Like a Wad of Wire

For Christmas, my mom received a beautiful copper sculpture of a butterfly from their exchange student. When asked, Linh said she just formed the copper wire into a butterfly.

Artistic talent like that amazes me (and makes me a little jealous). If you gave me a bunch of copper wire, I might be able to make a two-dimensional flower. Maybe. So, if I wanted something beautiful created, and all I had was a ball of copper wire (do they come in balls?), I would hand it over to my foster sister and ask her to create it. I simply do not have the ability.

I'm seeing that my life is a lot like a tangled mess of copper wire. I don't know what to do with it, or how to form something useful or beautiful out of it. So I've decided that I need to hand it over to the Master Creator, and let him create something amazing out of it. If something wonderful results from my life, it will only be because I was willing to submit to Him.  If I keep trying to make it on my own, I'm sure it's going to make a bigger mess!

You May be Famous

While wandering through the grocery aisles of an over-crowded Wal-Mart, I came across a young girl pointing excitedly at a woman passing by.  "Mom, that's the... the lunch ticket lady! She takes our names for lunch!"

I imagine the "lunch ticket lady" is a middle-aged paraprofessional who may not even enjoy working with children all day. She may see her job as an end to a means, rather than a meaningful contribution to the school and community. But to that first-grader, seeing her at Wal-Mart is the equivalent of a movie fan spying Johnny Depp in the produce aisle. The lunch ticket lady plays an important role in that child's life, whether the woman realizes it or not.

I think sometimes we underestimate the influence we have on others, especially children. We just go through the day, doing what has to be done, and don't realize that little eyes are watching. And listening. And taking cues from us on what to say and how to behave in this world. And taking cues from us on who they are and why they matter.

So, even if you're not a parent, grandparent, or teacher, you may be a "lunch ticket lady," or a "man who passes  the money plate at church." You matter in the life of a child. Be sure you play a positive role!

Back to Life

I just returned from a fantastic weekend getaway. Luxury hotel, deluxe shopping mall within walking distance, and beautiful weather. Lots of rest and relaxation with a break from "momdom."

Monday morning it was back to the real world- to an annoying alarm at 6:00 AM, to children who would rather stay in bed than get ready for school, and a fresh load of laundry. Back to "life," right?

Actually, having some time to do some fun things with my husband really did bring me back to life. I wore nice clothes and makeup and went out with other adults. I had time to think about my values and priorities, count my blessings, and plan for the upcoming Christmas/ birthday/ travel season.

I've been "spelunking" for the past few months- a euphemism for dealing with depression. Sometimes I explore the caves; sometimes I seek out the light. Now I think I'm ready to explore some trails and mountains instead- and ready to start some new adventures. Look out world!

Working in your Passion

For many people, work is a necessary evil, a means to an end.  If you're employed, you earn an income, which pays for food, shelter, transportation, and other nice things.  You also have something productive to do during the day (or night).  If the benefit of a paycheck were removed, or if the necessities of life were taken care of, many people would not work.

I don't think that God intended people to loathe work, to dread Mondays and thank Him for Fridays.  Yes, He originally introduced the idea because His first creation, Adam, was disobedient, but that doesn't mean He can't redeem it for good things in the world and in you.

You were created for a purpose.  You were created with a combination of personality, passions, and talents that are uniquely yours.  If the planet Earth were a factory, you have a job doing your part to make the world go 'round.

While it would be wonderful if we could all choose the perfect degree, and get hired into a company with the perfect job, it rarely happens that way. Why? Because God's idea of education and work are not the same as the world's.  He may educate you through a difficult experience in your life, giving you the resources and compassion to help others in need.  He may provide a volunteer avenue for you to expression your passion that is totally unrelated to your 9 to 5.  He needs innovators and entrepreneurs and leaders and philanthropists, not just office drones.

So, you may have to work a job you don't like for a period of time.  You either reconcile the dislike with the benefits, or you use that period of time to improve your education or skills to transfer into a field that you do enjoy.  I don't believe God wants anyone to be miserable... but misery is often an attitude that a person chooses.  If you don't like your situation, focus on the good, and what you can change.  As John Wooden said, "Nothing will work unless you do."

 

Technicolor faith

I auditioned for a show the other day.  I hadn't auditioned for anything for two years.  And I am getting old.  I probably wouldn't have felt as old if I hadn't gone with my college-age friend, who happens to have an amazing voice and can apparently pick up dance steps as if she were, in fact, a dancer.

The show is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I am a huge Andrew Lloyd Webber fan, but I didn't know this was his first publically performed musical.  One of the songs captured my attention as my daughter played the rented VHS tape this morning before school:

Go, go, go Joseph you know what they say
Hang on now Joseph you'll make it some day
Sha la la Joseph you're doing fine
You and your dreamcoat ahead of your time
(It was written in the 60s. after all.)

