Thanks so much for reading my blog. However, the location of my blog has changed. Please go to www.seewhykinsman.blogspot.com now. The format there is easier for me and, I hope, for you as well. Also, check out the “subscribe” box on the upper right hand side. You can have new posts delivered to your inbox — and they’re easy to read — one of the main reasons I switched. I hope you like the new format.
Warmly,
Connie
I mentioned yesterday I was feeling lost and forlorn, but that I had a “glimmer” of hope and motivation when I awoke yesterday. I must admit I had a little voice inside me saying, “God, is that you?” and my big, booming psyche saying, “Probably not.”
Imagine my surprise when I awoke (or was awakened) early again this morning and, try as I might, was unable to go back to sleep. The feelings of hope and motivation burned a tiny bit brighter. So, again, I got some exercise, spent some time praying and am beginning to wonder if this hopeless-for-so-long feeling might not lift after all.
You do not have because you do not ask. Yep, that would be me!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out www.seewhykinsman.blogspot.com and give me feedback on the new blog format. Unless I hear a major outcry, this blog address will be defunct by the end of this week.
I am considering changing my blog address. I have a new blog set up and have been publishing my posts to it for the last week or so to get the hang of it. WordPress has undergone some changes recently which make posting and editing a pain for me. Also, I haven’t been happy with the option for readers to subscribe. You have been able to enter your e-mail address to receive new posts in your inbox, but the print is so tiny, it’s almost impossible to read. Please check out the new blog address, www.seewhykinsman.blogspot.com and let me know what you think of the new format. I will continue posting in both places for at least another week. If I don’t hear any drastic objections to the new blog location, I’ll make it a permanent move and make this one defunct. Please check out the “subscribe” option in the upper right hand corner of the new blog address and also check out my list of recommended books.
Reminder: I have two copies of Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen to give away. To enter the random drawing, please e-mail your name and mailing address to seewhykinsman@yahoo.com. I’ll double your chances to win if you tell me your #1 New Year’s Resolution — the one thing you really WANT to change; I’ll post the answers I receive anonymously. The drawing will take place this Friday, January 2, 2009. Good luck.
It’s hard during the holidays to keep children’s expectations (greed levels) down. A couple weeks ago, I was reading a blog I occasionally visit and found this tip:
My mom started this, and now my husband and I’ve adopted it. We give each other 4 gifts, according to the categories of this little poem: “Something you want, something you need, something to play with, something to read.”
I love that idea and believe it would work for birthdays as well. Now that I think about it, that’s pretty much what my parents did without articulating it. I usually had about 7 presents to open, but one was a big thing I wanted, several were practical items I needed, and probably one or two were something small to “play with”. Books were something I got in plenty all year around . . . from the library. It’s only been in recent years that I’ve purchased books on amazon.com that I can’t get from the library. The good news is I can buy them used and resell them or donate them to the library when I’m done. Ah, the internet is a many splendid thing!
Anyway, here is the link to the above-tip if you want to read it in more detail.
(http://watibg.blogspot.com/2007/12/7-things-christmas-version.html)
GIVEAWAY: Remember enter this week’s drawing for a free copy of Living Rich for Less by Ellie Kay. Please e-mail your name and mailing address to seewhykinsman@yahoo.com to be entered in the random drawing this Friday, December 19th. Good luck!
Congratulations to Cindy of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Tina of Mebane, NC, who each have won copies of When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall.
Please check in on Monday for another book review and the start of another giveaway week. This book is on money management – a very timely topic right now!
Did you see the movie, Pay It Forward ? It’s about a child who comes up with an idea to change the world — if everyone would perform a random act of kindness and then ask the recipient to “pay it forward” with an act of kindness toward someone else, we would have a kindler, gentler world. The movie didn’t originate the concept, but it did make it more of a mainstream idea in today’s IT’S ALL ABOUT ME culture.
Well, Chain of Action is a product of Mike Desormeaux’s creative thinking. Mike wanted to find a way to “track” the good deeds and random acts of kindness in order to provide the feedback that would encourage people to, indeed, pay it forward. Of course, hearing about others’ inspiring stories also, at worst, lifts our spirits and, at best, encourages us to do likewise.
In a nutshell, you do a good deed. Then you pass on a special key chain that has a unique number on it. You share your story online. Then you follow your key chain as it creates a “chain of action”. The key chain is encoded with your postal or zip code so that you can see how far across the country or world your key chain travels!
You can check out the Chain of Action program at:
BY THE WAY, BE WATCHING MONDAY FOR A NEW BOOK REVIEW AND BOOK GIVEAWAY!
Marc Bekoff is an animal behaviorist, author and vegan. He has recently published his second children’s (non-fiction) book, Animals at Play, geared toward kids 9-12. The book comes with an endorsement from Jane Goodall, his co-author on one of his books for adults. While I haven’t read any of his books yet, I have heard and read WONDERFUL things about him. Below is the link for his website, which includes descriptions of his books and information how to purchase each. I’m definitely going to get a couple of copies of his books for children as gifts for some of the kids in my life and read some of his “grown up” books, too.
The next generation needs to care about wildlife and wild places if global threats are going to be addressed. With more kids sitting inside in front of screens (computer, TV, video games), books such as these introduced at young ages will help. Besides, what better way to foster empathy, kindness, acceptance, unconditional love, joy, etc., than by helping children develop a relationship with animals?!
I’ve been entirely too “wordy” lately 
so today I’m going to give you a chance to let the last few very lengthy posts foment whatever changes may be necessary in your minds and hearts.
In the meantime, here are a couple of statistics more frightening than any Halloween ghost, ghoul or goblin. In case you get tired of worrying about your own problems, you can worry about the state of the rest of the world (and feel a little guilty for your griping while you’re at it!) Ah, yes, gratitude is the antidote for negativity!
I’m sure you’ve noticed my blog has a “new look”. I had to change the format of my blog page so I could add a subscription feature. Now you can have my new blog posts delivered right to your inbox! Just click the link to the right, provide your e-mail address, type the security code, and activate your subscrition by clicking the link to the confirmation e-mail you’ll receive in your inbox in just a minute. That’s all there is to it; it takes about 30 seconds total depending on your hunt and peck skills! As always, thanks for reading.
