Share Four Somethings March 2022

Here’s my post for the Share Four Somethings March 2022 link-up.  In the last couple of months I’ve also matched these four somethings to my blog tagline – body, mind, heart and soul.  This month, I’m not going to do that as a few of the things don’t necessarily fit into one area.

Something Loved

My daughter visited and stayed with us for about 10 days this month.  It was really great to see her again, even though we’d seen her at Christmas time.  It was good to be able to chat face-to-face but also do things together like playing board games. 

We also managed to keep it a surprise from her brother that she was coming.  He was working from home when we went to pick her up from the airport and we just said we were going out.  The look on our son’s face when he saw his sister was priceless.  I wish I’d got a photo of it.  He was just stunned and couldn’t understand how she was standing there.  It was so good that our daughter cared enough to want to surprise him.  It was just lovely having the whole family together.  Even if they were chatting noisily in the hallway while I was participating in a learning session on Zoom.  It was just great to hear the 3 of them together talking.

Something Gleaned

I’m currently reading “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown.  Whilst it is confirming many things that I’ve learnt or read elsewhere in recent years; I’m also gleaning new things or building on the understandings I already have.

For example, did you know that the Greek word ‘scholo’, which our word school comes from actually means leisure.  There is not much leisure about the modern school system! 

The quote that has really resonated with me so far is “Nothing fires up the brain like play.”, quote from Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for play. (p85.)  This was in a chapter about the importance or play and leisure time.  By taking time out you can actually achieve more and be more creative.  Being an Early Childhood trained teacher I’ve written whole essays on the importance of play and how child’s play is actually child’s work.  Play is not only important for young children but it’s important for us all. 

The subheading for the chapter on Play is “Embrace the Wisdom of Your Inner Child”.  This concept is not new to me.  In fact, this is what Julia Cameron means when she talks about Artist Dates.  This is a date with yourself.  Julia Cameron talks about meeting with the inner child in you and thinking about the things you liked to do as a child.  Go and do that. 

So, this chapter like many of them in the book was cementing what I’ve already heard and am trying to put into practice.  Obviously, there is still much that I can learn from this book about essentialism and much more that I could put into practice or learn to take out of my life, as the case may be.

When do you play?  Or what do you do simply for the joy of doing it, rather than as a means to an end?

Something Braved

This week I’m starting a new temporary 3 month ½ time ministry role.  This is on top of my 1 day a week role and other stuff that I already do.  This is also a role that is different for me.  I’m going to be leading worship (including preaching) twice a month & facilitating this church in a process to discern where God might be leading them.  This church currently has no young people and this role is different from using my passions with intergenerational ministry and faith at home.  So, I’m being brave in trying something different and being brave in trying to fit it all in.  Though I felt a peace about accepting this temporary role.  It fits with the coaching direction that I’m heading in.

Something Achieved

I’ve managed to post a new blog post every week since mid January.  That’s 10 posts so far this year.  I’ve been aiming to post every Monday but some weeks it’s been later.  I’ve also sent weekly newsletters since then as well.  This has included my fortnightly Feed My Family Four, and then once a month an Intergenerational Newsletter & once a month a Faith at Home Newsletter.  Some people would be getting all 3 different emails & others are only on the list to receive one of those.

I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to keep this up during the next few months as I’m busier.  Though I do at least have some ideas down in my calendar and some drafts.  If I can use non-MOPS Friday’s & every Saturday to work on drafts and scheduling I may just be able to keep up with it.  Though I’m not going to beat myself up if it doesn’t happen.  And yes, I’m still planning for times of play in the next few months as well.

What about you?  What is something you’ve loved, gleaned, braved or achieved this month?