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| My kids + the local library + a display about Harry Potter = magic, indeed! |
"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." ~Henry Ward Beecher
Friday, August 26, 2011
This Moment - "Reading Can Be Magical"
{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you feel so inspired, please share your moment here, too!
"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." ~Henry Ward Beecher
"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." ~Henry Ward Beecher
Monday, August 22, 2011
Can I still call myself a blogger when I haven't blogged anything in *ahem* weeks?
Despite the fact that I haven't been here at My (Un)Intentional Life for several weeks - and have only blogged infrequently for much of the summer - this space has been on my mind quite a bit. Ironically, in between the time I last posted and now I even helped give a sermon at my church entitled the Spirituality of Blogging. My wonderful friend, Ryan - the creator and voice of The Woven Moments - joined me in designing and leading the service. Our goal wasn't to encourage others to go out and start their own blogs, but rather to share how blogging has been a positive - and in some ways surprising - part of our lives. Ryan followed up the next day with this excellent post about traveling along her personal spiritual path and how blogging has been a part of that journey.
I planned to write something afterwards as well but, well, I haven't. And I don't know that I will write more extensively than what I will share today about that experience. But I've been thinking about it and I have found myself drawn to my laptop to write a bit today in spite of (or, honestly, maybe because of) my looming around-the-house-to-do-list.
As I examined more closely why I blog in preparation for this month's church service, I found that some of the outcomes of doing so have met my expectations and others have surprised me. From the very beginning, I wanted to use this blog as a way to publicly declare my intentions and then actually achieve what I set out to do. My half joking way of describing this to others is that I wanted to shame myself publicly into accomplishing certain goals that I've set - especially those that have been sitting on the back burner or that I've been particularly challenged by in the past. There is some truth to that, but it has always been about helping me find a way to feel and hold myself accountable to me - something that I have long struggled with. There is incredible power in thinking about what is important to us, how we want to be in the world, and then actually writing those things down. As I had hoped, I am creating positive change in my life and approaching the things that I choose to do - or choose not to do - with greater intention as a result of the writing that I do in this space. I have a long way to go, but life is a journey and I'm happy to be on this path.
I mentioned finding some outcomes surprising. The biggest of those is that I often find myself "thinking in blog". I pay attention to life experiences differently because I am looking for those precious moments in my everyday life that I want to savor. Like many mothers, and many bloggers, I can often be found behind a camera trying to capture the happy, fleeting moments that fill our days. Be it electronically with photo books or more traditionally with scrapbooking, I - when I intentionally make time for it, anyway - am the keeper of my family's history. And yet, blogging has subtly changed the way that I experience and think about these moments and experiences. This blog has helped me notice more, savor more, and approach my life with more intention simply because I am looking at it through a slightly different lens. I think that anything that helps me do this is worthwhile and I am grateful for this space.
And yet...still that to-do-around-the-house-list awaits. So gratitude and reflection aside, now is the time for some action. I sign off here wishing you a happy Monday, friends!
"We learn and grow and are transformed not so much by what we do but why and how we do it." ~Sharon Salzberg
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| Here we are in our pre-service meditative state. Or in a state where we were trying to project the appearance that we were calm, confident, and knew what was going on. Maybe a little of both. |
I planned to write something afterwards as well but, well, I haven't. And I don't know that I will write more extensively than what I will share today about that experience. But I've been thinking about it and I have found myself drawn to my laptop to write a bit today in spite of (or, honestly, maybe because of) my looming around-the-house-to-do-list.
As I examined more closely why I blog in preparation for this month's church service, I found that some of the outcomes of doing so have met my expectations and others have surprised me. From the very beginning, I wanted to use this blog as a way to publicly declare my intentions and then actually achieve what I set out to do. My half joking way of describing this to others is that I wanted to shame myself publicly into accomplishing certain goals that I've set - especially those that have been sitting on the back burner or that I've been particularly challenged by in the past. There is some truth to that, but it has always been about helping me find a way to feel and hold myself accountable to me - something that I have long struggled with. There is incredible power in thinking about what is important to us, how we want to be in the world, and then actually writing those things down. As I had hoped, I am creating positive change in my life and approaching the things that I choose to do - or choose not to do - with greater intention as a result of the writing that I do in this space. I have a long way to go, but life is a journey and I'm happy to be on this path.
