Recently I read a marketing blog about the importance of toast. Why is toast special?
1. It's custom made for you. You can't toast something head of time.
2. It's made carefully to not be burned.
3. It's a special treat because I didn't have to toast the bread.
I realize that all of that is true. Wouldn't every relationship be better if we considered how we can make toast for others?
1. I'm here for you. I'm present. For you. I'm not thinking about my next meeting, next project, or plans for later in the week.
2. I'm doing this carefully for you. I'm thinking what you like and what you need.
3. I don't have to do this for you, but I am because of who you are or who I am.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Thankful Thursday April 23, 2015
It's been awhile, but I have been thankful.
Today:
1. I took notes from a conversation several weeks ago that I needed today to write an article. Looked in a folder and it wasn't there. Checked a notebook and not there. Went through two stacks of papers on my desk. Not there. Prayed. Checked my folder one more time and found it. I probably could have written the article without the notes, but I certainly had more detail having found the notes.
2. Tonight was my last piano lesson. Outside of family members, my teacher has been the most encouraging person about my piano abilities. The lessons have been one of the most positive events in my life this year, but without a music outlet I cannot handle the time or expense of lessons. The last two lessons have been looking at arrangement books to study what the composer is doing to learn how to improvise on my own.
Yesterday:
3. Had my report out on my work trip from last week. It went well and generated a lot of discussion. I received more positive comments today. I think my department will improve because of my trip, information and suggestions.
4. The weather forecast was for extremely severe storms beginning possibly as early as 3 p.m. This was the one day I had an offsite meeting and wouldn't be parking in the parking garage at work. Not only did the storm not start while my car was parked outside or on the drive home, but we really didn't get more than rain.
Today:
1. I took notes from a conversation several weeks ago that I needed today to write an article. Looked in a folder and it wasn't there. Checked a notebook and not there. Went through two stacks of papers on my desk. Not there. Prayed. Checked my folder one more time and found it. I probably could have written the article without the notes, but I certainly had more detail having found the notes.
2. Tonight was my last piano lesson. Outside of family members, my teacher has been the most encouraging person about my piano abilities. The lessons have been one of the most positive events in my life this year, but without a music outlet I cannot handle the time or expense of lessons. The last two lessons have been looking at arrangement books to study what the composer is doing to learn how to improvise on my own.
Yesterday:
3. Had my report out on my work trip from last week. It went well and generated a lot of discussion. I received more positive comments today. I think my department will improve because of my trip, information and suggestions.
4. The weather forecast was for extremely severe storms beginning possibly as early as 3 p.m. This was the one day I had an offsite meeting and wouldn't be parking in the parking garage at work. Not only did the storm not start while my car was parked outside or on the drive home, but we really didn't get more than rain.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
A Few Observations
1. If you start by saying "I don't want to bother you . . .," it's too late.
2. A comment I read from someone who said, "What if I'd married someone awful? We may have our difference, but I have it good."
3. Work may be busy, but the alternative is worse.
2. A comment I read from someone who said, "What if I'd married someone awful? We may have our difference, but I have it good."
3. Work may be busy, but the alternative is worse.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Betty
Note: Posted one day late.
Fifty-eight years ago today, my mom stepped on a heating grate at the church as she was ready to walk into the church to marry my father losing the heel of her shoe. Betty, her maid of honor, grabbed the heel and the shoe, whacked the heel back onto the shoe, gave it back to mom and the ceremony went on as planned.
Eight years ago today Betty brought the most beautiful springerle cookies to my parents’ 50th anniversary open house.
Today Betty’s family laid her earthly body to rest.
Most of my life I knew her as Aunt Betty because of her sisterly relationship with my mom. She was gracious and kind. I remember eating many meals at her home through the years. But my best memory happened just over three years ago when I travelled from Michigan to central Illinois for a springerle cookie baking lesson. Because she used a KitchenAid mixer, I knew I needed one if I were to make a decent springerle. She showed me the catalog of where she ordered her special molds for cutting the cookies. We made so many that night and she was so particular about pressing the mold and cutting them that my stomach muscles hurt the next day from pushing down! Those were by far the most beautiful and best tasting springerles I ever made. I know the men of my family, who all love the Christmas springerles, are glad I had that lesson.
The choir at the funeral sang “Sunshine in My Soul,” and that is exactly what Betty’s smile represented – the sunshine in her soul because of her love of Jesus.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Church
It's been three weeks since I've been at my church. One Sunday I was out of town, and last Sunday I was sick. It's easy to think about what we don't like about church so today as I drove there I thought about what I like about my church.
One, the gospel will be presented. The hope we have that regardless of my sinfulness Jesus loved me and died for me. I have hope of eternity with him.
Two, most of the music I enjoy.
Three, in the last year I have grown to know and enjoy the people who will meet in worship together.
Four, it's small and I like that.
Five, it's not that far away. And when you live in a place where most drives take 30 minutes that's a big positive.
One, the gospel will be presented. The hope we have that regardless of my sinfulness Jesus loved me and died for me. I have hope of eternity with him.
Two, most of the music I enjoy.
Three, in the last year I have grown to know and enjoy the people who will meet in worship together.
Four, it's small and I like that.
Five, it's not that far away. And when you live in a place where most drives take 30 minutes that's a big positive.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Books I Read in 2014
My reading goal is to read one book a month. I at least met the spirit of it by reading 13 books although three were for work. One book took me a long time to complete, and I finally skimmed through to complete on 12/29/14. Because of that book I've decided on a new reading plan. I'll give a book a 50 to 60 page trial. If I just don't like it, I will not allow my occasional OCD to take over and insist I finish the book even if I'm not liking it.
Here is my reading list for 2013:
:Open Space Technology" was for work. It's a concept on how to organize a meeting to generate many ideas to solve a specific issue or problem.
