When Art and Science Meet

Good Job!

I read an article the other day that suggested that those that work in unhealthy work environments have a lower mental health score than those that are unemployed. An unhealthy work environment would include ‘having a demanding job without any security or fair compensation, ’.
Over the years, I’ve been a (full or part time) mushroom picker, enumerator,  clerk at a police station, municipal hall receptionist , classroom teacher, home educator, tutor, ginseng root picker, and online support teacher.

Strangely enough, I still have fond memories of mushroom picking (my very first job at age 13).  Now, that was not a highly lucrative, challenging job by any means (and not one I planned to make a career out of), but in some strange way, it met almost all of the criteria for what makes a ‘good job’ (okay, it’s a bit of a stretch..).  I could see that what I did made a difference (empty mushroom houses!), I worked with a group of friends every Saturday, I could challenge myself to pick faster (and the stats were posted on a wall for all to see), and we could laugh and joke (which we did!) while we worked.
You see, it seems that the best jobs are those that meet the four major psychological needs that all people have:
1) power 
2) the sense that one belongs
3) the freedom to move and grow
4) the need to have fun and laughter
Do you agree with this list? Is something missing?
I tend to think that #4 is non-negotiable. If there is not some way to incorporate a little fun and laughter in those 40 hours of work each week… well, I think that would not bode well for most people. We all need moments of levity in our day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.  You know what they say about laughter  being good medicine.
And I think it’s often up to the individual to make this happen. The work itself doesn’t have to be fun. For example, I have a few colleagues that I joke around with on email. Every once in a while, we communicate back and forth about silly things. It’s a great way to take a little break from the seriousness of the work. As well, I am blessed to work from home, so I can often take breaks  (i.e. meet friends for coffee!) when I want.
How do you incorporate laughter and lightheartedness in your day? Does that make a difference to you?

Karma vs Grace

You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff.

                       Excerpt from the book Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas)


Read more here at The Poached Egg.  

Love Is a Four Letter Verb

I just had to share this article that a fellow teacher sent me this afternoon. It's so worth reading on this day that celebrates LOVE.

One or the Other?

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive."
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Had a great discussion with some friends the other day on expectations. We all have them, whether we voice them or not.

I have often thought and said  that if you don’t have a lot of expectations, you won’t be disappointed.  And if you don’t want to be disappointed, don’t have a lot of expectations. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

But maybe it’s a cop out..sort of.

When I think more about it, having expectations is somewhat related to having hope, and I am a big proponent of hope. ;) Without hope, where would we be? There’s always tomorrow and we can hope and believe and have faith that somehow tomorrow is going to better, even if it’s not what we thought it would look like.

Then I read an excellent little article here about expectations vs expectancy.  I  am beginning to see that expectations are all about me and what I want. Expectancy is all about God and faith and ultimately trusting that He has good in mind  (again, perhaps not what we think it’s going to look like).

So, when we lay aside our expectations and just have a position of expectancy,  we can anticipate the future , but live in the present, one day at a time. Ultimately, it’s about trusting in God, who is the one who has promised us a future and a hope.

Troubling

..to say the least. Other words come to mind .. sickening, sad, shocking, unbelievable....  I don't really know if this is legitimate or not, BUT it has been the topic of talk shows, etc lately.. so I'm assuming it's really true.

A couple is deciding the fate of their unborn baby by how many votes for life (by live birth) or death (by abortion) they receive at this website: http://www.birthornot.com/ by early December.

I know.. unbelievable. And IF this child is given the gift of live birth, how will he feel when years from now  he  finds out that his parents played this sickening game?  Outcome determined by an internet vote?

Again... don't want to dwell on this. It makes me angry.

What have we as a society become? Is human life precious or not? Made in the image of God?

P.S. This may be a good time to remind all of you faithful readers to vote for the Pregnancy Care Centre of Kamloops in the Joey's Only $25K giveaway to a nonprofit centre in Canada. Miraculously, we are VERY close to winning!!! It's all over at the end of November! Vote for #22! And please pass this on. http://www.pregnancycarekamloops.com/

 THANK YOU!

Why Wait?

You know how some people begin Christmas shopping in January, and collect items all year long, so that by the time December arrives, they are all set for Christmas gift giving? Well, I'm not one of them. 

