Penn Inspires

So we have come to last day of January 2017.  1/31/2017, the 31st day of 2017 and the last day of a turbulent month.  Today, I was inspired by my place of employ.  I am so lucky to work at Penn, my alma mater, my home away from home, my other family.  The Models of Excellence winners were announced today and I was so excited to see so many of my friends and colleagues represented.  I love this ceremony and now I will have even more reasons to cheer!  These colleagues are inspiring. BUT ALSO, I am inspired by how the campus comes together to support its students in times of crisis, how my colleagues on the NGSS Project are working together to ensure success, and how my SRFS colleagues band together to complete projects, no matter how large and how short the deadline. I am so lucky to work in a place where the people and the mission inspire me.

Inspired to Feel Better

I had another "use it or lose it" vacation day on 1/30/17.  And on the 30th day of 2017 I went to the chiropractor to get an adjustment.  I am glad that I am able to add this back into my schedule because I have determined to take better care of myself.  We live in crazy and turbulent times these days, but I am inspired to take control of the things I can control and that means time at the chiropractor, swimming again, and finding myself a new NP.  This will be a good thing, amidst a chorus of bad things.

My Church Inspires Me

The 29th day of 2017 was the Annual Meeting at Church.  And, on 1/29/17, as we met, with the crazy world swirling around us, there was laughter, hope, and visionary thinking.  From determining our response to the crises that face this world, to making plans for the renovations of our space, to the election of a slate of new leaders, to establishing the foundation for a new Foundation so we can get grants, to discerning where we might serve to fit ourselves into God's plan, the meeting inspired me. Nice to be part of such a progressive, loving congregation!

Protests Inspire Me

The 28th day of 2017 was a hard day in the news.  1/28/17 will be remembered as a day where US policy took a turn for the worse.  But, even in this horrible news, I found inspiration.  The ACLU, local government officials, even some national officials, and thousands of US citizens began to fight to maintain this country's core values and not allow us to be turned to the wrong path.  And, by the end of the day, part of this horrible plan had been blocked in Court.  This is what Democracy looks like.  FIGHT ON FOR FREEDOM!

My Brother in Law inspires

After another long day (LONG WEEK) of work, I ended up at the Manor on the 28th day of 2017. Although 1/27/17 is the 22nd birthday of my niece, Ashley, tonight we celebrated the 50th birthday of my amazing Brother in Law, Chris Walters.  And the people just kept on coming in, to hangout with him and to wish him well.  Chris is loved by all and his sense of family, community, service, Church, and hard work inspires me.  So glad to have married into his family.

My Mother Inspires

The 26th day of the year is always special for me and the 26th day of 2017 was no different.  Ahhh, 1/26/17 and the birthday of two of my favorite people in my life.  But only one of them is at the top of the list of most inspiring people in my life (sorry, George, I do love you but she's my mom!) That's right, today is my mom's birthday and she has and continues to inspire me each and every day.  She has helped me become the person I am today and I am so indebted to her for the inspiration and the perspiration that it took to raise me.  LOVE YOU, MOM!

Inspired to Debate and Understand

On the 25th day of 2017, I spent more time on FB than I wanted to.  I got into too many debates on 1/25/17 and, yes, they were usually politically based.  The important thing to me is to be inspired to understand others and to, hopefully, have them understand me.  Look, the answers are not in polarity, the answers are in consensus and working together. Hoping that we can do better than what is going on in Washington these days....things have gotta change.

Inspiration Coming Tomorrow

I have to admit, inspiration has been hard to come by in the past few days.  On the 24th day of 2017, some of the news was grim.  But, listening to the 11-o-clock news on 1/24/17, I have heard that the sun is likely going to come out tomorrow.  It has been cloudy or partly-cloudy for 23 of the 24 days in 2017 (and 30 mile winds caused wind-chills in the teens on the one day it was sunny), and tomorrow's weather seems to be tolerable.  I hope this is mirrored on other facets of the world.  I am inspired to have hope for the future.... hope that future comes sooner rather than later!

