Why Blog?

The hardest part about having a blog on a website is that when you don't actually post on a regular basis and you come back to it you clearly see just how long it's been! Sigh. And the basis for this post.

I've been going round and round on this in my mind for quite some time. What is the difference between posting on my blog and journaling in my personal journal? I'm sure no one else could care less but I feel some sort of obligation to at least post something periodically and started wondering why I can't seem to.

I journal daily. Have for years. I have so many completed journals tucked away, each representing a period of time in my life. Each journal is filled with a variety of different entries. Some are thoughts and feelings that I feel safe to share there on the pages. Sometimes it's about what I did the day before or something special coming up. Other times it's about work. Or walks and work-outs. Just day to day things. The pages tell a story of life - ups, downs and everything in between. Mundane and magical.

So what's the blog about? Well, the obvious is that it's not something that I open and close daily and tuck away for personal use only. It's on a website. It's accessible by anyone who chooses to read it.

And because I am always one to look into the meaning of a word (although this one can't be found in my trusty Webster 1828 Dictionary) I decided to look into what a blog is. What does it mean to have a blog and what is the purpose? 

Of course I utilized all the new "dictionaries" out there, and here's a few things I found:

1. "A blog is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries. Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page."

2. noun:  blog; plural noun: blogs

*a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

verb: blog; 3rd person present: blogs; past tense: blogged; past participle: blogged; *gerund or present participle: blogging

add new material to or regularly update a blog.write about (an event, situation, topic, etc.) in a blog.

3. Market or Promote Something. Blogging is a great way to help market or promote yourself or your business, product, or service. This means you can sell something online through your blog or you can use it merely for informative purposes.

Ewww...#3 is a big turn off for me with respect to marketing and self-promoting. No thank you.

There's this movie I really, really love and one of main characters has a blog. And in an argument between her and her spouse about how much she is blogging, she defends that that's what a blog is, it's about her all the time. I love that line in the movie and watching the story unfold, not so much in real life though. Another ewww meaning of "blog."

And so why am I writing this? Why am I so fascinated today about the blog on my website, how long it's been since I posted and why I still prefer to journal daily? Not sure.

What I do know is that I try to blog when I feel it's something that if someone stumbled upon it, what is written may cause them to pause and think. To ponder. Or to remember. Or be encouraged. Or challenged. Or just enjoy a little read. 

My daily stuff doesn't belong on a blog. Trust me. 

But when those journal entries expand, my thoughts run wild and the pen goes faster than I can keep up with., that's when I get that feeling like it's worth sharing with others. And that's when I post in my blog.

So as I get to the end of this post, I've answered my own question that I started with. Lol, sometimes that's what happens when you put it all in writing. Guess I figured out "why blog?"

Until next time...

Summer is Coming

 According to the calendar, the official start of summer is June 21. But the days are becoming warmer and longer so if we didn't have a calendar to tell us the first "official" day, we might guess it's coming.

 Honestly, there is a part of me that longs to try and figure out the seasons without a calendar to note the start of any one of them. To look at the night sky and understand it. To tell time based on the position of the sun. To wonder if the wind was saying something about what is coming.

 There is a rhythm to all seasons. A definite start and stop. And a long linger between those seasons at times when you live in So Cal. Or a mix up. LOL. It happens.

 We think here in So Cal that we don't have seasons. I disagree. It's not as pronounced perhaps as other parts of the US but there are some tell-tale signs. The seasons here tend to linger between at times. Nature seems "confused" at times. But there are seasons and a rhythm.

 I've been doing a little study on these seasons and rhythm. What makes it so, why do some things seem to happen at certain times of the year to both humans, animals, and crops. It's rather fascinating. But I won't elaborate here.

 My biggest disappointment with the summer coming are the ads and mindset that somehow, we are not fit enough to welcome summer in. There is serious work to do and bodies to change and sizes to alter. You must have a "beach body" - what is that?

 A clever post from a co-instructor a couple years back said this (and pardon the paraphrase) "Your body is beach ready. Exactly as it is."

 Boom. Drop the mic. Shut the door. Done. Said. Enough.

 For those who feel the weight (and dare I introduce shame) that they can't enter our incredible season called summer unless they are a certain size, weight, look....bs. It's all bs.

 I've bought into that bs. I've spent a family vacation after the birth of my youngest child "hiding" and not enjoying the opportunity to swim and have fun in Florida on vacation! A place I haven't been since. What??? Regrets. Big time regrets.

  I know people on the journey who use food as fuel, enjoy drink as a way of life that is not abused and don't buy into programs. I admire them so much. They get it. I am trying to get it. I'm trying to balance grace, wisdom and action.

 I come from a fad diet generation that promises this and that and is based on "scientifically proven" substances, programs, and whatever else. Ugh. Been there, done that Yo-yo crap.

