Guatemala Trip - One Week Later

These are the people who changed the world,
just by showing up... 

It's been a week now, since we came home from Guatemala. All of our clothes have been washed and put away. We are back to our normal routines. The sharp edges of our memories are beginning to dull a little. Dull, perhaps, but still ever present. I can tell you this - we are changed. We will never be the same again. The trip - the country - will always be with us.

It's hard to sort out what had the most impact on me. Knowing how much need there is for the women's shelter where we painted? Thinking about young people learning God's word in the classrooms we (literally) laid the foundation for? The persistent, intense faith of the pastors and congregants we met? The beauty of the land and people? The hearts of our host family?

In the end, I think that what sticks with me the most - beyond even all of these memories and experiences - is the quiet whisper from God saying, "keep showing up."

Many years ago I found myself in a strange and intimidating place, facing a task that was far beyond my abilities, the outcome of which was of vital importance to many people. (Sound familiar?) I found favor there and succeeded - not because of anything special about me, but because God was faithful since I obeyed him and showed up. He made very real to me in that experience that the world is run by the people who show up.

He made the same thing real to me in a new and deeper way again when we were in Guatemala.

In the cities and villages we were in, it was very clear that someone is always running the show. Someone is showing up. In some places, the forces showing up were things like poverty, ignorance, hopelessness, greed, corruption, fear. In other places, though, it was people like you and me who showed up. Good people. People with the love of Christ to share. People without any particular skills or talents, except for a willingness to be God's hands and feet, and to speak his words. We show up. He does the rest. It's a powerful partnership, and one that we shouldn't take for granted.

We shouldn't take it for granted in places like Guatemala, where our very presence (or prayers, or financial support...) can be the thing that changes hearts, lives, and eternities. We shouldn't take it for granted in our communities, where we might just be the difference between hope and helplessness for our neighbors and our friends. We shouldn't take it for granted in our workplaces and schools, where we have the chance to form relationships and change lives for the better. We shouldn't take it for granted in our families - the most intimate and powerful of all institutions God created on earth. We shouldn't ever take for granted - no matter where we are, or who we are - that our willingness to show up in our everyday lives is meaningful. It is powerful. It is Godly, and blessed, and will be richly rewarded.

Someday I'd love to return to Guatemala. I will always treasure the time I had there, pray for the people we met, and I hope we can visit again soon. Until then, though, I'm going to be sure that I'm showing up in the here and now, where I live, with the people God has put in my life today. I can't encourage you strongly enough to do the same. After all - someone's going to show up and run the world you live in. Don't you think it'd better be God, through your willing presence?

We Are Those People

(Image courtesy of Danilo Razzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

I know you've all read my rants about my slow, painful realization that I am an actual-factual, bona-fide adult. How it wasn't something I wanted. How it snuck up on me. How there are still days when I feel like I'm faking my way through it. And, yet, it's true. I'm a grown up. Seems strange to think about being something without realizing it, but I'm beginning to suspect that happens more often than we know. For example - I have so many people that I look up to. You know - people who inspire. Who live lives of greatness. Who have exemplary marriages, families, homes. Most of all, I am in awe of people who have unyielding and enduring faith  That's what impresses me. That's what encourages me. That's what I want to be. But, maybe that's what I already am - at least to someone. And (ready for it?) maybe you are too.

I got to thinking about this a few weeks ago while on the phone with my best friend, Lee Ann. During our daily phone conversation we were discussing the typical things that mature ladies talk about -  communicable childhood diseases, mortgage rates, thirty-minute meal recipes, how to clean pet stains out of carpet, politics. You know - the usual. Then, our conversation turned to her new Bible study group. Now, Lee Ann and I have discussed everything that has ever happened in our lives since the moment the first one of us learned our first word. Possibly even before then. So, the fact that our conversation was about the Bible was far, far from shocking. What was shocking, though, when I stopped to really, REALLY listen, was the wisdom of the words coming out of my friend's mouth.

