Respect the Bird

I noticed a post by one of the parenting magazines I follow that announced a movement in support of celebrating Thanksgiving and only Thanksgiving called, "Respect the Bird." What do you think? Has Black Friday robbed Thanksgiving of its significance?

I shared more thoughts on that in an essay that ran in a couple magazines this month. Check it out here if you want to read more.

Also, the winner of the drawing for The Art of Helping is... Joy.

Joy, if you could send me your snail mail address, I'll get the book off to you. Thanks for stopping by to comment!

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope as you count your blessings tomorrow you'll find yourself counting to enough... and beyond!

Great Book For Practicing Compassion: The Art of Helping

Today I'm pleased to be part of The Art of Helping blog tour. As part of the tour I'm giving away a copy of this book. So read on to hear what author Lauren Littauer Briggs has to say about comforting others. Then leave a comment about whether you find it easy or difficult to communicate with someone who is in need.

All of us want to offer comfort and support to someone who is hurting, but we often don’t know what to say or do. The Art of Helping—What to Say and Do When Someone is Hurting addresses 30 of the most common heartaches people face and takes away your fear of involvement by helping you understand what people are feeling and going through. From over 100 interviews and her own life experiences, author Lauren Briggs shares proven advice and offers practical help with a list of what to say— and do.

Why should I read The Art of Helping?

Do you know someone who is facing a crisis and wondered what you could do to help?  Have you ever faced a difficult time and wished your family and friends knew what you were going through and knew how to help you?

I found that during my darkest hours, no one knew how much I was hurting, what I was going through or how they might help.

This is a book you’ll want to read before you need it—so that you will have ideas of what you can do and how you can respond—when you first hear the news. We want to help our family and friends through the hard times, but the right words or actions just don’t come to mind. The Art of Helping will give you the tools and enable you to turn thoughts into action.

How will The Art of Helping change me?

The Art of Helping is your go to book when life gets tough. It is a social Bible filled with concrete, tangible action items to empower you to make a difference at times when we would otherwise feel helpless. When people get this book in their hands, they always say, “How I wish I had this book when my friend needed help.”

What are some basic Do’s and Don’ts I need to know?

DON’T wait before you make contact.
DO Respond as soon as you hear the news.

DON’T SAY “If there’s anything you need, give me a call.”
DO Offer a specific thing you can do.

DON’T put pressure on yourself to do something you don’t like to do.
DO use your gifts and talents to help.

DON’T minimize what they are going through.
DO offer caring statements of acknowledgement.

DON’T ASK “When will you be your old self again? or Aren’t you over it yet?”
DO understand that once their life is touched by tragedy, they will never be their “old self” again. They will eventually reach a “new normal” but life will never be the same.

What are some of your favorite creative suggestions in The Art of Helping?

• A mother of two young children picked up a hurting family’s laundry on Mondays, took it home and returned it all laundered and folded on Thursdays.  
• A man volunteered to come mow the lawn once a week and do some simple “honey do” chores. 
• My sons brought their game boy to the hospital for a friend going through chemo therapy. Every few days they would bring a different game to swap.

How can I learn more about The Art of Helping?

The Art of Helping is reshaping the way people reach out to others. To view more information, visit my website: www.laurenbriggs.com. You can follow me on Facebook as Lauren Littauer Briggs and on Twitter as @Laurenbrgs. The Art of Helping is available in e-book and paperback formats through Amazon.com. If you would like an autographed copy of The Art of Helping, email me at Laurenbrgs@aol.com.


I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services (ChristianSpeakersServices.com).

Surrendered Sleep Blog Tour

There's nothing like the lack of sleep to make contentment seem impossible. Optimal functioning, whether it be mental, physical, emotional or relational depends on proper rest. But how often have we considered God's place when it comes to our sleep (or lack thereof). Today I'd like to introduce you to a new book that steps into this subject and takes the reader into the Bible for a look at sleep and what God has to say about it. Author, Dr. Charles W. Page, shares with us "Balin Jam" - Chapter 17 from his new book. Read on and then share your comments about sleep to be entered in a special sleep-centered drawing.

  Surrendered Sleep
A Biblical Perspective
Dr. Charles W. Page
www.surrenderedsleep.com
Publisher: Camino Real Pub.
ISBN-10: 9-780-983-138105 ISBN-13: 978-0-9831381-0-5 Release Date: 9/15/2011
Paperback: 189 pages
Retail: $14.95







(Nacogdoches, TX) Sleep Clinics. Sleeping Pills. Sleep Systems. With all the focus on sleep, it’s obvious to anyone breathing (or not—in the case of sleep apnea) that sleep disorders are on everyone’s minds. Can’t fall asleep. Can’t stay asleep. So many problems, but so few zzzs.

Dr. Charles W. Page has been plagued with sleep deprivation his entire adult life. Whether from the rigorous unpredictable lifestyle of a general surgeon or dealing with obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Page sees sleep as a precious commodity. Many of his surgical patients also report sleep problems on their medical histories. It’s certainly a widespread problem.

Although there is extensive medical literature regarding sleep, insomnia and sleep disorders, there is little instruction about these issues from a Christian worldview. Sleep was God’s idea—why shouldn’t we go to the One who created rest in the first place for answers to our sleep problems. One of the reasons Dr. Page wrote Surrendered Sleep was to heighten people’s awareness of the spiritual side of sleep issues, which often goes neglected in health and medical literature.

Surrendered Sleep

A Biblical Perspective

By Charles W. Page, M.D.

CHAPTER 17

Balin Jam

Balin jam (“may you pass your night in peace”)—it’s how the Fulani people of western Africa say goodbye. This Fulani expression best captures the message of this book. Passing your night in peace, from a biblical perspective, involves a whole lot more than sleeping well. It encompasses surrendering every aspect of sleep to God. The prerequisite for having peace as we lay down to sleep is a growing, vibrant relationship with God. Everything in our lives, including sleep, flows out of our pursuit of our loving Father in Heaven. The ability to sleep is a multifaceted gift given by God, who likewise pursues a love relationship with every individual on this planet.

From God’s perspective, sleep (or its absence) is a tool designed to help fulfill His agenda in our lives and in His world. Our response should be twofold. First we must transfer our focus off our personal sleep issues and onto the Shepherd of sleep. We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Second, we need to relinquish control of sleep and allow God to shape our hearts into His image. In so doing, we may find that we sleep better.

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” A life of surrendered sleep is characterized by the ability to discern the time and seasons that God has prepared for us, and respond with a heart of thankfulness and obedience.

At times we may experience peaceful sleep because we are pursuing a wise heart. Let it propel us on to greater heights of service. When we encounter storms that threaten to steal our sleep, let us cling to God’s presence and promises with a calm heart. If disobedience presents itself in our sleep patterns, we must return to the One who removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. If God interrupts our sleep to call, instruct or intervene in our lives, our hearts must respond in obedience.

Similarly, there are times when we must offer up to God a sacrifice of our sleep. And last, if we suffer intractable insomnia and unrest, let us move forward with a peace that passes all understanding. For an enduring and expectant heart knows that our reward and perfection is waiting just around the bend.

Surrender your heart to the One whose eyes never close. Allow Him to keep you and help you to “pass your nights in peace.”

Balin jam!

 

Author Bio
Dr. Charles W. Page is a sleep-deprived surgeon. He completed medical school and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and serves as surgeon in rural Texas. Dr. Page is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. In addition to his involvement in the teaching ministry of his local church, he has participated in medical mission trips to Cameroon, Pakistan, Milawe, Niger, Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua. He and his wife Joanna live in Texas with their five children.

Leave a comment to be entered in the Grand Prize Giveaway (one commenter on this blog will be randomly selected for the drawing):

Surrendered Sleep Products
Surrendered Sleep - Book
Surrendered Sleep - 8-Volume DVD Series
Sleep Songs - CD of music from Fletch Wiley
SLEEP - Lavender Vanilla Aromatherapy from Bath & BodyWorks
Pillow Mist (4 oz)
Body Wash & Foam Bath (2 oz)
Lotion (2 oz)
Candle (1.6 oz)

What Will You Do On Your Day of Rest?

When it comes to preparing for a day of rest, it helps to consider what a restful day will look like for us. We need to consider what we will do, not just what activity we'll cease from. So I have a question for you: what does an ideal restful day off look like to you? In other words, what activities recharge you?

I'm lucky to belong to a neighborhood book club that meets on a Sunday afternoon once a month. To me, it's the perfect activity for a Sabbath. It combines many things that I love and that "fill up my tank":

• social time with friends
• lively discussion
• books!
• good food
• pleasant surroundings (we take turns hosting and somehow, each of our homes feels like a haven during our book club. usually the house is quiet and the hostess will create a cozy space for us to meet - either outside on a deck or in a sunroom, or at a spacious dining table or gathered in a living room)

Take time today to envision that perfect day of rest. And then think of one thing you could incorporate in your plans tomorrow to move toward celebrating that perfect day.  Also think of ways you could intentionally add more and more of those elements over time (or maybe brainstorm one activity, like my book club, which includes multiple aspects of your perfect day).

Then share what your perfect day of rest would look like. I'd love to hear.

What's Wrong With Average Kids?

Where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average - Garrison Keillor

 This describes the fictional Minnesota town of Lake Wobegon. But I think it also embodies what we wish our towns and families to be described as.

We live in a competitive society and nowhere is that more apparent than the arena of parenting. We want our children to succeed. We want them to live good lives. We want them to make something of themselves - to be "above average".  Being simply average apparently doesn't cut it any more.

In yesterday's Chicago Tribune, John Keilman's column did a great job exposing this side of parenting. Check out his article here. Then please, come back and tell me what you think. Tell me, are you afraid of having children who are average, or of being average yourself?

Clear The Decks

It's Saturday again. Are you planning to rest tomorrow? If so, what will you do today to make that more likely to happen?

Today's tip, as part of our ongoing Saturday Sabbath Starters, is this: clear the decks. This means take care of those niggling tasks that you've been putting off all week (or for the past several weeks). Maybe there are forms from the start of school that piled up all week. Do them now! Don't leave them until Sunday evening. Or maybe you have bills to pay. Set a timer for 15 minutes and see how many you can get done.

Whatever you can do today to take a bite out of the things hanging over your head will leave you that much more room to relax. Leave them hanging and they'll tickle at the top of your head all day, making it less than restful.

Join me in this! I've taken two one-hour stints to knock out the paperwork that's been piling up in my inbox. It feels so good to nearly see the bottom. And having accomplished something today will allow me to feel free to relax tomorrow.

Give it a try and see how it works for you!

Handling Dashed Expectations

“Progress always heightens our expectations, and we willingly go along for the ride. But before we board that train, it’s helpful to remember that “unrealistic expectations are but premeditated resentments.” If we don’t settle the issue of expectations versus contentment at the onset, it will mean problems later.”

~ from  In Search of Balance: Keys to a Stable Life by Richard A. Swenson, MD

In what areas of your life are you experiencing progress, or at least change? Have you thought at all about what it has done to your expectations as Swenson suggests?


As my kids started off the school year, I had no idea that I'd been building up some expectations. They're in new grades. Our school has experienced a big turnover in administration. But I hadn't been thinking about what that meant. I'd been assuming school would go on as before. I had expectations that things would only change in positive ways.


Guess what? I'd been putting together a nice set of resentments. And as changes have rolled out over the past week, my expectations have turned into just that: resentments. I'm at the point now where I need to take those expectations off the shelf and examine them. I need to do battle with those resentments. Because I truly desire contentment. And I agree with Swenson - as long as I don't settle the issue of those expectations, there will be problems down the road.


And sometimes those expectations are simply expectations that things will stay the same, or change will work in our favor. How I handle my disappointment over little things like the fact that our school no longer allows food at celebrations and the kids aren't allowed to play on the grass at recess any more matters. I have a chance to choose contentment in the midst of these insignificant situations. And I have a chance to model that for my kids. Do I have the guts to do it?


How about you? Have you had any expectations that were disappointed lately? How aware are you of the expectations you have and there potential to derail your contentment? Do you agree or disagree with what Swenson says? Leave me I comment. I'd love to hear what you have to say.