Inspired by English Homework

After work and basketball on the 23rd day of the 2017, I had to drive Alexa to a friends house so that could, get this, edit a movie project about the Odyssey for her English Class.  It made me smile, on 1/23/17, because in my day (man, I sound like an old man), I acted out Thor Heyerdahl's journey on Kon Tiki in Mrs. Goldberg's English class at Masterman,  Now, my daughter and her friends are making edited videos and presenting them in class tomorrow.  I am inspired by the new ways that teachers are using technology to inspire our kids to learn.  Thank a Teacher Today!

Numbers Inspire

So the 22nd day of 2017 found me doing a LOT with numbers.  First, on 1/22/17, I worked long and hard (at Church and then at home) at completing the Financial Reports for the Budget and Capital Campaign of the Church.  Then, also at home, I spent the afternoon and evening crunching data about students.  You know, I never did make it as a MATH major, and never did become a Math Teachers, but I get to work with people AND numbers in almost everything I do and I DO love numbers.....And, in honor of the 2nd palindromic (22!) day of the year, I will take my inspiration from numbers, from facts, from data, and hope that others can do the same.

Women Inspire Me

The 21st day of 2017 was a historic day in America and in the World.  1/21/17 will go down in history as the day where people refused to accept the direction that some people wish to take this country.  These women are not victims, these women are strong.  They, and their supporting male friends and family members, took to the streets in cities all across the US and the world.  I have been inspired by the pictures and the posts, the tweets and the stories.  I am inspired to ensure that these statements of resistance, hope, love, peace, and progress continue for as long as needed.....and I am guessing it will be needed for a while.  This is what democracy looks like!

Chandler Inspires Me

So, it's day #20 of 2017. 1/20/17 was not a day I was looking forward to. Things are changing on the political scene and, no, I am not happy about it. But I refuse to live in despair. I, instead, want to live in hope and defiance. But, I also have to admit, I have not really had the words to describe how I really feel. So, tonight, I feel blessed to have read my friend Chandler's post from earlier today. It has inspired me and it has provided me with the words to describe how I feel today. Thank you, Chandler, because this is not the only time, in the past months, that you have spoken the exact words I am feeling. I am glad to know you and I am glad to be on the same side of history with you. I am also glad we share more than just a love for catering.


Chandler Collison

13 hrs · 

Political, personal, and long, so feel free to scroll on by. Or pour yourself a fresh cup and settle in…

I started writing this in my head as an open letter to Republicans. But then I realized it’s not just Republicans I want to talk to; it’s everyone.

So dear fellow Americans,

Today is a sad day for me, and I know I’m not alone in that sadness.

I’m not sad because my candidate lost (though she did; pretty much they all did), nor even because the party I’ve identified with for as long as I’ve had political and social values is about to have less institutional power than at any point in my lifetime. Of course I’m disappointed that my candidates lost, but my candidates have lost before (and often). I’m used to it, and I’m really okay with it: it’s part of what makes a civil society work.

No, what’s different today is that I am so fundamentally baffled by what’s happening and that level of confusion is profoundly unsettling and unnerving. I know I’m not alone in this either.

You see, Democrats are used to losing. But this? This is different. With President Reagan and the Bushes, I didn’t agree with them and didn’t vote for them. Sometimes I even had a hard time respecting them. But in all three cases (as well as with Dole, McCain, and Romney), I could understand why good, decent, smart people would vote for them. And I never felt like this.

Because this time around, I don’t just get it. But I do know good, decent, smart people who voted for our President-elect, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t understand it. I can’t understand how anyone can tacitly condone (or even just overlook) bragging about sexual assault. Or overt racism. I don’t understand how anyone can listen to our President-elect’s wandering, platitude-laced, self-aggrandizing tripe and characterize it as “straight talk.” I can’t understand how anyone can excuse – let alone defend – the bullying, the lying, the mocking. I can’t understand how a person with unprecedented financial entanglements, self-interest, and opacity can be elected in the name of restoring integrity to a system and set of institutions that are, indisputably, in sore need of more integrity and transparency.

