To Speak or Not To Speak?

Well, I did it again today - opened my mouth, and inserted my not-so-dainty foot.

There are a few topics in life where I believe something strongly, and know I have the ultimate Truth to stand by, and therefore don't mind - so much - giving offense when I speak. After all, some things need to be said, whether it's comfortable or not, either to ourselves or those listening. I think most reasoning people would agree that part of our problem as a society is that believing anything too strongly has become taboo. We are expected, rather, to believe - strongly - in believing almost nothing at all. To many people, life is not to be lived with conviction and intention, but...well, casually, superfluously. Take life as it comes to you -- accept without questioning what society teaches is "the norm." Obviously, I don't agree. Hence, I live Off the Beaten Path. But to cause or give offense over non-essentials in life is something I have little patience for, even in myself. In those cases, I would like to succeed more often at simply...keeping quiet.

I have discovered recently that while being 30-something is, truly, a liberating stage of life (being past the whole "self-discovery" season -- in the sense that I now perceive what I believe with greater clarity and conviction), I now struggle with a different issue. That is, sometimes sharing my own convictions or views about any given topic too openly and freely with people who have not asked, are not looking, and simply are not interested. Sharing ideas, convictions, and beliefs persuasively means being discerning to those moments when people are open to at least listening, and hearing what we have to say. Not every moment, circumstance, or situation is a good sharing moment. And not every topic or issue is worth the possibility of giving offense. If we give offense over what I like to call "non-essentials," people are far less likely to receive what we have to say over the important issues in life. Note to self: First, Hold your tongue. Second, Listen. Third, Speak only when it "gives grace" to those who hear. Sometimes grace is challenging and convicting. Usually, however, it is...."a pleasant aroma."

The Fullness of Spring!

In the last week and a half, I have repainted my kitchen, dug a new flower bed, landscaped it with rock, planted, and spent a day watching/listening to a live Beth Moore teleconference. The Fullness of Spring is a good thing, but exhausting at times!

Book Review: "After the Hangover: The Conservatives' Road to Recovery"

“After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery,” by R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. is an insightful, refreshing, and optimistic, review of American conservatism. This book does not just talk about the problems that plague conservatism in the U.S. today, but instead reveals how those problems developed over time, and what can and should be done about them. Tyrrell’s book is a refreshing antidote for those conservatives who are worn out and discouraged by today’s political landscape. In fact, some may view Tyrrell as too optimistic, given today’s political trends. However, Tyrrell confronts such discouragement with conservatism’s historical record, as well as the large infrastructure in American today that supports a conservative agenda. In addition, Tyrrell points out that as Liberalism (with a capital L) in American leans more radically left, that an increasing number of Americans continue to identify as conservative.
Although I would recommend this book to virtually anyone who cares about today’s political trends and challenges, I must also admit that Tyrrell’s style of writing was at times hard to follow. He often simultaneously combines two to three thoughts or points into one sentence. In addition, Tyrrell does get caught up in a rather extended tribute to one of the conservative movement’s great leaders, which at times seems a bit out of context in this book. However, for those readers who can wade through the run-on sentences, and who are willing to be subject to a lengthy personal tribute of William F. Buckley, Jr., this book is a treasure-trove of American conservatism’s history and present-day status. In addition, it is presented with wit, humor, insight, and hope for the future.

And the answer is....?

This morning, as Rachel was reading through her word list, she asked me what "rob" means. I tried to explain that it is when someone takes something that is not theirs. She looked at me and said, "like when Mommy takes my toys?" ?!?! The honesty and directness of children still causes me to marvel on a regular basis. How was I to answer? Little did she know that just yesterday, when I was cleaning their room, I discretely threw away about one whole toy-box of miscellaneous "stuff" that no longer has a place or purpose in our home or their room. After a few seconds of frantically searching my memory bank for a good answer for her, I just tried to explain that actually, her toys are Mommy's and Daddy's, too, because we paid for them. Lame, I know, but what else was I to say?

Sewing Mom

I never thought I'd be one of those moms who stay up late sewing for my kids, but I think I have officially made the leap. Last night I was up until 1:30 a.m. in preparation for Easter morning. It's time to confess that I....have become a sewing mom. Surprisingly, I think I like it. I LIKE knowing that I have more time than money, because of other choices I've made. I LIKE the satisfaction of knowing I can clothe my kids in cute outfits I've made from clearance scraps. And, I LIKE the feeling of connection it gives me to my past.

I find myself living out the traditions of my mom and grandma more and more. More often than not, I recognize it after it happens - much of it comes as a natural result of general lifestyle choices, rather than a decision to be like them in some way. I'm a stay-at-home mom. Because of that, I was able to make the girls matching nightgowns and fleece robes at Christmas, and for the second Easter in a row have made their spring dresses. It's not planned or contrived. It just happens. I think one of the things I like most about it is how I have found connections to others, including ancestors long gone, through continued traditions. By this, I mean the ordinary things, the everyday "traditions," more so than the big moments, like how we celebrate Christmas, etc. Because I have chosen to prioritize my family and being at home with them, I find myself doing things my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother did. Not because I am trying to be like them, but because I have chosen a set of values that directs me to a path that, in spite of the separation of years, technology, and societal changes, we have all shared, whether by choice or by circumstances.

Margin

Margin is, truly, a beautiful thing. There is absolutely no way to seize all those wonderful moments in life without it. This week, margin has allowed me to spend 3 afternoons outside with my girls in absolutely gorgeous, unseasonable weather. After 2 grueling winters, we all need the break. I feel sorry for all the people around here who have no margin, and are therefore unable to enjoy this treat in the weather.

Spring!

Yes, it is officially still almost 3 months away on the calendar, but we all know that real "spring" comes much sooner. I start celebrating when my canaries begin their annual breeding season, and this morning we got our first two baby birds! So, spring has officially arrived in our household. Birds nesting in the dining room, seedling plants getting a head start in the kitchen, front porch half-way cleaned for afternoon tea hour, ice and snow absent from all the porches and sidewalks, and the van officially "spring-cleaned." Who cares about the 3 foot snow pile on the front curb? IT'S SPRING, I say!