A New Season Has Begun...

Another season has come and gone in the blink of an eye.  The cold, short days of winter have given way to the warmer, brighter days of spring.  Our furry and feathered friends are venturing out from their winter hideaways in search of nourishment, appreciative of the new life blossoming around them.

As with the seasons of the calendar year, so go the seasons of life.  "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. " (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

This year marks the 10th anniversary of my departure from the corporate world to take on a much more demanding and rewarding position, that of mother.  The years have passed by in the blink of an eye, and as I continue to try to wrap my head around the idea that I have been a mother for 10 years, I find myself yet again preparing for another new season in life.

At the beginning of this past winter season, I came to the overdue realization that our family had come to the end of an important chapter in our lives.  While acknowledging and reflecting upon that fact, I also sensed a need to pull back in order to prepare for what was to come next.  I wasn't sure at the time what that would be; however, I fully trusted that He would see me through.  And He did!!!

Our family is currently in our final days of spring break.  I say "we," because a new season of life begins for us all when the children return to school, as that is the day I return to the workforce.  After "testing the waters" for the past year as a substitute teacher at my children's school, I have accepted a regular position there.  I am excited for the opportunity, yet a little nervous as family life as we know it is obviously going to change...

Here's to new beginnings!

Lessons in Teamwork

This past weekend, we took our children skiing for the very first time.  As I watched them during their first few hours on skis, I quickly realized the approach each child took in learning how to ski was very similar in nature to the way each had learned to walk. 

On the one hand, my daring daughter skied with wild abandon, paying more attention to the activity on the slopes around her than to the trail in front of her.  On the other hand, my more cautious son sported a poker face as he methodically focused on mastering the proper skiing techniques.

As the children gained more confidence in their skills and abilities, we ventured on to more challenging trails.  During each run, to ensure the children made it safely down the mountain, my husband skied a bit ahead of the children, and I a bit behind.  More often than not, I found myself yelling to my daughter to ski away from the orange caution flags and focus on the course so as to not ski into the trees on either side of the run.  And, in all cases, my daughter reached the end of each course well ahead of my son, who would fall on purpose if he felt any bit out of control.

As I watched the children ski, I became fascinated while observing the role their personalities played in the learning process as well as in the choices they made in their efforts to make it down the mountain.  I also took note of the how our own personalities determined the roles my husband and I assumed as we guided the children through each run.

Working together, our family successfully manuevered through the challenges of each course.  And, while there were a few minor scuffles as the day wore on and fatigue set in, we generally had a very enjoyable day.

God has blessed us each with a unique personality.  Each and every personality has its strengths and its weaknesses.  When we are able to understand our strengths as well as acknowledge our weaknesses, and trust those around us to do the same, amazing things can happen when we work together.

Weather permitting, we are all looking forward to another ski adventure very soon.  My hope is that we will continue to work together to safely make it through each run, and take the time to enjoy ourselves and one another along the way.

Snow Days

February certainly came in like a lamb in our area this year.  Other than a minor snow/rain event a couple of Saturdays ago which produced about an inch of slush that quickly melted the next day when the  60 degree weather returned, we’ve seen nothing but green grass so far this winter.

Mind you, I am not at all complaining about the unseasonably warm temperatures.  As a matter of fact, I am a warm-weather person who would much prefer a summer heat wave over sustained freezing temperatures during the winter.  I do, however, look forward to at least one appreciable snow storm each year.

A few years back, we were hit with a sizeable snow storm the weekend before Christmas.  Due to the timing of the storm as well as the amount of snow we received, all weekend activities were cancelled (including church and a much anticipated Christmas Cantata).

The storm turned out to be a welcomed and much needed gift amongst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.   With nowhere to go, we were given the wonderful opportunity to rest and reflect upon the meaning of the season as we admired the snow-covered landscape from the warmth of our fireplace hearth.

In the midst of overbooked schedules and the resulting harried lives we live, the unexpected respite provided by a winter weather event can be a welcomed change of pace with the right attitude.  If we can make the choice to live in the moment as opposed to worrying about how we are going to dig out or fret over how such a disruption is going to impact our busy schedules, we might be able to experience a little more of that which lies beneath the surface of everyday life.

The groundhog has informed us there are still six more weeks of winter.  Perhaps my children will finally get the chance to try out the new sleds they received for Christmas.  Perhaps I will get to experience one day during which the minivan will not have to leave the garage.  Just one snowstorm.  (Then I’ll be ready for that heat wave J)

Is Your Smile Contagious?

There are two groceries stores in my area where I do a majority of my shopping.  While store “A” is known for its wide product selection and pricing, store “B” is known for its customer service.  During my trips to store “A,” despite my best efforts, I find it difficult make eye contact with a majority of the employees, let alone elicit smiles from them.  On the other hand, while in store “B,” the employees are outgoing and friendly, and I usually receive a smile and a greeting before I even have a chance to react.

This makes me wonder…. are the greetings I receive at store “B” the result of excellent customer service training, the hiring process, both, or is it based on something else?

After visiting both stores the other day, I decided to try a little experiment.  While I normally try to catch the eyes of and exchange smiles with those I encounter, I made a conscious effort to do so during the remainder of my errands that day. 

My results were mixed.  There were those with whom I could just not make eye contact.  They were too engrossed in studying the floor tiles to acknowledge my presence.  A few others took the time to glance up, but all I received from them were blank stares.  There were, however, a few brave souls who did make the effort to exercise their face muscles and return my smile.

While reviewing my experiences later that day, the one thing that struck me and saddened me was that in most cases, I was the one who initiated the smile.  This brought up another thought to ponder… why?  Were the individuals too overwhelmed by their day’s schedules to initiate a smile?  Were they too bogged down with life to react?  Were they conditioned by society not to react?  Or did they just not care enough to share a smile?

Through this experience, I realized I had a choice to make.  Would I let this experience get me down, force me to hide my smile and join the legions of sidewalk studiers?  Or would I take this experience and turn it into a personal challenge to take every opportunity share a smile and hopefully make someone’s day a little brighter?  The decision was easy.  I chose the latter.

I challenge you to do the same.  When you are out and about, make the conscious effort to take notice of those around you.  Share a smile and brighten someone’s day.  He or she may really need it.  And who knows?  Someday someone might return the favor and brighten yours when you need it most!

Hurry Up and Slow Down Already!

Prior to ringing in 2012, I felt strongly led to take steps to declutter my calendar and minimize my outside commitments.  After an extremely busy fall, I looked forward to entering a 'season of introspection' during which time I might have the chance to slow down a bit in order to explore ways to better experience life "beneath the surface."

Well, here I am a good three weeks into the new year,  and the anticipation I once felt has turned into restlessness.  I have been moving so fast for so long that I don't think I know how to slow down.  Even when I am physically still, my mind races.

Now mind you, things have not come to a complete standstill in my life.  As a matter of fact, in the past two weeks some unexpected (but welcomed) opportunities and activities have presented themselves.  Opportunities that will involve a time commitment on my part in the short term, and possibly even the long term depending on how events play out.

I am now beginning to wonder if my being led to minimize my commitments had less to do with my entering a season of introspection and more to do with preparing myself for a new opportunity that may lie around the corner.  I really don't know.  But I do know that Someone knows :-)

While these three weeks have not been as peaceful and as quiet as I had anticipated, I am thankful for the fresh start of a new year and for the opportunity to look at things from a new perspective.  That being said, rather than worry about what may or may not lie ahead, I am going to trust that God has a plan for me and that it will be revealed to me in His time.  In the meantime, I need to figure out how to get the dust swirling around in my mind settle down long enough to enjoy the moment.