I’m not asking anyone to justify their vote, as I think it’s time for us to all move on and because – and, Republicans, you need to hear this part – there is nothing anyone can say that will make voting for him seem okay to me. Nothing. Our President-elect has said and done literally innumerable things that simply disqualify him in my mind. I get that a lot of you were troubled by Mrs. Clinton, and I understand why. But that’s where my understanding ends. It doesn’t mean I hate you or that we can’t be friends anymore. We’ll never agree on this, but that can’t be the end of the conversation. In that sense, it IS time to move on.

But not the way I’ve heard so many Republicans tell us Democrats we need to.

The Republican approach to moving on seems to often be to tell us to quit crying, to shut up (often with two more words in there for good measure), and to accept that we lost. Nyeah, nyeah, nyeah.

Thanks. You know what? I DO accept that Mrs. Clinton lost. I DO accept that Republicans control the White House and both houses of Congress, as well as many governors’ mansions and state legislatures, and are also in position to fill the judiciary with a staggering number of judges, after years of refusing to move on Democrats’ (mostly very centrist) nominees.

I understand that we lost, and I am very happy to lose graciously: I am an American, and I love my country dearly. I believe in America, and I believe that losing graciously is part of being a good American.

But so is winning graciously.

And this is where I want to talk to you Republicans, because you won and won big but I’m not seeing a lot of grace. You have an enormous opportunity (as you very clearly know) but also an enormous responsibility (which you seem to be having a harder time with). So, Republicans, I have two big requests of you.

The first is that you stop telling liberals and progressives to shut up. We’re sad, and we’re angry. We have both a right to be and plenty of reason to be. Telling us to shut up is arrogant, rude, unkind, and unproductive. Being in power isn’t about shoving your will down the throat of the people who don’t have power, just because you can. Part of your responsibility is to recognize that you’re in charge of a diverse nation whose hundreds of millions of people don’t all agree with you. Part of your job is to represent and consider our interests too.

So let me maybe help you understand us a bit better, because I know we can be a frustrating and irritating bunch.

For starters, please remember that we love our country and that we believe fervently in our democratic institutions. The #NotMyPresident movement isn’t about disrespecting the Presidency. To the contrary: it’s because we think so highly of the office and are horrified that a racist, lying, xenophobic narcissist is about to assume that office. Our President-elect has done nothing to earn our respect – or even to ask for it! – so I, at least, will continue to respect the heck out of the office but not that man. He is about to be my President, and I accept that. I will not say he’s #NotMyPresident, because he is (or is about to be). But he doesn’t represent my values or the values I believe my country holds dear. And so I ask you Republicans to respect our right to feel unheard and disenfranchised, particularly in light of the years-long efforts of your party to systematically literally disenfranchise many of us through gerrymandering, screwed-up campaign finance laws, and inane voter ID laws aimed at preventing virtually non-existent voter fraud. Understand that in our anger and sadness, we may not always choose the best words. We may come across as angry (because we are). For the sake of our country and the civilness of our civil society, please try to listen more deeply and hear our Truth. Recognize that our anger and fear are neither baseless nor partisan.

The other thing you need to understand about telling us to shut up and come together is that it strikes us as unfathomably, preposterously disingenuous. I mean, really. Who the hell does Mitch McConnell think he is to say the American people won’t tolerate an obstructing Congress? You’ve GOT to be kidding me! And where the hell does anyone get off telling us to stop questioning the legitimacy of the President-elect’s election after multiple intelligence agencies reported with unprecedented unanimity that the Russians – the RUSSIANS!!! – worked to undermine our election, after the director of the FBI bizarrely threw a grenade into the last days of the campaign, after the President-elect himself went on and on about how you can’t trust the election, AND after he spent President Obama’s entire presidency questioning his legitimacy with utter fabrications aimed at stoking the racism we still have not been able to leave in our past?!

