Just Do Something

I didn’t get up and run. I didn’t get the meal plans with calorie counts laid out. I haven’t worked on my blog, paintings or book in the last few days. I had no art plans for the kids. With hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, distracting and discouraging thoughts plague my mind. The drive ahead looked bleak and full of more self criticizing stabs.

“This is not how you roll,” a gentle and surprising whisper swept through my soul. This was lazy, full of excuses. It was not me. Not the dust off, get up and go girl who is BLESSED! Now, what can I do? Surely I can do something!? I need a transformation of thoughts....

Romans 12:1-2 says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Looking down at my water bottle in the cup holder, I knew it. I could drink more water. Not earth changing, but a start. It’s good for me. It is moving in the right direction. Glug, glug, glug. There! I did SOMETHING. It was like holy water, filling me up with a renewed sense of hope. No, there was nothing magical or spiritual about my plastic water bottle. But there is something amazing about our God and how He can even work through a drinking straw. The cycle was broken. The self-defeating cycle of not good enough, not getting enough done, not enough progress was broken. Why? Because I did something. Through a divinely inspired desire for something more. Not something amazing. Just something. Something putting me on the right path and turning in the right direction. What something can you do today? Pick up the paint brush? Write down blood glucose levels? Make the phone call? Lace up the running shoes? Open the Bible? The pattern has to be broken before it can be changed. Today, I will continue to drink more water. And lace up those running shoes too.

To live an artful, abundant life takes a proactive attitude. Artful life is meaningful life and it is worth the effort to be proactive. Make something more beautiful by rearranging; mantle décor, pictures on the wall, or flowers in a vase. Recover the cushion, or move your most precious piece in the curio cabinet to a new place of prominence, where it can be admired! Need to clean, but feel overwhelmed? Just do something…a drawer, a pocketbook, a counter. Intend on doing art with kiddos, but feel intimidated? Grab some paper going in the recycle, scissors and glue and make a mixed media collage on a paper plate. It doesn’t need to be a giant, multi-step lesson with extensive objectives. It just needs to be.

Give Me The Pen

Give me the pen.

“Lord, I don’t want to. This is MY agenda…I need the pen to fill in the details.”

Give me the pen.

“But I just got rolling with my blog again, and I have these ideas I want to try out in the studio, and swimsuit season is just a few months away…”

Relinquishing the offending writing implement is one of the most difficult tasks I face daily. When I give it up, things get rewritten in my agenda…and not the way I want them to. Cross out inspiring "Art Lesson" and write in "doctor’s appointment at 9:30". Erase “work out abs and arms” and rewrite “rest and recuperate from infection”. Delete “write new blog entry” and replace with “wash dirty sheets from sick child…again.” I had it all planned out, but apparently that was just the clue God needed to read through the lines to the deepest part of my heart. “My plans are not your plans,” my God tells me. Then in scripture I read Isaiah 55:

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts…”

I know I have some memory issues (most everybody does these days) but how can I keep forgetting time and time again? Maybe, just maybe (after a week of antibiotic laden reminders) I will remember…it’s not my life. I have already given it to one who holds the ultimate agenda, the sketchbook of the time.  And when God fills in the blanks on my agenda pages, it is abundantly better than my ideas for any day. SO, here is the pen, Lord. Take it away and draw with in my life like only the artist of the universe can do.

Show Me The Art

I've shared pretty extensively about life in general...family, ah-ha moments, blessings and perspectives. So it was brought to my attention that with all this new found blog-thusiasm, I may have omitted a significant element. Thank you, kind family and fellow bloggers who politely noted...there is NO art on this site. After all, this is a blog about art and life. Hmmmm....this could be a problem!

Struggling with where to begin (a recurring theme in my life), it seemed choosing a piece interpreting the primary underlying theme of life might be a good start. But let me preface with my method before I present my first piece for a blog world critique.   A passion that has recently reignited for me as an artist is the desire to see music on canvas. To paint the kinds of songs I hear, the rhythm lines and of color that goes with the message in a song. I did quite extensive research on this in college and find it fascinating. Painting to music. Could it be considered an illustration? Perhaps synesthesia? Just an abnormal obsession with Wassily Kandinsky? Maybe all of the above and then some!

A discussion this weekend left me wondering the “How do we keep God front and center?” and “What is my purpose in this world?” kinds of questions. Surely, I want to honor God and live this awesome abundant life He promises. But… how? The answer is both simple and difficult. By approaching EVERYTHING you do as an act of worship to God. That’s it. That’s the real deal to keep the ball rolling, the smiles sailing and the sun shining.  Do you ever hear something you already knew, but somehow stored into some “don’t-throw-away-because-I-might-need-this-later” folder in your memory? That’s how I felt in this conversation I was participating in. I felt like I was being reminded to breathe.

