Musings

Toilet Paper Tower

May 17, 2015May 17, 2015 my13daychallenge

I was walking around a corner at work last week and I saw the most delightful sight. The delivery man had stacked boxes of toilet paper about six feet high into the air. The tower was just sitting there in the hallway waiting for a little kid to kick it. As I looked at the tower, I had a great vision of all that toilet paper rolling out of their boxes and sliding down the hallway. I couldn’t keep the giggles contained. Once I start giggling, it’s rather hard to stop. I hurried back to my desk to get my cell phone. I wanted to take a picture of the toilet paper tower. I knew I would probably never see much toilet paper again in my entire life. Unfortunately, I was called into a meeting on my way back into the hallway. By the time the meeting was done, my tower was gone. I’m sure the toilet paper found a home in the bathrooms but I was disappointed that I didn’t get a picture of the tower.

P.S. This is by no means an endorsement for kicking a 6 feet tall stack of toilet paper. I have to say that. If you should happen to be at a school and see a toilet paper tower, I don’t want it to be on my head that you get called into the principal’s office for making a mess.

Wonder Women

Wonder Woman: Meet Brooke

May 3, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a lighthouse keeper? I have. Her name is Brooke.

I met Brooke in high school. We were in choir together. I remember being impressed with Brooke’s enthusiasm for life and the happy, positive light she carried with her. Some people lose their light when they grow up and have to face the real world with all of its harsh critics and responsibilities. This wasn’t Brooke. Brooke’s light just grew more when faced with the trials of adulthood.

Brooke inspires others with her attitude and wise words. Here is one of Brooke’s words of wisdom. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the virtual world instead of the real world. It doesn’t even come close to comparison. Yet how many times do we choose a movie over playing with our children?” I’ve learned a lot from Brooke. After I read those words from her, I decided to take a Facebook fast for a week. I want to be in the real world.

Brooke will probably tell you she’s an ordinary person raising five children and teaching music lessons to a few neighborhood kids. That’s not the whole truth though. Brooke is a lighthouse keeper. She is a Mom to five children who each have their own little lights. A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for the lights in the lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper has to have her own light in order to shine and organize all of the other lights in her care. I’m glad I know her. Her light has helped me.

Wonder Women may think they are ordinary but the truth is that ordinary lives are made amazing by wonderful people.

Brooke is a Wonder Woman.

Challenge 14: Gratitude

The Sad Party

April 16, 2015 my13daychallenge

Yesterday, I had a really rotten day. I tried all my usual let’s feel better tricks and nothing was working. It was obvious that I was sad. I decided to embrace the feeling and host a sad party. I got myself a bowl of ice cream and then I turned on the TV. The news was a little too sad. I ended up watching the last 45 minutes of Titanic instead. I haven’t seen that movie since I was 19. I remember crying and crying when Leonardo DiCaprio died. It was so sad. Guess What? The movie is still sad as a 37 year old. It was the perfect movie for my sad party. I painted my nails and wrote sad poems during the commercial breaks. I then stood in front of the mirror and made sad faces, except that made me laugh because my faces looked silly. I should have sad parties more often. It ended up being a lot of fun. Does anyone want to join my next sad party?

My latest challenge is to find one joyful moment in every day. What is a joyful moment? A joyful moment is when something makes you smile, laugh or just feel a little tickle of joy inside your heart. My silly, sad faces in the mirror was my joyful moment.

I took this photo a few years ago on a trip to Florida. It was right before a thunderstorm. I like the picture because it can be seen in two ways. The storm is threatening the sunlight or the sun is breaking up the storm. Photography is cool in that way.

Musings

Did you hear the story?

April 13, 2015April 14, 2015 my13daychallenge

Dear Readers,

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time the Accountant told me that if I didn’t write a Wonder Woman post about myself by my birthday that he would hack into my website and write one for me. I kept putting off my post. My birthday came and went about two months ago.

I learned a few things. First, the Accountant has pretty good writing skills. Second, you should not leave your computer unattended even if it is just for a quick bathroom break unless you want someone to write a post about you.

Yes, I was very surprised when I logged into my website and saw a sweet Wonder Women post on myself. It was defiantly unexpected.

Love,

Book Worm

Wonder Women

Wonder Woman–Read below for this one :)

April 12, 2015April 17, 2015 naricks

Have you ever seen something along the side of the road or done something and was reminded of someone? I know that this particular Wonder Woman has been many places and has saved so many people and has done so much good that her influence is bound to be everywhere!!

I saw a Hawaiian license plate and was reminded of her.

I saw a Panda Express and was reminded of her.

I saw a red leaf on a tree and was reminded of her.

I saw a picture of Strawberry Shortcake and was reminded of her.

Now, while I can’t claim to have watched all the episodes of the original Wonder Woman series, I’m pretty sure she never shot laser beams from her eyes. However, the Wonder Woman I know can radiate light out of her face!