 My issue - my heart. My issue - my view of food and drink and freedom. And as I have been leaning in closer to those truths and recognizing that, wow. So good. And not easy.

 It's not perfect. It's not tied up in a neat package that I can manufacture and reproduce for all to do. No one or no company can.

Truth is, "all" means different. What works for me may work for a few, or none, but to cookie-cutter anything is to limit the ability of the Creator, who created each of us so uniquely, to find our sweet spot.

 And what is that? I'm into sports - and that means that perfect swing of the racquet on the tennis court where it connects with the ball and you know that it's going to go over the net and be GOOD. Or, the swing of the club (driver) off the tee where everything feels perfectly aligned and there it goes....that little ball traveled far and well. Or that wave comes and you get up in it and ride it and it's just you and the sea. And it's good. The sweet spot.

 Our sweet spot is unique. Sure, we can glean some great info out there to incorporate into our lives that help us onto a better path that others do but in the end, I do believe there is a level of uniqueness. Only us. Our DNA. Our body. Our system. Our perfect sweet spot. Our unique creation from the Creator.

 And I hope, no, I pray, and am determined, that I allow my friends and loved ones to find their sweet spot. I never want to be a voice of discouragement when they find it, when they are finding health, when they are honoring the Spirit within. And it looks different. That place is sacred. That place is wonderful. That place is unique and created just for that person. Who am I to say different?

 So, in closing to the crazy thing called a blog that no one may read, I am praying as summer comes that all those I love and know will know they ARE beach ready. They are enough. They are on their journey. And they are a great idea.

Be your best, find YOUR sweet spot. And live there.

Running (or walking) YOUR race

It's been almost a month since I last entered a post. Wow - where did that month go? Is it me or do you feel like time is just going by so quickly?

My last post was about disappointment. The theme of my posts lately seem to hinge on change.And sometimes change leads to disappointment. And that's okay. I don't live there for sure. And I can't deny that there is a great deal of change going on in my life, the life of my kiddos, the life of my church and community. I won't hash out change again - did a bit of that on the Feb 21 post.

Today I am writing about the race, or, the journey. Same thing. I guess it depends on the day but there are times it feels like a race and there are times it feels like a journey. Not sure if that makes sense.

I just did my first 5K this past weekend. And while a 5k is only about 3.10 miles, people train for weeks and more to do one. For those that run a 5k and are in great shape, I've read they can complete that in about 13-19 minutes. Wow. For me, it took me about 53 minutes and that was doing it as a jog/walk. While I am accustomed to getting in those kinds of miles and more in my walking, I don't do a lot of running. It stretched me for sure. And I have a new goal - to be able to jog for longer periods and to chisel away at that time until I get it down to about 30.

Maybe someone else would look at their time and choose to train and get it down to the average for a runner in good shape. Maybe someone else would look at the average for a runner and what they did and split the difference.

My point is, each person will look at the race and determine their own goal. And with that choice comes the decision on how to run it. Or jog it. Or walk it.

And that's the beauty of it. Each of us has a race set before us, the race called Life, and we get to choose how we will accomplish running/jogging/walking that race. It may look similar. It may look very different. We may be running at one part of it and almost at a complete standstill in another and everything in between.

My race is going to be different than someone else's. It's not the same race set before my spouse, kids or friends. I will use the tools I have and the knowledge I will gain to run MY race. I have my own God-given purpose that factors into that race. It's unique to me and my ability to run it is unique to me.

I think that is the best part of it all. It's unique to each of us. And in that place of understanding is where we can encourage one another and help one another to run the race that has been given each of us. No judgment about how we approach it or how we run it. Or jog it. Or walk it. No turning away when the person is struggling in their race or loses their step temporarily and falls. The opportunity exists in this race for us to not be fierce competitors but rather, a team. And teammates help each other get to the finish line and win.

My race. Your race. Our race. The goal is to run it. And stay with it. And help our teammates along the way.

  "....let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us., fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Ready? Set? Go.......

Dealing with Disappointment

In thinking over the past six weeks or so, along with change comes several other emotions and feelings. I've personally experienced uncertainty, joy, challenge, calm, nervousness and a host more that I just don't want to drone on about.

One that has hit home today is disappointment. And not my own (well, that's not entirely true) - but disappointment associated with one of my kids and what they are personally going through.

We set our sights on a goal. We work hard toward making that a reality and then BOOM, there it goes. It was in sight, it seemed like the right thing and yet, it eludes us.

Now what?

Upon learning of a big disappointment in said child's life, first my heart hurt. I cried a little. I shot off a long text of encouragement. No answer. Didn't expect one, the child is working through their own emotions. Then I got mad. That's usually my journey through disappointment - sad then mad. And as I sat there mad and thinking "well we will show them" "all the hoops we jumped to get there and they do this?" "I'm going to launch a full scale protest of some sort" and all sorts of interesting expletives and dumb ideas, I get a text from said child that says "I know I'll have opportunities to apply myself and use what I've learned to make a name for myself."