No. If you want us to shut up and come together with you, then YOU have to extend an olive branch, not us. You. Because you’re the ones in power. You need to show us that you care about our concerns, our values, our ideas. You need to show us that you respect us as Americans, as people who love our country and value our safety, who want our children and grandchildren to have better lives than even the blessed lives we’ve had. You need to show us that you understand that you’re asking us to do what you so stalwartly refused to do for President Obama’s entire time in office. When you show us those things, I, for one, will be happy to work together.

And that brings us to my second request of you Republicans, one which ought to be easy for you.

I want to ask all of you to remember that you love this country too, that you value our safety, and that you, like us, want your children and grandchildren to have better lives than you’ve been blessed with. Easy, right? Right. Because I know it’s true.

But here’s the first hard part: Remember that we Democrats want those same things. We may be liberals. Maybe our hearts bleed. Maybe we’re elitists who prefer arugula to lettuce. So what? We love this country. We’re proud to be Americans. We want a safe, prosperous world too. You see, we all want a lot of the same things; there IS common ground.

And here’s the second hard part: You love your country and want a safe and prosperous future, right? So govern like it. Live like it. Stop trying to win political points. Stop flexing your political muscle. Yeah, you won. We get it. Now act like you understand the magnitude, not of the opportunity you have, but of the responsibility you have. It’s awesome, and if you’re not a bit humbled and even daunted by it, then I don’t think you understand its magnitude. So please stop for a minute and let it sink in.

Look, I know that the Republican party is full of millions of good, decent, smart people who love this country. Many of them, even, are in government. And so I ask all of you to hold yourselves to the highest of standards and to hold our President-elect to these standards as well, to make decisions that are motivated by what you believe is truly best for our country and our world and our collective future, not what’s most expedient politically or financially beneficial to you. For starters, maybe ask yourself if you’re really okay with the President-elect’s refusal to release his tax returns. Or with his putting his kids in charge of his businesses and presenting it as a blind trust. With his saying one thing and then denying he ever said it. With his inability or unwillingness or crazy-like-a-fox refusal to ever speak clearly and concretely about how he thinks we can make the world a better place. With his spending billions of dollars on, of all things, a damn wall to protect us from – of all things – impoverished Mexicans who want better lives for their families. With his nominating millionaires and billionaires to run departments they don’t believe in, don’t understand, and (in at least one case) couldn’t even name. With the systematic intimidation of people who dare to voice opposition or ask a pointed question. And forget about the President-elect: Do you really think the ACA is such a disaster that it ought to be repealed without a replacement plan, or are you more motivated by tax cuts and the political points you can score by repealing President Obama’s flagship accomplishment? Do you really think the NEH and NEA should be eliminated or cut? If so, don’t tell us it’s about the budget, because you know it’s not. And do you really think Planned Parenthood doesn’t contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans?

And maybe most importantly, what kind of society do you want to live in and help create? I believe you really do care about the disadvantaged. I believe you really do want people to be able to get medical care. And education. And clean air and water. And economic opportunity. How could you not?

So again, please govern and live accordingly. Defend the press from baseless attacks and denigration. We NEED a vibrant and trusted press. All of us. Facts matter. There is such a thing as good journalism, and we all know it. So now that you’re in power, celebrate it and defend it. You may not always like what CNN reports about you, but you know damn well that CNN is not “fake news.”

And finally, to my fellow Democrats: I know you’re angry and upset. I am too. I know you’re mystified how we’ve ended up with this man as our next President, and I know you’re angry about how our outgoing President and his wife have been treated for the last eight years. But we too have a responsibility to live in accordance with the values we hold dear. Yes, protest. By all means, speak truth to power. But don’t cross the line into ugliness, pettiness, name-calling, and factlessness. Talk WITH people, not AT them. Listen, especially to those you don’t naturally agree with. I’m not asking you to condone or ignore sexual assault or racism or xenophobia or homophobia. Or small-minded governing. Or nepotism. Yeah, there’s a lot to be angry about. So be angry. But don’t be ugly or petty.