Don't get me wrong - Lee Ann has always been a smart girl, and has a relationship with the Lord that has been tested and proven firm many times, in many ways. It's just, this is also the same person who once owned a pet raccoon, let out a cuss word in the middle of Vacation Bible School (right in front of the teacher!), and is from the same backwoods, redneck Oklahoma town that I am. (And those are just the things I can write about...) But, during the course of our conversation, she talked eloquently and humbly about the many times and ways she's witnessed in her community, reassured young believers, followed the leading of the Spirit (even when it was reallllly hard to do so), encouraged her husband and her children in their faith, etc, etc, etc. I couldn't help but think to myself - when had my best friend gotten so darn wise?

And then it hit me - she is one of those people. One of the people who inspire. Who live lives of greatness. Who have exemplary marriages, families, homes. Most of all, she is a person with unyielding and enduring faith. She impresses me. She encourages me. She is one of those people. And I was talking to her. Indeed - I was talking with her; engaged in the conversation as fully as she was. I was (could it be true?) holding up my end of this profound spiritual discussion with this profoundly wise woman almost as well as she was. Imagine the shock of finding out - all on the same day - that not only has your best friend become a wise, mature woman of the Lord, but you have too! I tell you, people, I was amazed.

Let me assure you - this was not a revelation that was easy to accept. Every time I would start to see in myself the same habits and attributes that I have long admired about others (spiritual maturity! lasting, happy marriage! love of the scripture! healthy prayer life!) I would start to see myself, and doubt would creep in. You know what I mean about seeing myself? I mean I would be reminded of those deep, dark, dirty things that I don't like about myself. That I wish weren't true. That I wish I hadn't done. That I wish were different. They kept echoing through my mind whenever I considered the idea that maybe - just maybe - God really could use me to do great things in the earth. To change people's lives. To make a difference. To further His kingdom. I wanted to believe, but somehow I though that surely someone like deep, dark, dirty ol' me couldn't ever really be one of those people. 

It could have ended there. I could have let myself believe the lies. Sink back into oblivion. Let my past derail my future. But, I didn't. Do you want to know why? It's all about choices. I have decided that God meant what He said when he declared that he would use the foolish and weak to put the wise and mighty to shame. I have decided that I can't believe in the full, redemptive work of the cross for others unless I believe it for myself as well. I have decided that if God could use a drunk like Noah, a womanizer like Samson, an adulterer like David, a prostitute like Mary Magdalene, and a denier like Peter, then surely He can use me too. Right?

But, most of all, I have decided that the world needs more people who inspire. Who live lives of greatness. Who have exemplary marriages, families, homes. Most of all, who have unyielding and enduring faith. And, though I will never, ever, in a bajillion years achieve those things on my own, through His spirit I can. Yep. I choose to believe that all of that good stuff can be mine - not because I am so great, but because my God is.

So, if two flawed (but fabulous, if I do say so myself) grown-up girls from Oklahoma can be those people, I'm pretty sure that means you can too. What are you waiting for? There's a whole world out there in need of people just like us.

Let the Commencement Commence

Seems like they'll let just anyone do a commencement speech these days! I had the honor of giving the key note address to the 2012 graduates of the Mid-Prairie Home School Assistance Program. I couldn't be more honored. While there were lots of things that I could have said, here's what the final draft looked like. Seems like prudent advice to all of us:

Graduates, teachers, parents, students, and distinguished guests – Welcome. We are here today to celebrate a monumental achieve…

Ok – I’m just kidding. I’ve always wanted to start a speech in some fancy, high-falutin way. But, I’ve got it out of my system now, so we can move on.  I think most of you know me, and know that’s not really the kind of person I am. For those of you who don’t know, my name is Andrea Farrier. I was a supervising teacher in the MPHSAP for 10 years, and loved every minute of it. Three weeks ago, however, our family embarked on a new adventure, and moved to the town of Atlantic, in western-central Iowa.

I really, really miss you guys, but am totally enjoying ‘only’ being a stay-at-home, full-time home schooling mom. To be honest, I’ve never worked harder in my life, and I’m exhausted. I salute you all!  I’m open to the idea of skipping the rest of the speech so all of you moms out there can get a well-deserved catnap, but somehow I don’t think that’s what Jan had in mind when she asked me to speak to you all today.