I mentioned finding some outcomes surprising. The biggest of those is that I often find myself "thinking in blog". I pay attention to life experiences differently because I am looking for those precious moments in my everyday life that I want to savor. Like many mothers, and many bloggers, I can often be found behind a camera trying to capture the happy, fleeting moments that fill our days. Be it electronically with photo books or more traditionally with scrapbooking, I - when I intentionally make time for it, anyway - am the keeper of my family's history. And yet, blogging has subtly changed the way that I experience and think about these moments and experiences. This blog has helped me notice more, savor more, and approach my life with more intention simply because I am looking at it through a slightly different lens. I think that anything that helps me do this is worthwhile and I am grateful for this space.
And yet...still that to-do-around-the-house-list awaits. So gratitude and reflection aside, now is the time for some action. I sign off here wishing you a happy Monday, friends!
"We learn and grow and are transformed not so much by what we do but why and how we do it." ~Sharon Salzberg
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
I'm still here, I'm just elbow deep in clutter
Happy Tuesday, friends! Although I regret that my post frequency has been spotty lately, I don't regret what has been calling out for my attention these past few weeks. Of course, our time spent supporting IronMan as he completed his big race was very special. Beyond that, though, I have been working very hard on decluttering an area of my house that has been my proverbial Achille's heel for years. The progress I made - and how it has been done - has been a big deal for me on this journey towards living more simply and intentionally in many ways and I look forward to sharing it with you soon.
I'll be back on the blogging bandwagon within the next few days. In the meantime, have a GREAT week!
"You can't organize clutter; you can only get rid of it!" ~FlyLady
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| This is what I'm in up to my elbows...not so fun but so nearly done that I can finally see the light at the end of this tunnel! |
I'll be back on the blogging bandwagon within the next few days. In the meantime, have a GREAT week!
"You can't organize clutter; you can only get rid of it!" ~FlyLady
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Interrupting our regularly scheduled post to introduce the newest member of the clan!
The past several days have been filled with a lovely flurry of unexpected activity as we've prepared to welcome the newest member of our clan. Okay, so IronMan's sister did the most to prepare considering that she was the one giving birth - I pretty much just obsessively stuck to my phone for text, email, and call updates. I also exercised admirable self-control and DIDN'T drive over to sit outside the labor and delivery wing waiting for this little one's arrival. Lucky me has been by twice to visit with my wonderful sister-in-law and the little girl that she has blessed us all with. What an absolute gift to snuggle this little bundle of newborn wonder!
Introducing my newest niece (well, her sweet little toes, anyway)...
We'll return to our regularly scheduled posts about our adventures of the past week tomorrow. Happy, happy Thursday, friends!
"Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the Everywhere and into here."
~George MacDonald from At the Back of the North Wind
Introducing my newest niece (well, her sweet little toes, anyway)...
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| Adore! |
We'll return to our regularly scheduled posts about our adventures of the past week tomorrow. Happy, happy Thursday, friends!
"Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the Everywhere and into here."
~George MacDonald from At the Back of the North Wind
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
It is official - RunningMan is now an IronMan!
Back in March when I introduced the cast of characters that is my family, I shared that my husband was training for his first IronMan triathlon. For those of you who may not be familiar with this type of race, it is comprised of a 2.4 mile open water swim, followed immediately by a 112 mile bike ride, and finished by a 26.2 mile run. In other words, this event is no small thing. I am very proud to share that after a full year of training, and nearly 12 straight hours of swimming, biking, and running this past weekend, my Running Man is now an IronMan. I'll be back with more about our family's adventure later in the week, but in the meantime I'll post this photo taken just after his big finish.
Introducing IronMan (formerly known as Running Man) and his support crew.
Way to go, Babe...we're so proud of you!
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the vest, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." ~Theodore Roosevelt
Introducing IronMan (formerly known as Running Man) and his support crew.
Way to go, Babe...we're so proud of you!
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the vest, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." ~Theodore Roosevelt
Friday, July 22, 2011
This Moment - Labyrinth kids
{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you feel so inspired, please share your moment here, too!
