When I spent my days with five-year-olds, I was one of the most patient people in the world. Seriously, it was a gift from above, and I don't claim to take any credit for it. Now if I would've taught for thirty-five years instead of five maybe my patience would've been a bit thinner, but regardless my ability to remain calm and contained amidst the chaos of rugrats was something that now enables me to look back fondly upon my years sitting on very short chairs and cleaning up spilled milk in the carpet everyday. So, I'm patient with kids, big deal in the grand scheme of things. It's the adults …
Adultitis
The Importance of Mirth
Several weeks ago I came across a post on the Church of the Customer blog entitled, Products of Mirth. It featured a photo of some interesting shoes, pictured here. First, I had to ask Stinky what "mirth" meant. He told me that it was a noun that meant "gladness and gaiety, especially when expressed by laughter." Got it. (I'm so glad he is a connoisseur of the English language.) Apparently, the high-heeled flippers are not for sale. They're a simple art project. I think they're pretty funny, but I like even more what Ben McConnell had to say about them: …
Calling Your Shot
Christina over at Writer Mama challenged me the other day to reveal "Eight Random Things About Me." Since I did a similar post a few months ago after Phil's request, I decided to take a different slant on this. I've tweaked it to be "Eight Random Things About Me In Eight Years." Last month I talked about the importance of life lists and the power in writing down your goals. In that vain, I have decided to reveal the list I will write eight years from today, Aug. 16, 2015. I will be 37 years young. Essentially, I'm "calling my shot." Here goes... 1. I love being a mom! Our kids bring me …
Do You Have That Spark?
This summer I have been inspired by a bunch of strangers who have been consistently working their butts off while following their hearts. Who are these persistent dreamers? The contestants from the reality show, "On the Lot." This is the first refreshing reality show I've seen. I know, usually refreshing and reality do not simultaneously describe a reality show, but this one has been different. Reailty shows usually have a lot of drama, but the drama in this show is real. It's the natural drama that comes when passionate people are working hard towards the accomplishment of their …
Death of the Grown-Up
Will the death of the grown-up bring about our downfall? Could be. You may be asking, "How can you write this, Mr. Author of Escape Adulthood: 8 Secrets from Childhood for the Stressed-Out Grown-Up?" Easy. The book, The Death of the Grown-up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization by Diana West, is supported by many well-known conservatives. I suspect that it might veer off to an extreme tangent, but I agree with many of its premises. Parents spend way too much time trying to be their kids friends rather than their parents. We are way too politically …
You’ve Got Mail Cyber Challenge
There is a cyber stress epidemic that is greatly contributing to Adultitis. Checking email. How many times do you check your email in one day? In one hour? Be honest! Are you excessive? Who isn't, right?! You just never know who might have some interesting or good news for you. You better check. It's like when you were little and always wanted to be the one to go get the mail from the mailbox. Maybe three out of 365 days you'd actually receive mail, but it was still fun to check. That childlike optimism and curiousity can actually get you into trouble in the world of email. …
9 Ways to Avoid Adultitis When Embarking on a Major Life Transition
Major life transitions can really amplify one's Adultitis. As you know these changes can involve gain or loss, and many times both at the same time. Whether you're saying "hello" to a new spouse, new baby, or a new house, or saying "goodbye" to a sick loved one, a beloved job, or a neighbor who is moving away, these transitions can really add some extra stress to your day-to-day, leaving you unsettled. Jason and I are in the midst of a major life transition. We haven't had one in a while, so I've been surprised at how it really does throw your life upside down. After months of planning …
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11 Things Kids Must Do During Summer
Summer is coming to a close, so you need to make the most of these last few weeks. When school starts the harsh reality for most kids is that their small amount of free time will soon be filled with homework, soccer, music lessons, church classes and sleeping. To read more about how overscheduled kids are destined to become perfectionist adults (riddled with Adultitis), check out this article. It's time to cross-reference your recent summertime activities with my list of 11 Things Kids Must Do During Summer. If you would like more ideas, I highly recommend the awesome book, "101 Things …
The Best Day Ever
Imagine standing in front of a room full of one hundred people. You tell them to raise their hand if they consider themselves optimistic. How many people have their hands raised? Yep, all of them. Everybody thinks of themselves as optimistic; nobody will admit that they are pessimistic. When pressed by someone who knows them and thinks otherwise, they might admit, "I'm not pessimistic. I'm realistic." You'll never hear anyone say, "Yeah, that's me, pessimistic. I see the worst in every situation, my best days are way behind me, yesterday will always be better than tomorrow, and if …
Travolta Ditches Adultitis for Hairspray Role
The secret of success for the most serious (and respected) actors in the 'biz, is that they don't take themselves too seriously. Jason and I have been talking about this a lot lately. These remarkable actors get out of their own way by putting their pride on the shelf. They take big risks and let the character come alive, no matter how foolish or strange they may feel. This is the common denominator for the handful of actors I appreciate most. The poster boys for this are John Travolta, Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, and Tom Hanks. Ever notice how these guys also make the top of the list for …
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