A Breath-Prayer on Limping Princes and Broken Hearts
{A Breath Prayer for the grieving, the brokenhearted, and the ones who’ve lost their way.}
Me: God, teach me to trust.
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
Romans 10:17
Me: Okay so that’s faith…but trust comes by…what? {Flipping through the pages of the Word for an answer}
“He who trusts in the Lord will be like Mount Zion which can never be shaken.”
Psalm 125:1 [Read more…] about A Breath-Prayer on Limping Princes and Broken Hearts
For Your Weekend: A Birthday, A Personal Testimony {And Guest Blogging}
Today’s a big day for me. I turned seventeen (Ha, ha!! Not really.) But it is my birthday today! Time for cake!!!
My birthday is pretty darn special to me for many reasons. The most important reason? I’m still alive. That may not seem very exciting, but eighteen years ago a series of God-fortunate events led me to a pit. (I say God-fortunate because I believe ALL THINGS work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.) I battled with severe depression, compulsive cutting, and suicidal ideation. Eighteen years ago, I had my stomach pumped in an emergency room for overdosing on aspirin.
It was bad y’all.
But God….
[Read more…] about For Your Weekend: A Birthday, A Personal Testimony {And Guest Blogging}
Motivation Monday: You’re Already Disciplined (Really!)
“I wish I was more disciplined.”
Do you ever say that to yourself?
I do. A lot. But let’s think about this question for a moment. We are disciplined. We are all very disciplined.
Huh?!?!
Some of us (I hope!!) are disciplined with taking a shower every day (or every other day!). A lot of us are disciplined with brushing our teeth. Or drinking coffee. Or dropping our kids off at school.
We can’t say that we’re undisciplined. There are a lot of actions we engage in without thinking about them. We are disciplined in areas like the ones I just mentioned. They’ve become habits. Personally, I believe that habits give our brains a rest. If I had to consciously think about brushing my teeth every day, it would create a tremendous strain on my psyche. Habits make life easier. They’re one less decision that we have to make!
“But I don’t want to be disciplined in simply brushing my teeth!” you say. “I want to be disciplined in (insert your struggle here).”
Yes, I know. Here’s the secret: you have to develop a new habit. To develop a new habit, you have to consistently form a new one, thereby putting pressure against (and eventually eliminating) the old habit.
Let me explain…
Sustained Focused Effort Over Time…Like Water on a Rock
Matthew 11:12 says: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” This verse isn’t talking about physical violence (you know, the cops and robbers kind). The Greek word for “the violent” is “biastes.” “Biastes” describes people who “strive to obtain privileges (of the kingdom of God) with the utmost eagerness and effort”
To take something “by force” is “harpazo” in Greek. It means to “seize, pluck, pull, take by force.”
I heard one pastor say that water which constantly drips on a rock will eventually break down the structure of that rock. It can break it down so much that the rock crumbles to pieces. There’s also a Chinese saying which says: “Constant dripping of water wears away the stone.” My engineer husband confirmed that this is true in nature. Water can break down rock if it consistently drip, drip, drips.
Knowing this truth is very freeing because it doesn’t say you need a huge boulder to break down a rock. Nope. It’s something small, very small, but it’s done consistently.
What small habit could you develop in your life that, if applied consistently could lead to breakthrough changes in other areas of your life?
It could be something like:
Making your bed as you as you wake up
Getting dressed in a real outfit (something other than sweats/pajamas)
Leaving fifteen minutes early for appointments
Not checking social media until after lunch
Tiny changes like these can have ripple effects. Eight years ago, when I first left my full time job, and I had loads of free time (pre-children), I decided I’d make my bed every day. I wasn’t making my bed every day, and my times always felt like it was getting away from me. After making my bed every day for a month or so, I started noticing how I had a nice looking bed, but the rest of my room was a mess. So I started picking up around my bedroom soon after I made my bed in the morning (another tiny habit). Eventually, I could see my bedroom floor again! And it all started with making the bed.
What tiny new discipline could you do that, if done consistently, could lead to breakthrough change your life?
Happy Monday!!!
How to Read More Even If You’re Crunched for Time {Mini Habits Series}
Do you want to know how to read more books? So do I.
I’m a writer crunched for time. I’m also a writer that wants to read more books.
I read not only for my profession, but for my enjoyment as well. Before I was a writer, I was a reader. Reading became my escape from the every day.
Reading also was a way for me to see that there were others ways of doing, of being, of living in this world. Both real and fictional ways of living. As a young girl who devoured many types of books, I learned about dollar cost averaging (I read financial tomes.). I imagined what it’d be like to start my own Babysitter’s Club (sparked by the famous series). I even pondered what it’d be like to have my own secret garden (inspired by the popular book by the same title).
