Never before has such a thorough, step-by-step guide to your very own mental breakdown been published, be it online or off. If you can master these easy to follow instructions, you too can be the envy of all your friends and find yourself well on your way to a life you've only dreamed of! • Treat traffic jams exactly as they are: carefully planned and sinister conspiracies designed to keep you from your destination. • Pack your day so full that you are not distracted by superficial things like the sunset, the smell of roses, or the toddler smiling at you from across the grocery …
Delight in the Little Things
Is it Bragging…
...when you point out something nice that somebody else said about you? Probably. But it's also delighting in the little things. But I wanted to link to a great review this blog got from Ian Griffin. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and a specialist in speech writing and executive communications, with a particular focus on communication across cultures. I am proud of the review because it's a little affirmation that after years of writing and tweaking and tinkering, I've got something that's pretty decent. It's nice to have someone notice. So thanks, Ian. And welcome to all …
Authentic Wonder
Lots and lots has already been said and written about the late great Crocodile Hunter. But I wanted to call your attention to one more article about Steve Irwin's death specifically because it really underscores what this blog is all about. Nick Coleman of the Star Tribune observes that Irwin's passing is "the rarest of tragedies: the death of a celebrity that affects children and adults at the same time." Here are some highlights: …
So Long, Crocodile Hunter
When I first saw Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, I thought, "Now this guy is one big kid!" His boyish passion and wide-eyed enthusiasm were irresistible. Whether he was sticking his head in a crocodile's mouth or picking up an irritated snake by the tail, I couldn't stop watching. Needless to say, Kim and I were saddened to hear about his death yesterday. …
Twenty-Four Hours
The other day I was listening to a song which really spoke to me. It's called "Life Means So Much" by Chris Rice. This verse and the chorus, in particular, really stuck out... Every day is a bank account And time is our currency So nobody's rich, nobody's poor We get 24 hours each …
Go See Chipmunks and Stuff
The summer days are growing shorter, and the kids are going back to school. For many parents, it is a welcome relief and the beginning of a long-awaited oasis of some peace and quiet. Of course children are a blessing, but they can certainly cause a disruption as well. Us grown-ups tend to like things neat and orderly, structured and without surprise. It can be really easy to get into "controlling mode" with kids, as we try our best to fit them into our idealized version of how life should operate. And I believe that this propensity of grown-ups is one of the biggest reasons God made kids. …
Summer Checklist
Have you enjoyed the summer? Last January, when you longed for a hot summer day, did you live up to those dreams that you had promised you would do once the weather was nice? This is a friendly service announcement to notify you of a somewhat harsh reality… there are only 6 official weeks left of summer. I know families who have kids going back to school are saying, “Six! I wish…school goes back next week!” Yes, I am sorry about that. In an attempt to fully appreciate the summer, to delight in all of the wonderfulness of summer, I am sharing a list of eight summer activities to squeeze …
Forever Moments
How many "forever moments" have you had recently? The term was used in a recent article by syndicated columnist Debra-Lynn B. Hook. She explained one such moment that occurred while she and her son were on a bike ride: Instead of racing along the trail in a hurry, always rushing to see what's around the bend, we decided to open our senses and our hearts to each curve along the path. "I see shadows on the trail from the sun." "I hear the sound of a lawn mower." …
Charlie Brown and the Free Prize at the Art Museum
Today was a swell day. After much anticipation, Kim and I finally had a chance to head to Milwaukee to check out the Masters of American Comics exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum. It showcased the original artwork of comic legends like E.C. Segar (the creator of Popeye), Chester Gould (creator of Dick Tracy), Jack Kirby (Captain America and The Fantastic Four), and the guy who brought us Charlie Brown, Charles Schulz. If you're a cartoonist, and you go to an exhibit like this, I'm pretty sure you're bound to come away with two distinct thoughts. The first is, "I completely suck." And the …
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Heavenly Thoughts
Tonight Jason and I got a chance to watch ”The Exorcism of Emily Rose” with some friends. It’ll get your heart beating. It’s based off a true story and it is definitely one of those movies that will get you talking. If you're looking to get into a deep conversation about good versus evil, demons, God, heaven, hell, etc., this is your movie! One of the things we talked about afterward was heaven. What were our childhood thoughts on heaven? Had our thoughts changed now that we were all “grown-up?” Our friend said that he asked his mom when he was little if there would be a Nintendo in heaven. …