What Math Says About You

Four kinds of people

According to Pastor Rick Warren, there are four types of people in your life; those who add, multiply, subtract or divide. I bet as you read that, you saw those people begin to pop into your mind wearing the proper mathematical symbols on their t-shirts! When you break people into those kinds of categories, it’s pretty easy to identify who is who, isn’t it?

Math

What kind of person are you though? It’s somewhat easy to identify which categories the people in our lives fall into, but we often neglect to determine what category we most often fall into ourselves.

Why Happiness is Hiding From You

A few years ago (ok, maybe like 10!), my family gathered around a large cheese pizza and I overheard a conversation between our son Clayton and his friend Brandon. “It’s hard to make flamingo’s happy,” Brandon sighed with resignation.

“I know,” consoled Clayton.

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“What?” I asked. “How do your boys know about the emotional state of flamingos?!”

Jesus Gives Ever-Laughing Life

Several years ago I spoke at a church in Knoxville, Tennessee where I met an 8-year-old little girl named Bailey.

Bailey was born blind, but she had no idea boundaries existed! When I first met her, she fluttered about me like a butterfly with fresh new wings. She giggled and chattered with the most expressive lilt to her sweet voice! She was a delight.

 The-Ever-Laughing-Life

When I discovered she loved to sing, I invited her to join me on stage.

When she got up on stage, she held the microphone like a pro… and totally upstaged me! Before she began her song, she made an unexpected announcement to the audience…

I’ve Got Moves

I only had 30 minutes between flights. That’s a pretty tight layover even when you’re seated in the first row of the plane and able to get off first. It’s tight even if you can see and run like a sprinter through an airport. But, when you’re blind, have to wait for airport assistance and are stuck in the back of the plane … well … 30 minutes is almost impossible.

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So, as we taxied in, I knew there was only a small chance I would make my next flight. I signaled the flight attendant and told her my situation and asked, “I know it’s your policy for those needing assistance to get off the plane last, but can you walk me out as soon as we land so I can make my next flight?”

Today I Choose Contentment

I have a treat for you! My daughter-in-law Caroline is guest posting on my blog today. She’s talking about something I don’t think we talk about nearly enough – contentment in the age of social media. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in comparing our lives to others’ and seeing ours as less-than. Caroline will challenge and encourage you all in one!

Sometimes I stumble into wanting things.

The checkout line is long, and inevitably, I’m in line behind the coupon queen. I like watching extreme couponers on HGTV, but in real life – not so much.

 longline

As I stand there, I find myself staring at the checkout line aisle, and all the sudden, I venture off my shopping list. You know what I’m talking about; under the mints and the gum are all the items I forgot that I needed. Like, floss picks, hand sanitizer, and Tide-To-Go sticks. And while I’m at it, I find myself picking up a lint roller, even though I never lint roll anything. Ever. My moment of weakness peaks when I grab peanut m&ms.

Thankfully coupon diva takes so long I’m able to knock some sense into myself and put the “things I didn’t know I needed” back onto the shelf where they belong.

Those checkout lines are strategic. We all know this. We’ve seen many a tantrum as the child lusts after Fun Dip candy at eye level, only to be told a devastating no.

However, I’m starting to realize I stand in that checkout line a lot more than just at the grocery store.

Welcome to Where You Are

 

My friend Judy sent me the best email this week. The subject line read “Welcome to the Fifties!” I feel honored to be in the club. I have to share what she wrote, because the great thing is that no matter what your age, her “welcome” will apply to you. It’s a great reminder to be present and enjoy where you are, because where you are is a great place to be.

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It makes me wonder how different – and how much better – our lives would be if we saw every year, every day as a place we get to enter? What if we saw each moment as an experience that we welcomed? When you read her email, you might just get a clue of what that outlook looks like.