Archive for the ‘My Code’ Tag
What I learned from 33 English teachers
Filed under: Reflection, Uncategorized | Tags: Be the change, Big Family, Children, My Code
Leave a Comment Seven is at it again.
He won another award.
This time he was a Hero to his two English teachers.
They called him their hero because he tries hard…has shown improvement…has a good sense of humor…and…
They said he dealt with the loss of his sister, Lucy, by expressing his feelings through poetry.
I think Seven was more of a hero than many of the 32 other heroes…but I may be prejudice.
I like to pick up useful tips every time I go to something like this.
Think about it…33 English teachers…all making speeches about their student heroes.
Some may call this boring…like Ten who fell asleep on my lap.
But I was alert and listening carefully for wit…wisdom…creative language…like a Michigan Avenue panhandler begging for bucks from the rich and beautiful.
Actually the pickings were slim.
But what I did get was good.
One teacher said her student hero “created sparkle” when she came into the classroom.
I love this phrase. It immediately reminded me of Ten!
Our sweet Ten who just turned six yesterday has been creating sparkle in our lives and the lives of everyone she encounters all her life.
Another teacher said her student hero brought something to class that was difficult to teach…audacity!
I love that word.
I want to think that I’ve instilled a sense of audacity in you children.
What is audacity?
The dictionary defines it is fearless, daring, intrepidity.
It goes on to say…bold or insolent heedlessness of restraints, as of those imposed by prudence, propriety, or convention.
I like audacity as it pertains to creativity…unconventional…different drummer marching.
I’ve seen it in all of you.
Aren’t we audacious as a family?
Well two out of 33 doesn’t make for a good batting average but if you are taking gems of ideas it is great.
Thanks and congrats Seven…you audacious kid!
Not your usual vacation memories
I have great vacation memories.
And I have some vacation memories you may think are a little odd.
See, I have this weird thing that I try to return from vacation and change some aspect of my life.
It must come from being anal…or maybe with so much time to think and reflect…new ideas come naturally.
There is a saying in business about going to a seminar or conference…
If you come home with one good idea then the event was worthwhile.
Maybe I’ve transfered that principle to family vacations as well.
Being an overachiever in some areas, I usually come home with more than one.
What is a weird memory from Vacation 2010?
Well, we stayed in a luxury condo that was almost new. As we explored the cabinets in the kitchen I discovered a 3-ring binder with 3 or 4 inch rings. Inside was gathered all the product information for all the appliances and gadgets in the condo.
Well, blow me down! As Popeye was known to say in amazement!
Simple but practical – right?
I can hear the groans but that’s one idea I came home with and have been in the process of rounding up all our product information since we returned.
That’s just me. I’m sure Two and Four can appreciate this if no one else can.
The problem with memorizing Bible verses…
I’m in a discipleship group for men. I’ve mentioned this before. I’m in year two of a three-year commitment. I’ve been a part of the program for about nine months and am assisting the leader in a first-year program.
I’ve memorized four…almost five big chunks of scripture appropriate to all of us and especially to men and to ME!
The problem comes not in the memorization but in the automatic reminder device God has built into us.
Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
I’ve heard that for years and taught it to kids…but now I really understand what it means.
Psalm 119:9 asks and answers the question: “How can a young man (or old man I guess) keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”
Again, I’ve quoted this to Awana kids and taught it but never…never…really lived it…because I didn’t really didn’t hide it in my heart.
Where am I going?
When I feel like being mad at someone Romans 12 pops into my mind: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (12:14)”
Or I remember, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody (12:17).”
Or, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “it is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (12:19).”
And finally, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (12:21).”
You get the picture?
Before this I could argue with myself when I felt like being cranky and letting my bad mood show…My conscious might have prodded me: “this isn’t right”…but I was fuzzy on the exact reason why…was it really a command from God…or more like a suggestion….but it was OK if you felt wronged or not appreciated.
Now there is no hiding.
And to make matters worse, we’re reading books like Experiencing God where it is clearly explained that a love relationship with God is based on our obedience!
So this means no more self-satisfying anger…no pity parties….no rage…no name calling….no pouting….no selfish behavior.
No fruits of the flesh!
This isn’t meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
We all gain temporary satisfaction from these tirades.
But when they don’t satisfy us long-term they just breed guild, shame and disappointment.
So I guess hiding God’s word in our hearts is like an early warning mechanism that can ward-off the shame etc.
I used to be an unconscious incompetent.
Now I am somewhere between a conscious incompetent and a conscious competent.
I guess God’s goal is for us to become an unconscious competent when it comes to living according to His word.
So I’m really glad I’m doing this most days.
I guess it is further evidence that God really does love me and is active in my life…hard at work developing my character…conforming me to the character of Christ…just like the Bible says.
That’s a reason to be joyful and hopeful.
Probably means everything that has happened in my life has lead up to this goal.
It’s my prayer anyone reading this will learn what I’m learning at a much earlier age.
Making memories…multiple firsts
Adventure day today!
The last day of January and a good day to go on an adventure.
We discovered a 50′s era lunch counter called Two Toots Train Whistle Grill.
Only at this grill an electric train delivers the food to your seat.
And what better way to get there but on the commuter train.
This was a first for Six, Nine, Ten and Eleven.
A 25 minute ride there…sitting on the upper deck of course…and a ride back hone.
The food was good but the prices must cover employee benefits for the engineer.
