When is the last time you skipped? Truly skipped? Yes, the popular activity of most six-year-old girls. Today I discovered iskip.com. It is a site dedicated to promoting the positive effects of skipping. The site shares that skipping just a few steps can instantly lift your mood and help you reconnect with your buoyant, exuberant, childlike spirit. Hey, that sounds like something I'm trying to do. Who knew? Skipping! The founder Kim Corbin believes that, "Today's world needs as much positive skipping energy as possible. That is why we are on a mission to share the joy and freedom of …
Delight in the Little Things
Hello, This is Santa
One more take on Kris Kringle. Reveries magazine reports on a new way for the kiddies to chat with Santa. Maybe the thought of sitting on Santa's lap is a tad too terrifying for little Jason...but what if Santa made a phone call? “She didn’t want to have anything to do with the big fat man,” says Cindy Richards, referring to her 3-year-old daughter’s response to a real, live, retail Santa Claus. It was another reaction entirely when Santa rang her up by phone, however. Little Cassidy Richards “froze in giddy shock, the phone locked to her ear … ‘I love you Santa,’ she whispered.” …
The Big Drop
This time of year I’m sure many of you would associate ‘the big drop’ with the ball of lights in Times Square that will make it’s big fall just nine short days from now. A few days before Christmas, ‘the big drop’ I think of is much different. …
Instant Cure
In search for a little peace this morning, I decided to imitate art. Actually I can’t take all of the credit for the idea. A friend of mine named Renee asked me to make a snow angel for her. She did her undergrad in Duluth, MN and now lives in Seattle, WA, where they do not get the snow that she was once accustomed to. I have to admit, the idea of getting snow on my wrists and ankles made me think twice. It doesn’t matter how many gloves or socks I have on, it is inevitable. “Kim” the character and I share that pet peeve. …
Adam’s Ants
I wanted to pass along this opportunity to make a difference by doing little things. I am ant #31... Ants are nature’s example of how little things, done by many members of the community, can create a very large impact. When each member does a little for the good of all, we can move mountains. "Adam’s Ants" is a virtual community established on November 17, 2005. …
Birthday Blues
I ran across this blog today entitled "Tomorrow is Another Day" by a woman in Japan who goes by "Middle-Angel." She commented about her birthday, 'Yesterday I turned 54. Just unbelievable. I'm not wise enough for my age. I'm not deep enough for my age. I'm not generous enough for my age. In conclusion therefore, I should go much further to make myself accomplished.' I think Middle-Angel's thoughts are pretty common. Especially when we move closer to landmark birthdays (the ones with the 0's in the ones place), we start freaking out about our lives and what we've done with the time we've been …
My 8 Little Things
Last night Jason posted his list of 8 little things he is thankful for (besides his faith, good health, family and friends, etc.). So, here’s mine: 1. My fleece pants. 2. My mom’s hot fudge sauce (if I shared the recipe I’d have to kill you). 3. The smells and sounds of firewood crackling in a fireplace. 4. My favorite show “Three Wishes” …
8 Little Things I’m Thankful For
Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I'm getting ready to check out for the long weekend. Kim and I are heading home to Illinois. We'll spend Thanksgiving Day at her mom and dad's place, and celebrate turkey day on Friday with my family. That's right, one trip home, two Thanksgiving dinners. Be still, my frightened bathroom scale. Anyway, if you listened to our recent podcast, you probably heard some of our ideas on how to put the "thanks" in Thanksgiving. I am grateful for my friends and family, my health, my faith, the opportunity to do what I love, and my beautiful wife. The big things …
Time For the Tree
In three days there will be hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees being put up and decorated. When I was little we always put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. While searching shoppingblog.com I found that this year you can actually put up the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Shoppingblog.com shares, 'Well, Urban Outfitters has recreated that same little Christmas Tree. For $24 it can be yours: to display in all its pathetic misery, or to turn into something wonderful yourself.' …
Stretch Yourself
A good number of us these days spend the majority of our nine-to-five hours in front of a computer screen, myself included. Most of us are contained in a cube, in one form or another. I challenge you to join me in the journey of making that cube a place you love to be. I have tried to create a work environment for myself that reflects ‘me’ while encouraging productivity and playfulness. So, while there are kid pictures of me and Jason on my bulletin board, I also have inspiring quotes, and pictures of people who remind me why I am doing what I am doing everyday. One picture is of my hero, …