Outward Expression of Who You Are

I teach a simple statement to both my son and my daughter, “Your clothing is an outward expression of who you are.” This statement hinges on a very important factor – knowing who you are.

I recently taught my son’s youth class about how in everything we do, we are communicating something. Knowing what we communicate and how we communicate it is very important. I made the simple demonstration of putting on and taking off an oversized, black cardigan. The class was amazed at the transformation one garment could make in my appearance. I then proceeded to have the tallest, coolest boy in the class stand next to me. I asked him to read a passage and then I read the same passage. Then I asked the class what were differences about the two of us. This time the class was intrigued. Youth vs. age, male vs. female, pitch of voice, and the list went on; each of these things can affect the way people see and hear us.

How we dress, how we move, how we interact – great tools of communicating who we are and what we believe – BUT first we must learn to know ourselves. This is what I wish more parents and leaders would focus on rather than simply listing what today is considered modest or popular. Teach the endless possibility of Dos rather than always the specific Don’ts. Certainly providing boundaries and guidance is important, but more important is providing guidance on how to become the wonderful individual that each of us is. This guidance must include teaching our youth how to dress in a way that is an outward expression of who they are because then we are helping them develop of the courage they will need to be that person in the world.

In my experience, it takes much more effort to provide a creative, personal wardrobe than it does to provide either a modest or popular wardrobe. It does not necessarily take more money, but it certainly takes more time and sometimes more skill. It also takes a really strong parent/child relationship because it must be a team effort or it will not work. I have had a wonderful time working with both my children and will miss this part of parenting and homeschooling. In reflection, I believe I have learned as much as my children have, and that is truly a great blessing.

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Saith Me… Chocolate Stash

The only thing worse than your kids finding out you have a chocolate stash…              is them finding that chocolate stash!

 

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Saith Me… New Adventures

Take the leap of faith and then take one step at a time.  Oh, and remember to breath.

Life would be easier if we knew how the journey ended before taking each leap, but then life would be less of an adventure.

 

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Saith Me… Thesis Lesson #7

Thank you archivists and dedicated graduate school interns!

My admiration for archivists and interns has abundantly grown in the last hour. When a document is placed on the web for public use, but not in a manner that facilitates creating a searchable pdf, it is a massive pain and reminds me to be forever grateful to those dedicated souls who transcribe original documents for public use.

 

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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

Saith Me… The true measure of strength.

The true measure of strength is not the ability to climb the mountain and achieve the goal, but the ability to hold onto the dream while moving forward despite the climb.

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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

Saith Me… Choosing to be Miserable

Interpersonal connections through various modes and methods, specifically during this past two months, have reminded me of the old saying,

“You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”

There is one category starkly missing, some people can never be pleased because they are determined to be miserable.

Regardless of the justifications of misery – temporary or chronic – there is a stark difference between experiencing misery and being miserable.

Wretched, distressful events occur, but it is a choice one makes to become wretchedly distressed by the events. The key factor separating the experience of misery and being miserable is Choice.

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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

Saith Me… Opinionated and Uninformed

It is amazing how many uniformed people have such strong opinions, and such strong desires to share those opinions.

Under-informed and curious, good combination. Uninformed and angry, not such a good combination.

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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

Saith Me… Thesis Lesson #6

Working with primary sources can be fascinating, intriguing, rewarding, and addictive. It can also lead you down tangents and make you think you should change your thesis topic entirely.  U.S. presidents – who knew they said such interesting things.

 

 

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Saith The Husband… Two Bears

Saith the dad…   If two male bears live in the same cave, it might be time for one to find a new cave.

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Saith the mom…    It seems it is time for a cub to move out – or at least vacate the kitchen.

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Saith the cubs…   *Laughter*

 

 

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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.

Saith Me… Auto Insurance

I believe that in the last week I have learned more about the way auto insurance works than I learned in the 30 some-odd years I have been driving. Sadly, it has taken an accident, three old cars, two teen drivers, and half a dozen phone calls to gain my new knowledge. Oh, and the teen drivers were not involved in the accident. I really hope this new found knowledge saves me money, but never needs to be dredged up in the future.

 

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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.