of voices, and spied vivid colored flower arrangments at the ends of beds. 

I had a vase of flowers in my own hand at the time and was glad to see my friend brighten up my arrival.  Her family was taking shifts to see her, and she was thrilled I’d thought of her enough to visit.

Today, there are numerous people laying in the hospital for various reasons.  Not all of them have family to come visit.  Some of them may be feeling more lonely than  sick, and some of them might be yearning for a phone call.

They say that newborn babies thrive better when they are held close, given attention, and hear their mothers voice.  I believe the same theory applies to all the people in our lives, especially when we are feeling miserable and sick.

You don’t need to know their name.  Go in your local hospital and ask the information desk for a person who hasn’t had a visitor all day.  Simply go in a room, ask them how they are doing, and spend five minutes with someone who would otherwise have had no visitor today.  When we show others we care, it gives those people’s lives a new perspective.

Who will you visit today?

It’s amazing how often we place our hope into something or someone else and expect a wonderful follow through to happen.

I have heard through various types of media and gossip, the high hopes and expectations we all have of President Obama.  There are those of us looking up to our new president with hopes of having this one man fix our economy, strengthen our government, and become a role model to our future generations.

There are some of us, who just might be disappointed.  Why?  The weight of our nation cannot be easily laid on one man’s shoulders.  It is too much to expect one man to solve our problems.  Yet, most of us do.  We’d rather wash our hands and blame someone else than take responsibility.

Today, the responsibility is yours.  What expectations and hopes you have - lay them in the hands of God before you load them on the back of our nation’s president.  Pass on, that hope through prayer and faith through Him, God, that our nation would unite and become stronger.

One man can do mighty things.  Through God, all things are possible.

There have been plenty of paranormal ways to communicate and draw visions from another person, but for Shauna McAllister all it takes is a kiss.  Thus the title of Ted Dekker and Erin Healy’s new book together is called Kiss, and it’s aptly named.

Shauna McAllister wakes up from a six week coma and doesn’t have a clue what happened in her life for the last six months, including the accident that caused it all, and caused her brother to become little more than a vegetable.

Healy and Dekker take you inside Shauna’s head where she sorts out memories of her own, memories of the enemy, and memories to be cherished by others.  Each page is full of new angles, new questions, and compels at your heart strings to cheer Shauna on in her quest for answers.

I would have never thought a kiss could be so dangerous and so informative at the same time, but for Shauna it seems to work. 

I couldn’t put this book down, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen next.  It won’t take you long to find out, as this books doesn’t beat around the bush and has a new surprise waiting for you at every turn.

Today, grab a book, spend 15 minutes or an hour, and allow yourself to be pulled away from your worries and wonders.  Maybe you have a book you sat aside and never finished.  Perhaps there’s one waiting for you at the library or on another book shelf still waiting to be opened.  It could simply mean opening a magazine during your lunch hour.

What will you read today?