So, yeah, this is a sad day for me. But it’s also a hopeful day. Because I believe in America, and I believe in humanity and our collective and individual fundamental decency.

We all want America to be great. So let’s all act like it.

Peace and good wishes to you all.

Inspired by Barack

The 19th day of 2017 is the last full day of the presidency of Barack Obama.  I was very busy at work on 1/19/17, but I cannot allow my crazed schedule to distract me from honoring the terms of the Obama presidency.  He has been a tireless servant of the American People and has achieved much in the face of great opposition and resistance from the very people elected to work with him.  He has been an inspiration.

So, I close with only these words, said with the greatest of reverence - "Thanks, Obama"

Truly, THANKS!

Sometimes TV Inspires

So, the 18th day of 2017 found us all at home at the same time again.  Amazing!  After piano lessons were over on 1/18/17, we had time together again, as a family.  Sadly, these happen with far less frequency so it's a treat!  And, tonight, we watched our favorite TV show (as a family) these days, This is Us.  It's rare that TV shows can make you laugh and cry and think.  I actually find this show inspiring.  Also rare, in this strange media day.  Glad for this show.

An Inspirational Meal

It was the first day back at work in a few days, what with the Friday vacation day and then the holiday on Monday.  But the 17th day of 2017 saw little time in my office as meetings dominated my time from 8AM until I left.  And, on 1/17/17, after Alexa's basketball game, we came home and had an amazing dinner.  A family dinner is such a treat, and a rare occurrence.  It inspires me to be together as a family, to chat about school, work, activities, life.... love spending time with my family.

Inspired By Service

1/16/17 is the 16th day of 2017.  It was also a day off of school and work for me and the kids.  After basketball, Alexa and her friends went off to a service project.  So proud of the kids (and adults) of the community who banded together to do good service work.  Made me think of what inspires me about my church too.  Service to others is inspiring.  And so is this Einstein quote.  Hope you find your areas that need your service as well!

The Inspirational MLK

The 15th day of 2017 is the day of Martin Luther King, Jr's birth.  So, on 1/15/17, we brought a cake, replete with sprinkles, for the Coffee Hour at Church.  It is so important to remember Martin on this (and every, for that matter) day.  He is truly one of the most inspirational people ever to have lived.  As we enter one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history, it has never been more important to consider the values of honesty, justice, and equality that he stood for.  Here's hoping that, in the coming days, weeks, months, and years, we can embrace these ideals....as we face the unknown.

Inspired by the Palestra

As with many Saturdays early in the start of the new year, the 14th day of 2017 was spent watching a lot of basketball.  Started out in Collingswood with two games on the clock (JV and Varsity wins!). Then watched a little on the TV.  And we ended up on 1/14/2017, in the Palestra watching the Penn Women (Win) and the Penn Men (Loss) played a doubleheader with Brown.  But it was not the games or players that inspired me today, it was the building.  The Palestra turned 90 on 1/1, and it is truly "College Basketball's Most HISTORIC Gym!"  Watching the video board today and seeing the old time pics and footage inspired me.  So much history in this place, and I have been blessed to have it as my home for college basketball (and Band), for Convocations, for Graduations, and more!  One of the reasons I love working at Penn is inspiring places on campus, and the Palestra is at the top of the list!

Old Friends Inspire

The 13th day of 2017 was Friday the 13th, but 1/13/2017 was not an unlucky day for me at all!  It was a "use it or lose it" day of PTO and so I was able to attend the Phillies Breakfast, get a haircut, get home early enough to pick my daughter up after school and pick my other daughter up after basketball practice.  And now, we have had family time all evening, catching up on TV shows we follow.  What a great day, but there is MORE.  In the middle of all this, I was able to stop in to my old place of employ, the Nursing Academic Affairs Office, and hang out and eat lunch with many of my old colleagues.  Their work continues to admit and support the next generation of nurses and that, of course, is inspiring in itself.  But what is also inspiring is the way old friends can get together as if time had never passed.  So happy to have this day to experience important and inspiring events.

