When it might be a SNOW DAY

You know in the life of a teacher...snow days play a VERY important part. They often bring a "PAUSE" during a time when school is crazy.

I got an unexpected PAUSE last week. I had to take a week off last week because I got the FLU. I have never had the flu. I usually get the flu shot, but missed it this year (trust me I will be intentional not to do that next year.) I was so very sick. The only thing I did was sleep, check email for work, sleep, watch TV (not much to choose here because we don't have cable). What I did do was think about how busy my life is. So busy that I have little time to just enjoy. Now this is something I realized several weeks ago. I also know that I am working toward removing things from my plate. Unfortunately I can't do a dump.

What I am thinking about is how do I protect my time? How do I not over-commit? The thought of protecting my time causes all kinds of feelings to rise up inside me. I have part of me that says I am being selfish by protecting my time. I have another part of me that says protecting my time will allow me to be my best.

Why do we feel we have to be everything to everyone? Is it because we think we are indispensable and no one else will do what we do? I would love to know what you think...

What do I REALLY want?

(a picture I took at Colonel Denning State Park)

Have you asked yourself that question? I believe it was Cindy Lauper in the 80's who said "Girls just wanna have fun?" (if you don't remember the song you can click to see the video from the 80's) Well I do like to have fun, but I believe there is so more than having fun. I think


I have spent MOST of my life not allowing myself to answer that question. Somehow I had the impression that if I asked for what I really want I was being selfish. So I never really allowed myself to even think about the question.

So at 41 I find myself asking that question, "What do I really want?" I am not sure what I want. I seem to vacillate from one thing to another. I think because I never allowed myself to really answer that question. Sometimes I think I can't decide because I am afraid to make the wrong decision. Other times I think it is because I am afraid to commit to an idea because something *better* may come along.

I do know that I am looking at the second half of my life and I want to make it count. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to learn visit the world. I also know I want to live a balanced life.

What I do know is that as I learn to wait I will begin to NOTICE notice what the best choices are.

So have you asked yourself that question, "WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?"

Loud Noises and Whispers

Today I was in a room all by myself eating my dinner. This room had a clock in it. I actually could hear the second hand moving. I have been in this room many times before. I have never noticed the sound of the clock. However usually when I am in this room there are other people in their talking to each other and with me. When I was finished eating others started to arrive for our meeting. Slowly the sound of the clock began to disappear because of the other noise. I tried to find the sound of the clock as the meeting progressed. I did actually hear it a few times in the midst of the other sounds. It reminded me of a plaque I recently purchased.
Here is a picture of it hanging in my sacred space (which is literally a corner of my living room).

It says,

Make time
for quiet moments as
God whispers
and
the world is loud.

I find that this practice while the simplest of concepts can sometimes be so very very challenging. So many things in the world seem to mask the whispers. But once I have made time, I find that I have moments that words can not describe.

What loud noises are preventing you from hearing God's whispers? Have you made time to focus and listen?

Today I am finding myself pondering the start of the work week. For me that means my graduate classes begin along with my work at Red Lion High School. As a Classrooms for the Future teacher I am also required to take another course during this semester to remain in the grant program. I look at these committements and my head begins to spin. I feel like I am ALREADY on the slippery slope. So I am taking some time to be intentional about my time and plan. I know this time of business will end (in exactly 10 weeks).

I hope you will choose to be intentional about your time. Remember to take time to enjoy life. Savor Life. If you can't slow it up right this moment, maybe find ways you can be intentional about some savoring time. I know if I don't ...I spend time procrastinating...then I find myself not spending quality time...

What will you choose? I am choosing to Savor Life

Happy New Year....

Wow, it is really 2009. This year is full of so many changes. FIRST my oldest daughter will be graduating from high school and going to college. I can HARDLY believe it. I remember when she was so tiny. It has been so exciting to watch her mature into an amazing young lady. I am starting to have the bittersweet feelings mother's have when their children graduate and go to college.

I am also in the midst of my principal's certification at Drexel. You know I finished my master's degree almost 17 years ago. Being a half time student and teaching full time and being a mom...has been well challenging. So another change for this year is to S...L...O...W.... up. I have decided that instead of taking 2 classes in the winter quarter, 2 classes in the Spring Quarter and 2 more classes in the summer I would just take the 2 in the winter. Take a break and MAYBE take one in the summer. This way I can enjoy my girls a bit more. I also can enjoy life a bit more.

This year also will include a concerted effort NOT to make resolutions, but rather to make some lifestyle changes. You know they seem to look a lot like a resolution...

1. Be more healthy (i.e. exercise and make healthy food choices)
2. Be more organized with my finances (weekly check ups)
3. Be more regular with "sacred space time"


Ok...there are more...but these are my BIG 3. Through these 3 things I want to improve my relationships with my girls and my friends and my family.

Wow...this is getting to be a long post...I think I will close for now...

Well close with some things I am thankful for....

1. My amazing daughters
2. My journey with Jesus
3. My health
4. The fact that I "de-cluttered" my room!