I know most birthday parties are held at a ‘play place’ these days, but there is something special about a backyard birthday party. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve backyard games with friends. Now I enjoy re-creating those memories with my kids and their friends. Not only are backyard parties fun and memorable, they can cost less and save you some money.
If you are considering an outdoor birthday party, here are some tips and tricks to make it a memorable day.
.
.
Survival Guide:
.
Time: I’ve learned that a backyard birthday is best at about two hours. If you plan to feed the kids lunch, schedule the party from 11AM to 1PM, and let the parents know lunch will be served. If you are just having snacks and cake, then schedule the party from 2PM to 4PM.
.
Place: A large grassy area – the front yard, backyard, or at the park.
.
Guest list: Try to keep the amount of guests the same number as the age of the child. If your child is turning 8, only invite 7-8 kids.
.
Game list: Keep a list of the games you are going to play in your pocket or on your phone so that you can refer to it. Tip – print this post or have it available on your phone! If a game is not going well, scratch it and move on to the next one.
.
Safety: An adult should always be watching or playing with the kids. It’s easy for someone to get hurt or tackled if there are a bunch of kids playing with no supervision. One ref can make all the difference.
.
Prep:
Put all the game supplies in one container right where the action takes place.
Have a large trash can available close by.
Keep them hydrated! Create a drink/snack table for self-serve.
Have a spot for gifts/gift opening.
Have a side craft or coloring table for kids who don’t want to play games. They can sit and watch/color/craft.
.
Etiqueitte: Do not send invites to school unless you are inviting the whole class. I recommend Evite!
.
.
Here are some of our favorite party games:
.
Active Group Games
.
Crepe paper tag – Put a ‘crepe paper‘ belt around each child, with a 3 foot long tail. When you say “go” – kids will try to tear off the belt of the other players while protecting their own. Last one wearing the belt wins. After the game, ask everyone to grab the trash and throw it away before you move on to the next game. Play more than once if the kids are having fun!
Sharks and Minnows – Identify who will be the shark, either a kid or parent. Everyone else will be minnows. The shark stands in the middle of the play area. At any time, the shark can yell Shark Attack! At with point, the minnows must run to the opposite boundary line without being tagged. If a minnow is tagged, s/he also becomes a shark.
3 v 3 soccer game – Grab a sports ball or soccer ball, set up two goals using nets or cones, divide the kids into two teams, and play!
Simon Says – A parent starts as “Simon.” After the first round, you can choose one child as “Simon.” Simon gives instructions by saying, “Simon says…” telling the kids to perform a physical action. For example, “Simon says touch your nose,” “Simon says shake like a leaf.” Each child must perform the action. If Simon leaves out “Simon says” before giving instruction, anyone who performed the activity is out! Other ideas: Simon says lift your leg, turn around, sit down, clap, bend, laugh, smile, tap your knees, touch your toes, run in place, stretch up high, give a high five, close your eyes, move like a robot, dance, do the griddy, etc.
Balloon Stomp – Tie a balloon to each player’s ankle with a short piece of string. There should be at least a couple feet of string from the ankle to the balloon so the balloon can bounce along the ground. Have all your players carefully stand at the edges of the play area. At “go,” all players rush forward and try to stomp each other’s balloons so they pop (while protecting yours from getting popped). When your balloon pops, you’re eliminated from the game. Go sit or stand along the sidelines and watch until there’s only one player remaining with a balloon on their ankle: the winner!
.
.
Circle Games – have everyone sit down in a circle.
Duck Duck Goose – does this need instructions?
Hot (or Cold) Potato – Pass a bean bag until the music stops. Whoever is ‘holding the bag’ when the music ends is out. Keep playing until there is a winner.
Balloon Bounce – Kids lay down (or sit down) and have to work together to keep balloon(s) in the air.
.
Relay Races – Divide kids into two (or more) even teams. Have them line up behind a starting line or cone.
.
.
One shoe off – At the start of this relay, every kid takes off ONE shoe. Put all the shoes in one big pile. Separate the kids into two teams and line them up behind cones. When the relay begins, the first kid on each team runs to the shoe pile, finds his or her shoe, and returns to the back of the line. The relay continues until the last kid on each team has returned to the line. The first team to finish is the winning team. Note: You will want to be sure at the start of the relay that there are no identical shoes in the pile. If there are, you might want to distinguish the duplicate shoes by placing a piece of masking tape with the owner’s name on them.
