Our lives are shaped by moments, short events that somehow are peaks in our existence, moments of brightness that we will never forget. Sometimes theyOur lives are shaped by moments, short events that somehow are peaks in our existence, moments of brightness that we will never forget. Sometimes they are bursts of magic, other times community-wide moments of revulsion leading to change, and other times crystallized inspiration, but whatever they are, they ‘defy the forgettable flatness of everyday work and life by creating a few precious moments’ that will never be forgotten and that may impact lives for decades.
Understanding how such moments work is fascinating. What’s more, we can help make them happen for others. Learning to do so is a powerful opportunity to enhance our children’s learning and lives.
The Heath brothers discuss this from many aspects, making this a very worthwhile book....more
From my blog: ... Unstuffed: Decluttering your Home, Mind, and Soul by Ruth Soukup is an easy read and full of helpful information. It has countless cheFrom my blog: ... Unstuffed: Decluttering your Home, Mind, and Soul by Ruth Soukup is an easy read and full of helpful information. It has countless checklists, not only about how to get rid of stuff, but also about how to neaten, prioritize, plan, organize, and make wise decisions.
Ruth covers many expected areas, from creating a vision for your home, considering storage, and stopping the flow, to paperwork, kids’ stuff, and other people’s stuff. In addition to the usual decluttering topics, she discusses authentic friendship, wellness, and how God has cleaned up our mess....
One 'aha!' moment after another. Splendid for anyone interested in raising or educating children, and full of excellent quotations. I aim to write a pOne 'aha!' moment after another. Splendid for anyone interested in raising or educating children, and full of excellent quotations. I aim to write a proper review soon....more
A lot has changed in the homeschooling world but some things never change. When, twenty years ago, Bill and Diana Waring asked 50 veteran homeschoolerA lot has changed in the homeschooling world but some things never change. When, twenty years ago, Bill and Diana Waring asked 50 veteran homeschoolers what they wish they had known when they started their homeschooling journey, they got heartfelt, time-tested tips and nuggets of wisdom that are as relevant now as they ever were....
You can read my complete notes on this book (long) here:
Gretchen believes that the reason we want to develop good habits is so that we will become happier. After all, most people’s daily lives are hugely afGretchen believes that the reason we want to develop good habits is so that we will become happier. After all, most people’s daily lives are hugely affected by their habits: what we eat, how we interact with others, whether or not we exercise, how we relax, how we work, how we sleep…. In fact, our habits virtually control our lives.
We all do realize this. So why is it often so hard to begin new habits? And why do some people manage so much more effortlessly? And why are some habits so much more difficult to develop than others?
Gretchen analyses these questions for the four different personality tendencies that she has identified. Apparently people may be
Upholders, who tend to meet internal and external expectations, Questioners, who will only meet expectations if they make sense, Obligers, who will meet others’ expectations but not their own, and Rebels, who instinctively rebel at any form of expectation.
To confuse matters further, some people respond in one way to one set of expectations and in a different way to another.
Gretchen also discusses what other personal characteristics to keep in mind when trying to form a habit. Because, really, the habit itself and what will make it work for us all depend vitally on our individual personalities. -- For me the most fascinating part of Better Than Before is its exhaustive discussion, from a practical, secular point of view, of temptation. We all face temptations of various sorts, innocuous ones like snatching a cookie before bed as well as serious ones that involve breaking God’s commandments. Gretchen deals almost exclusively with the former....
I recognized myself over and over in her extensive catalogue of the different ways that we respond to temptation. Gretchen has a clear eye for the ways we deceive ourselves and even helps us laugh at our own foolishness, an effective safeguard to indulging in that particular sort of foolishness again. -- Wise habits reduce the amount of self-control we need on a day-to-day basis, smooth out the number of decisions we need to make each day, and are our surest way, according to Gretchen, to ‘Everyday Life in Utopia.’
However, in the long run true happiness—true blessedness—comes from loving the Lord and living for him. Yes, as Psalm 1 shows, this is related to wise habits, but life is much more complicated than Gretchen would suggest. -- You can read my complete, very long review here: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co......more
If money is an issue for you or if you want a bit of financial inspiration or encouragement, The Financially Confident Woman would benefit you. Even tIf money is an issue for you or if you want a bit of financial inspiration or encouragement, The Financially Confident Woman would benefit you. Even though it is written for those who have difficulty managing their money, it is full of inspiration, encouragement and tips for all, including those without money hang-ups. It will remind you to manage your money instead of worshipping it or being controlled by the amount you do or don’t have.
We all have hard days. Some people have only a few of them, at least for the present. Some face an unrelenting succession of difficult times. And someWe all have hard days. Some people have only a few of them, at least for the present. Some face an unrelenting succession of difficult times. And some have sadness woven so deeply into their souls that it seems joy will never return (and if that’s you, please do seek professional help as well as meditate on this little book).
The Psalms speak to us in our sadness, whatever it is. In What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days Holly Gerth goes through the Psalms in 52 tiny chapters, reminding us that God cares for us, never leaves us, and calls us his own. She also reminds us that God is speaking to us today, that he protects us and that his ways are best for us.
This little gem contains lots of inspiration for decluttering your spaces and your life along with some very practical advice. Most fascinating of allThis little gem contains lots of inspiration for decluttering your spaces and your life along with some very practical advice. Most fascinating of all is a personal look into everyday religious thought and practice in Japan.
Annie Kate
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