Not that I don't find neat little gift ideas all year long, but the part about keeping them safely hidden under the bed or in the closet until December 25th...well, that doesn't work for me. 

When I find something I'd really like to give to someone, I don't want to WAIT. What's the fun of that? I want to share with them NOW. I do hold myself back occasionally, but not always. 

This, of course, makes it more difficult to choose Christmas presents, especially stocking stuffers. Which is probably why I don't enjoy Christmas shopping half as much as random gift shopping all year long. The thought of racking my brain for the the perfect gift just detracts from the entire experience. 

I guess that's what Christmas lists are for. I'm all for getting lists of ideas from people. 

How about you? 

Art Every Day Month so far:

I have been spending at least 1/2 hour per day on knitting, and am glad I'm making time for it, too. My latest completed little project; doesn't look like much, but it's all done! (Fingerless Mitts For A Friend) 

Makes Me Think

If someone asked you "What Makes A Christian?", what would you say? After reading comments here, I have to think a little more deeply how to word my answer...

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/what-makes-a-christian

Who are they doing this for, anyway?

I was reading a few new blogs this morning  and the subject of all day kindergarten came up. As I kept reading, I could feel my heart rate increase. That usually means that I’m getting emotionally affected by what I’m reading.

This  particular mom was relaying that in Ontario  Junior Kindergarten is now offering full day  JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN! (I know all caps means I’m shouting). And she wasn’t happy about it, so she has decided to keep her child home some of those days (good for her!). The poor little guy came home the first day and hadn’t eaten much of his lunch. The mom thought maybe he had forgotten there were more compartments in his lunch kit. Or maybe he was just homesick? Or? 

This precious little guy is only FOUR! With possibly 26 children in the class, how can these youngsters get the help and comfort they need for the simple things that are HUGE in their eyes?  I’m sorry, but that really bothers me. 

And so I ask, who is benefitting by all day kindergarten,  Junior or otherwise? Certainly not the children. I know there are those who say some of the children might be better off at school than at home. I say, since when do we make policy based on exceptions?

Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but I think young children (or even older ones)  could be best nurtured at home with their mom or some other loving adult close by.  It doesn’t take a university trained teacher to give them what they need at this age, educationally or otherwise. Research shows it.

Now that BC children have the option of fulltime Kindergarten, is mandatory full time  Kindergarten, and then Junior Kindergarten coming down the pipe in the near future?

If it is, I truly am saddened for the children. And the moms.

I Do and I Don’t

I’m not one who needs or wants a lot of activity and busyness in my life, although I love to live with purpose and enjoy doing a variety of meaningful and just plain FUN activities. I love to be home, but I also love to work and play(!)  together with others towards a common goal. I just know that I have a limit. And if I step over it, well, let’s say we all suffer. Sad, but true.
So, as I was listening to a program on my iPod this morning, I thought of all the things I enjoy doing and some I just won’t bother to do anymore because of time and energy constraints.
As Proverbs says:  To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
Now is the time to do and not to do, based on priorities at this time in my life.  Saying No to one thing means saying Yes to another.
So, here are a few things I DON’T do:
I don’t clean my house religiously anymore. 
I don’t darn socks. 
I don’t cook or bake  from scratch all the time. I am not opposed to prepared foods once in a while!
I don’t iron my husband’s clothes.
I don’t scrapbook anymore. Wayyyyyy behind, but oh well.
I don’t refinish furniture.
I don’t have an immaculate yard or house.
I don’t have people over (in a formal way) on a regular basis. I go with the flow.
I don’t say yes to every need that comes across my path.
I don’t make many homemade gifts (just some cards and sometimes a knitted item  or baked goods).
How about you? What DON’T you do, even though it may be a ‘good thing’?  

Enough is Enough

Couldn't help myself. I've only tried about 1000 times. Just can't do it.

Hair in my eyes drives me crazy! I tried to grow my bangs out. (Why are they called BANGS, anyway?!?)

I cut them. Again. Didn't have the patience to let a professional do it.

I feel so much better now.