Balloon Waddle – Start at the starting line, place a balloon between their knees and race out and around a cone, run back and pass it to the next team member without dropping or bursting their balloon. If the balloon drops, they must put it back between their knees before moving forward.
Egg race – Give each team a large spoon and one egg. One team member at a time runs out and around a cone, while holding the egg in the spoon, without dropping it. If the egg drops, the runner has to retrieve it and replace it back on the spoon before returning to running.
Balance a bean bag on top of your head and race around the cone.
Shoebox Slide – Provide each team with two shoeboxes (or amazon boxes). At the start of the race, the first member of each team puts one foot into each shoebox, slides his or her way around a cone set up at a destination point, and then slides back to the team. When that child returns to the team, he or she jumps out of the shoeboxes and the second student “puts them on.” The relay continues until the last member returns to his or her team. The first team to finish is the winner.
.
Parachute Games
Who remembers playing Parachute games?
Who has fun childhood memories of playing with a parachute? My mom purchased this as a birthday gift for my boys many years ago, and we’ve been playing games with it ever since. Our kids and their friends love it. Here’s the link to find one, here are games to play:
Mushroom – This is a great starting activity to get everyone used to moving the parachute and working together. Have everyone grab one handle, then lift the parachute above their head and back down to the ground. Have them do this three times. Then have them lift it high, bring it over and behind their back and sit on it. This creates a mushroom canopy.
Popcorn – Have everyone grab one handle. Place several soft balls on the parachute and have the kids try to keep them on, while popping them up like popcorn.
Merry-Go-Round – Have everyone grab ONE handle. When the music starts, they should walk in a circle, then skip, hop, stop and go the other direction, etc.
Sharks and lifeguards – Kids sit down, holding the parachute above their legs. One kid should stand outside the circle – they are the lifeguard. One kids goes under the parachute and is the shark. All kids holding the parachute should shake it like waves. A shark has to try to pull a kid under the parachute. The kid can call for the lifeguard to help pull them back out. If a kid gets pulled under, they are a shark. Keep playing and give other kids a chance to start as the shark or life guard. Remind kids not to kick the shark. Also remind the lifeguard not to yank a kid by the arm. Pull under the armpits.
.
The goal of the party: PLAY and have fun!
Supplies: Here are affiliate links to party supplies.
It is very important that children learn from their fathers and mothers how to love one another – not from school, but from you. It is very important that you share with your children the joy of that smile. There will be misunderstandings, every family has its cross, its suffering. Always be there first to forgive with a smile. Be cheerful, be happy.
Mother Teresa
.
.
.
.
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
– Thomas Jefferson
.
.
When raising children, it’s best to spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.
– Dear Abby (Abigail Van Buren)
.
.
Before I got married I had many theories about bringing up children. Now I have many children and no theories.
John Wilmot
.
.
Mama, where you are weak, He is strong!
.
.
.
.
There was. time when we expected nothing of our children but obedience, as opposed to the present, when we expect everything of them but obedience.
– Anatole Broyard
.
.
.
.
We spend the first 12 months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next 12 years telling them to sit down and shut up.
– Phyllis Diller
.
.
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
– James Bladwin
.
.
.
.
Outings are so much more fun when we can savor them through the children’s eyes.
– Lawn Blackwell
.
.
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
– Fanlkin D Rossevelt
.
.
.
.
Your children need your presence more than your presents.
– Jesse Jackson
.
.
If you want your children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.
– Abigail Van Buren
.
.
.
.
Even as the cell is the unit of the organic body, so the family is the unity of society.
– Ruth Nanda Anshen
.
.
A good home must be made, not bought.
– Joyce Maynard
.
.
In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, and look around you.
– Leo Tolstoy
.
.
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us, what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
– Albert Pike
.
.
If you send out good people into the world, you know you’ve done something good.
– Carl Reiner
.
.
“…The Mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more imoprtant, by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist , or scientist.”
This was the text I received on a Friday afternoon from my sister, Krista, about her 4-year-old daughter.
After receiving that horrific text, I immediately called my sister. She did not answer. Her husband Nate did not answer. They were camping in Michigan and I didn’t know who else to call to find out what had happened and if my niece was alive.
I tried not to panic as I said a prayer for God to heal little Lily.
