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:

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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.

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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.

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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?

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