Showing posts with label harmony. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Peace And Plenty
As we say good-bye to 2015 and start our 2016 story,
I'm reflecting on my one little word for this past year:
harmony.
The first definition in the dictionary has to do with musical notes struck simultaneously to produce a pleasant sound; the second definition?
Agreement or concord.
And as I reflect, I'd like to say that because I chose harmony as my focus word, that this year fell beautifully into place like the notes on a John Williams' score. But, alas, that wouldn't be painting an honest or accurate picture of how it went. In reality, a good part of my 2015 was out of harmony for me. Some of the discord was downright painful, but in hindsight, I'm convinced that those times served an important purpose, to stretch and grow me, and for that, I'm thankful.
And, just because God has a keen sense of humor, look what I spied in the butterfly garden at Bales earlier this week when I was showing my sister around.
I'm sure it has been there every time I've sat out there with a student this semester; it just took me looking at my new surroundings again through a different lens to find harmony where it has been all along.
Life's funny like that, isn't it?
We also got a sneak peek at the progress of our new mural.
Isn't it going to be a valuable addition to that hallway?
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| Click the picture for more information about Murals by Kathy. |
So as we move forward into a new year, today I'm enjoying the memories of these past two weeks spent putting puzzles together ...
... and finishing a furniture-restoration project,
of our hearts and our home filled with so much JOY . . .
that even our backyard birds are chirping with delight.
Warm reflections of walks and talks and card games and Hallmark movies,
of eating in and eating out, of smiles and satisfaction.
Life feels harmonious again. And I'm filled with gratitude.
Our last night of extended-family holiday togetherness found us watching
the UW Badgers battle to win the Holiday Bowl.
And as I write this, my Dad and his wife are on the road headed back home after a dozen days with us; my sister and her husband are en route home by air. My brother and his girlfriend have returned to Wisconsin, too, and the college kids will spend New Year's Eve with their friends in their perspective college towns.
I'll sign off with this sign that my sister brought from my mom's kitchen for mine, my wish for you, dear reader, in 2016 and beyond.
Happy New Year.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Happiness & Harmony
Today I'm grateful because I got the sweetest tweet this afternoon, from a counselor in Indiana. Look at her super silhouette:
And as delighted as I am at her thoughtfulness,
I'm really energized that she is getting ready for next year already.
Isn't that inspirational?
We're not even at the end of this school year yet,
and many of us are exhausted,
tuckered out,
spent.
But not Ms. Kozuch.
Or maybe she is.
{She has to be, right?}
But instead of staying in PJs all day and watching the Hallmark Channel (like I did),
she's planning, embracing, doing. For next year.
Forward thinking.
I admire that in a role model.
It inspires me.
It makes me happy.
True confessions:
Things have not felt very harmonious in my heart lately;
in fact, it has been chaotic, messy, painful.
But with every tweet, text, email, and call of support,
I feel like I'm turning a corner
and finding myself again.
What I'm learning in the process of change is how much I value
the loving kindness and care of friends and family near and far,
not only when things are working in concert with ease,
but also in times of discord and dissonance.
That's when thought, word & deed harmonize for me.
It's a formula for happiness.
And a chance to feel hopeful again.
Cape up ... a new school year is just around the corner!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Earth Day 2015
First things first; April 22nd is my father's birthday. And every year, he shares it with Earth Day. It's a pretty good fit for a dairy farmer, someone who made his living off the land. Farmers have to be uber-responsible. I always tell my students that responsibility is all about choices and chores, and, believe me,
there were a lot of chores on that farm.
Now that he's semi-retired, Dad spends a lot of his time in his wood shop, crafting cool stuff. Here's a picture of the rain barrel that he and the boys worked together to make when he was here a few years back. He's really good at building things. And people.
Birthday blessings, Dad. Thank you for your strong example.
Today one of my littles asked, "What's Earth Day?" and it felt weird to try to explain that it's a day set aside for us to celebrate the Earth,
because I could hear what was coming next.
"Shouldn't every day be Earth Day?" Why yes, yes it should.
Did you know that our responsibility pillar is colored green because of our responsibility to the earth? From the Character Counts! website: As in being solid or reliable, like an oak.
And before I could even look for something Earth-Day-ish to post, look what found me. Click it to go to its source, the HeartMath Institute.
Harmony.
My 2015 one little word.
Being one with Mother Nature.
On Earth Day. And Every Day.
Oh, and we finished our state testing, so I'm ready to celebrate.
Birthday cake anyone?
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