The Stones Will Speak

Wow. It’s already the 2nd day of July – which means it’s time to begin a new Personal Monthly Challenge. Last month’s was a difficult one to accomplish, if the truth be told.  So, well, you know where that’s going, don’t you?  What I really achieved was realizing how difficult it is to constantly see the ‘sunny side’ of life. So, it’s something I’m in the process of learning.  It was a valuable experience, nonetheless.  I’m definitely more aware of what I do and don’t say or think. And of how patient God is with me when I keep on committing the same mistakes over and over. And He doesn’t throw his hands up and walk out on me. (I’m thankful my husband and kids don’t either!)  So, it’s all good. One day at a time.
So, thanks to my daughter, I have a new goal for the month of July. She’s been getting after me  encouraging me to write my ‘memoirs’ for a while now, and I have started, but I haven’t really kept it up. And if it’s really going to be something I can pass on to posterity, well, I’d better get MY posterior in gear and seriously begin to tackle this huge goal. So, for the next 30 days or so, I will be writing daily in my My 12 Stones Journal.

In the Bible, Joshua set up 12 Stones to remind future generations of what God had done for his people  (Joshua 4:20-24). Hopefully, as well as learning more about what weird, wild, and wonderful events shaped me to be the woman I am today,  these writings  will  remind  me and show my family  how God has always been in the big and little details of my life, too.

Watching the Speedometer

That’s too much sand for my truck. – Portuguese proverb
“Still another step toward simplicity is to refuse to live beyond our means emotionally. In a culture where whirl is king, we must understand our emotional limits. Ulcers, migraines, nervous tension and a dozen other symptoms mark our psychic overload. We are concerned not to live beyond our means financially, why do it emotionally?” (Richard Foster, author)

Happiness is a place between too little and too much. – Finnish proverb

I was recently listening to a Midday Connection program on productivity and relationships, how many of us in our culture take on way too much, but still gain admiration for doing so, be it in the community, at home, or even in church. The busier you are, the better… right? You’re being productive and that’s what God wants from you (never mind your family and your church!). You are doing GOOD THINGS.
It’s the old Mary vs Martha dilemma. And we all know what Jesus said about that.
So, the question is  how fast is too fast for YOU? If 130 km/h is super fast, and 30 km/h is slow (think school zone), then what is your magic number? All of us vary in how driven we are, our physical and emotional energy capacity, and such. If you were a car, how fast would  your optimum speed be? When would you decide to put the brakes on? (Use miles or km, whichever you prefer. )
I’d say that I generally do best when I’m driving ‘my car’ at about 60-70 km/hour.  If I move faster than that for too long, I feel the need to ‘park it’ and sometimes even think about ‘taking the insurance off the car’!   Or perhaps I  just need a faster car?!
And you?

The Cone of Silence

Sometimes I wish I had a cone of silence of sorts which I could pull over my head  that would eliminate any outside  AND inside noise-- distractions  and thoughts --as I was focusing on the task at hand. If I was busy working on the computer, I wouldn’t be able to think of anything else except what pertained to what I was doing. What was going on around me wouldn’t faze me a bit. If I was baking in the kitchen, I’d only be able to think of cakes, cookies, delicious dishes, and anything food related.  If I was on a date with my husband, I’d only think of how wonderful he was and how much fun we were having. And if I was journalling or trying to focus on my reading, 1001 distractive thoughts would not be fighting for their place in my little brain.
Unfortunately, I’m not that way. If I’m working online, I’m usually also trying to plan what I’m going to pull out of the freezer for supper, thinking about one of my children, composing a blog post  in my head, or I’m wondering how I’m going to get everything else done this week. While on a date, I might  be wondering if I actually turned the oven off before we  left or why there are so many questionable movies out there, and why so many people pay to see them? While baking, I may also be in another world, trying to tackle all of the world’s problems.
Men aren’t  like that, as a general rule. They are more wired to focus on only one thing at a time. They easily compartmentalize, as the book Men Are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti explains.  If they are at work, they are AT work. If they are watching TV, they are WATCHING TV. If they are zoning out, they are truly ZONING OUT.  
I’d like to be able to do that…just to see what it’s like. 