In fact, I’m not 100% sure what it is that I’m supposed to be talking about, so I’m just gonna wing it, alright? I think the general theme is transitions, which I’ve had a few of in the past couple months, and our new graduates will have a few of in the months to come. Maybe some of the things I’ve observed and lessons I’ve learned will be helpful to you as well. So – here goes:

1.)    Don’t Take Junk. For me, this was a somewhat literal lesson. When trying to fit a whole household of stuff for 5 people into one moving truck, you’ve got to be selective. Let me give you an example. I, like many people my age, sort of had two wardrobes. You know what I’m talkin’ about ladies? I had my regular clothes, that I wore everyday. And, I had my skinny clothes. You know – the ones I used to fit into, that I really, really, really wanted to fit into again someday, and that made me feel miserable about myself every time I looked at them. Some of them – I kid you not – I’d had since I got married. There was one skirt in particular that I wore on my honeymoon that I adored, and it had been mocking me from my closet for 12 ½ years.

When I was packing up my clothes, I really debated whether or not to throw it in with the rest, even though I know full well I will never wear that skirt again. What I realized – and it was very, very freeing for me – was that that just because you’ve spent a lot of time with something, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something you need or something that’s good for you. I had loved that skirt when it served a positive purpose in my life, and I would always have those memories. I didn’t need to drag it halfway across the state, though, so it could continue reminding me of what I’m not. Get what I’m saying, here? Familiar isn’t always helpful. 

Graduates – I encourage you to stop and think in the days ahead - are there things you’re keeping, habits you’ve formed, ways you think or talk about yourself or others that aren’t going to be helpful in your next steps? This – right here, right now - is an opportunity to choose what you put into your box to carry into your future. Don’t drag something along just because you’ve had it a while or it feels familiar. Instead, be selective, and make sure you’re not packing junk

2.)    Don’t Forget People. Newsflash – I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you, and so many others who have invested in my life. And, you wouldn’t be where you are today without all the people who have cared, loved, worked, helped, prayed, hugged, taught, etc…  you, either. Don’t forget about them. Don’t forget about the person who taught you how to tie your shoes. Don’t forget about your buddy in fourth grade. Don’t forget about the person who cleans the toilets in your church. Don’t forget about your family. Don’t forget about your friends.

Some of them will not continue to be in your life in your next steps. That’s ok. You need to make peace with that. Learning to let go of relationships – good and bad ones – gracefully is a necessary life skill. One of the people I thought I’d be best friends with forever is still my best friend. The other one is not. We haven’t spoken in years. And, that’s alright. Our friendship served its purpose at the right time, and we drifted apart at the right time.

Some of the people in your life, however, are destined to be a part of your next steps. Call them. Email them. Send smoke signals if you have to. These are the people who were put into your lives to be a support. They’ve already earned your trust, and proven you can count on them. That’s worth more than any pay check, or college class, or cute new boy or girl could ever be. Don’t neglect those relationships. When hospice workers ask dying patients to reflect on their regrets in life, one that comes up almost universally is not tending important relationships like they wish they would have. Don’t make that mistake.

3.)    Be Flexible. True story – when Mark (my husband) and I first started feeling like we were supposed to move in a different direction in life, we kept thinking that direction was North Carolina. We felt called there. He interviewed for jobs there. We just knew we were going to end up living on the Atlantic coast. Instead, God moved us to Atlantic, Iowa. Now, as much as I have come to love my new little town, it is not the ocean. There are no endless beaches. There are no coastal breezes. There is no marine life. And, that’s ok.

Don’t get me wrong – at first it wasn’t really ok. Not in my heart of hearts. Mark interviewed for the job in winter, and I was seeing more white snowbanks in my future than white, sandy beaches. I grumbled a bit, more than I should have, but then I did one of the most important things that anyone can do – I got over it. I moved on. I got flexible and embraced what was happening, not what I thought would happen.

Graduates – you better start brushing up on your yoga, because you’re going to need to be flexible too. A lot. Like, all the time. You’ll need to flexible in the little things – like where you live, what your job or class schedule will be, how much money you make. And, you’ll have to flexible in the big things, as well. Statistics show that most of you, ten years from now, will not be doing the job you think you’ll be doing. Neither will the person next to you. Your life – most likely – is not going to end up how you think it is going to right now. But – if you’re flexible along the way – it’ll end up being exactly where you need to be, which is even better.