I asked for a miracle.
.
Krista finally called me back and said Lily was alive and they were in an ambulance, headed to the hospital. Lily wanted to talk to my son Luke.
I tearfully and happily handed the phone Luke.
.
Here is Lily’s story in Krista’s words:
It was a great day in South Haven. We had breakfast and enjoyed the morning together. Later, I had a bad headache so I laid down to try to sleep it off. While falling asleep, I dreamed of Lily being hit by a car (not normal for me to imagine anything traumatic). I prayed about it and fell asleep. I woke up and went for a run.
I came back to the kids playing and Lily chalk-coloring next to our camper.
I went inside to change clothes, leaving the door open. I looked out just in time to see a truck drive right over Lily. The front and back tires of an extended cab hauling truck drove over my daughter. The truck laid Lily flat – TWICE. It rolled over her head and back.
I screamed and was in shock. I couldn’t move. Nate (my husband, Lily’s dad) went running towards the kids. Nate did not know what happened until after he picked Lily up. She was spraying urine through her clothes.
I had to tell myself to keep it together, to think, to breathe, to be strong for Lily and my other kids. Lily asked me to sing the “Jesus” song.
I’m on the worship team at church and she attends practice with me. She has her own little microphone and hopes to play drums one day. The “Jesus” song is called Tremble, and is our favorite song. All she wanted was for me to sing that song.
.
.
Kate (Lily’s 11-year-old sister) laid hands on her and prayed. So simple, so powerful, our only hope.
It was hard keeping Lily awake through the ambulance ride to the children’s hospital (a 45-minute ride). We FaceTimed the people she wanted to see: Papa, grandma, Luke (her cousin), and eventually she asked to stop talking and just sing.
We arrived to a level 1 trauma children’s hospital. There were 20 people of all of different pediatric specialties in the room moving around quickly. A social worker was on me like honey in a hive. Once the social worker assessed Nate and I, she let the other kids in the ER room. She helped care for the kids, getting them snacks and settled. Jack (9-year-old brother) said she was the nicest lady he’d ever met. The social worker was so good with Lily, getting her excited about a blanket she would get to keep, that she would have breakfast in bed, and get special jammies.
Krista and Lily
.
While wheeling Lily to her room, Lily said “all the doctors are so nice.” There were lots of concerns over her, one being her bladder and bowels since she wet herself when the truck rolled over her. There was blood all over her vulva . She refused to use the bed pan or the portable potty . She was put on bed rest until morning when the pediatric orthopedic surgeon looked at her x-rays and injuries.
The next day, the pediatric orthopedic surgeon came in.
He said to Lily, “Where do you hurt?” She said so sweetly “I don’t really hurt anywhere”.
He said “Well, aren’t you super woman.” She giggled. Nate and I said,
‘She’s a miracle.”
He agreed.
.
They found one broken pelvic bone that would heal on its own. They gave her a walker and released us. The only medicine they gave her was a dose of Tylenol.
.
.
I had a burden to go back to camp as a family to hopefully close the door to fear and find the woman who ran over her and let her know Lily would be ok. I would never want to be in her shoes and I would personally have a hard time living with myself never knowing the end of the story.
Going back was hard, and healing. Seeing Lily’s chalk art drawings, the smashed chalk, reliving the horrible memories.
Thankfulness and gratitude gets me through. I don’t try and push them away, I let it come in waves. Knowing I get to hold her makes the healing salve of gratitude cover the horror and pain of memories and thoughts of what she endured.
That night, Lily slept great. She woke up and played monopoly with all of us (a game we started the day the truck drove over her).
She said, “I have no pain. I don’t even feel like I have a broken bone”.
I can’t tell you what a miracle this feels like when I saw the accident and see her bruises, tire marks across her shirt, road rash, and bruised swelling all through her back and spine.
When we got back to Indiana, Lily’s dance pictures were waiting for us in the mail. I reminded her she would be back dancing in no time! She fell asleep watching Dancing with the Stars with me and Kate.
Nate and I were taught in counseling to ask God where He was in traumatic times or wounding memories. Nate and I both prayed and we both had pictures and answers. I saw and heard God say:
“I was holding her head in the palm of my hands.”
Nate felt like God said:
“I was moving her out of the way.”
Lily is all smiles and says she has no pain, even though her body tells a different story.