Happy Friday, friends!
"Returning to a more tender, heart-inspired place is one of the wisest, most pragmatic, sacred ways we can walk in the world." ~Sharon Salzberg
Happy Friday, friends!
"Returning to a more tender, heart-inspired place is one of the wisest, most pragmatic, sacred ways we can walk in the world." ~Sharon Salzberg
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Ritual Roundup - Keeping kids in touch with extended family
Hmmm...I started this post last Tuesday, but clearly I haven't managed to do much - okay, any - posting over the course of the past week. This post has been rattling around in my mind, because the topic itself has been on my mind (especially since our most recent family reunion), and I'm excited to finally get it written. I'm also hoping that those who stop by this space will share their own ideas and experiences on today's topic.
As I mentioned in this post, I am a big believer in establishing and nurturing family rituals both for big events and for everyday moments. Not only do rituals and traditions offer a sense of fun, home, and continuity, but I think that they also offer opportunities for connection. In the case of extended family members living in other towns and states, I would like to find a way to establish some rituals or semi-regular activities to help keep us all connected (especially for my children and their cousins).
The May 2007 issue of Family Fun magazine had these ideas to offer:
* Create a perennial birthday calendar. Keep a list - organized by month - of family member birthdays decorated with family photos and craft materials from around the house.
* Host an annual Christmas ornament exchange. Each cousin/family member is randomly assigned the name of another cousin/family member for whom they will make or purchase a holiday ornament.
And my personal favorite:
* Start a linking letter. Create and circulate a newsletter supplemented with photos, mementos, and holiday treats. One family sends this "care package" to the next, which adds its own materials and pops it back in the mail to the next branch of the extended family. When the package makes it back to the original family, they simply remove their old news and photos, add updates, and send the whole thing on its way again.
The ideas presented in this article, and what has been on the forefront of my mind, have been focused on children. Of course, I'd love to hear any ideas that others have about special ways of staying connected as adults with siblings, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, etcetera. Between Running Man and I we have three siblings and only one of them lives in the same area. We have some fun little ways of staying connected and, oddly enough, they all seem to involve some item of questionable value. Take this clown, for example. Creepy, don't you think? I'll share more on this little guy, his history, and his adventures another time.
So I ask, what do you do in your family to nurture fun and connection with family members who don't live in the same area?
Happy Tuesday, friends!
"A cousin is a ready-made friend for life." ~Anonymous
As I mentioned in this post, I am a big believer in establishing and nurturing family rituals both for big events and for everyday moments. Not only do rituals and traditions offer a sense of fun, home, and continuity, but I think that they also offer opportunities for connection. In the case of extended family members living in other towns and states, I would like to find a way to establish some rituals or semi-regular activities to help keep us all connected (especially for my children and their cousins).
The May 2007 issue of Family Fun magazine had these ideas to offer:
* Create a perennial birthday calendar. Keep a list - organized by month - of family member birthdays decorated with family photos and craft materials from around the house.
* Host an annual Christmas ornament exchange. Each cousin/family member is randomly assigned the name of another cousin/family member for whom they will make or purchase a holiday ornament.
And my personal favorite:
* Start a linking letter. Create and circulate a newsletter supplemented with photos, mementos, and holiday treats. One family sends this "care package" to the next, which adds its own materials and pops it back in the mail to the next branch of the extended family. When the package makes it back to the original family, they simply remove their old news and photos, add updates, and send the whole thing on its way again.
The ideas presented in this article, and what has been on the forefront of my mind, have been focused on children. Of course, I'd love to hear any ideas that others have about special ways of staying connected as adults with siblings, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, etcetera. Between Running Man and I we have three siblings and only one of them lives in the same area. We have some fun little ways of staying connected and, oddly enough, they all seem to involve some item of questionable value. Take this clown, for example. Creepy, don't you think? I'll share more on this little guy, his history, and his adventures another time.
 |
| We found our favorite scary clown wrapped up like corn-on-the-cob in our grill...about 7 months after it had been placed there. |
So I ask, what do you do in your family to nurture fun and connection with family members who don't live in the same area?
Happy Tuesday, friends!
"A cousin is a ready-made friend for life." ~Anonymous
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