Tenacious Inspiration

There have been some late email nights and I was exhausted today - but I needed to get through the 12th day of 2017 at work and there was much to be done - and it WAS done.  Then, on 1/12/2017, I rushed to Collingswood to the girls' basketball games.  I was impressed by the tenacity with which these girls played.  There were two, hard-fought losses (the varsity in OT), but I love watching these teams and how hard they try and fight.  The tenacity they showed, hopefully, will inspire me to have tenacity to get my work done.  It's a long weekend, so hopefully I can catch up!  And hopefully we see more wins.

Inspired By Humor

So, it would have been easy to be overwhelmed on the 11th day of 2016.  But, on the first palindromic day of the year, 1/11/17, the first day of classes in the Spring Semester, I stayed relatively calm.  Through all of the meetings and mini-crises, I stayed smiling.  How?, you may ask. Well, I cracked jokes.  Humor is definitely my inspiration for survival on crazy days and, today, I needed a lot of it.  Hoping that my smiles helped others through their stress as well today!

Billy Inspires

Today was the 10th day of 2017.  And 1/10/2017 was a long day at work, but I really did not mind.  I was put in SUCH a good mood this morning.  As I often do, I was listening to XM's Billy Joel Chanel and one of my favorite songs came on.  Summer Highland Falls..... and some nice inspiring lyrics to get me through the day.

"They say that these are not the best of times
But they're the only times I've ever known
And I believe there is a time for meditation
In cathedrals of our own"

and

"For we are always what our situations hand us
Its either sadness or euphoria"

May these lyrics inspire you all to have a day as good as I did today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygNNpvzuNFA

Inspired By Old Friends

Had a great day on the 9th day of 2017.  And, at the end of the workday on 1/9/2017, I was able to stop by and see an old friend from Nursing, in town to speak to students.  And, seeing this friend, got me to see other former students and faculty from Penn Nursing.  Seeing old friends always warms my heart and hearing about what they are doing inspires me to stay connected, but also they inspired me with their care for others.  A good start to the work week!

Inspired By Church

The 8th Day of 2017 brought us to Old First for the first time in 2017.  And, on 1/8/2017, I was amazingly inspired by the Church Service.  This, of course, is the goal each week and, this week, for me, it was fulfilled.  From the music of the service (I was nervous, but my brief solo went well), to watching my kids assist in the service (and Anna read my favorite scripture), to a Sermon message filled with hope from Pastor Michael (a message I really needed), to the Prayers of the People (including prayers for my colleague who recently lost her husband), I left church feeling inspired and ready to tackle the day and the week to come.  AMEN!

Band Alumni Inspire

It is the 7th day of 2017 and we had to make the trek, through bad snowy road conditions, to Princeton to play with the Band for the men's and women's basketball games (Men lost, but Women won!).  1/7/17 was circled on the calendar for a while, we knew we would be needed for both games since it is still Winter Break and students would be away.  We had a few stalwart students tonight, and over 40 alumni of the Band and we sounded great!  It is inspiring for me that, when Greer puts out a call for assistance, the Band Alumni Community responds and comes from as far away as CT to support the Band and Penn Athletics.  Add in the wintry conditions today, doubling the travel time for most of them (and a late bus showing up for the folks leaving from campus) and the inspirations are even stronger.  GO QUAKERS!

Epiphany Inspirations

Day #6 of each year is Epiphany.  And 1/6/2017 was no different.  Pastor Michael was looking for manifestations of Christ in his life and I had inspiration to look for it in mine too.  Whether it be meetings today that went well (thanks be to God) or the laughter of my kids and their friends or even the simple fact that, as I pulled in to the driveway at the end of the day, the odometer read 73337.  I like Epiphany, even if it means the end of the Christmas tie season.  I like it even more when the theme of the year is inspiration because that's what epiphanies are.

