When is the last time you were bored? Truly bored? In this age of smart phones and instant messages, boredom has found its way onto the endangered species list. Being bored is not a realistic option in our culture. It doesn't just happen naturally -- not like when we were kids. We are constantly thinking and moving and communicating. ALL. OF. THE. TIME. Like it or not. Well, the other evening Jason, Lucy and I were bored. Yep! We gave ourselves the gift of boredom. Here's what went down... …
Delight in the Little Things
Speaking Snapshots: Fancy Dinner
Lots of people have fancy dinnerware. Most of them never actually use it for dining, however. We're worried that we might chip or break the plates, effectively ruining our sets for good. So we keep them stored safely away in specially made furniture called china cabinets, eternally waiting for a "special occasion." In this three-minute video, recorded from a speech at the National WIC conference, I challenge the definition of "special occasion." For more food for thought on this concept, check out the post Why It Might Be Time for a Fancy Dinner. Learn more about bringing Jason in …
Are You A Human Doing?
It's easier to be a human doing than a human being. I have the good fortune of spending two hours each morning with a little bundle of energy known as Lucy. She recently became interested in bringing me books to read to her. I enjoy this new level of interactivity, even though the subject matter is less than stellar. The ones she seems to enjoy the most are the ones with the least regard for a plot (unless you consider journeying through the alphabet from A to Z captivation of the highest order). During our time together, I too often I operate under the premise that I only have two …
A Quick Thought on Toys
If you still have some shopping left to do this holiday season, let me offer up something to think about. When it's garage sale time, and people go to purge all the old stuff their kids used to play with, what's the first thing to go? All the loud, spinning, whizzing, battery-operated, brightly colored, one trick pony plastic crap. And the stuff that gets saved and passed down? The classic, high quality handmade stuff made from natural materials like wood and fabric. Well-constructed doll houses. Sturdy, smooth, hand-stained block sets. Super soft teddy bears. …
What is YOUR Cardboard Box?
Thanksgiving week is interesting because one minute you're feeling thankful and blessed for all you have, and the next minute Black Friday strikes with everyone wanting more and more and more. For me, shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving is like going to a funeral the day after a wedding. What a buzz kill. The fact that a 34-year-old Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death last year at 5am by a bunch of shoppers just makes me sick. Why is our society so crazed for stuff? I have the answer. It's simple and really sad. Stuff makes people happy. (At least that's what our actions …
Looking for Life’s Pause Button (Unsuccessfully)
Lucy is eleven months old today, and she's starting to give hugs now. Holy cow, is THAT ever cool. Especially because up to this point, she hasn't been what I'd describe as "touchy-feely." Sure, she'll nestle in close if she's really tired, but most of the time she's much too independent for any of that mushy stuff. She's quick to wriggle out of your arms to go exploring and generally do her own thing. I think the eleven month mark is way too early to be getting glimpses of what the teenage years are going to look like. …
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How to Experience More by Doing Less
We live in a culture of more. We are conditioned to want more stuff, sure, but also to be involved in more and more activities. Our schedules are bursting with everything from meetings, extracurriculars, and charitable activities to projects, practices, and parties of all kinds, including birthdays, baptisms, weddings and showers. And of course, we can't say no, for fear that we will appear selfish, offend somebody, or cripple our children's chance of getting into Harvard or the NBA. Sometimes it's as simple as not wanting to miss out on something fun. Having to say yes to all of these …
Don’t Waste the Sunny Days
The days are getting colder, and the opportunities to take my little girl to the park for a swing without turning her into a babysicle are dwindling. *Sigh* She can sit on the swing all by herself now (with close supervision.) It seems like it was yesterday when we had our first swing. I'm sure it will seem like tomorrow when she starts asking for "underdogs." Today it was a sunny day. It's supposed to rain tomorrow. Make sure you're not wasting the sunny ones. …
A Small Solution to the Biggest Problems
It seems as if bad news is everywhere. Apparently, the media gets their jollies on reporting factory closings and the rising unemployment rate. I think the coming "apocalypse" is a bit overstated, but the fact remains: lots of people are suffering. The American government is in fixer mode these days, throwing billions (trillions!) of dollars bailing out poorly run, mismanaged companies faster than the Flash after a double espresso. I just wish someone would tell them to save our money, because none of it is working. It's an innate instinct, I suppose. We want to help everyone who is …
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9 Easy Ways to Make Yard Work Fun
Does anyone really enjoy yard work? Typically, it's a dreaded part of adulthood. Not everyone has the budget to hire it out, so inevitably you're left spending Saturday afternoon with your John Deere. The major challenge of living an Adultitis-free life is to tackle your dreaded tasks head on by infusing them with a whole lotta fun. I like to ask myself, "How would a kid handle this?" I should get a bracelet... WWKD (What would kids do?). Most likely, they would find a way to laugh and enjoy the situation. Fun, after-all, is the ultimate stress reliever. So, in an effort to improve your …