4.)     It’s Good to Be Scared Did that last one scare you a bit? You know, someone standing up here telling you that your life’s not gonna turn out like you want it to? Good! It’s good to be scared. If you’re not feeling at least a bit apprehensive, that means you’re not trying something new. I tell my kids all the time that learning only takes place beyond what you already know. It sounds simple, but is rather profound when you think about it.

If you only eat the foods you already know you like, hang out with the people you already know everything about, go to the places you’ve already gone a million times before, watch the movies you’ve already watched before, and do the things you already know how to do, there is no room for growth and change. The most productive times in your life are probably going to be the scariest. My husband was, with all respect in the world, scared to death when he started his new job, and I couldn’t be more proud of him for taking that step. It has turned out to be a wonderful thing for him, his employees, the City of Atlantic, our family, and so many more. But, it didn’t come easily.  Most great things don’t.

I encourage you to live enough on the edge of life to know apprehension, and to be a bit scared sometimes. Don’t get me wrong (please, please, please don’t get me wrong!). I am not telling you to drive at 95 miles per hour, make unwise financial decisions, or even to watch scary horror movies. That’s not what I’m saying. Don’t misquote me here. But, going into the unknown is the only way you’re going to broaden your horizons. Don’t be afraid of being afraid once in a while in life.

5.)    Enjoy the Ride Seriously. On the good days, take time to look around and recognize that it’s a good day. Savor it. On the tough days, take time and look around and recognize that it’s still a good day. We all woke up this morning – hooray! We have food to eat, clothes on our backs, a place to live, people around us – there is always, always, always something to thankful for. Take the time to be grateful. Every day. Period.

You will not always be able to choose how things turn out in your life. But, you always have the power to decide how you will react to them. And that, my friends, will make all the difference in the long run. I’m talking about big things – choosing to learn the beautiful life lessons that a dying loved one is imparting rather than wallowing in feelings of sadness during the final days, hours, and moments. And, the little things – have you noticed how sweet the air smells sometimes, how many colors God puts into each sunset for us to enjoy, or even just how beautiful the smiles of the people around you are?

Graduates – fifteen years from now you will almost certainly look back on pictures from this time of your life and marvel at how pretty, skinny, strong, and beautiful you were. Trust me on this. Why not go ahead and give yourself permission to feel that way right now? In fact, why don’t we all go ahead and give ourselves permission to feel that way right now? Why not choose to savor all the good stuff life has to offer right here, right now, in this moment? We will never again get the chance to be here and now. Let’s enjoy it, shall we?

In the interest of not overstaying my welcome, I’ve decided to condense the rest of my pithy advice down to a simple list. Here goes: floss your teeth; start saving for your retirement today;  eat well most of the time, but pig out every once in a while on something truly delicious; be nice to old people; don’t ever think too highly of yourself, or let someone make you think to little of yourself; don’t whine; don’t forget how to play; walk in the woods at least once a year – it’s good for the soul; be polite to police officers, soldiers, waitresses and waiters, librarians, checkout people – oh, what the heck – be polite to everyone; don’t use cuss words; wear clothes you like, not clothes that everyone says you should wear; be an active and informed citizen;  make a budget and stick to it; hug people; sit up straight, be on time (still working on this one myself).

And, remember – it’s not just in the big transitions – like moves and graduations – that we have the chance to make the changes we want to in our lives. Every moment is an opportunity to take a step toward becoming the person that this world needs us to be. Happy trails, everyone. Here’s to a roads well traveled, and lives well lived….

Ready, Set, WRITE!

I like to blog. I like to send emails. I like to do Facebook updates. I even like to compose letters in my head that I would send to famous people about great injustices that I think have been committed, and how they could (and should) be made right. (Mostly, these are in the form of scathing rebuttals to my congressman about the trite and pandering general communiques he sends out. Sometimes they are also letters to food companies about their insistence on including calories in their otherwise-perfect desserts.) In short, I love to write.

I know most people do not feel the same way, and that's ok. Except, well... it isn't. I'm an English teacher. It is our goal in life (there are whole fraternities and international organizations devoted to it) is to encourage people to communicate, and to communicate well. Yes, I admit that I sometimes get hung up on being an eagle-eyed punctuation Nazi, but what I most love about reading and responding to people's writing is getting a chance to know what and how they think. That, ultimately, is the goal of writing. It is an act akin to opening up your brain and letting people probe about its inner reaches. 'Cause, here's the thing - there is a story inside each of us. No one experiences the world exactly like you do. No one has the same history as you, input as you, understanding as you, or insight as you. Who you are, what you know, and how you live your life is spectacularly unique! Kudos to you.