So, earlier this year, the musician Steven Curtis Chapman came out with a catchy little tune called “Do Everything.” I claim no rights to the song other than having purchased the cd and listened to it about a hundred times, because it seemed to be my life song at that moment. To paint it meant sitting with repeat on the audio, and turning up the sounds so loud you could feel it in your bones. What unfolded as I brought brush to paint tickled me, and I hope it does for you too. I like fun in art, so this is my semi-primitive interpretation of Do Everything.  Using the imagery of Kokopelli as symbolism for productivity in life and tying in some Hopi Indian and African influences, these fun figures frolicked onto my canvas. I hope they bring you smiles. Check out the song while you are looking at it. And think about the big question…what drives your everything?

Cat Food, Popcorn and Setbacks

“Maybe art on rainy days…or how to reuse plastic bottles in a creative way…”

My mind whizzed through possible topics as my vacuum whirled away dog fur and debris. Lord, what would you have me write about next? What can I share? What about that snowman thank-you card we made?

Crash! Twelve pounds of cat food on the floor later, I had my answer. I had a plan. I had a mission. And I had a setback. So I thanked God for allowing me to dump a month’s worth of feline fare on the floor, cleaned it up (and used two hands to move it back on the stool it tumbled from), and continued.

Setbacks come in many forms…changes in health, relationship altercations, unexpected occupation alterations, art plans that don’t go as expected and surprising expiration dates on dinner ingredients. They can be small, yet destroy a day. Or they can be huge and feel like they’ve destroyed a life. Yesterday I planned an artsy project with the kids. Funny how even with years of art teaching experience, I didn’t see the setbacks coming. That’s how they work. With blinding surprise.

Here’s the scene. While trying to emphasize the meaning of the word “thankful” with the kids (kind of ironic now, actually), we had a simple, creative plan (which I still recommend, but with a few adjustments…you’ll see). Using white glue on black paper, I spelled out “THANKFUL” and Kaden would use leftover popcorn to fill in the lines. Voila! Creative-learning-experience-with-emphasis-on-character-traits for the day…check!

You can probably imagine the gluey mess that ensued. Popcorn was recognized as a food…not so much an art material. Mostly after being dipped in glue. Baby dolls and army men came over to take a dip in the sticky white rivers. Nayla’s tiny hands laid flat on the glue letters while she reached for more popcorn. Adding paper to the mix to replace the popcorn only made it more confusing. Pretty soon we had to scrap our plan. We had a setback.

A good hand washing and a few wiped toys later,  I found it necessary to reflect on the situation (a much more fun approach than immediately cleaning it up).

What went wrong? Could I change it for next time? Did anything go right? Where do we go from here? Is it worth repeating, but with changes?

So here’s the good news. When you have a setback, you have a chance to change. Oh yes, you can just stew. You can blame. You can cry. You can sulk. But after that, you have an opportunity to make some lemonade out of some lemons.  Even better, we’ve got a God who wants more for us than just frustration.

“How abundant are the good things you have stored up for those who fear you” says Psalm 31:19. So God’s got bigger plans for me than my mistakes, flaws or setbacks. I choose to believe this is true on even the smallest level. So, how ‘bout some good things?!

So we’ve got a setback. Now what? First, make sure you are on the right road. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3. Whether a project with a toddler or big business deal, this part has to be in place.

Second, where did things go wrong? Reflect and analyze. In my simple messy example, using food for the first time with this project and putting on a little-sister-level table spawned most of our problems.

Third, what could we change? In our case, using paper (cut to the right size) instead of popcorn as an introductory media will be in the next plan. Setting up little sister with a paper of her own (with a smaller amount of glue) and manageable paper scraps should help too. Modeling the project with one of the letters might not be a bad idea either. If your setback involved someone else, ask them what could be changed and make it better. Even my four year old was able to help out with suggestions (“Mom, Nayla needs her OWN paper!!!”) and he had a chance to see how we handle setbacks together.

Setbacks that are mistakes in art are really just opportunities to be more creative. That’s what I tell my art students. And that’s what I believe. Setbacks that are beyond our control are opportunities to grow in faith. That’s what I tell myself. Blessings to you as you tackle your setbacks with a sense of grace and style!

