New

New is something we:

• have not experienced
• don't know
• haven't accepted

New is something that:

• was just invented
• we haven't viewed in this way
• was repurposed
• was improved
• was changed

New is:

• exciting or intimidating
• welcomed or rejected
• better or worse

Each day as we awake, we encounter new possibilities. How we embrace each new day is our choice.  Thank goodness I love new opportunities!

Chipped Polish

We always want to put our best (hand and) foot forward. How many women don't polish their nails because they don't have time to deal with chipped polish?  I don't have a statistic to share, but I'll bet the % is high. Kudos to those who don't want to appear in public with chipped polish!  Even when I go to get my paws and claws done, (manicure and pedicure) my fingernail polish doesn't last long.  We may remain healthy from frequent hand-washing and other cleansing routines, but theses activities wreak havoc on nail polish.  Clear polish and polish remover are necessities to always put our best paws forward.

Music

Thankfully, music enriches our lives. My husband, daughter and son have a love for music, hearts for meaning, ears for melodies, and memories for lyrics. Road trips are shorter and cheerier when my crew sings to a wide array of tunes.   Though I lack their musical ability, I believe I added to the importance of music in their lives with my concocted "Angel Song" which I softly sang at bedtime.  Easter, one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, is filled with fabulous music.  The meaning and music make it our family's favorite service.

Music cheers, comforts, sooths, motivates, energizes and entertains.  And music reinforces positive memories.

Green Snow

Houston received a spring snow of pollen.  It's as if the un-jolly green goblin spread a mist of green powder through the region.  Cars, windows, decks, outdoor furniture and anyone who pauses long enough are magnets for this dry, green gunk.

The pink, yellow, purple, peach, white and blue lining to this green cloud is a terrain covered with gorgeous flowers of countless hues.

Lacrosse

Edgar and the children had been tossing a lacrosse ball around for years, but I'd never seen a lacrosse game until Gar entered middle school.  Many of my friends were equally unfamiliar with the game and said "that's great, at least it's not football".  "No, I told them, it's football with sticks."  Of course it's not.  It just seemed that way initially. 

Though I'm still very much a rules novice, I've come to appreciate lacrosse on many levels.

•  It's a fast-paced game where every play and player makes a difference.  Teamwork is a life-long necessity and it's great to see its importance in a setting that my player loves.
• It requires practice, determination, eye-hand coordination, speed and agility. Each game provides an opportunity to see how well an individual player and the team are mastering these fundamentals.  Life (like lacrosse) is best lived with a desire for continuous learning and receptivity to timely, actionable feedback.  
• The team changes each season as seniors graduate and younger players are selected to join varsity. Seniority is only a matter of age. In lacrosse and life, respect is earned, not commanded. A high functioning team is one where every player is valued as an individual and as a team contributor, regardless of title or tenure.

The icing on the cake is the chance to frequently strengthen the bonds of fond camaraderie with a delightful, supportive, fun-loving group of lacrosse parents.

Oops!

Regardless of our knowledge, sensitivity and experience, we sometimes revert to childish behavior.   Why are we doing this? We must honestly assess our actions. Do we need attention or recognition? Are we overly eager to win? Are we feeling territorial or protective? Are we insecure? Did we have a bad day? When we regress, we must be willing to ask others to forgive us.  And we must forgive ourselves.

Great Day!

The day started beautifully with everyone home, (one of the many benefits of Georgetown is Easter Break) cheery and interactive.  I had the chance to advance a charitable cause near and dear to me at a breakfast meeting. And, at work, I was able to creatively and successfully advance three distinct opportunities. At lunch I was able to encourage a friend who is re-entering the workforce. 

Though the day was filled with activity, I left the office energized.  I was vividly reminded that I'm at my best when I can creatively address priorities.

And the day is concluding with my loved ones near.   Start to finish, the day was filled with love, challenge and exhiliration.