As an adult, life became busier. I have more obligations and responsibilities than I did as a child. Thus, I have less time to read. (Also, Facebook didn’t exist in the 80’s.) Last year, I wanted to take control of the busyness and read more. I read, but I didn’t read as much as I would’ve liked. Unfortunately, I spent more time on social media than reading. But I decided not to give up on reading more in 2016. This time around, I’m doing things differently. Here are five quick tips to squeeze in more reading even if you’re crunched for time:
How to Read More Books, Tip #1 – Pick Books that You Enjoy
What’s the point of reading a book if you don’t like it? If there are authors, topics, or genres that you enjoy, focus on those.
How to Read More Books, Tip #2 – Read One Page a Day
That’s right. One page a day. A lot of times people don’t read more because they set unrealistic goals. Building habits is all about starting small…very small…like one page a day small. Over time, you’ll be motivated by your mini-success and exceed the goal.
How to Read More Books, Tip #3 – Listen to Audiobooks
Yaasss! Audiobooks are a busy reader’s best friend. I can listen to audiobooks anywhere: while washing dishes or walking or driving. And it’s so simple, just push ‘play.’
How to Read More Books, Tip #4 – Read One Book at a Time
This is a big one for me. I am easily enticed by ALL the books. ALL. THE. BOOKS. I’m often tempted to switch from one book to the other. But then I don’t finish a book. So this year, I’m making a concerted effort to read one book at a time. I slipped away from this promise to myself last week so writing this is keeping me accountable 🙂
There you have it. Easy ways to read more books even if you’re crunched for time.
Want to read the first post in the mini-habits series? Click here.
Do you have a goal to read more in 2016? What are you reading now? I’d love to hear about it!
What I Learned In January {2016}
Hey folks, so I’m instituting a “What I Learned in (Insert Current Month)” post in 2016. I’m thinking it will help me stay on track of all of my goings on this year. So here’s goes…
What I learned in January 2016:
- I like taking breaks from social media. I read that social media is a great way for introverts like me to connect with others. But social media gets my brain all wrapped up in social media-ness. The scrolling, the tweeting, the liking, the replying can get me in a tizzy. In December, I started to limit the time I spent on social media, and it’s been so refreshing. I haven’t gone 100% cold turkey, but I unplug more often. Unplugging frees my mind so I can experience the world around me.
- Morning Pages are my oxygen. I love writing morning pages. They are the first thing I write every day before working on a manuscript. I talk about it more in depth in this post, but they helped me sharpen my focus for 2016.
- Life doesn’t fall apart when you can’t find your cell phone. Right now, I haven’t had my cell phone in over a week. I cannot find it, and I’m cool with that. (Though I should try to find my phone before the end of February.) Anywho…I don’t need to be attached to a digital device all day. The Facebook notifications and emails can wait. I’ll take my selfie another day 😉
- Good friends are priceless. One of my best friends visited me last weekend, and she’s a #foodie. For an entire weekend, we talked food and cooking. If I could liken this experience to anything, it would be like having my own **Eat** version of “Eat, Pray, Love”. Except we didn’t gorge on carbs. We flipped through cookbooks and talked recipes and cutlery and cooking. I was inspired and refreshed.
That’s what I learned in January 2016. I’m looking forward to seeing what February holds!
How about you? What have you learned in January?
Walking Through Those Soul Knots (Mini-Habits Series)
I’ve been walking since 2008. (Okay, I’ve been walking since I first learned to walk…but I’ve been walking on purpose since 2008.)
2008 was a big year for me. I left my full time, office job which involved lots of world travel and meeting with Congressional staff. I left to become a writer. I loved the work I did at my old job. I am still good friends with many of the people I met there, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I knew God made me to live a creative life. Thankfully, my husband supported my decision.
My last day of work was January 19, 2008. Every time around this year, I think about that date, and my writing walk.
On my first Monday as an unemployed writer (way back in 2008), I opened a notebook, and started scribbling. I had a vague notion for a story but nothing plotted and outlined. (I’m still a panster!) I meandered. Boredom set in, and I knew I had to do SOMETHING with all this free time on my hands. So I played a Leslie Sansone Walk At Home video and started walking with her. After a couple of weeks of that I got stir crazy, I needed to go outside. I started walking outdoors.
Walking outdoors gave me a chance to really think about where I wanted my life to go. Without the distractions of social media and blogs and phones, I was free to be with my thoughts. Sometimes I thought about the story I was writing at the time. Other times, I tried to figure out what I would eat for dinner. Most times, I’d notice a rose bush along the way. I’d stop to examine it up close and then keep walking.
A year later, I walked through my first pregnancy. I remember going on a long, one hour walk in the local botanical gardens during my 40th week of pregnancy. My whale-shaped figure waddled through grassy paths and stony ones, mossy carpet and cement sidewalks. One of the gardeners at the botanical garden waved to me and said: “Looks like you’re about to have that baby soon.” I smiled and kept walking. I delivered my oldest child a couple of days after that walk.
Walking helped me give birth to someone new. Walking also helps me give birth to new projects, new ideas, and a new self. Walking has taught me to always be in the process of creation and recreation. It taught me to never become stagnate and to always move forward. Even when life gets knotty.