Today when I asked her if she felt anything when the truck rolled over her. She looked at me and pointed to her head and said:
“I felt God here. It felt like feathers.”
I was in tears when she spoke these words. I pray Psalm 91 over my children.
Psalm 91 tells us..
“He will cover you with his feathers, under his wings you will take refuge.”
I’m grateful to God, the One who not only holds the world in His hands and moves mountains, but holds my daughters head and moves her little body.
.
Here’s our favorite song, Tremble:
.
.
Today Lily is seven years old. It’s been exactly 3 years since her accident. She dances, runs, smiles constantly, and brings joy to all who know her!
.
Lily and Kate7 year old LilyDancing Queen
.
I share this story to reinforce a few things:
.
1. Pray scripture over your children.
Psalm 91 is a collection of verses that our family has prayed for generations. It specifically says, “He (God) will cover you with his feathers, under His wings you find protection.” God answers our prayers! It’s especially powerful to pray Scripture.
.
2. Sing songs of faith.
Find songs to sing with your family that will build your faith.
Below is a song called ‘Lily’s song’ – it was one of her favorites because it had her name. She would sing along to these words:
I will not die, I will live. I will tell of the works of the Lord and sing of his wonders.’
The Bible tells us that our days are appointed. We don’t have to live in fear of the future. God has a plan for your life and the lives of each of your children and His plan is GOOD.
“Your eyes saw my body even before it was formed. You (God) planned how many days I would live.”
Psalm 139:16
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
.
.
Cousins
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for the miracle you performed for Lily and for the ones you perform in my life (and the lives of my children). Help me to trust you and not fear the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen
.
Psalm 91 – Insert your name and pray this for yourself and your family members. I challenge you to memorize it.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
.
Thank you for reading this beautiful, miraculous story! I hope it encouraged you. Please share.
Ted found this list on Twitter, copied it to a word document and printed it out for each of our boys. After they read it, we talked about what stood out to them. We also discussed which of these we do well, and which ones we could work on.
I thought you might enjoy reading this, and perhaps you’ll want to print it to read and discuss with your family. Feel free to share this post!
.
15 “old fashioned” ways to stand out in life:
.
1. Handwritten Notes:
Handwritten notes have sadly become a rarity in the digital age. Emails and texts lack personality—handwritten notes exude a raw authencity that fosters connection. Use them for: Thank yous, follow ups, letters to loved ones…AND nice penmanship is a plus!
.
2. Be True to Your Word:
When you say you’re going to do something, follow through. Being true to your word builds trust and deep relationships—personally and professionally. The recipe is simple:
(1) Say what you’re going to do
(2) Do it
(3) Repeat
Your word is your bond.
.
3. Be on Time (or early):
Take pride in punctuality. Being on time (or early) for your commitments is a clear show of respect to the other people involved.
.
4. Good Posture:
Strong posture is a physical and mental unlock for life. It’s linked to a variety of health benefits, including healthier muscles and joints, higher energy levels, and more. It also improves self-confidence—and how others perceive us. Stand tall to stand out.
.
5. Smile at Strangers:
It used to be considered common courtesy to smile and say good morning to people on the street. But somewhere along the line, it became “weird” to do so. Smile at people, say hello, give a warm head nod. It might even make them more likely to pass it on.
.
6. Hold the Door:
Holding the door for others was a simple point of good manners taught to many of us as children. Sadly, it seems like a lost art. It’s a habit worth reviving: When you go through a door, hold it for the next person—smile and say hello. Small acts go a long way.
.
7. Express Gratitude:
Life gets so much better when you really lean into gratitude. Create a daily gratitude practice—write down 3 things you’re grateful for every night before bed. Tell someone how much you appreciate them. Don’t wait to show gratitude until it’s too late.
.
8. Help Someone in Need:
When I was a kid, I was always taught to offer up my seat for anyone in need. The lesson extended to other areas of life. It’s easy to do—and so important. Help someone with their suitcase, walk someone across the street, buy someone a donut and coffee. (Click here to read 21 small ways to make a big difference)
.
9. Listen More than You Speak:
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” — Epictetus
If you want your words and ideas to be heard, start by talking less and listening more. You’ll find more power in your words. Talk less to be heard more.
.
