A full mind and conversation weaves colorful threads of insight and new ideas into one's tapestry. But finding those multi-colored and "glittery" threads is often like searching for a needle in the proverbial haystack. However, once found ... There is great rejoicing!

I liken these rare threads to spotting a rainbow in the sky just after a rain storm. These beautiful arches are fleeting and vary in width and length. But, oh! when viewed ... Such a delight!

I will continue to focus upon progress — not perfection, not completion nor doing it all. I will delight in the moments, the steps and the gifts of the journey — instead of running faster ... Said focus (for me) has been like a rainbow in the night: Unexpected, considered impossible and yet once spotted: celebrated, completely treasured, embraced and oh, so, healing!

I am jotting down the final notes of my latest composition, my rhythm — that pattern of duration which produces music. It is a lively beat, with a sprinklin' of sweet sixteenth notes combined with a few quarter rests, and a spicy variety of notes which combine for an-oh-so-warm but soothing harmony.

This rhythm allows me to approach my life, my work and my dreams via "single handling" ...

"Single handling requires that once you begin, you keep working at the task, without diversion or distraction, until the job is 100% complete. You keep urging yourself onward by repeating the words "Back to work!" over and over whenever you are tempted to stop or do something else." —Brian Tracy

The current arrangement includes time to "be" ... to fuel the creativity within my heart ... to bloom like the Sun as I do what I was created to do. Which allows me to maximize Newton's first law of motion: An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. (Read: I keep on keepin' on!)

An atmosphere, a discipline, and a life ala Miss Charlotte Mason. Having home-educated my three children (and aiding other like-minded families to do the same), I actually have “designed” my own school for grades 0-12. In the process of the last 16+ years, I have employed the principles of Charlotte Mason, a British educator who believed that education was more than being trained to “pass” standardized tests, job-training, or being accepted into the “best” college.

The school I designed included small-group learning, field trips and learning adventures; it employed an educational philosophy which promoted the joy and excitement of hands-on learning, developed reasoning skills and inspired the habit of living a lifestyle of learning

I have been blessed to introduce my children to ideas and knowledge rather merely dispensing canned information via a cookie-cutter scope and sequence. They have learned to think for themselves; to discern and articulate their own viewpoints based on sound evidence as opposed to generalizations and/or regurgitating someone else’s rhetoric.

They have become acquainted with wise and noble ideas by reading  “living books” (well-written and engaging; original works; source documents; narrative biographies and testaments of historical events — not mere textbooks); said books have served as our “curriculum” in core subjects (civics, science, history, mathematics, English) as well as fine arts, music, prose and poetry.

My children have developed speech and composition skills, even during “pre-writing years” via their own recitations and oral narratives (summaries) of what they were studying. Their early years included informal learning situations (i.e. sorting and counting sea shells, finding specific letters within signage, simple decision-making and story-telling) which prepared them for more challenging lessons in mathematics, spelling, debate and composition.

We have discovered nature (science) together via creating our own illustrated nature journals and long walks outdoors — and simple play-time in the midst of birdsongs and God’s Creation. We discovered relational-education within our family and with the numerous families we learned and shared our adventures with, as well as the community organizations with whom we volunteered and worked.

That is what my "school" is like ...

Perspective: Perhaps it came to pass … Not to stay. Perhaps this is something I do not need to invest/spend my energy on.

Although I used to equate conflict with a battle call to action on my part, I have come to realize that sometimes people and situations are merely in our life for a season, reason or purpose. This sets me free from the futility of “peace at any price” and guilt, and certainly a degree of needless suffering. It inspires me to see things from a different perspective.

I believe most conflicts originate from within; and leak out to mingle with another person’s “leakage” of unresolved conflict thus, igniting wildfires of blame and suffering — destroying the opportunity of logical or healing conclusions.

Conflict does not have to be the chute door opening, and thus the beginning the pointless race of strife and name-calling, argument and rehash of a matter discussed ad nauseum.

The sands of conflict can crush, cripple and rob us of vibrancy; the sandy grit can also smooth the rough edges, push open the cracked door of opportunity, and even spark new fires of inspiration. The key is perspective.

The gentle "alarm" of bird songs, then opening my eyes to see the faint, dim light of morn. And realizing that I have slept soundly all night. Again.

Balance. Balancing the change and movement of my life has remained a consistant goal for me since I experienced the blessing of cancer. Oh, of course, I always thought it was a goal, a descriptive my lifestyle, my attitude, my focus. A legend in my own mind, I suppose.

However — whether it be credited to the wisdom of age, the reality of actually meeting, Mortality via the big-C (thus, experiencing the reality of numbered days — Psalm 90:12 ...) or merely the process of elimination (of people and situations which knocked me off-balance) accomplished occurred over time and through perseverance — Balance is my only number one goal for each day.

Once the scales are tipped to "too much" ... Once my emotions alert me to refocus ... Once the newly installed "pause" switch is tripped ... I realign my spirit to guide my mind and lead my body back to Balance.

Selah

Red. This is my word as red speaks passion to me; it speaks "Wow!" and vibrancy and inspiration. Ripe cherries reflect my favorite shades of red ... Varying in dark and light hues and tones.