Monthly Archive for January, 2011

Lost in SPACE

I was a single parent when my children were young, so bedtime signaled the end of a non-stop day of activity.

Work. School. Homework. Sports. Dinner. Baths. Not to mention the inevitable emergency or last minute request that got layered on top of the busyness. (“Mom! I need a poster board for art class tomorrow!”) Although every parent is familiar with the repetitive series of events that fill most days – it seems especially intense for single parents.

Some nights it was tempting to rush through bedtime routines because I was tired but I knew that this was precious time to wind down the day together.

My son and daughter each had their favorite bedtime routine, which usually included some form of reading together, singing favorite songs… Continue reading

Published on Thursday January 27, 2011 in Blogs, Parenting and Space. 4 Comments Tags: , , .

A Complaint Free World

I have a confession to make. I have been an unconscious complainer. After this past week there’s no denying it.

It all started during last month’s Strong & Wise Workshop. The subject of complaints came up and with it a workshop participant mentioned the book, A Complaint Free World written by Will Bowen. The concept of the book is simple; if you stop complaining you’ll live a happier, healthier life. Will Bowen is the lead minister of “One Community Spiritual Center” in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2006, he suggested that people in his congregation use purple bracelets to track their success in eliminating complaints.

How do the bracelets work? When you catch yourself… Continue reading

Published on Thursday January 20, 2011 in Support. 0 Comments Tags: , .

What Goes Around

Written by Guest Blogger – James Roberts

We have recently had several snow storms here in Southeastern PA. Not quite like last year’s series of 20 inch plus Nor’easters, but enough to have to shovel. And, while I don’t actually LIKE shoveling the driveway and sidewalk, I do like snowstorms.

First, I like the transformation that comes with 4-6 inches of snow. I like the stillness that settles over our neighborhood, the cushioning of sound and softening of straight lines. Also, the snow seems to adjust schedules, there’s more time to get places and less places I have to go.

But mostly I like the snow because it brings the neighborhood together. I have several older neighbors and I often shovel their sidewalks… just because we’re neighbors… Continue reading

Published on Thursday January 13, 2011 in Blogs and Support. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Coming Home to SPIRIT

When I go to bed at night I always leave a light on downstairs. My children are young adults who think that 10PM is the perfect time to begin an evening so I’m usually asleep when they get home. But when they return a light welcomes them.

Connecting to SPIRIT is no different.

The light is always on – all you have to do is open the door and let the light in.

Last week my husband and I returned to a place of worship after being away from that particular location for nearly a year. This place of worship has a wall where reusable name tags hang. The usual process is to put on a name tag before services. The hand written name tags… Continue reading

Published on Thursday January 6, 2011 in Blogs and Spirit. 0 Comments Tags: , .