The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. – B.B. King
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
In less than two weeks big changes are in store for my family. Mary Beth and I take our younger son, Andrew, to college and then a few days later our younger daughter, Emily, begins middle school. In four days, one child begins learning how to live on his own while another child begins learning how to expand her world a little at a time.
Preparing for these back-to-school dates has required careful planning and a flexible budget. Even more challenging, Andrew and Emily’s shopping lists couldn’t be more different. Our son needs big-ticket electronics and dorm room furnishings. Emily is required to have more “sophisticated” school supplies (the days of Disney character notebooks and crayons are over).
To make certain my wife and I were buying the right items we visited the college and middle school websites to download the supply lists. Most schools have a link to this information on their home page. Next, we searched the internet to find the best prices and shipping options. Our search took us to Amazon.com. Read more
Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. – Lao Tzu
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
You can’t fix your life in five easy steps for one simple reason: Your life is not broken.
Often we have the tendency to rush to a solution before we identify the problem. Similarly, when we feel our lives are off track and not fulfilling we frantically look for ways to fix something, anything– and fast.
My first reaction when Mary Beth comes to me with an issue is to help her fix it. But what she really needs from me is to listen, be supportive and discuss what changes are necessary to solve the problem. This same need can be extended to how we approach our personal problems, too.
Sometimes the best thing to do is to step back and consider what simple changes can be made so a problem can be diminished naturally. When this approach is taken, the outcome is more permanent because the solution is better considered.
Rather than focusing on fixing our lives, it may be better to consider simplifying our lives. Making small, simple changes can lead to finding greater happiness and freedom. Read more
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. - Dr. Seuss
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
Opportunities to help one other appear every day. We either acknowledge them, or we don’t.
During a recent trip to Minneapolis, my family and I visited The Basilica of Saint Mary. The Basilica’s beauty is matched only by its reverence. The white granite exterior welcomed us as we opened the massive wooden door to enter. Once inside, its architecture was simply amazing. Long rows of pews lead to an altar perfectly positioned under a stunning copper dome.
In one those pews was a man, alone and seemingly distraught. Sitting on the edge of the wooden bench, he grasped the pew in front on him. He buried his head between his hands and appeared to be praying.
I walked by him on my way to get a better look at the altar. Stopping for a moment, I considered sitting next to him. He was clearly in pain and maybe I could offer some relief. Instead, I continued to the altar. He wanted to be alone, I reasoned. But I knew better. He needed some comfort and I didn’t help. Read more
The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination. - Don Williams Jr.
Article by BridgeMaker contributor Ralph Jean-Paul. Please visit Ralph at Potential2Success.com.
I’ve been feeling very nostalgic lately and I’m not sure why. Perhaps it is because I celebrated a birthday recently where I spent time reflecting on my past. Or maybe it’s because of all of my high school friends that have been sending friend requests on Facebook. Whatever the reason, memories from my childhood have been on my mind.
Those memories led me to visit my old neighborhood. As I was driving down the familiar street on the way to our old apartment complex, I glanced at an office park. I was unable to look at the parking lot of this park without memories of year 15 of my life rushing back to me. It looked like any normal office park around town but to me, it had a special meaning.
This particular office park was where I first learned how to drive. One day when the businesses closed, my sister drove the short distance to the office park and sat in the passenger seat while I navigated my way around the turns and speed bumps. I got the hang of driving fairly quickly and I was driving on the state roads and highways just a few weeks later.
Revisiting my past made me think about the different paths my life has taken. Read more
The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. - Frank Lloyd Wright
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
The early-morning quiet is my time for reflection and prayer. The silence provides a suitable tabernacle for my soul. In the stillness, I consider the day to come.
My thoughts drift from the necessary and to the spectacular. I consider my day’s schedule, the tasks to accomplish and the appointments to keep. After checking off the must-dos, my mind goes deeper. It goes to a place absent of urgency – it goes to a beautiful place.
Our lives can be anything we choose to make them. We can struggle with the complexity or we can delight in the simplicity. We can be overwhelmed by the ugliness or we can celebrate the beauty. I choose to look for the beauty. Read more