Banning Micro-Planning

Please tell me I’m not the only one sinking into a comfy couch to avoid putting away groceries tonight. Please let me know I’m not hopeless for choosing to step over the (dirty) laundry on the floor instead of put it in the wash. There must be others who planned out every detail of their day only to have that rug yanked out from beneath their feet and shaken vigorously. Case in point: today I micro-planned. And it bombed.

It’s time to stop. It’s over, minute-by-minute agendas. You’re done, project-planning-spirals-with-extra-tiny-boxes-for-detail-notes. I’m a recovering addict, so today's timeline agenda, which included everything from outdoor playtime with the dog to grocery shopping parameters, menu items and serving times, nap times, play dates with friends at the park, bringing soup to neighbors, and an oil change, was a pretty standard Saturday spread (I know, I know…I’m embarrassed right now as I type). Now there are a few things about micro-planning to consider:

1. You can always fit more things on the list than are physically possible, thus setting oneself up for failure to perform.

2. There are always things that could be streamlined and make time use more productive, thus, more efficient, therefore, more “successful.” But you never think of them until later.

3. Writing it down doesn’t mean it’s going to happen that way.

So today was really about the third part for me. The lesson learned is this: planning isn’t bad…it’s what you do when it all falls apart that matters. Whether it’s calling a tow truck because you can’t start your car and get it in for the oil change or having a baby sleep past their dedicated napping hours, flexibility isn’t just helpful…it is a necessity. SO, if you have found yourself sitting amidst the best planned budget, the neatest event timeline, or the perfect exercise plan, feeling so frustrated and exhausted you want to cry, take heart. You are not alone. I feel your pain, and so do MANY others. Perhaps this approach would help…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Hmmm…can we consider the tendency to micro-plan should be nudged in a different direction? Just maybe I need to verbalize (or write or type) the plans…and then give them over to God.

Kind of like the handful of hours. Really, who likes to be given a gift, then be told how they must use it? I know I don’t and I can’t imagine God would appreciate it either. Philippians is a great book, because if one had even the slightest doubt (like “how will I possibly get everything done I need to without laying out every detail for the day?”) verse 4:19 then says,

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Ta-da!!! Presto!!! That was the part I was worried about…getting everything done I needed to! And God’s got it covered. The same God who dresses the flowers in splendor and feeds the sparrows has got my day covered. So, planners (myself included) rejoice! While the micro-plan may be banned, the gift of our time AND our plans continue to be a part of this living sacrifice. Plans given instead of loaned. This is my fragrant offering…and I pray it may be pleasing to God.

Ok, that was a lot of reflecting and it seems there is a pattern in my subject matter. Definitely need to be sensitive to that. We are clearly witnessing a work in progress. J Blessings on your abundant journey!

PS The part between Philippians 4:6 and 4:19 is pretty fabulous too, and I’m sure you’ll be encouraged if you check it out.

A Handful of Hours

This is what I have today. I want to give God my very best and bring Him something worthy…but this is all I have. A handful of hours. That’s it. Nothing more. So I lay them down on the throne. I shuffle them around and sort them out, trying to make it look like fancier, like something more. But it’s still just a handful of hours. “What can you do with these?” I humbly ask, “What good are a handful of hours?”

They are perfect. It’s exactly what He wanted. My Father takes my gift and with strands of love, weaves them into a fabric, wrapping it tenderly around lonely shoulders. He paints them into a picture of kindness and chances to change the world in small ways... ways that matters to just one person at a time. He sculpts my gift into a home where joy overcomes frustration; a place where fear dissolves into peace. With this gift, he draws smiles onto the faces of children, erases a friend’s tears and etches in laughter. This tiny gift is embossing hearts with respect and lives with grace. He prints blessing after blessing with this handful of hours, coloring light into dark spaces. I should have known. He is the Creator.  

I’m not ashamed of my gift anymore. For he who is able to do remarkably more that I could ever imagine wants what is best…even for me! In 2 Corinthians (9:7-8), scripture says “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” I am going to write it out and tape it to my mirror.  You should see what your handful of hours can do. Look prayerfully and watch carefully. You, too, will be amazed.

A Good and Faithful Servant Day

Ever battle the to-do list bulge? I know I do. But there are times when the normal to-do list needs to take a backseat to life. Today,  I realized just how much this applied. The list, sporting a hefty number of need-to-tackle items on it, got distracted today. Prayers were sent and prayers were answered. Time was made for people instead of things, and that is a significant part of living abundantly. Let me give some examples...