And while I’m pretty sure that Wonder Woman had better things to do than save kittens out of trees, my Wonder Woman has saved countless students, parents, family members, and friends.

This Wonder Woman seeks to do justice to the world, and does just about everything with the right heart. She is obedient and kind, respects authority and EVEN OPPOSES evil doers in the name of honor and justice!

I’m pretty sure Wonder Woman was virtuous, lovely, and brought kindness to all. This pretty much also sums up the one I’m thinking of.

Have an idea of who I’m talking about? This person also would not even write a post about herself, and would not lift herself up over anyone else. Yes, you would be correct if you guess that this post’s Wonder Woman is:

AMEE!!!

Challenge Six: Menu Planning

What I learned by not eating fast food

April 7, 2015 my13daychallenge

It’s hard to believe my last challenge is over. I went 40 days without fast food. Okay, I have to be honest. I went 24 days without fast food and then I had to start over. I then went 9 days without fast food and then I had to start over. Chinese food was the culprit both times. I just love Chinese food. I just finished another 7 days without fast food. Here is how I see it.

24 days+9 days + 7 days = 40 days

I went 40 days without fast food. I met my goal. Since it’s my goal, I’m allowed to make up all of the rules. I can change the rules too. It’s a very convenient thing being the owner of your own goal. What did I learn from my challenge? It’s okay to try again. You are considered successful if you keep getting up and keep trying.

I start my new goal tomorrow. I’m super excited!

Musings

An Easter poem

April 4, 2015 my13daychallenge

My little Easter poem

The risen Lord

Forsook the tomb

So that we could

Rise when we fall.

The fallen man

Forsook the sins

So that we can be

Where He is

Boldly at his Throne

We kneel

Knowing his Grace

Is for all.

Challenge Seven: My Thoughts · Musings

Hold Please

March 29, 2015 my13daychallenge

I had to call the bank this week. They put me on hold. The longer I waited the more frustrated I got. There are only so many times I can hear this.”Your call is very important to us. Hold please.” If my call was truly important, they would pick up sooner. I was on hold for a long time so I tried to stay busy. I got annoyed with the bank, put a load of laundry in the wash, clipped my fingernails, got annoyed with the bank again and finally decided that there had to be some hidden gem in this whole experience. I couldn’t think of any gems of great wisdom. There is no value in being stuck on hold with the bank for fifteen minutes.

This morning I found one. It’s easy to put yourself on hold. I’ll work on this goal later. Later. Next Month. Next Year. Later can easily become Never.

Take yourself off hold and start living your life!

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Wendy

March 26, 2015March 26, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a promoter? I have her. Her name is Wendy. I call her Mom.

Wendy loves life. She is the type of person who walks into the room and can make a friend with anyone. She knows how to make people feel loved and important. Wendy loves to promote. She is a champion for the small business owner. Wendy will drive out of her way to support a new business. When she finds a new business or a good cause, she will tell everyone about it.

Wendy is a performer. She has spent years perfecting her talents as a ventriloquist. She has used her gift to entertain children at birthday parties, train hospice volunteers and introduce speakers at business conferences. Wendy loves parties. She has the ability to turn an ordinary dinner into a party by singing a silly song and dancing. Wendy loves her family. She strives to create happy family memories. Wendy loves God.

Wendy loves to learn. She likes to listen to podcasts and books on CD. Wendy works with her husband in their business. She has spent many hours trying to bring fun to the world of accounting. Wendy loves yogurt. She has tried every yogurt shop in her city.

When I wrote this up, I struggled with typing “Wendy” instead of typing Mom. Wendy is my Mom. We all play roles in life. Wendy plays the role of my mother. She is also a Wonder Women outside of her role with me. Wendy is a Wonder Women for her ability to promote happiness wherever she goes. I love her for that!

Remember every woman’s success can be my success if I let it.

Uncategorized

I got an award!

March 18, 2015 my13daychallenge1 Comment

My car is a place for deep thoughts and for pretending I’m a famous singer. Today was a deep thought day. I’ve been reading a book about external versus internal motivation. External motivation includes prizes and praise from others. Internal motivation occurs when the individual sets and reaches a goal without the external prize. Internal motivation sounds noble. It says, “I always do what I’m suppose to do, because I just do it for the right reason”. Here’s the reality for me. I’m intrinsically motivated sometimes. There are many other times where the prize is my goal.

I like congratulations. We’ve had contests at work where the winner gets a Starbucks gift card. I don’t drink coffee but I’m really motivated to get that card. If all external motivation suddenly stopped, I might read books, watch movies and take long bubble baths all day.

In true external motivation fashion, I made myself an award button. The cashier at the grocery store thought it was funny.

Where do you fall on the external and internal motivation debate?