10. Say Someone’s Name:
Calling someone by their name is an easy way to build a bond. When you meet a new person, make a point to remember their name. If it’s a difficult one, ask how to pronounce it. Say it back in conversation so it sticks.
.
11. Eye Contact:
Eye contact builds trust. When you’re listening, look them in the eye. It shows presence, focus, and respect. When you’re speaking, eye contact can be organic (to avoid being intense). It’s ok to gaze off to think, but use eye contact to emphasize key points.
.
12. Apologize Effectively:
When you screw something up, be accountable and own it. Admit you’re wrong and apologize. All apologies should be direct and specific—acknowledge exactly what you did, why it was incorrect, and how it will be remedied. It’s the only way to move forward.
.
13. Work Hard:
Hard work stands out in a world where everyone wants to call it overrated. Take pride in working hard—show up and do what you say you’ll do. Always look for ways to work smarter, but if you’re striving for great things, you have to work hard.
.
14. Confident Handshake:
Handshakes fell out of favor due to COVID—some said they would never return. I don’t believe it. If handshakes are a trust-building part of your culture, take pride in them. Look the person in the eye, smile, and deliver a confident (but not hard) grip.
.
15. Be Kind:
Kindness is somehow severely underrated. It fosters relationships, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves overall happiness. When you are consistently, genuinely kind, you become a magnet for the highest-quality people.
Thanks to every single person who took the effort to put up Christmas lights this year or send out cards. It definitely brought Christmas JOY to our family.
My favorite tree!And this house!
.
.
The new Hawkeye series on Disney Plus
When Ted asked me to come watch Hawkeye with him and the boys, I brought a book to read. I’m not really in to the “Hawkeye” character, and didn’t want to watch this new show, but I did want to hang with the boys while they watched it.
Little did I know how much we would ALL enjoy it. The storyline was so engaging and the characters were endearing. We just finished the final episode on Disney. I said to Ted. ‘Let’s watch that series again’ (I never say that. It was truly THAT GOOD)!
Wrigley is the SWEETEST DOG. However, when he’s outside and not on his leash, he doesn’t always come back when you call him. If he’s not done playing, he will run AWAY from you when he sees you coming toward him.
This became a HUGE problem two times in December. Once when I had to go to work and couldn’t get him inside. Another time when he ran onto the pond and we weren’t sure if it was thick enough to hold him. Paul was a wreck thinking his dog might go through the ice and there was nothing we could do.
Enter the world’s best invention. A collar that beeps, vibrates or shocks. (We don’t use the shock)
The very first time I gave Wrigley a gentle vibrate and beep and said “COME,” he immediately came and sat next to me. I was shocked and overjoyed how well it worked then, and how will it continues to work. I only needed to use the vibrate twice, and now he obeys when he just hears the BEEP!
This device is usually $50, but they are currently 20% off. This was the best $40 I ever spent.
.
YouTube videos the whole family can enjoy
.
There are so many ANNOYING YouTube Channels. However, there are a handful that we can all enjoy together.
Mark Rober – a former Nasa scientist who makes entertaining videos by creating gadgets and fun experiments.
Dude Perfect – a group of guys that met at church and now make trick shot videos and a ‘game show’ called Overtime.
Fantastic 2 – I can’t NOT mention the channel my son’s created. 🙂
Last year, to save time, I just put a clementine in each bag. This year, I bought oranges and dried them. If you want to make these pretty orange slices, here’s how to do it.
.
How to Make Oven-Dried Orange Slices:
Preheat oven to 175° F.
Slice oranges about ⅛-inch thick.
Set slices in a single layer on baking sheets with wire racks (this will allow oranges to dry on both sides).
Cook for 4-6 hours, until dry to the touch. You may want to rotate halfway through for even cooking.
I read this book about five years ago and loved it SO much. I saw it on my free Hoopla app and decided to listen to it this time. Bob Goff reads the book and it’s fun to listen to him tell such fascinating stories about growing up, his teenage and college years, meeting his wife, adventures with his kids, and interesting stories with friends. Each chapter has a little life lesson as well – all about living a life of LOVE.
I’d heard of Clara Barton in connection with the Red Cross, but never knew much about her. Wow, what a fascinating life!
She was a SUPER SHY young girl, so her parents encouraged her to become a teacher. Though she was INCREDIBLY nervous at first, she learned that she was really good at it! She quickly learned how to connect with her students, and they loved and respected her. Clara taught for many years, and even helped get free public education started in states that didn’t have it yet.