Dream Job

Does anyone really have a job they’d rather work at than have a holiday from? I’m not saying there aren’t aspects of one’s career/job that are fulfilling and exciting, but really, what job has it all?
For many years, I was a homeschooling mom, and THAT was very challenging and rewarding and fulfilling  (and exhausting, I might add). But even mothers want to run away sometimes, don’t they?
Sometimes I wonder what my dream job would be now. I know it’s not the one I have, although I can’t complain too much about it. I wonder if I’ll ever be fulfilled here on earth? Maybe I’ll always have this longing for something better ‘out there somewhere’.
What is that something out there that I could be paid for that would give me more fulfillment and satisfaction? For which I could declare, “THIS is what I was born for”. And how am I going to find it? And do I even want to expend the energy and time to do that? Am I missing something because I DON’T LOOOOOOOOVE this work I do?
Maybe being fulfilled is not about having  the perfect career. Actually, I’m sure it’s not. Life is about so much more than that. That’s what I’d tell you if you asked me these questions.
But, after a long hard day at the ‘puter, I’m just wondering….

Made to Move

I really think it’s true. We are made to move…to music! This is coming from someone who is somewhat reserved when it comes to moving body parts around to music. But, nevertheless, I’m a music lover and sometimes imagine just letting it all go and dancing my head off. In heaven, I’m sure that’s what I’ll be doing.
As a young teen, we used to buy records such as K-Tel’s 20 Explosive Hits! and then my sisters and I would play them on the record player down in the basement and dance like maniacs when no one else was around.
I think something happened to me as I grew older. More reserved. But could the times be a-changin’?
This past weekend, we travelled to Edmonton to celebrate my nephew’s wedding. The  music during the reception beckoned us to the dance floor. I envied my young nephews and nieces who let it all hang out and danced like no one was watching, from the get-go. For some us, it took a little longer to get into the groove. But I had a great time with my siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, friends—and SURPRISE! --even my own usually- reserved children!  Lots of laughter and good times.
There is something really freeing about moving to music—especially with those you love, don’t you think?

Ya Gotta Have the Want To

"For a long time, as a high school dropout, I considered my education to be incomplete. One crucial bit of wisdom that I did arrive at eventually was this: One's education is never complete. A missed opportunity doesn't preclude the possibility of new opportunities, or even better ones."

So ends the book written by Michael J. Fox called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future. What constitutes an education, he asks?  Real learning happens  'when it all goes skidding sideways' is the conclusion he comes to.

Fox divides part of this book into chapters entitled  Comparative Literature, Geography, Physics, Political Science, and other university courses.  Then he goes on to explain how he learned  through real life education. With a sense of humor, personal stories, and anecdotes he guides the reader to see that education is certainly not limited to or maybe not even best experienced in an institution.

I was unaware when I put a hold on this book,that it was written to university graduates, and I do think it would be a valuable little gift. It's compact and very readable.. I finished it in a matter of a few hours.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this book. It confirmed to me yet again that education is a lifestyle and a purposeful choice, not something you survive for 12 years (and then another two or more) and then -- VOILA! -- you're educated! It's what you do with the rest of your life. I don't know if you can be forced to be educated. Some learning can be forced, I suppose, but true education must include the will of the person. It's an attitude and a mindset of learning. There has to be a 'want to'.

I believe that sometimes it takes a while to gain back the love of learning. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, it seems lost. I think it's just hiding, though.  Whether recovery happens in your 20's, 30's, 40's, or even longer...it is definitely worth pursuing.

What do you think?

I am Second

Yesterday my girlfriend mentioned an interesting website her husband had discovered called I am Second.

Then today, I was listening to a program on the internet and one of the hosts mentioned the same website. So, of course, I had to check it out.

It's really neat. Here is the write up on it:


I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.

Thought you might be interested. 

No Pressure

I remember years ago, as a young teenager, the pressure I felt as my birthday loomed before me. Yes, for a few years, it really LOOMED. I was going through all the rollercoaster emotions that an adolescent feels, and then to compound that, I knew I'd have to be cheerful on my birthday even though my true feelings were far from it. I may have been sensitive about something that happened earlier or just in one of my 'moods'. But I distinctly remember feeling overwhelmed with life and having to act appropriately on my birthday. I couldn't very well say "I'm staying in my room today" on my birthday, could I? To be clear, it had nothing specifically to do with anything that anyone else had or hadn't done, it was JUST ME. Maybe I'm the only one that remembers those emotions so vividly.

In the same way, I do think Mother's Day can be full of pressure for all of those concerned. The husband may feel compelled to make sure his wife is happy AND feels loved by her children (that's double pressure on him). Then the children may feel the weight of ensuring their mom is happy on her day. And lastly, Mom may feel  obligated  to be happy and content on her day, no matter what does or doesn't happen. Imagine all that pressure being built up, like a shaken 2 litre bottle of pop. At some point, unless things settle down, there may be a little mess to clean up.