My list said, Run 2 Miles with Toby (the dog), but God gave me "Walk 1 mile and meet and encourage a new neighbor." And I am ok with that.

My list said, "Wash the dishes in the sink," but God gave me "Spend time with Jesus and soak up God's word." A precious moment with Jesus that refuels my heart...I am definitely ok with that.

My list said "Clean out Facebook inbox," but God brought me to  "Chat a dear friend who is conflicted and struggling with a broken relationship, then share the verses we were just talking about." And I am so thankful for that.

My list said, "Clean all the tile floors," but life gave me, "Get back to blogging and sharing life......the floors will still be dirty later."  And I am blessed to oblige.

You see, my revelation this morning was not that To-Do lists don't matter. Oh, I'll still wash that sinkfull of dishes and fold the contents of the never-ending-laundry-basket. But if I had been so staunch in fullfilling my list, I would have missed out on some special opportunties to bless and be blessed this morning. And at the end of my day, I will take a "Well done good and faithful servant" over a checked off post it note anytime.  Wouldn't you? It is why God has put me where I am. So I can be useful in building His kingdom. Make it a Good-And-Faithful-Servant Day.

Artful Living

This struck my heart this morning. I get disappointed. Some people think that because you have a positive outlook you never get frustrated or angry or upset. That is far from the truth. The truth is what you do with it that matters. This is artful living. One source defines art as "process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions."  How you move from the situation is pure art, placing life on a canvas. No one wants to be miserable...not truly.  None-the-less the disappointment is often the most difficult to deal with, and most often, I am the disappointer. 

I am disappointed when I forget an important birthday or anniversary.

I am disappointed when I fall asleep on the couch instead of exercising like planned.

I am disappointed when the meal I prepare doesn’t turn out to be a five start culinary masterpiece.

I am disappointed when I am not organized and I can’t find a bill or other receipt.

I am disappointed when I have a few free minutes and I don’t use them effectively or productively.

I am disappointed that there are fur balls on my tile floors and and my baby's knees are doing the dusting.

I am disappointed when I let the laundry get so backed up we will have to eat on TV trays for the next two years. 

SO do you ever feel this kind of disapointement…either in your self of in others? 

Here is an amazing verse I found today from a P31 devotional.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Then I read this: "When I am free from expectation, I am free to enjoy whatever comes."

Wow.

I was struck by a thought that hit like a freight train on jet fuel. I was reminded by my Dad’s gentle reminder and my Mom’s reference to this reminder. 

Lower your expectations. 

This goes against all I've taught and been taught about being your best, being mistake free, being an example to others etc. But as I pondered I realized its meaning is deeper... actually something different. Having super high expectations just sets you up for failure. Because we are human and we are bound by a flawed nature. So the next time I don’t get the kitchen totally clean at night and wake up to dirty dishes (like today) I am not going to stew in fruitless frustration. I am simply going to forgive myself and grab a dish cloth (or a match...ha ha, just kidding). How can this apply? How is artful living tangible in real life? Initiating God's involvement and surrendering to His total control frees you to be creative in how you handle every situation, big or small. It allows you to purposefully plan to work through each situation as an opportunity to be more creative. Beating yourself up defeats this purpose. Artful living is joyful living. And in Christ, it is abundant living.

Tuesday's Top Ten...

Simple but precise. That is what the art of life is all about. Appropriate, maybe not so creative, but with good alliteration. So we'll just call it Tuesday's Top Ten. This may be the only time during the entire week where I am able to focus my brain on a single subject long enough to come up with 10 related thoughts. In living simply, in living artfully, in living abundantly and sometimes just plain laughing at life. That would be right now. Tonight is for fun. Not so much the serious stuff. Drum roll please....

Tuesday's Top Ten
...Reasons I am Avoiding the Workout Video of the Night...

10) It involves so much jumping around, the kids may wake up.

9) I could really use this time to balance the checkbook.

8) I am exhausted just watching the first 5 minutes.

7) The dinner dishes are still on the table.

6) The lunch dishes are still in the sink.

5) The breakfast dishes are still in the dishwasher.

4) "Just do your best" should never be paired with exercises called "sucide jumps"

3) Now I'm going to have to readjust my insulin pump...again.

2) My muscles haven't recovered from last night's workout.

1) I really feel I have enough Insanity in my life without the help of a workout video

With that being said....I guess I better go change clothes. Somehow sharing that with the world makes the all out dig-in-with-every-inch-of-what-you-are-trying-to-get-rid-of effort a little more appealing. Cheers!