Boom.

My mad went out the door and I cried again. And while I know the child still has some soul searching to do and maybe even some more processing and grieving of the loss, the way they are dealing with the disappointment is admirable.

I know that the process of dealing with disappointment is a journey. Each emotion must be acknowledged, felt and then dealt with. I know that at the end of the journey must come the peace and knowing that as one door closes, another opens.

Watching my child journey through this time of disappointment is encouraging. It still hurts my momma heart but I know life is full of hills of joy and valleys of disappointment. And I cling to the One who is in charge of all that.

Today, I am blessed to see the child really dealing with disappointment. Walking the journey. Taking each thing as it comes.

I'll be watching for the door that will open for the child. I imagine a day will come when we look back, as we have so many other times, and see what a blessing the disappointment actually was.

Contributor Corner Welcomes First Article!!

It's been a whirlwind of activity in my home with my two February birthday babes and workplace changes for the past several weeks. I had to intentionally make myself stop, breathe, and blog. 

A couple days ago we posted in our Contributor Corner an amazing article by my long-time friend, Andrea. She's my long time friend but here's a fun fact...she's the same age as my oldest son. And she's a long time friend because I've had the joy of watching her grow up, being a part of many special moments of her life and becoming real friends.

Her article is so good...I hope you take the time to read it. Men and women...it's for everyone.

Truth is, we always think about what we put in our bodies with relationship to food and drink. And we spend time investing in and mulling over what we do with our bodies with respect to exercise (do you wear a tracker like me?) We are always trying to tweak those eating habits or get those steps in. And I know all that has a place in our lives, but with balance.

We don't, however, always think about what we are putting on our bodies and what we are using in our environment (home, office space, cars, etc.) 

Lotions, soaps, shampoos, deodorant, sprays, cleaners, hand wash, cosmetics..the list goes on and on.

Confession. As I continue to walk out this journey of days and life I've been given I start thinking a lot more about all of this. I did plenty in my younger years to abuse. Big mistake. I didn't get then what I am beginning to really know now.

Stewardship of the body.

What goes in, what goes on, what I expose it to, how I care for it physically, spiritually, mentally. It is all important.

I'll write more on this topic in days to come. It's taken me years to really understand what "stewardship of the body" can look like. And what freedom can be found in that stewardship.

I know I have more great articles coming from contributors in the months to come. If you have a chance, please hop on over to the Contributor Corner and read Andrea's article. I am blessed to welcome it as the first one!

Change is good, right?

Well, I guess that depends on who you ask and how they feel about change. And what kind of changes they are going through. And what they are looking at as the result of the changes they are facing. And wait, what do I mean by 'change'?

If you search the word "change" - you will see a list of verbs and nouns - anything from change as in the coins vs paper, or change like in changing your shoes. And there are literally thousands of quotes on 'change' - encouraging ones, depressing ones and everything in between. And books, wow, lots of books have been written on the subject of change.

Well, when I say 'change' I'm talking about the kind of change Webster's 1828 defines as "to be altered; to undergo variation."

I personally have been in a place of change, or changing, for about 5 years now. Of the altered type! While the intensity of what has been happening has varied, it's been change for sure. I found a great quote on change the other night and I wish I could find the author to give him/her proper credit but it said: "Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to relocate us to the place we're meant to be."

Ahhh, yes, there is that word - change. Oh, and add some shaking up and rearrangement for good measure! Doesn't sound like there's a comfort zone in there anywhere. Darn.

But I love the last part of that quote: "...to relocate us to the place we're meant to be."

I once read a quote (again, not sure author but credit to them!) often found when you search on the web "change to grow" or something along those lines and here it is:

“Healthy things grow

Growing things change.

Change challenges us.

Challenge forces us to trust God.

Trust leads to obedience.

Obedience makes us healthy.

Healthy things grow…”

Yep.

Whether it's easy, whether it's hard, or anything in between-- change is necessary for us to be where we are meant to be. And to grow. And where we are meant to be (I know, I'm repeating myself.) And where we are meant to be is the best place to be. I'm convinced of that.

So I'm embracing change. I'm excited about change. I'm hopeful about change. I'm praying about change.

Stories from the Ash Tree

There’s a huge ash tree in my backyard that probably dates back to the mid-60’s or maybe even since the house was built in ’61. We have only had it trimmed a couple of times since moving into our home in 1992 and unfortunately, it’s a bit of a beast right now. We should have done something sooner with it but we just couldn’t afford too so now we are reaping what we have sown. The cost to just bring it down about 10 feet and thin it out a bit is in the thousands L. And with the wet winter of last year, we had a bumper crop of new branches and a TON of leaves!