"America The Beautiful". I like a lot of what Ben Carson says. I'm not sure he is electable, but I'd love to see him in a government position.
"Killing Jesus". My least favorite of the Killing series, but it was interesting to read right around Easter. I really like Lincoln and Kennedy.
"Kisses from Katie". I was very interested in this as she is somewhat connected with 147 Million, an organization to help orphans around the world which was started by a former co-worker. I'm not sure I agree with the idea of single parent adoption and she seems a bit too good to be true, but a good story and read.
"Five Dysfunctions of a Team". For work. A quick read.
"Every Good Endeavor". My first and maybe only Tim Keller book. I found it good but a concept I think I already "get". I found it difficult to get through. One that made me decide on my trial for books.
"Unveiling Grace". Very interesting. A family's movement into and out of the Mormon church.
"No Dark Valley". My first Jamie Turner book. Not impressed. The guy was too unreal.
"The Litigators". John Grisham is my favorite fiction author. Another good read.
"Hope Runs". A very interesting book in the vein of Kisses From Katie.
"You Can't Not Communicate". A quick read for work that was recommended at a business luncheon. I'm mostly keeping it in the list to get a book in for the month!
"Things That Matter". I'm not that familiar with Charles Krauthammer. The book was not what I was expecting and it became a chore to complete. This is the book that made me start my new rule for reading.
"What Jesus Was Thinking When He Was Six-Years Old". I don't remember who recommended this book on facebook, but I ordered it on the kindle. It was either free or very cheap. It's historical fiction of Jesus interactions with others as he went from childhood to an adult and realization that He was the Messiah. Interesting.
Here's to more reading in 2015!
Here is my reading list for 2013:
| Open Space Technology | Harrison Owen | 1/14 |
| America the Beautiful | Ben Carson | 2/14 |
| Killing Jesus | Bill O'Reilly | 3/14 |
| Kisses from Katie | Katie Davis | 4/14 |
| Five Dysfunctions of a Team | Patrick Lencioni | 5/14 |
| Every Good Endeavor: | Tim Keller | 6/14 |
| Unveiling Grace: The Story | Lynn K. Wilder | 7/14 |
| No Dark Valley | Jamie Langston Turner | 7/14 |
| The Litigators | John Grisham | 8/14 |
| Hope Runs: An American Tourist, a Kenyan Boy and Journey of Redemption | Claire Diaz-Ortiz | 9/14 |
| You Can't Not Communicate | David Grossman | 10/14 |
| Things That Matter | Charles Krauthammer | 12/14 |
| What Jesus Was Thinking When He Was 6-Years old | Craig Wieland | 12/14 |
:Open Space Technology" was for work. It's a concept on how to organize a meeting to generate many ideas to solve a specific issue or problem.
"America The Beautiful". I like a lot of what Ben Carson says. I'm not sure he is electable, but I'd love to see him in a government position.
"Killing Jesus". My least favorite of the Killing series, but it was interesting to read right around Easter. I really like Lincoln and Kennedy.
"Kisses from Katie". I was very interested in this as she is somewhat connected with 147 Million, an organization to help orphans around the world which was started by a former co-worker. I'm not sure I agree with the idea of single parent adoption and she seems a bit too good to be true, but a good story and read.
"Five Dysfunctions of a Team". For work. A quick read.
"Every Good Endeavor". My first and maybe only Tim Keller book. I found it good but a concept I think I already "get". I found it difficult to get through. One that made me decide on my trial for books.
"Unveiling Grace". Very interesting. A family's movement into and out of the Mormon church.
"No Dark Valley". My first Jamie Turner book. Not impressed. The guy was too unreal.
"The Litigators". John Grisham is my favorite fiction author. Another good read.
"Hope Runs". A very interesting book in the vein of Kisses From Katie.
"You Can't Not Communicate". A quick read for work that was recommended at a business luncheon. I'm mostly keeping it in the list to get a book in for the month!
"Things That Matter". I'm not that familiar with Charles Krauthammer. The book was not what I was expecting and it became a chore to complete. This is the book that made me start my new rule for reading.
"What Jesus Was Thinking When He Was Six-Years Old". I don't remember who recommended this book on facebook, but I ordered it on the kindle. It was either free or very cheap. It's historical fiction of Jesus interactions with others as he went from childhood to an adult and realization that He was the Messiah. Interesting.
Here's to more reading in 2015!
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Dr. Dan Meet Seth
Today I read this in Seth Godin's blog.
There's a fundamental difference between the things you do every day, every single day, and the things you do only when the spirit moves you.
One difference is that once you've committed to doing something daily, you find that the spirit moves you, daily.
Rather than having a daily debate about today's agenda, you can decide once that you will do something, and then decide every single day how to do it.
It reminds me of when Dr. Dan Grabill, the assistant principal of Xenia Christian while I was there, said in a devotional he had quit voting. As a former social studies teacher I was mortified until he explained. When he woke up in the morning, he no longer voted if he would walk and read his Bible. The decision was made before he ever woke up that he would do both as soon as he woke up. In other words, the spirit moved him daily.
There's a fundamental difference between the things you do every day, every single day, and the things you do only when the spirit moves you.
One difference is that once you've committed to doing something daily, you find that the spirit moves you, daily.
Rather than having a daily debate about today's agenda, you can decide once that you will do something, and then decide every single day how to do it.
It reminds me of when Dr. Dan Grabill, the assistant principal of Xenia Christian while I was there, said in a devotional he had quit voting. As a former social studies teacher I was mortified until he explained. When he woke up in the morning, he no longer voted if he would walk and read his Bible. The decision was made before he ever woke up that he would do both as soon as he woke up. In other words, the spirit moved him daily.
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