This past Mother's Day, I decided to nip this in the bud. My goal for this Mother's Day was to let my kids know how important and special they were to me. I told them earlier in the week I did not want them to buy me anything this year-- no expectations.   They looked at me rather strangely when I told them. No gifts for Mom on Mother's Day? Suh weet!! ;) Well, except for the fact that Jill promised to make supper..authentic butter chicken, rice, and other delicacies. I was going to hold her to that!

Dave  asked me, as usual, what would I like to do for Mother's Day. (besides attending  a concert in Kelowna-- planned a couple of months ago -- which happened to fall on the day after Mom's Day) I said I'd just like to get some seeds and flowers and putter around the yard, doing some planting, etc.  And that's what I did.  I enjoyed my time with Jill, shopping around and bringing home the seeds, herb and veggie plants, and the two of us getting them all tucked into their beds.  Dave and the boys even pitched in to help with a little reorganizing/replanting of my strawberry patch.

Later,  we feasted on one of the most delicious meals I've had in a while, and ended it with a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. Oh My! The kids gave me the sweetest  card, signed by each of them. Do they know how special that was to me? It's really the little things, isn't it? They did gift me with a couple of large, beautiful coffee table books and a lovely potted plant, though. But I felt that obligatory feeling was absent, which meant a lot to me. I'm tired of putting (maybe unknowingly) expectations on my family on Mother's Day.  Maybe it's just that time of my life. Been there. Done that.

 I do love feeling special, don't get me wrong. And I think it's very important for families to express appreciation to each other for who they are and what they do. I just don't always appreciate the expectations  that come with specific holidays and celebrations  from who- knows- where. They are joy stealers, I think

I do hope all you moms out there know how important you are to your families, whether you celebrated in a big or small way!

A Mother’s Love

Shivering in  her thin sweater in the chilly, damp Spring air, she held her little bundle, wrapped in a pink fleece blanket, close to her. She moved quickly, her head bent down, damp blonde hair falling in front of her face,  letting no one see the tears spilling from her eyes. Blinking them away, she  spotted  the door next to the Emergency entrance of the hospital.
Feeling oh so conspicuous, but overwhelmed by desperation, she pulled open the door and stepped inside the little warm room. There it was, as promised, a wooden baby cradle with clean crisp blankets covering a soft mattress. She glanced once more at her precious child, pink skinned,  eyes closed tightly and tiny rosebud lips pursed  together. A precious little angel. Her child. A child she could not take care of.  With a final kiss on her baby’s forehead, she carefully placed her under the covers.  She placed a bottle of milk and a small stuffed animal beside the child. The baby  breathed deeply.  The frail woman hesitated, then turned away, and through a blur of tears, she pushed open the door and stumbled around the corner of the building, empty armed and broken-hearted. She leaned against the red brick hospital building, covered her face, and let sobs escape her lips. Then she took a deep breath and walked into the morning drizzle and anonymity of the downtown core. 
This is one of the faces of a Mother’s Love. Not the type of love we might be thinking about this Mother’s Day. But this is the reality of some women who love their children as much as we love ours, but have no means or ability to care for them as they deserve to be.
Angel’s Cradle is an old European tradition that began way back in the Middle Ages. Mothers who could not care for their children because of destitution or disease were given a safe haven for their children. Instead of abandoning them on doorsteps or in alleys, the Christian community offered them a safe place to leave their children, who would then be placed where they could be protected, loved and cared for.
The St. Paul’s Catholic hospital in Vancouver has reinstated this tradition with the opening of Angel’s Cradle. As soon as the door to this room opens, an alarm goes off in the hospital to alert a nurse that a baby has arrived. This child is then assessed and turned over to child-welfare authorities. Although abandonment is illegal, women who use Angel’s Cradle will not be pursued or prosecuted.
Although controversial, any program that saves a child’s life and gives a desperate mother a way to help her child is a step in the right direction. I am thankful for the doctor at this hospital who believes that all children deserve protection and care, and did something practical to make this happen. And I pray for all the women in our communities who feel such desperation   that they choose to  selflessly give their children to those who are able to give them a safe and loving home.
Happy Mother’s Day to all women out there!