When the tree finally felt something that resembled fall, it began to drop leaves. And when that started happening we easily filled up our two large yard waste cans on a weekly basis in addition to smaller cans waiting for trash day. My husband told me that based on our leaves this year we would most likely have a bumper crop of “ash” fall. And boy was he right!

For a couple weeks now the ash has been falling. I have found this year that it really, really bothers me when I sweep it up but I try to do it as often as I can because for my husband, it is a guarantee for a major allergy attack. So sweep, rake, dump, repeat. Everyday. Every single day.

My husband had to go up on the roof a couple days ago to sweep off the mounds of ash up there – especially with a tiny hint of rain in the forecast, the last thing we can afford to do is let that get wet and settle. After at least an hour, he was finally done and upon coming down reported that it looks like the tree is 2/3 done with its yearly ash drop. My first thought was “ugh” and then my second thought was wondering how much more of this we could take with both of us now feeling the effects of that ash. And then I felt remorse in not biting the bullet and trimming the darn tree before now which led to thoughts of why on earth did anyone let that tree grow in the first place. I was frustrated.

It’s in the corner of the yard, not the middle. It yearly dumps its leaves and ash in not only our yard but also our neighbors. And guess what? Southern Cali residents who were not raised in more rural areas with yards without fences and big trees everywhere don’t take kindly to this sort of tree and its yearly dump. Thankfully, our next-door neighbor who gets the brunt of all this dropping along with us grew up with an ash tree and he is rather fond of it!

Which led to my concluding thoughts of appreciation for this old tree and all that it is.

 A recent conversation with our neighbor who is fond of this tree remarked how great it is in the summer, when the canopy provides shade to the back of his house. He’s right, that’s why we have always loved it as it keeps our living room and backyard shaded in the major heat of the day too.

And there’s this thick branch that sticks out on one side that has what’s left of old, worn rope which at one time held a swing on it. The branch has long died but I won’t let anyone cut it down. The memories of all three of my children swinging on that swing and cousins who would come and hang from the ropes after the swing finally broke are stirred every time I look at it.

This old tree is also a favorite hangout spot for our local barn owl. We have one (or generations of the original pair) living in our neighborhood. They have nested in our palm tree for the past several years and our big old ash tree provides the perfect nighttime seating area to watch for critters. I’ve never been sad to clean up the mess under the tree knowing what an awesome hunter it is and I appreciate the vermin control. Plus, to look up at dusk if it decides to come sit before darkness and view this amazing looking bird looking down at you just takes your breath away.

The branches invite all kinds of birds to stop and rest – crows, sparrows, hawks, wild parrots and our hummingbirds seem to find some of the lower branches the perfect spot to sit and watch me hang up their nectar refill.

The trunk of this tree is so hefty that when my youngest needed to practice his archery more than at the range, it was able to hold without problem a very large practice target area that my husband fashioned from bales, a yellow jacket target bale, 2 x 4’s and rope. Many afternoons Jesse could be found out shooting and nailing some impressive bullseyes.

We’ve had many occasions to have parties that required the use of our backyard to accommodate the crowd. While neither our house nor yard are huge, the two together serves a party well. Our tree has provided additional shade during the day parties as well as conversation and wonder once nighttime falls and people listen to the owl in amazement.

With such a big canopy, it’s quite magical to watch it lightly sway on a spring or summer afternoon when a breeze hits it just right. It almost looks like it is dancing and I imagine it to be very happy and enjoying its old age in our backyard.

As I pondered my last thoughts on this big, old tree and the stories that it has been at the very heart of my frustration turned to joy. The thoughts lingered and left that warm and fuzzy feeling and a smile on my face. Who knew that this big, old ash tree could fill my day with so many stories to remember?

And we are live in 3, 2, 1 ....

Just like that. We are live. An idea of a couple years ago has finally been made into a reality. It's still in it's infancy but I am SO excited!!! 

Sure couldn't have done it without the help of my oldest son, Jacob. And the encouragement of anyone I shared the idea with - that's been a real blessing.

And so the adventure begins. To bring together amazing people from all over the US that I know, and know of, to share their heart and passions with a larger audience. To share resources. To share talent. To encourage and challenge one another. It will be quite the ride I'm sure.

This semi-cloudy Monday morning in Southern California feels the like first day of school. I'm filled with nervousness and yet very excited. There's the known and unknowns, and I need to keep my wits about me to navigate it all.

Interestingly, the same thing is happening in my work right now. Hmmm....

It's good to be challenged in life. It's good to try new things and have faith to take leaps when you feel led to do so. Stretching yourself beyond what you think you can do and discover, why yes, you can!

Looking forward to the days ahead and where this all will go. Keep stretching friends.

Blessings,

Debbie

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