Kids say the darndest things

This Mother's Day, my four year old brought home a wonderful gift. She made me 18 again. Her teachers helped her to complete a card by answering a few questions about me, here are her answers.



When she gave it to me I responded as all moms do with much excitement. I told how great of her to think that I was 18 years old. She paused and then asked "Are you really 18?". I said no and my little diplomat responded well that's ok , because you look it. That was a great Mother's Day gift.

Tranquility

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable Benjamin Franklin

Tranquility as defined by websters is being 1 a : free from agitation of mind or spirit ,a tranquil self-assurance, b : free from disturbance or turmoil

Tranquility is it such an illusive concept. Will it come when my business is making millions of dollars? or when my children are grown and out the house? will it come when I have all that I want?

I really think that tranquility is a state of mind. I have never been in a room with a terminally ill patient, but when I have seen it on TV or spoken to those who have experienced it, I have never heard of an individual who was restless and agitated. There were no concerns of what sale is going on or even of world affairs, but simply a peace that has been made.



In the midst of chaos in our world, in our personal lives and sometimes our own minds, I believe we can experience tranquility. Now when you have been home with children under the age of five, who have gotten into everything and left you feeling crazy at the end of the day, tranquility is a fleeting concept. Tranquility goes beyond our external circumstances. It is something found deep inside, a true contentment with who you are. A feeling that even if at the moment you are not in the most ideal situation, you will be OK. It is that mental "Calgon take me away moment" in the midst of the chaos. As I get older I am trying to find my tranquility in purpose. Doing things that have a purpose, that will impact someone in a positive way. A Random Act of Kindness perhaps; It may not be advertised in the local paper but it has given me satisfaction and peace. Stopping to read a book to your 3 year old even though you have so much to do.

Don't let tranquility be somewhat of a mystery, an unattainable dream. Find tranquility in the smallest moments. Even with the small fingerprints on the wall and the messy room you cleaned just 30 minutes ago, find tranquility. Its like taking a mental "tea" break or a candle lit bath. Experience that breathable moment despite the outside forces telling you otherwise.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Poem

The writing prompt from Mama Kat is allowing me a poetry moment.

It has been a journey
We made it through finals
Late night studying
Late night partying
So much fun
Some guys were hot and some were not
Care packages from home filled with hometown goodies
Long lectures
Made shorter by naps
Chemistry...we wont speak of the agony
Microeconomics pull my nails out one at a time please
The drone of the professor's voice
Made my hour into more like a week
You were a great roomy
So hard to say good bye
Although, sometimes you got on my nerves
Your dirty clothes on my side of the room
Borrowing my clothes without asking
You ate my food
You had your friends sit on my bed
One year of your horrible snoring
All of a sudden
It's not so hard
It's not so hard to say "good-bye"

Humility

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have...Norman Vincent Peale



Tapping into another of Ben Franklin's virtues, I will undertake humility. Oh, humility...I think many have missed out because they lacked humility. An inability to stop long enough to see or acknowledge our faults, especially when pointed out by others, this may have caused us our friends. An inability to recognize authority, this may have caused us our jobs. To see the bigger picture, to lose ourselves in something bigger, this may have allowed us to miss an opportunity to serve others. I have found that those who have achieved the most fulfillment in their lives are humble. They were not to old to learn from someone younger, they weren't to rich to visit the poorest slums in Africa, they weren't too smart to sit on the carpet of a kindergarten class and be a kid.

How many times have you been called out, put on blast? You know are wrong yet because you refuse to let go of pride you refuse correction. Correction that can save your life, your finances, your soul.

You know I truly believe that God sent our children to teach us humility, and unless we are able to learn the lesson that is being taught we are in turn teaching our children not to be humble and the cycle becomes vicious and one child, turns into a family and into a community of individuals who lack humility. Are you able to apologize to your children? Let them know that they are right? Or are you incapable of receiving correction? Can correction only come from someone older? Someone who has more? Somehow do we feel that by being humble we turn into rugs and all of a sudden everyone will walk all over us?

The funny thing about humility it is one of those foundational values, if it is missing you may appear a little lopsided.

Does humility have a set of rules "Only be humble if.....
Actually there are some rules that I appreciate and hope that I can use as often as possible:

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Philippians 2:
[ Imitating Christ's Humility ] If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.