To Create Is to Live
You may have noticed that “Featured Book” in my blog’s sidebar announces my new book of arts and crafts. It’s a resource book especially for religion teachers, but any teacher (or parent) will find it useful. The book has led me to think about what it means to create. Echoing my thoughts, the other night in a commercial the fashion designer Ralph Lauren said that creating something brings great satisfaction. Using our brains, our imaginations and skills, to produce something new is exhilarating and makes us proud of ourselves. (more…)
A Smile: Sign of the Spirit
An old riddle asks, “What is the longest word in the dictionary”? In case you don’t remember, the answer is smiles because there is a mile between the beginning and end. I’ve been reflecting on how a smile goes a long way in making a difference in others’ lives and in our own. How uplifting it is when the clerk in the checkout line smiles at you or when a total stranger smiles and greets as you pass on the street. Mother Teresa said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Oddly, when we smile, we feel better. It elevates our mood. That’s why a 1927 song advises, “Let a smile be your umbrella.” A smile can see us through dark and rainy days. Why do you think smiley faces became so popular? (more…)
Let Something New Renew You
While reading a historical fiction book, the thought occurred to me that I could write something like that. Now, I’ve written dozens of nonfiction books but never a novel. For me this would be a novel experience! (Sorry, couldn’t resist that pun.) But could I do it? As I plunged into the project, I discovered that it was exhilarating. I would become so wrapped up in the imagined people and events that when I “came to” I didn’t know if it was morning, afternoon, or night. I managed to finish the novel last week, in time for entering a contest with a January 31 deadline. This contest had 600-plus entries last year, so the odds are against me. Yet even if I don’t win, even if the book never gets published, the process was worth it. (more…)
Absentminded or Mindful?
The other day as I was backing out of the driveway to go to church, my purse was missing. I parked, went into the house, and looked for the purse with no luck. Then I remembered that on the way to car I dumped some recyclables into the bin. Sure enough, when I lifted the lid, there was my purse on the bottom of the green container, which is almost as tall as I am. I jerked the bin out of the ice, tilted it onto the ground, and crawled in to retrieve my purse, hoping the neighbor wasn’t watching. This incident made me realize that I need to pay more attention to what I am doing. (more…)
Be Renewed in the New Year
As we put up new calendars, once again we glibly wish everyone, “Happy New Year!” But what does this mean? Here is one way to open up that expression. Consider it my prayer for blessings on you!
Best wishes for a fresh new year of your life. During 2013 may you . . .
reconnect with old friends and make some new friends
break some bad habits and form some good ones
get out of a rut and aim for the stars
listen to God in your heart and speak about him to others
stop wasting time and make every moment count
turn crosses into stepping stones
forgive hurts and ask pardon of others
dispose of unused clothes and clutter and buy something you need
feed the hungry and eat healthy yourself
avoid conflict and create peace
lose a distasteful job and take up a new hobby
surprise others and be surprised by them
love and be loved.
All of these things will make for a truly “happy” new year! (They may also help you decide on your new year’s resolutions.)
What would you add to the list?
