New Day

"Good morning, sunshine!"

I've decided that I want to come back in my next life as Robin Meade, host of HLN's Morning Express. I see the commercial fairly often because if I have a TV on, it's likely on Forensic Files, also on HLN.

I want that power... to make a man in PJ pants walking his dog, a woman practicing yoga and a busy mom in the kitchen smile the way Robin Meade does so early in the day. I want to spread that sort of joy!

As it stands, I am an open-hearted and far too honest writer prone to embrace the sadness as well as the joy, the downs along with the ups. I'm no TV personality and the only thing I have in common with Robin Meade in terms of looks is long, dark hair.

But maybe I can still inspire a smile here and there!

I was pleasantly surprised to log on so easily to this, my long-ago and very old blog (called Inklings in honor of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien). Maybe I should re-name myself LG Lopez.

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times... FB is KILLING my writing. I write a sentence or paragraph at a time and I'm satisfied with it... but only for a very little while. I always have more to say, more to write, more to share. Not because I just WANT to share my life and every thought with the world but because I am a writer. And WRITING is what I do! Words in written form are my thing!

This reminds me of an article my niece shared recently about young people (younger than me and single) not really wanting relationships though they do want the pleasantries and enjoyable aspects of one. I think this writer captured my thoughts about my relationship with my craft (writing) and how social media and this world of short and fast is destroying any real work efforts to do something of substance. That article can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/we-are-the-generation-who-doesnt-want-reltionships_us_572131a5e4b03b93e7e435d8

Looks like I have some work to do, like learn how to share a link without it being three lines long.

I have a domain/website with my name but that will require some other tweaking to get that up and running again. Funny how a life disruption can really screw things up royally.

But writing, and doing so more than just one FB post at a time, is worth the effort. And for now, I'm writing here just to DO it, to WRITE something, to get about doing what the universe is constantly telling me I need to do.

And if you happen to smile at something I write like the redhead smiles at Robin Meade here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMd2DfYLQ-M then I would feel like I've somehow contributed good to this big, sometimes cruel world.

reset

David has said on more than one occasion that it would be splendid if we would wake up everyday, purposed and ready to reset. Forget the old. Start anew. Go with the day as is, forgetting the cares of yesterday or worries of tomorrow.

The Bible says that God's mercies are new EVERY morning. He has and can and will sustain me with enough mercy for each day as it is given to me. And truly, each is a gift.

How wonderful it would be to wake up, sit and breathe, meditate and pray, and RESET my heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit.

2013

Few things offer the promise of a fresh start like the first day of a new year. 2013 is no different.

To each his own. May each of us follow that compulsion to wipe the slate clean, adopt better habits, take on healthier outlooks and make life better.

While we don't dwell on resolutions each year, we do talk about improvement around here on a regular basis.

Yesterday, my 10-year-old told me he wants to be: a better person, nice to EVERYBODY and a good family member and friend. That about sums that up! He already is one of the most kind and compassionate people I've ever met, but even he sees room for improvement.

My youngest said simply, "I want to act better." I love that he himself knows where improvement is needed. Even at 8 years old, he doesn't need me to tell him anything!

I'd say my sons have captured the essence of what our new resolutions are all about. We can't control much (the weather, behavior of others, the coming of death), but ourselves... oh, what potential!

Inspired by my boys' simple desires to be better this year than they were last year, I look forward to all the ways I will be a better me in 2013.

imagine

i feel pretty certain that i can imagine something and it can be as powerful as a memory.

i also believe that a memory is about as important as an imagination.

it is intangible.

it is not "reality."

it is not destined to impact my life. right here. right now.

john lennon encouraged us to picture life without its various hang-ups or trappings.

can you?

what would life look like without...

racism

consumerism

materialism

bullying

snobbery?

this isn't some call to socialism.

i just think we can use what isn't "real" to move us. impact us.

change us.

your scale can be individual, cosmic, or anything in between.

there is power in that place, no doubt about it.

we can harness this power.

use it to help others, improve life, better the planet, bring change where it's needed.

imagine that.

watercolor ponies and godspeed

This weekend, I attended the funeral of a little baby boy who lived all of two hours. His little life was a BIG life that impacted me personally on a number of levels. And even his farewell moved me. The love his parents shared and grace displayed was touching, inspiring and POWERFUL! How many of us strive to make a big difference only to have our efforts hampered by things like stress, time limitations and money? And yet, this baby came into this world, lived here for two hours and effortless changed lives.

Furthermore, I was moved and inspired by his parents. She'd been blogging about her pregnancy. This baby boy, her firstborn of the two, was a twin. His brother is healthy and thriving at home. This mother shared with a watching world as she prepared for what most of us can only imagine would be the most painful and difficult thing to ever endure. Her story will stay with me forever!

Sometimes, I worry my own boys don't have the mother they deserve. My voice isn't super sweet and I don't naturally baby them. I LOVE them with all the love I have. I also would and will do ANYTHING for them to be safe, to know they are loved, and to help them grow into the kind of men this world needs.

My hope is that I can show them grace and love in the face of whatever life brings our way. Should my oldest decide to leave our nest for college (that's his plan!), already he is more than halfway to that age. And that haunts my heart to no end! My husband and I sometimes look at each other and shake our heads when it hits us that they're truly growing up every single... single... day. We say, "Oh, those Watercolor Ponies," referencing an old song by Christian artist, Wayne Watson. (*You can look this song up on YouTube, too. The words are precious.)

Here is a link to the song played at the very end of Baby John's funeral. Godspeed, baby boy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqaBof47pmY

it's a pretty wonderful life...

When I'm managing umpires' payrolls, running my kids to their activities, organizing homeroom parents, taking a load to Goodwill or walking the dog... in my mind, I often hear that line from "It's A Wonderful Life" about the main character (George) who "stays behind (from war) and fights the battle of Bedford Falls."

In so many ways, such is my life.

Now, if I didn't appreciate this movie or love George Bailey (and the actor who portrays him, James Stewart), I might see this as an insult. But in truth, there is something to be said for those of us who fight these battles, manage these homefronts and tend to our "troops."

So, this blog is in appreciation of and a cheers to:

*You moms who sew buttons on shirts, make lunches each day or run errands for everyone else in the household...

*You dads and husbands who work less-than-glamorous or dirty jobs day in and day out, with little respect from the boss...

*You teens and young adults who take out the garbage, visit your Grandparents, teach kids at church or watch your younger siblings for your parents...

*You educators who make a big deal out of things like teaching kids the true value of recycling...

*You parent coaches who desire to teach our children good sportsmanship in addition to how to hit a curve ball...

To all who will never perform on a world stage, or visit other parts of the world, for that matter...

As we get ready to see another year come to an end, may each of you feel within yourself a sense of purpose, accomplishment and gratitude for the opportunity daily to say, "Good job, self. Well done!"

one week to go!

The lack of "clutter" in my mind lately hasn't made life less busy. And by clutter, I mean the unnecessary things I am unwittingly subjected to on a daily basis when I am not alert. But it's more than this. Doing without has brought clarity. I've gone without any medicine (the occasional Advil), texting beyond what is necessary, Facebook and food on certain days. It's been slightly challenging and extremely refreshing. I've reconsidered friendships, activities, people, etc. But boy, have I still made mistakes! The clarity has NOT made me "better" or taken away my faults... in fact, I see them more clearly than perhaps ever before!

I think I'll take such a respite more often going forward.

For now, I am one week away from completing my little two-week hiatus. This coming week is busier than last week. Still, I'm ready to focus, do what I've gotta do, be where I get to be, and challenge myself in some harder workouts than I've done in a while.

Here we go!!!