Now - share it with the world! Today is the perfect day to start translating that magnificent life inside your head, outside your head - so that everyone can enjoy it. Go on - spit it out, already! If you love art, do art. If you love music, do music. If you love dance, do dance. Don't know what you love? Well - maybe you should give writing a try. Really - it's not hard to do. You don't have to start well, or follow a format, or punctuate and spell correctly. Just sit down and see what comes out of you. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised, and that will encourage you to continue. At the very least, you will be putting to use the skills some dedicated English teacher taught you, thereby making him/her very happy. Come on - if you don't want to tell your story for my sake, or your own sake, do it for the English teachers!

Ok - maybe that didn't do it for you, and you need more of a buy-in to get you started. How about this - I challenge you to join me (and hundreds-of-thousands of others) who are participating in National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is a chance to spew forth the stories within you with reckless abandon. The ultimate goal is the completion of a 50,000 word novel by 11:59:59 on 11/30. There are no winners or losers. No one gets a prize at the end. The rules are whatever you make them. No one has to read your novel but you. You are only competing with yourself, and your own desire to share your story with the world. It's free, easy, and good for your brain. Best of all, there isn't a single calorie involved!

What are you waiting for!?  I'm already 740 words into my novel - Duckworth For Congress. It's all about intrigue, mystery, romance, politics, and space invaders. At least, it might be. I haven't decided yet. Guess we'll see where the next 29 days and 49,260 words takes me. It would really do this English teacher's heart some good to know that she had inspired someone to pursue the act of artful communication. So, check it out - and be sure to leave me a comment about how you are choosing to share your story with the world. Ready, set - WRITE!

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Applied Mathematics

Well, I got sidetracked again. Go figure. I was 3/4 of the way through a rather inane post when I got a touch of writer's block. Thinking that a bit of inspiration might do me some good and get the juices flowing again, I checked in on some of the blogs I follow. Guess it worked. Not only are the words and inspiration coming fast now, but prayers and a few tears are as well. I continue to be blown away - time and time again - by how much need there is in the world, and how relatively easy it is for ordinary people to meet those needs, if they're just willing.

In less time than it takes to watch a TV sitcom, I read about a couple who rescued a child from a life of certain poverty and neglect, and are bringing her up in a home filled with love, joy, and goodness. I read about missionaries in Haiti who struggle with feelings of guilt as they enjoy a wholesome, but modest, meal. Despite the fact that they are dedicating their lives to helping those around them, and making a tremendous difference every day, it still pains them to know there are thousands in their city who are malnourished and starving. I also read about a young midwestern girl who put her fears and sheltered upbringing behind her in order to touch the lives of desperately-poor Mexican villagers. In just thirty minutes, from the comfort of my own couch, I read about movers and shakers. Life changers and life savers. People who are passionate, and committed, and live life with an open throttle and no regrets. And, they are all.just.people - just.like.me.

Yep - not a superman or wonderwoman among them. They have fears and doubts. Misgivings, weaknesses, imperfections. They have them all. But, somehow they don't let that stop them from rushing headlong in the direction of their hearts. It makes me wonder what more I can give. What more I can do. What more I can be. Yet, that's not how these people think of themselves - as ones who give, and do, and live abundantly. No, the overriding theme from these men and women who have profoundly challenging lives and who have witnessed unspeakable things, is gratitude. More than that - it is gratitude about what they have received, even beyond the gratitude at what they've been able to give. And, I'm not talking about false-modesty gratitude, where someone flashes an insincere grin and quips about how they're, "...just happy to be able to help..." These people have bone-deep gratefulness for their daily blessings - no matter how meager they may seem to someone like me. They are overcome and overwhelmed by how honest-to-goodness wonderful their lives are. It gets me to thinkin' - perhaps they're on to something.