I was relaying the day’s events to Two and that’s when she reminded me my own words, “Don’t worry about the price when you’re making memories!”
Sometimes I’m blown away when my loving children remember things I say better than I do.
Since I said it I’m adding that principle to my own “Words to live by!”
Avoiding inane conversations ain’t that easy
Filed under: Reflection, Resolutions | Tags: Big Family, My Code
Leave a Comment It is my number one New Year’s resolution.
It ain’t as easy as it sounds.
Living with some people who only speak inane.
It’s like being on the Jerry Seinfeld show.
East to get caught up in nothing.
It takes discipline to not participate.
Its like dividing by zero.
I’ve found the best way to avoid them is to leave the room…or the building.
Intentional vegetarians…day 12…intentionally healthy!
Wow! Time really flies when you are having fun.
We have been intentional about being vegetarians for 12 days.
I can honestly say I’ve been 98% vegetarian.
The key is making meals without meat tasty and inviting.
Six and Seven have been loyal followers with Mom and me.
Ten has always been a vegetarian.
The rest of us have been part-time participants since they don’t do the shopping or cook the meals.
We need a new name.
Vegetarian is so over used.
I know people who wear the vegetarianism like a green badge of courage.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to tell people I meet.
Aren’t we supposed to get more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains anyway?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has actually created a website called www.Fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov.
You can put in your age, sex and level of activity and it will tell you how much you need.
I need 2 cups of fruit and 3 1/2 cups of veggies every day.
I ask you now…are you getting that much?
Anywhere near that much?
The website even tells you what constitutes a cup of fruit or veggies.
If you focus on meat dishes there is little room for the fruits and veggies and you can end up feeling stuffed.
Twelve days and I feel like I have more energy, more flexibility, lighter (I am too).
Maybe we should we should call ourselves Intentionally Healthy.
We eat a balanced diet weighted with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, light on the meat.
We get exercise and a good nights sleep.
The seat belt principle
This isn’t about auto safety.
It is about parenting.
The other day Six and Seven were chafing about parental controls.
Parental controls are parent enforced limits on their cell phone usage.
Actually their technical nomenclature is “Smart Limits”, but a rose by any other name….
Parental controls go beyond cell phone usage.
It includes rising and retiring guidelines.
The healthy number of meals per day (three not five).
Quality of food consumed.
You get the idea.
In mid discussion, Six finally acquiesced (not her word…not by a long shot) she said, “parent controls are kinds like seat belts…they aren’t comfortable but they are necessary to save your life.
Eureka!
She hit the nail on the head.
I don’t think she realized her discovery.
Now whenever Six or Seven chafe I just say “seat belt principle” and that is game, set, match for me.
No Character Forgery!
I learned a new term today and I’m going to make it part of my vocabulary.
Character Forgery!
It’s a PC term for lying.
But, I think it gets more to the point.
Lying is one of those terms that is so overused we don’t realize the significance any more.
What is lying but projecting a false characterization of oneself.
Character forgery tells it like it is!
So when a a high school student asks me to tell their history teacher that “the dog ate their homework”, I will decline on the grounds that I would be guilty of character forging.
You know if it is in my vocabulary I will infect the whole clan.
I can’t wait for my first opportunity to use it.
But with school starting tomorrow for six of us, it shouldn’t take long.
At last, the dog is off the hook!
Resolutions finalized
I look at New Year’s resolutions differently than most people.
I look at them as an operating system that I will follow as I attempt to live my life through my pre-determined goals.
Sounds MBA?
Well this is me…take me or leave me.
I’ve narrowed down my resolutions…my operating system…my Windows…to three statements.
Drum roll please:
- Avoid inane conversations.
- Don’t fight with professional fighters.
- Practice humility.
I could probably get away with just practice humility but an anal person such as I am can’t resist a list of three.
Maybe it is the all day retreat I attended on January 2.
Maybe it is the warm feeling of thanksgiving that I’m feeling.
But I want to practice humility in 2010 and beyond.
Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted.
So far, I’ve made a quick exit whenever either a professional fighter or an inane conversationalist entered my space. I heard a quote from an unknown author that goes like this: “I don’t have to attend every argument I’m invited to.”
P.S. inane refers to age appropriateness…otherwise I’d have to avoid Nine through Eleven.
I need a Christmas Detox!
I’ve got the Post-Christmas Pre-New Year’s blahs.
Worn out from Christmas.
Running on adrenalin works but it slams you down when it runs out.
Too much food.
Too many leftovers laying around…clutters up the fridge and the counter tops.
Was good on Christmas but looks like it is over-the-hill now.
I should toss it but it seems so wasteful.
We should eat it but we’ve eaten too much already and it won’t tastes as good as it did on Christmas.
Bits of Christmas detritus everywhere and the garbage cans are all full.
It’s like the morning after when the beauty you danced every dance with last night turns out to be an old hag in the morning.
Should walk but it’s 24 degrees and there are six inches of snow on top of the ice below.
The bruise on my butt from sledding hurts too.
Wait a minute…this is getting me down.
We need some new rules for this season….the equivalent of a Christmas Detox Program!
Yeah!
- Toss out the leftovers…full garbage damned!
- Take that walk!
- Put Christmas away for another 11 months!
- Clean-up!
- Finish those goals!
- Fast!
Just remember, a body at rest tends to stay at rest…while a body in notion tends to stay in motion!
I’m adding “know when to detox” to my code right now!