Musical Inspiration

The 5th day of 2017 was filled with inspiration.  Most were gleaned from music.  Whether it was the Billy Joel Channel on XM this morning (HT Ryan Pry!), listening to last of the Christmas Music (it is the 12th day of Christmas), rehearsing with my Church's Choir (and laughing as well as singing), or spending the evening listening to 80s songs while the girls dance around the living room, there is no denying the effect music has on my life and my family.  It is so important to me and I gain not only inspiration but also sometimes the energy to get through a tough day or tough times (although, I have to admit, today was neither tough, nor filled with tough times).  Hope you all find your own musical inspirations!

Parenthood Brings Inspiration

1/4/2017 - the 4th day of 2017.  And tonight I found inspiration again when I was not necessarily looking for it.  Driving in the car, laughing with my daughter, and, in my world for that few minutes, all was OK.  The stress of the day, of the news, of all worries in my mind....gone.  Parenthood has not always been easy, but it is the best thing in my life.  So, inspiration tonight was found in laughing with my kid, spaghetti dinner with my family (on National Spaghetti Day even, nice work, Sarah!), doing mid-week laundry (ahhh, the joys of being in the middle of basketball season), and helping with homework.  Being a parent makes me strive to be a better person, a better example, help make the world a better place (for them and others).  I feel inspired and blessed to be a parent.

Inspired by Friends

So it was back to work on 1/3/2017.  Day #3 of 2017 and I was ready to return to campus.  Happily, I loaded the kids in the minivan to get them to School (ON TIME), turned the key.....and.....CLICK CLICK CLICK.... no start.  BUMMER!  But, you know what they say, it takes a village.... and I made a few texts and calls and boom, I had two offers to get my kids to school on time (thanks Kristin!).  Two offers to get me to work after the tow truck came (thanks Chris!), and then, to cap off the evening, I attend a BOE reorganization meeting where I witnessed more of our villagers prepare to do the work of ensuring the best education of our kids of Oaklyn.  I love my network of neighbors, friends, and family.  And, today, I got much inspiration from them.  THANK YOU, VILLAGE!

Inspiring Church Finances

Day #2 of 2017 and we are hitting the ground running.  1/2/2017 and it was the annual Administrative Meeting at Church to finalize a budget to submit to the Elders.  We heard inspiring stories about the end of 2016 and we turned our eyes towards 2017.  I know it is strange, but I feel called to financial work at the Church and I am blessed to be a part of the group that ensures our missions have a sound administrative foundation.  I am inspired by how hard people work at our church and inspired by all the faithful stewards (time, talent, AND treasure!)  I have to admit, I did not head to the meeting looking to be inspired, but I am so glad I found it there.  Goodnight all!  Back to work tomorrow!

Finding Inspiration for 2017

Welcome to a New Year, 1/1/2017 and Day #1 of 2017 brings us to a new theme.  To think, this whole thing started four years ago when I was feeling down about myself and wanted to force myself to remember why I was lucky.  '13/lucky, it was an easy link.  Then, for 2014, I wanted to stay on the positivity track and I used images to assist me.  I was going to then stop, but a few people reached out to me to tell me they enjoyed my daily posts.  And, frankly, I (usually) enjoy making them.  So I asked a friend for a theme for 2015 and I got the connection theme.  And, for our Sweet '16, I picked songs, which may have been the easiest theme of all...and I will continue to find songs appropriate for commenting and will continue that.  So, facing a decision for 2017, I have already tackled luck, positive images, connections, and songs...all have given me inspiration to get through the days, the weeks, the years.  Facing 2017 that will definitely need inspiration, I have decided to post how I found inspiration in the day's events.  It may not always be easy, even some of the songs and other posts in previous years have been hard, but I think in 2017 we all will need to find sources of inspiration to get through what I feel may be facing us.  I hope that my journey is interesting to you (if not, please just block me, do not unfriend me) :-) and maybe even inspirational.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!