Personal Growth

What Makes You Happy?

September 21, 2012

Depression used to be studied quite a lot in America, but apparently we are at the point where happiness is getting a much closer look. It has become a rarity and, therefore, is now worth studying.

photo by Sam Howzit

You ask most people what they want out of life and they will say, “I want to be happy.” Interesting.

Happiness has always intrigued me. I know some very happy people and I know some very unhappy people. I have always wondered what decisions, mindsets, or combination of both led the happy people to be happy.  And, what led to the unhappiness of the unhappy?

Continue Reading

26 Comments
Personal Growth

Our Family’s Mission Statement

September 20, 2012

A little while back, Claudia and I decided on a mission statement for our family. We did this because we wanted a statement of purpose for our family and for our home. We also wanted something that would guide the actions of our family, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making.

Andy Stanley talks about your mission as a “nonnegotiable imperative,” so this a framework that keeps us on course for where we want to go.

While we have a different one for our marriage, this is our family’s mission statement. It’s a poem by Mary MacCracken which we choose to adopt.

Our family mission statement (photo by nebraska_becky)

If you think a mission statement is something you’d like to put together, I’d suggest this resource and these tips.

Continue Reading

13 Comments
Personal Growth

Your Subconscious Mind Needs a Guide

September 19, 2012

Every morning, I wake up and see something on my ceiling. As the sleep clings to my eyes, my eyelids flip open and closed. The image above me dances through my sleepy mind and is contorted as it turns into strange dreams.

Sunrise on Phu Chi Fa by Atomdocs

The something I see on my ceiling is this. My most pressing goal. The one thing that will make the most difference in my life at the moment. I have it taped to my ceiling and it is written in present tense. It is in present tense because, even though I don’t know exactly how it will happen, I know if I stay focused on my goal, I will reach it.

Have you ever thought about your subconscious mind? What does it think about while your regular mind is thinking? What does it think about when you are sleeping or driving or eating or talking to someone else?

Continue Reading

11 Comments
Personal Growth

How To Make an Idea Board

September 18, 2012

We’ve been asked about the idea board in our kitchen on many occasions so we wanted to share with you how we made it and how you can make one of your own.

[tentblogger-youtube fJhTC52VQpE]

Question: How do you capture your ideas?

 

12 Comments
Miscellany

Our New About Page

September 17, 2012

Today, we’d like to draw your attention to a new page on the site. Claudia has been working super hard on getting a new about page up, one that tells visitors more about the site and what you can expect when you’re here. I must say, I think she did a killer job!

Check it out here. I think you’re going to like it!

photo by Micky**

Question: Did you learn anything from our new about page? What?

 

11 Comments
Personal Growth

Miss a Meal But Read the Book

September 14, 2012

I bought a book the other week. I talk a lot about books. The reason being they have broadened my horizons, letting me see the mountains beyond.

photo by shutterhacks

I see something interesting occurring to people when it comes to books, however. Books take money to buy and time and energy to read. These things alone deter most people from making the investment.

Can I have a moment to declare something?!

Continue Reading

27 Comments
Miscellany

A Sick Day For Amos McGee

September 13, 2012

I just returned 6 children’s books to the library. Among them, my favorite,”A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead.

My children’s books

When I first got the books out I was surprised by my own excitement. I couldn’t wait to sit down, read the stories, look at the pictures, and let my mind imagine as it did when I was a child.

As I gathered all my books and curled into the corner of he couch, a glass of chocolate milk not far away, I felt giddy with anticipation!

My imagination was led from the zoo to the countryside, and from the ocean to a conversation between a pigeon and a chick about an oatmeal cookie.

All in one sitting.

Continue Reading

18 Comments
Personal Growth

Join Us for the Next IDC

September 12, 2012

For our next IDC for the I Don’t Care Project, we invite you to come along and do the challenge with us! No, we’re not going to go to the store in our pajamas or give lunch to a homeless person, though you could do those things as well. We’re simply going to answer the common question, “How are you?” in a specific way.

THEY’RE GRRREAT! (photo by We hope)

Starting today, for the next 7 days, when asked, “How are you?” we’re going to respond by saying, “Great!”

But, what if you don’t feel great? That’s OK. Read this recent post by Claudia and see if you don’t change your mind. Or, try a little perspective on for size. The fact of the matter is, we all have many things to be grateful for. How about we focus on those for the next 7 days?

Continue Reading

7 Comments