Walking helped me give birth to someone new. Walking also helps me give birth to new projects, new ideas, and a new self. Walking has taught me to always be in the process of creation and recreation. It taught me to never become stagnate and to always move forward. Even when life gets knotty.
As a new mom, I learned to walk with a baby in tow. Daily walks enabled me to get out of the “feed the baby-change the baby-rock the baby to sleep (maybe!)” cycle. Baby and I enjoyed our daily time in nature. During those walks, I’d try to figure out a reasonable writing routine in my mind. During those walks, I’d try to figure out how to be Super Mom Writer (hasn’t happened!) Writing with a newborn presented a whole new set of challenges, but those daily walks provided a needed respite from the Daily Mom Grind.
Now the children are a little older, and I walk solo. Most days I walk early in the morning when the school buses are picking up the kids, and my neighbors are walking their dogs. I’ve learned to multitask my walking with reading since my reading time is scarce.
Walking helps me untie my soul knots. 
I can ponder issues, work out solutions, and talk to God. Each step I take is a symbolic step of purpose, of decision, of direction. Each step is also a prayer of faith. With each step, I am saying to those soul knots”I won’t be tied up in your knottiness. See? I’m taking multiple steps forward. The Creator and I are working out and walking out my life together.”
Walking helps me untie my soul knots.
I’ve walked through new baby joy. I’ve walked through new mom stress. I’ve walked through a car accident. I’ve walked through buying a replacement car at an excellent price. I’ve walked through messy first drafts. I’ve walked through polished final drafts. I’ve walked through laughter. I’ve walked through tears.
The rote pounding of my feet on the earth centers and stabilizes me through life’s ups and downs. And it ensures that life doesn’t happen to me. I happen to life.
The rote pounding of my feet on the earth centers and stabilizes me through life’s ups and downs. And it ensures that life doesn’t happen to me. I happen to life.
Is there an activity that you engage in which feeds your soul and steadies you? Please share in the comments. I’d love to hear about it.
How My 5 yo’s Violin Practice Taught Me About Responsibility
“And a little child shall lead them…” (Isaiah 11:6)
I enrolled my five year in violin classes in 2014 because I wanted him to experience the discipline required when learning an art form. I chose the Suzuki method because it involves a lot of parental input and feedback. Suzuki parents learn along with the child. We can’t drop our child off at the music lesson, grab a latte, and pick them up when the lesson’s finished. We sit through the lessons and observe the teacher in order to implement the skills at home.
This sounded avant garde when I signed up in 2014, but I was flunking in the parental involvement department. Practice sessions were haphazard at best. As a result, his progress was slow. Even more embarrassing, our wonderful violin teacher pulled me aside on more than one occasion and gave me a good talking to on the importance of regular practice.
Sigh…
Despite my halfhearted efforts, I continued paying the tuition and the violin rental fee in the hopes that one day I’d get it together and be a Stellar Suzuki Mom **shifty eyes**
Last week, I reached my one day.
My one day occurred late at night after we finished our bedtime routine. I noticed his violin case next to my laptop, and I had an internal **Aha!** moment. I had to take the reins and practice the violin with my son. I had to lead the effort.
So my son took out his violin and his bow. I took out the week’s practice sheet, and he stumbled through the different tunes. They sounded squeaky, but he hadn’t practiced in a while so we had to overcome our learning curve.
The next night, we did the same thing. Still squeaky noises and messy bow holds. Still learning.
The following night, I almost forgot about practice until three year old Little Miss reminded me that her brother needed to practice.
By the fifth day of practice, my husband commented that our son was getting better. When lesson day arrived, the violin teacher was impressed. The five year old knew all of his Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star variations (something we have been slapdash learning since 2014). She tested him, and he passed with flying colors! He’s now ready to move on to learning the next song.
Interesting what 15-20 minute practices, five days a week can do!
Now back to my **Aha!** moment. When I saw that violin next to my computer, I realized no one would help me. No one would rescue me. I am responsible.
I am responsible for leading my kids. I am responsible for my home, my finances, my writing, my health, my peace, my joy, my everything.
No one else is responsible. Not even God.
Yes, I believe in an all powerful, sovereign God. I believe that He has set my birth date and my future death date. Yet when God created Adam and placed him in the Garden, He delegated authority over the Garden (and by extension, authority over planet earth) to Adam. He told Adam to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15, NIV). God made Adam and Eve responsible. A lot of what we see in the earth is a result of man’s irresponsibility and/or fear in areas where God has given them authority to act.
What does this have to do with Suzuki violin?
Well, the only way to progress in violin is to take responsibility and practice. I can’t control the depth and breadth of my son’s development as a violinist, but I can control whether he practices.
I can’t control how God will use my life to influence others, but I can control whether I “practice.” I can practice love when met with hate. I can practice joy when met with stress. I can practice peace when met with unrest.
I can practice. And so can you.
God, in His all powerful, sovereignty, rewards those who practice His principles. Like my son this week at violin, those who practice pass their tests with flying colors. If you are going through a test in your life, practice His principles and watch how God rewards you.