So, now what? I'm on fire more than ever with a realization of how much need there is, but I'm also equally ablaze with the fact that little-ol'-me really can make a difference in the world. The big question is - how? Should I emulate their awesome examples by rushing out and adopting a child? Planning a mission trip? Moving to a third-world country? Maybe. Or, maybe not. Perhaps it is not the actions of these everyday heroes that most need to be duplicated, but the attitude. What if - just go with me on this for a second - there was an outbreak of gratitude in our hearts and homes? Would that, alone, be enough to make the world a better place?

I think so. In fact, it all seems like a rather simple issue of arithmetic, if you ask me. Let me explain: I often find myself saying, when I'm feeling particularly happy with how my life is going, or see something in the news about how hard someone else's life is, "I have so much." And, while that's true, it is also a rather loaded statement. Most often, these four little words are a superficial and glib way of excusing myself from having to think too hard about either my own blessings, or the sufferings of others. Like a rote and disconnected prayer, I say it to absolve myself from responsbility, hoping the phrase itself will invoke someone else to provide the solution to a problem I don't want to acknowledge.

Mathematically, however, the statement takes on new meaning. "I have so much" is not the dismissive solution we may think it is. Instead, it is a problem in and of itself - a problem that begs to be solved. Think about it - how much is 'so'? Substitute a variable for that crucial little word, and it's easy to see that this common phrase is not a matter of economics, or morality, or theology. It is basic algebra, and by solving for 'x' we might just be solving some pretty big problems.

See, it is only once you know what you have, that you truly start to become rich. When we can honestly take stock of our blessings - and choose to be grateful for each and every one - we are able to quantify the goodness of our own lives. That 'so' from the glib phrase abov,e that slips out so easily, is not an unknowable variable, but a distinct and unique quantity for each and every one of us. Once we know it, it both compels and empowers to us to act. Like I said - simple math: The difference between our quantity and what we see in the lives of others equals how much need there is. It also shows us just how much we really do have to give, which is often much more than what we would have imagined.

So, I say, if we want to change the world, what we first need is an epidemic of gratefulness. May the act of acknowledging all the good things in our lives spur us to also see the need we don't want to admit exists, as well as our abundant ability to fill it. Looks like those folks really were on to something after all - the humble act of being grateful can lead you to the most wonderful of blessings...

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. - Psalm 50:23

 

70 Days

Wow - it's been 70 days since my last post. Seriously - 70 days!? How did that happen? That's how long ancient Egyptians used to mourn for their fallen Pharoahs. Seventy days is the length of time it takes to grow a bell pepper, to hatch a bearded dragon, or create a fully developed sperm. (Thank you, Google, for those fascinating facts.) Seventy days is almost 20% of a year, 10 full weeks, spans over 3 months, and equates to 6% of my total life thus far. What on earth could have been so important for the past six million seconds that I haven't been able to find a spare hour to write? Honestly, I don't really know.

It's awfully easy to 'waste' time, isn't it? My guess is that the lack of posts these last many weeks is due, in large part, to winter. I think I have expressed in the past that I have a distaste for the cold and snow, to put it mildly. Like so many others who live in the frozen tundra, I lack motivation to do more than... well... eat, rest from eating, rest up for eating, eat again, and sleep during the winter months. I am, essentially, a bear. Now that things are starting to warm up,  I am able to take cheer from the slow, agonizing, horrible demise of the snow drifts. It's amazing how a little motivation can go a long, long way.

Another element that consumes me during the early part of the year is the Iowa Legislative Session, which lasts from January through April. I have been pretty apolitical on this blog up to now, but that is certainly not for lack of vigorously-held beliefs or first-hand knowledge about the system. In fact, I'm a lobbyist for a small-but-important subset of home schoolers in the state. Trust me - after going to the Capitol at least once a week for three months, I pick up more than enough blood-boiling potential fodder for the blog. But, let's be honest- politics isn't exactly pretty stuff. I always say that there are two things you never want to watch being made if you have to partake of them - hot dogs and laws. I'm perfectly happy writing detailed descriptions of digging in the dirt, scooping poop, and butchering animals. But, I don't believe in being indecent, so I've stuck to the more genteel things in life, and left my political fervor unwritten. Who knows - I might just get a wild hair and change that policy, but for now I'll stick with ranting in the car on the way home from Des Moines and save you all from the unpleasantness.