On Tuesday

I think that on Tuesday I will begin a top ten list. Sometimes I may not have all 10...but I am sure they will come to me. Perhaps they can even become newsletter material later. This thinking aloud is so therapeutic! You know, they may be things to do with a Food Lion flyer or possibly ho to use up left over chicken. Maybe the to ten things to get done during nap time or the ten best scripture verses for encouraging others. What about 10 favorite meals or vegetables to plant or ten ways to reuse bread bags? Hey, I'll start with what to call these little gems!


Top 10 Top Ten List Names

1. Top Ten Tuesdays
2. Tuesday Tidbits
3. Thinking and Plinking
4. My Favorites
5. It's Tueday Again, Here's the Top Ten
6.  Terrific Tuesday Ta Da or Terrific 10
7. Tuesday's Tangent
8. Ten To Count On
9. Ten to Think On
10. And Then There Were Ten...

Ok, so there are ten possibilities. More later...kids are waking up.

Potential

I love this time of the day, especially on Saturday mornings. Just after waking, while the house is still quiet and the floor creaks as you get cozy slippers. Children and husband still asleep…maybe for 10 minutes, maybe for an hour.  The precious time spent with God. The devotions, the prayer, the Bible reading, the mind blowing revelations that turn life as we see it upside down, because we are learning to see through new eyes. The potential of the day just stretching before me, like a blank canvas to be painted or a wide open space to gallop across.

 Shall we learn something today? Perhaps blue berry pancakes for breakfast? Maybe put up that picture collage I’ve been meaning to work on. Or maybe bring dinner to a sick friend? To dos, to calls, to make, to try…all presented like candies in a shop window crying “pick me, pick me.” The possibilities are so endless. It is my prayer that as a steward of my time on earth, these ponderings lead to fruitful action that glorifies God. That the day be used in a way that may not seem huge to me, but that impacts eternity in a positive way.  I love Saturdays. Life is good.

May the day unfold

With memories untold,

Stirring sights to behold

As we tend to our fold

May the seconds of smiles

Lead to joy over miles

And the company we keep

Give harvest Christ may reap.

May this day bring God glory.

Amen.

Did I mention...

"M'am, please put your cell phone in the bin."

"It's not a cell phone," I politely replied, getting ready to pat down  the device and explain it's function...life giving, not life threatening. My hands were swabbed and the test came back non-explosive. My nine month old daughter had to remove her sweater as well...but that topic is for another post.

 Did I mention that I have diabetes. Twelve years ago I was diagnosed with a disease that would change my life. It was on a warm summer afternoon in Novia Scotia and I thought that I had the flu. While the family toured the lovely town of Badeck I guzzled Gatorade back in the hotel room and tried to rest. When I became unable to breathe, my parents called an ambulance and by God's grace it was less than two kilometers (remember, we're in Canada). The lapse in consciousness was followed by the appearance a golf attired on-call emergency room doctor, Dr. Chow. He took one sniff and pronounced a diagnosis that would change my life.

"We need her insulin right away. Her blood sugar is very high."

My confused parents sceptically looked at each other.
"She is not diabetic. She doesn't have insulin."
My dad knew all too well about diabetes. His own mother became diabetic after a bout with pancreatic cancer. As a pharmacist, he knew medications better than most doctors.

Dr. Chow looked calm. "Ah-ha. That is the problem."

So on this adventure of life, I received both a blessing and a curse, depending upon how one chooses to look at it. My choice is blessing. I view my health as precious. What I eat is easy to pay attention to (unfortunately sometimes still easy to ignore) because I calculate my insulin based on carbohydrates. I have no intentions of trying to mask the undeniable risks associated with the disease. But I have come to terms with a life that is different...a little bionic even, with the addition of an insulin pump. I want to encourage others who wake in the night wondering if their sugar is low...or high. Those who face countless needles, reloading lancing devices for the 7th time that day, and refusing decadent desserts. To laugh at the snafoos (like boarding an airplane) diabetes brings.

But I cling tight to Joseph's words from Genesis..."You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." While I realize he was speaking to estranged family members, not a personified disease, the reality is that many things seem bad that might be beneficial in the bigger picture.  Being sure that who you are is both who you are meant to be and a vital part of who you are becoming is a deliberate step of faith taken with thoughtful consideration. Blessings to all on that journey, with diabetes or without. I'll be walking beside you. Living abundantly.

