Tag Archives: Gratitude

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Rapt AWE! The spark that ingites the fire and engages others

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October was a tough month.

Rapt Awe
  • I came down with a bad cold/flu and was sick for two weeks.  During which time I spent way too much time watching news about the brokenness of the government in the country I love and call home.
  • I also spent too much time thinking about the fact that I’ve been in this new land six months and wondering “now what?”
  • (Note to self and to the world – it is never a good idea to do a lot of reflection when you are sick, tired, and run-down!)

As soon as I felt well enough to get out of the house I said yes to everyone I had been saying no to while I was sick.  And although I was thrilled to see them, I tried to do too much too soon.

iStock_000019482062XSmallThe good news is that October ended better than it started.

  • A book that we read for book club fueled deep reflection, a passionate debate and further dialog.
  • As soon as the posts on fear went live on Monday I felt lighter.
  • I spent this week doing a variety of things that challenged and fueled my heart, my soul, and my mind.

And I came home today feeling so thankful.  As always, I turned on the music that would reflect my heart and speak to me.  And then sat down to write.  As I looked through interviews I’ve done and thoughts I’ve been noting, I stumbled across this quote from Einstein.

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.

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The Impact of a Mother ~ From a Variety of Perspectives

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I am not a mother.  However, as Mother’s Day approached this year, I thought of multiple conversations I’ve had with mothers over the past few years.

  • Conversations with new mothers that are in the midst of raising little children and have no time for themselves.
  • Conversations with stay at home mothers that feel like they are frequently treated as if they are less intelligent, less creative, or have less to contribute to our world because they don’t have a full-time job outside of the home.
  • Conversations with mothers in blended families, as they work to be peacemakers that are consistent, fair and explainable in all they do.
  • Conversations with mothers that are a guiding light when their families go through trememdous change.
  • Conversations with mothers that haverecently lost a child.
  • Conversations with mothers that are raising children with cognitive challenges, health issues, mental health challenges…

As I think about the mothers and grandmothers I admire, these traits float to the top:

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Beautiful People Do Not Just Happen

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I recently discovered this beautiful quote from Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, when I shared it over Facebook and LinkedIn it received an uncommonly high number of responses.  Will you share something about a beautiful person you know that became more extraordinary when they came out of the depths?  Or share how you have been transformed?

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

 

 

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What special needs families taught me about comfort zones

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A few years ago my sister adopted a 3-year old little boy that was born addicted to meth.  He had been in and out of foster homes, diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, had abandonment issues and could not speak.

That sister lives in another state and I don’t get to see her often.  When we spoke about her new son’s challenges,  the challenges the family faced, and the special moments they were beginning to experience… I found myself wanting to I understand more.

Shortly after the adoption, I moved to a new city and met a family with an adult daughter with cognitive challenges.

It was at that time that I realized that although I was always mentally supportive of families and children with special needs and nice to them, I was also uncomfortable simply because I did not know how to fully engage with them.  Was it okay to ask questions?  Or would that be offensive?  What behavior did you need to accept and love and what behavior should you coach and correct?

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Learning’s & Joy: In the Midst of Change

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“Leaving home in a sense involves a kind of second birth in which we give birth to ourselves.“ Robert Neely Bellah

  • 4 months ago my husband accepted a position across the world and we began preparing to be first-time expats
  • 2 months later my husband relocated while our dog and I stayed behind to wait on my visa, the pet relocation details and the movers
  • 1 month later our dog got sick and had tumors removed and we waited for his test results and for him to heal
  • Last week the movers came and packed and loaded all of our things and we said goodbye to Tulsa
  • Today, my dog and I are technically “homeless” but thankful for the opportunity to visit friends and family!
  • Next week, our dog will have his first flight and my husband will be there to welcome him to his new home
  • Within a week of his departure I will sell our car and board a plane too

Soon our little family will together again!!!

In this time of planning and waiting I’ve been reminded of several things: