“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”
~Albert Einstein~
Scientist
(1879-1955)
Today was a big day for Brenna.
Here’s a new quilt and pillows for her doll house. She learned to sew on the sewing machine. Not only that, she had to measure and do math with fractions to figure out how big to cut her fabric allowing for seam allowances. She seemed like a natural. I think there will much more straight-line sewing in the days to come. She has patchwork plans for this little dollhouse, and wants to make a blankie for the new baby. We’ll see how interested she stays in this sewing thing. Using the machine was certainly a thrill. A girl after my own heart 
After playing in the snow this afternoon she came up with something missing…
FINALLY.
Her top right front tooth has been hanging by a thread for days. That would have driven me crazy as a kid. I would have pulled it out a month ago. She just wanted to wait until it happened all on its own– “That’s the more natural way to do it, Mom.”
Well, she swallowed it, naturally.
Thinking is hard work-in fact the very hardest that human beings are ever called upon to do. It is fatiguing, not refreshing. If allowed to follow the path of least resistance, no one would ever think.
Mortimer Adler
But, it is in thinking that we find meaning in the mundane repetitive tasks of life. I’ve been volunteering at an 1880s living history farm. It’s quiet and peaceful–and it’s hard work. You have to keep the fire going if you want to cook something. You have to go get eggs from the chickens or analyze the pantry contents before making a meal. You treadle the sewing machine pedal up and down over and over and over to piece a quilt or mend a shirt. And you have to think about what you’re doing while you’re doing it. The slowing down is time consuming, but for me it seems to create such a connection to the act of living.
There are so many things that we simply take for granted. We live in such ease that we can go without thinking. A lot of the time our lives are governed by expediency and just going through the motions.
But, by thinking about the what and why of even the smallest things, we can create so much more meaning in our lives. We can conciously choose and create our circumstances if we stop to think and ponder and meditate…
My discussion group was wonderful and empowering and inspirational. I am so excited to be embarking on this adventure and building real friendships and to be spending time with women talking about positive things. And thinking together.
That’s pretty cool.
To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end in life.
-Robert Louis Stevenson
I really firmly believe that every single person ever born has a mission, a purpose for which they were created, something they alone can do.
And I think God gives us hints and glimpses of our unique and individual missions through our passions, dreams, and abilities. We have to listen for them. We have to be looking. We have to find our center and quiet place…
It is often hurdling the distractions that is hardest. There is so much that is blaring loudly telling you what to think, how to look, what to eat, how to be, what to watch…
I’m preparing for the first meeting of a book group I’m starting with a purpose of helping us each create a meaningful family culture that lays a solid foundation of truth, fosters a love of learning, and gives us tools we need to fulfill our own unique missions in life and help our children find and fulfill theirs.
I just gave a few articles out with the invitation for this first discussion. Want to join in? Here’s the first one. The second is here, but I don’t know if just anyone can get to it because it is in the member section of the Art of Womanhood site. (You can register free of charge and have access to the article if you really want.)
I’ve felt like I needed to start this group for a while, but the time just wasn’t ever right. I was released from my big church responsibilities, so that frees up a lot of time (Now I get to play the piano for the choir!). All that was left was overcoming my self conciousness that everyone would just think I’m wierd, and working up the courage to just do it. “If you build it, they will come.” People have been coming out of the wood work asking to be a part.
I know teaching and discussing my thoughts with women is part of my mission. I’m passionate about that. I’ve jumped one hurdle.
How about you?