somebody may have had too much caffeine today… my sentiments exactly.
don’t worry it’s hot chocolate.
Category Archives: children
…everything was exciting and new.
a little laughter really never hurt anyone
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings
History is a race between education and catastrophe
-H. G. Wells
A confession. I am not a vicious reader. However, I may possibly be the most ferocious reader of book jackets and reviews. The evidence can be found in the three foot pile sitting next to my bed, composed of anything from fiction to biography to “bettering your business” to “how to color in the lines”.
Occasionally, I do fail at avoidance.
I actually pick up a book and read past the inside cover. Once the journey begins and I’ve been captured by my prey, I’ve been known to sit for hours and days straight until I finish an entire book. Yes really, one whole book. Recently, I finished Three Cups of Tea in 2 sittings. (If you haven’t read this, it’s a must). To some this is no incredible feat, but for me it’s unheard of to be able to sit still for more than 20 minutes without some type of electronic gadget or my phone in hand.
Until recently, I’ve been trying to find something to match this masterpiece. Something to avoid attacking my guilty pile of book jackets. I found it the other day and of course it’s by the same author Greg Mortenson.
Primary education is a requirement in the United States.
Primary education in some other countries is a luxury. It is something fought for. It is something that elderly men will give up their lives fighting for. Something that young women are destroyed for. Local men will hike with 90lb bags of cement, 18 miles upriver in order to create a foundation for educating their youth. It is that important to them. The thirst for knowledge. The thirst to read.
Meanwhile, my 3 foot stack remains untouched, unread. My guilt can often creep in and hypocrisy strikes. In one moment I neglect the education at my fingertips, in the next I advocate those who fight for growth.
I was thinking of the little girls I’ve photograph and how they are protected and nurtured. Parents treasuring their innocence wanting to capture every little moment. Amazed by their first words, the first time they put letters together and read a word. Learning at such a young age to read, paint, communicate, color, dress up, explore and laugh freely. Able to roam freely. Able to experience an education. Able to dream.
We live in such an incredible country. And cheesy as it may be, I’m proud to be American. And I’m so fortunate to be able to see the next generation grow and discover.
Equally so, I am proud of people like Greg Mortenson who share that freedom and spread it across country lines. One day I hope I can pay my education forward. For now I will attempt to race over to that gigantic pile of books and get past the front cover before a ‘catastrophe’ happens and the pile falls on me whilst sleeping.
Mountains can never reach each other, despite their bigness. But humans can.
-afghan proverb
During my daily RSS obsession, I stumbled upon this beauty from Seth Godin.
When you read this, pass it along and even as important… recognize it in yourself, you matter. Simple.
You matter
- When you love the work you do and the people you do it with, you matter.
- When you are so gracious and generous and aware that you think of other people before yourself, you matter.
- When you leave the world a better place than you found it, you matter.
- When you continue to raise the bar on what you do and how you do it, you matter.
- When you teach and forgive and teach more before you rush to judge and demean, you matter.
- When you touch the people in your life through your actions (and your words), you matter.
- When kids grow up wanting to be you, you matter.
- When you see the world as it is, but insist on making it more like it could be, you matter.
- When you inspire a Nobel prize winner or a slum dweller, you matter.
- When the room brightens when you walk in, you matter.
- And when the legacy you leave behind lasts for hours, days or a lifetime, you matter.
And because I never post pictures.. Here are 2 pictures from a recent kids session. Not technically perfect, but I think they matter.
Things have been a lil off lately. My mind jumps around, wandering off to dark places and then quickly retreating into a realm of appreciation and gratitude. Appreciation for family, friends, love, my health, work and just the little things like a good home cooked meal, a soft bed or a minute to close my eyes and rest.
But yesterday I was upset. Mad that cancer had stricken my house. I was mad at myself for being mad. I know so many others that seem to hold the principle of “you can’t worry about things you can’t control”. I wondered if they always felt this way or did they have moments where the lil bit of anger crept into their mind and tried to attack their positive thoughts. But of course I then felt so guilty for holding onto contempt for something. What was the point of bringing myself down. And, as always, I reminded myself that these are all normal emotions and it’s ok to feel this way.
I thought about how this whole experience has helped me to appreciate the everyday details. Details like the sun, blue skies, gray skies, children playing in the water, smells of spring, just going for a walk with my husband, noticing buildings unseen while driving, talking (not IM each other while in the same room), my mom, his mom, my grandma, family, friends, a good cup of coffee… you get the point.
Now don’t ask how these pictures relate at all to my words, except for when I look at them it takes any bit of negative feelings I have away. It reminds me of how precious life is and how every day should be cherished. Plus I can’t blog without a picture.
Don’t worry, I’m not going crazy…yet. Just a hiccup in the day.
xo