Perhaps the biggest reason I've been unable to write for you - my adoring blog fans - is that I've been writing for all the rest of my adoring fans. (Or, more accurately, fans-to-be. I'm expecting my following to increase by at least a factor of 1.0000043 in the weeks to come.)  I may not have Dr. in front of my name, or any fancy initials behind it, but I can at least now say that I'm a published author. That's right - the 3rd article, on page 7, of the newly-released Chicken Soup for the Soul : New Moms is by none other than yours truly. Of course, it was first published right here on Musings, so I really do love you most of all, even if I do tend to neglect you when life gets cold and/or busy. It's nothing personal, you understand. I've just been mobbed by the media, held for hours signing autographs, and been forced to pose for countless photographs with adoring fans. Fame can be such a pain.

In all seriousness, though - I am very grateful to have been chosen to be published in the book, and even more so by all the kind words and encouragement from friends and family. (The event was even published - complete with photo op - in my two local papers.) I am also so thankful to have been able to take the last many weeks 'off' in order to rest, relax, and double up. Now, watch out world - it's time to jump. I'm praying for restorative sunshine, fascinating new personal challenges, and the chance to exercise my 'writing muscles' more often than ever before.

And, just for fun - here are some links that are relevant to this blog post: 

Kalona News Article:
http://www.kalonanews.com/articles/2011/02/19/topstory_slideshow/doc4d5c0bd11c8f4542256060.txt

Amazon Link to See Chicken Soup for the Soul : New Moms:
http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Inspirational-Stories/dp/193509663X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298143006&sr=8-1

To Find How Many Days, Etc. Between Two Dates:
http://www.timeanddate.com/date/timeduration.html

Quotable Quotes

Sometimes I like to flatter myself into thinking that each and every blog post I write is 100% though-provoking, life-changing, earth-shattering brilliance. (Well... maybe more like 90%. Everyone has an off day.) Fortunately, however, I have several live-in humility inducers (ages are 10, 6, and almost 4) who remind me on a daily basis that I may not be quite as witty and intelligent as I sometimes fancy myself to be. After all, having to be told for the umpteenth time which person likes mayo, who owns the Cinderella panties, and how to turn on the video game machine tends to highlight my cognitive failings as quickly as any graduate school entrance exam ever could. To their credit, my children do boost my ego when it comes to my snuggling, cooking, and owie-kissing skills. You know - the really important stuff.

At any rate,  I do really enjoy sharing my world with y'all, but once in a while it's nice to invite in a 'guest writer,' so to speak. I mean, why struggle to make up something pithy and witty when I can just borrow what someone else has said (with due credit included, of course)? So, here is my quotable quote for you today.

This one always strikes right at the core of who I am. It makes the light inside of me burn brighter. Glow hotter. Get bigger. When I read it, the nebulous, tattered robe of excuses and fear falls away and I am tempted to go! do! be! with a new vigor and urgency. I hope it does the same for you. For, like Ms. Williamson said - you were designed to be something wonderful. Now go out and live it!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
                                                                                    -- Marianne Williamson

Finish Up Friday

It's Friday, and that is reason to celebrate! (You know - technically, every day is reason to celebrate, since it represents another opportunity to spread joy, fulfill your purpose, and make the world a better place. Just food for thought...) Even with gloomy financial reports, nasty weather forecasts, and an overflowing inbox, it's hard not to smile on Friday morning. What is it about Friday that makes us all in a better mood than any other day of the week?

I know - the standard answer is that it's because it's the start of the weekend, and everyone likes weekends. However, maybe Friday is our favorite because it's as much about wrapping up the workweek as it is about opening the gift of Saturday and Sunday. For me, Fridays have a different feel to them than any other days of the week. I can leave a file open or an email unsent on a Wednesday afternoon, but on Fridays I become a superhero - Andrea the Finisher.

This is no small feat. I'm much happier opening up new projects (and cans of worms) than I am wrestling them down, tying up their loose ends, or putting them bed. However, the thrill of starting something new never really can compete with the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from finishing well.

So - I encourage you to make this Friday count! Finish up a project you've been procrastinating on. Send that difficult email. Make that dreaded call. I am determined to do something today that will enable me to get out my big red pen and make a giant, bold, satisfying check mark next to some lingering project that's been on my mind and my desk for far too long. After all - that project deserves to rest in peace, and I am ready for some peace of mind and rest as well...