Reading (or listening to) stories like this gives me hope for each human. Clara was a simple girl that noticed a gap/problem, then filled the gap and helped solved the problem. We can do great things by starting small.
I’m thankful for women like Clara. She carved the way for a woman like me! She was a leader before women were allowed to lead. She was hard-working, creative, respectful, but bold.
I listened to this book on my free Hoopla app and recommend it for moms and their daughters. Listen to it together.
As I closed this book, I held it in my hands with deep appreciation. I am so grateful for this author and her words. Oh, how I needed to hear them. I wish I would have read this book 3 years ago when I moved to Minnesota and felt completely…anonymous.
Jesus lived 90 percent of his life anonymously! And yet, look at the impact He made in the world and for eternity.
Don’t despise anonymity. Learn during that season, grow in that season. God has not forgotten you.
I underlined almost half of this book. It was so incredibly powerful. I was in tears many times.
This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I read it slowly to savor the words. It’s a book I’ll go back to because the message is so important and so beautiful.
Read this if you feel anonymous, if your dreams haven’t been realized, or if you are in a new town and feel unknown.
Here are a few points that I loved from this book:
Why would Jesus announce the birth of his precious son with a full angelic choir, then hide this priceless gift for three decades? Because what is hidden is not unimportant.
God’s first public words to Jesus were not directional (go there) or instructional (do this) it was relational: THIS IS MY SON! And He spoke affirmation before Jesus had ever done any good works.
Every day, we invest in a future we cannot see. Time is not really spent. Instead, it is invested in a future we cannot see.
Choosing what is right not only makes a difference today, it makes a difference that compounds exponentially to bless our future.
Jesus could stand strong in public because he stood still in private. He intentionally pursued quiet places.There is healing in stillness.
Strength is not given, it is grown.
Savor the anonymous season. Respect it’s potential.
WOW! What a funny, yet powerful book! I couldn’t put it down. Michael is such a great performer and storyteller. Each chapter tells a (usually funny) story from his life with a POWERFUL life lesson or action step for the reader.
Micheal Jr. included great quotes throughout the book:
Sometimes, would tell a story, then say, “Scan this to watch it.”
.
Thanks for reading the reviews of these great books! Have you read any of these or another good one? Leave a comment and let me know what to read next!
Do you want to have a better day? Then let me ask you a question: What do you see when you look at this image?
Did you say a black dot?
You’d be right.
HOWEVER, do you notice anything else besides the black dot?
If you thought: “white space,” then you’d be right again! There is actually more WHITE space than black.
Very few people point out the WHITE space. It takes a little more effort to even notice it.
Let’s say this dark spot represents the problems in our world. The white space is the GOOD stuff happening. There is ALWAYS good stuff, we just tend to overlook it. The black dot GRABS out attention. It’s EASIER to notice, and it’s TALKED about more!
If you watch or read the news, the focus is almost exclusively on the ‘black dot.’
We need to PAY attention to what we are PAYING Attention to!
We can’t control the negativity in the world. We can’t prevent the ‘black dot.’ We CAN control what we watch, what we listen to, what we talk about, and what we FOCUS on!
What we FOCUS ON determines how we FEEL!!!!!
Let me say that again in a different way…
Our focus determines our feelings
A couple of months ago I told my boys we were going to the arboretum. In typical kid fashion, they were like
“The arboretum…to look at trees? Mom, that’s BORING!”
So I turned it into a game. I let them bring their school iPads and I said: “Whoever takes the best picture, gets $1.”
Suddenly, their attitudes changed. It was a competition! They had a goal. They had something to focus on.
Look at these incredible pictures and the beauty they found that day:
Paul was on the hunt for flowers and found some!
Paul pointed out this amazing curved tree
Mushrooms
I love the reflections in the water
We got home and my boys proudly showed their dad the pictures they captured. My husband pointed out that our boys would have missed this beauty if they weren’t on the lookout for it.
They FOUND beauty because the LOOKED for it!
You FIND what you LOOK FOR!
Beauty and goodness aren’t hard to find, they are just overlooked.
What’s wrong is ALWAYS available, but so is what’s right. We find what we look for.
Change your FOCUS because: Your FOCUS determines your feelings!
Thanks for reading and please consider subscribing.
