As we say goodbye to the last Friday in June (where is the summer going people) I’m doing something new today. I’m joining Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky to share what I learned this month. Who knows, maybe it will become a regular monthly event here at Redemptions Beauty. Regardless, I’ve surprised myself by paying closer attention and taking notes. Here are just a few random things I learned in June, in no particular order:
1) Kids can feel isolated in the summer too. Who knew? Even introverts don’t like being isolated from their friends for extended periods of time.
2) Journal to keep perspective because you might need to read it later. Looking through the picture window of time, rather than the porthole of your disappointing week, is the medicine for the doldrums and your distorted perceptions.
3) If you ask a popular author to guest post on your blog, they just might take you up on it.
4) Don’t assume who your friends will be. God may surprise you with a friendship that inspires you when you least expect it. And let you know He’s listening to your prayers.
5) When you get tired of initiating in relationships, don’t throw in the towel. Keep initiating. Relationships are worth the effort, even if you don’t see immediate results. Remember that Jesus doesn’t give up either; he’s in this with you for the long haul.
6) Having lunch with a writing friend is almost as invigorating as attending a writing conference.
7) Its never the wrong thing to tell someone how much they mean to you.
8) When searching for clarity, a twenty minute walk is the best medicine.
9) My family will be more likely to eat fruit if I cut it up ahead of time. This still puzzles me.
10) Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write and The Artists Way, is actually not the former wife of filmmaker, James Cameron (think Titanic) but the second wife of Martin Scorsese (think The Departed). Just to be clear, this information does not in any way inhibit or increase my desire to continue reading and underlining her books.
11) Reading parts of a life-changing book out loud to your husband can also infuse your marriage.
12) The unicorn is the national animal for Scotland. Don’t believe me? Google it. It’s what we did when my son brought it up at dinner. Google is a mainstay for dinner conversations at our house. Invariably, someone leaves the table to get their phone and check the facts. Which leads me to . . .
13) The American cockroach originated in Africa. Um hmm, bet you didn’t know that only 4 out of 4500 species of those nasty creatures that scamper and slide around the bottom of the toilet are known as household pests. Random, I know. We Googled. And because we’re now on pests . . .
14) Looking to visit somewhere without snakes? You might consider Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand, the only places where they don’t exist. Have I thought about moving? Yes. But it’s not an option.
15) Its a good practice to keep track of all the things you learn in a month. It might just surprise you.
What is one random thing you learned this month?
Super fun post. Life is so much better when we pay attention to its’ lessons.:)
Fondly,
Glenda
Thanks Glenda. It was fun to write. It’s good to break away from the norm and have a little fun sometimes ya know?
That being 70 yrs in June feels like 60yrs in June! Really.
That is something to look forward to. I hope I get to hug your neck when you come to my hometown in September.
So much fun Shelly! I linked up too…just for fun and guess what? It was so much more fun that I thought it would be!
I know Lori, me too. I’m glad she is planning to do it every month now. I loved it.
what a fantastic list. I love Emily’s writing and I’ve been loving her lists as she sets out on this crazy new adventure that her and her hubby and family are embarking on. I love the things you learned along the way. I think it is a great idea to keep track of all the little things.
oh and google at the table…we used that all the time when we were away and talking about random things…like what Kim K and Kanye named their child…um, yes important conversation. oh and Ireland has no snakes…IDEAL and beautiful. It would be fascinating to know WHY there are no snakes in this place…intriguing.
The unicorn seems to pop up in the most unusual places doesn’t it. love it.
I love that you got to have some time with Elizabeth and that you became friends with Margaret!! both amazing women. Love what God’s been doing and teaching you my friend. Look forward to the next list 😉
I love Emily too. Got to hug her in person when we had her for our conference earlier this year. She is the real deal.
Love your list — especially # 12. I have a friend who is fond of exclaiming “sweet baby unicorns!” — I have always wanted to work that into a post somehow. It would make for a great title, don’t you think?
Emily inspired me to do this once a week over at my blog, and I really enjoy putting the post together.
Loved your post too Lyli. The unicorn thing seems to be the one getting most people. Who knew?
What a wonderful list. I was especially touched those items pertaining to friendship. Making the list each month has been a useful discipline for me.
I love the discipline. Hadn’t done it before but now I’m keeping a list.
4500 species…yuk! Google…so great. When my kids ask…we all say “Lets google it.”
True about relationships and speaking openly about how much someone means to you…and reading to your husband. Absolutely!
And a 20 min walk can help so many things…I agree!
Have a great weekend!
🙂 Jen
Thanks Jen! And yeah, can you believe 4500 species of those vile things. Ack!
Oh, Shelly, I laughed out loud at the slicing up fruit comment. One random thing I’ve learned? That sharing a big huge dream with your youth pastor might not be as far-fetched as you think…..stay tuned 🙂
I hate slicing that much fruit. Honestly!
I’m reminding myself of #5 regularly.
As soon as I get home from the grocery store, I slice up fruits and veggies so they’re easy to access. Hardly anything goes to waste since I started doing that. I don’t know why but it works.
I know Leigh, me too on #5. I think we’ve had that chat. I love seeing how your friendships are evolving though.
Oh, SO tucking away the National Animal of Scotland fact for my daughter who we call Trivia Queen. That’s awesome! (P.S. I just mentioned it to another daughter whose response was, “I’m so proud of Scotland!”) Love it!
I know, that one is a good one to pull out for those people who are hard to stump with random trivia. I’m terrible at that actually. Glad I could help.
I’M more likely to eat fruit (and veggies) if they’re cut up ahead of time. Thanks for the heads-up for the linkup. 🙂
I know, me too. I just don’t like doing it. You should link up Sandra, its fun.
#5 was a great reminder for me. I hate initiating but you are right we need to keep doing it. Thanks for linking up and sharing. I am enjoying reading what everyone had learned this month.
I’m enjoying reading them too TJ. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you were here.
Shelly darling, of all the lists I’ve read {including mine!}, yours is my favorite. I adore your writing!
I nodded my head up and down throughout, especially on numbers 4,5, and 6. And that tidbit about unicorns and Scotland? Mind blown. I read that to my husband {who has traveled to Scotland several times} and he had no idea.
Have a wonderful weekend, Shelly!
Aw, that makes me smile Kristen, thanks for that sweetness. Can’t believe your husband didn’t know about the unicorns. Didn’t it feel good to tell him something he didn’t know? *wink*
Hi Shelly! Just clicked over from Emily’s site and I’m so glad I did!! I LOVE your post! Your writing is so fantastic! #5 is such a great reminder for me, I give up pursuit pretty easily as an introvert and decide it’s easier to just be by myself. How easily I forget how persistently the Lord pursues me! Thanks for linking up, I’m so glad I found your blog! 🙂
Kailey
living in the rain
http://www.kaileyrogers.com
Oh wow Kailey, thanks for the kind compliment. I think #5 seems to be resonating with a lot of us. That says something doesn’t it? So glad you stopped by, come over and again and hang out in the comments.