What next?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed to the point of "what next?" I find myself in that very spot now. I am not sure if not being able to actually finish anything I start causes this recurring state. Never-the-less I frequently find myself in it...the pattern goes something like this:
1.  I find myself void of regular responsibilities and panic (i.e. the children are both in bed early, Nayla takes an extra long nap, dinner with family led to an unexpected sleepover, etc.)
2. Wander around in a stupor trying to figure out what to do next.
3.  Sit down. Make a list.
4. Find another sheet of paper. Continue list.
5. Move cuddling cat off of my lap..."Not now Monty...can't you see I am busy trying to figure out how to use the time I have before it's gone."
6. Pause and think...hmmm, I think there are wet clothes in the washing machine.
7. Put clothes in the dryer and repeat steps 2 through 6 (but replace "wet clothes" with "meatloaf still on table from dinner" or "toys out in the driveway."

Why is it that when we try to plan, the plans are sabotaged by distracted thinking, overwhelming possibilities, unauthorized demands on our times and plain old procrastination? My mind would like to buckle down and focus on my Etsy shop development and paint some wooden letters. Maybe something with trains or elephants. So maybe I should read that article on creating a business plan. Or maybe I should go down to the studio and paint some. Perhaps writing out a good evening routine like the Fly Lady recommends would be helpful. I know, I will just pay a few bills first (that seems like a good thing to do) and oh...what's that...someone put a Facebook comment about my status...let's see....

Really, it just goes downhill from there. So..what's a girl to do? Well, I have a few strategies I am trying out. I'll let you know how they turn out after more testing, but here goes:

1. Go ahead and play. Sometimes your mind just needs a little wandering before the focusing. Set a designated amount of time (I am a big fan of 15 minutes) and unwind with non-productive meandering.
2. Enlist help. Nobody wants to fold clothes or wash dishes while someone is sitting in the other room watching TV. But there is a pretty good chance the task would be more pleasant if shared.
3. Start small. Choose a small, manageable task and see it through to completion. Whether writing down menus for one week, cleaning out one drawer, writing one thank you note or finishing one section of a business plan, see it through. This one has been hammered from countless articles I've read about cleaning and organizing and productivity.  Just think how organized and clean my world would be if I had spent more time doing than reading.
4. Choose a "stop" time. There is something about knowing the duration of a task or effort that makes it easier to get started. If it is already late and you are prone to staying up later than intended, this is especially helpful. It can either be an "I'll-work-on-this-for-15-minutes" or "I'll-be-done-at-11-PM" kind of stop time.

So I applied this on a small scale today. Every hour, my goal was to spend 10 minutes cleaning. The rest of the time was devoted to the scientist and artist that were climbing the curtains. While the house is not immaculate (Rome wasn't build in a day!), the kitchen floors are better than sanitary and there is some laundry done. If you have any suggestions, I am all open ears. Still, all in all, it's been a pretty blessed day.

The Vision

Art Abundant is unfolding as I type and while the vision is not complete, there are some key elements falling into place. Some imaging that goes on in my mind and makes me think...wow, I would love to share this!

I picture moms smiling as they read over the day’s musings thinking to themselves, “well, I guess I’m not alone in never finishing a cup of coffee.” I see moms reading the newsletter and glancing at their recycle bin thinking, I believe we do have the makings of a recycle robot. I see moms having a new outlook on meal planning (because it includes their kids), going for walks as physical and educational activity (like being number detectives) and seeking ways to refocus their eyes on an Almighty God who cares for them in the darkest depths of dirty laundry piles. Moms who love to learn grow kids who love to learn. You can’t fake it, so rekindle the love of learning in your own life. I picture opportunities for others to express their experiences and continue the circle of encouragement, burning the trash of gossip and the debris of mind numbing tv.

 And maybe, just maybe, someone will read something on the blog and say, “Something’s different here. There is ridiculous joy in the midst of challenges, unexplainable peace in the middle of paint puddles and servant hearted love for others, no matter who they are. If that is what Christianity is about, I want a piece of that. Something is different here from what I know to be religion. I want a relationship with Christ. I want to live abundantly

Blank Space and Endless Possibilities

For weeks I've thought about this moment. For months I've thought about a blog. It seems so appealing...sharing thoughts, dreams, ideas and experiences. A notebook you would never lose. No pencils to go dull. No pens to run out of ink. Just the endearing "click-click-cl-click" of the keys. Ok, perhaps over romanticised, but a big moment none-the-less.

Then the time comes and you sit there, staring at the blank screen, so overwhelmed by possiblity you have to make a trip to the little girls room. So here it is. The first post. Go ahead and do it. Then we can really get down to business. ;o)