The song highlights why Joseph's story is so amazing. It wasn't just about going rags from riches, or overcoming adversity.  It was his faith.  It was a belief that even if circumstances seemed dark, God had a plan. 

Joseph has a line in the song, Close every Door: 

If my life were important I
Would ask will I live or die
But I know the answers lie
Far from this world...

For I know I shall find
My own peace of mind
For I have been promised
A land of my own

Of course we know a psychedelic musical doesn't necessarily represent the true character of Joseph, but obviously, no matter how many times he got knocked down, he acted with courage and integrity, and became the vessel through which his entire family was saved from famine. 

Unfortunately, my audition shook my faith that I have a destiny on Broadway, but whether I'm in the show or moving scenery, Joseph's lessons of faith, leadership, and tenacity will remain. 

Let Fortune Smile

My fortune at the Chinese restaurant was “Sell your ideas they are totally acceptable.” Oh, and my lucky numbers are 10, 11, 25, 29, 32, and 47. Which is sad because my birthday is next week and none of those numbers is my birthdate or my age.

I was just thinking today that I need to be less attached to my ideas. I become my ideas, to the point that if you don’t like my idea, I take it personally. I know that’s not logical, it’s just the way I’ve always been. I got a piece I’d written sent back covered in “red ink” last week, and I was devastated. There was this voice in my head that said, “Toughen up. You’re never going to make it as a writer if you can’t take a little criticism.” Of course, that’s my fear- that I’m not good enough. But Chinese fortune says differently!

I have tons of ideas. So many that I’ve thought about hiring myself out as a board member to various organizations just to help them come up with new ideas. Now, I admit, I’m not the best person to see an idea through… unless it’s my passion. But if you just need a brainstorm, I’m your gal.

So, I want your opinion! If I have ideas that are salable, I don’t know which ones they are. Can you recognize a good idea? Check out my facebook page, my blogs, my old website. Comment if you want- even if it’s criticism. I can take it. No, really!

I’d also be interested in hearing from you- what would you do with a writer? Suppose you had access to my writing services for free for one project- what would it be? Memoirs? Resumé? Thesis? Children’s story? What are writers good for anyway?

Thanks for playing!

Top Tips for Fun at Festivals

I enjoy festivals. It’s not the crowds, because I could do without that. It’s the celebratory atmosphere, the neighborly chats, and the break in the everyday humdrum.
I just came back from the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival. Even though it was cold and wet, my children and I had a really nice time. After several years of festivalling with my children, I’ve learned a few things.

1. Know where you’re going. I spent a half hour traipsing all over a small town with young children because I was too proud to get a map and too cheap to pay for a shuttle. These days almost everything is online. You can look up schedules, directions, everything. You just have to plan ahead.

2. Dress for the weather. And walking. I always make my kids where tennis shoes and socks, even if it’s scalding hot. Hot is better than blisters. I also try to prepare for the worst. It was fifty degrees outside today, but if we hadn’t all had long sleeves and winter coats, we would have frozen. Ponchos would have been a good thing, if I knew where ours were…

3. Eat first. And use the restroom. Even though festival food- fried everything- is one of the main draws to attend, trying to purchase a meal and a snack for a family of four can easily run to almost $50! If you eat before, you won’t be tempted to overdo it. And you can focus on enjoying your favorite treat instead of mere sustenance. The second is obvious- facilities are rare and rarely ideal.

4. Weigh the costs and benefits of paid parking. Often, if it’s a small town event, you can find street parking or after-hours business parking within a few blocks of the main attractions. It beats paying Joe Schmoe $20 for a patch of his lawn. On the other hand, I’ve found that young children have a limit on walking distance- if they’re exhausted by the time they arrive, it’s probably too far.

5. Pick a few favorite events or activities. Don’t try to do it all. Today, we ate pancakes for breakfast with the Lions, attended a parade, visited the Wakarusa Dime Store (home of the Jumbo Jelly Bean) and went to a magic show. It was actually a pretty full docket, but I can get away with it with older kids, and a very small venue.

6. Budget. Everyone wants your dollar. And I’ve gone between spending nothing (which is boring) and bending to every whim (not really, but I still felt guilty). The last few times I’ve only taken x amount of cash- so when it’s gone, it’s gone. Today I gave the children their own spending money, and I actually spent less. I could say no without reservation- they made their own choices (which, incidentally, was mostly buying candy).

7. Have fun. That’s why you came, right? Chances are the weather will be iffy, and something unexpected will happen. That’s part of the charm of the event. Keep your cool and your perspective. You’re making memories… no matter what.