My brother Travis on the left ...
The 7th of July is always a time of reflection for me. Many of you may or may not know that when I was 15, my oldest brother, Travis died in a car accident. He was 17 and that event completely rocked my world. Our family (of nine: Mom & Dad and 7 kids) were on vacation in Wyoming and he died en route to doing what he LOVED most – fishing. I must admit that I cried for many years every night before bed trying to make sense of it all. And tonight as I was about to drift off to sleep I couldn’t help but think of him … He died 21 years ago today.
Looking back, I can see that his life and death have impacted my life more than just about anything else. At a very young age I learned the importance of living each day to its fullest. I learned that what we do matters. I learned that time and new days are a gift. I learned that saying goodbye is not easy. I learned that life goes on. I learned that time really does heal hearts and wounds. I learned that memories can carry us for a long time – as long as we cherish them. I learned that what we choose to do each moment eventually turns into a lifetime of moments. I learned that when you lose someone you love – it’s healthy to talk about them and remember them. And finally, I continue to learn that the missing never really goes away.
PS: I wrote this letter to Travis a few years ago. Warning, it’s a tear jerker …
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Remembering my brother Travis …
Saturday, July 04, 2009
What does FREEDOM mean to you?
Freedom means I can go swimming with my kids ....Have you ever stopped to think about the meaning of freedom?
Freedom means: I can go to work around the corner or work from my home. I can start my own business. I can attend free concerts at the park. I can choose what to wear today and tomorrow. I can worship how, where and when I want. I can pray out loud and while I am driving. I have a voice and can express it.
Freedom means I can reach and dream. Freedom means I can sleep in peace at night and enjoy another day tomorrow. Freedom means you and I need to stand up for the things we believe in and ensure that we are always free. Freedom means we never forget those who have gone before us to make sure you and I can enjoy living, learning and loving! Freedom means I can become something wonderful with each little moment of life!
Happy 4th of July … Enjoy all the freedoms of this day!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thoughts - They mold and shift the landscapes of our lives ...
Beautiful huh?
Friday, June 26, 2009
In Memory of Michael Jackson -
From the 80's - Michael Jackson pins
Why is it that the death of the King of Pop – Michael Jackson shocked the world? I thought about this yesterday as people around the globe voiced their sympathies and condolences. And thought I’d add my thoughts …
His death (like anyone who is dear to us) reminds us that life is fragile and that even the ‘superstars’ at some point must fall for good. I was sitting in the car yesterday with my kids after swimming at the pool. The bag of goggles was left on the table with the big umbrella – We waited while Kaleb ran back to grab them. We turned on the radio as we waited for him to make the goggle grab dash! To my surprise, every station was playing a Michael Jackson song. I stopped on “Bad” and started to tell my kids about what an influence his music had during my childhood years. They laughed as I told them about the moonwalk dance move, the flashy glove and the importance of owning a Michael Jackson button (pin on kind) in the 5th grade. The badge gave you status – everyone wanted one! I think the badge during those years would be equal with the need for an ipod or cell phone? Times have changed! My memories were jolted by a voice on that radio that simply said: “Michael Jackson - Dead at age 50.” I never knew him personally and yet, that news hit me. I turned to my kids and said: “Wow! I can’t believe it. “
His music (like all music from my past) always transports me back to times and places that have come and gone. Music has such a powerful way of taking us back and reminding us of certain moments in our lives. When I heard the news of his death, I realized that his voice and music will always be a part of my life! It’s etched in my memories of growing up. His death (on a global scale) makes us realize that our days are truly gifts and reminds us that we are mortal.
Oh sure, we’ll still have all his old stuff and the memories of where we were when we first heard the song “Thriller” or had the guts to get on the gym dance floor in Jr. high and try the ‘moonwalk’ – those memories stay with us as long as we choose to let them. What we don’t have are new songs to fill with new memories. And that is the part that we tend to dwell on when someone leaves us. We wonder – what if …
What if he lived another 10 years…
What songs would he write and sing?
What dance move would new generations have to try on the hardwood floor of the school gym?
These are questions we’ll never have answered. But what we do have is the realization that life is a precious gift. And we get to choose what we’ll do with every single moment of it.
So today in honor of Michael Jackson and his musical influence – I say to you:
Dance the ‘moonwalk’, sing “Bad” as loud as you can in the shower and if you happen to see an old pin on button of Michael Jackson – remember that at one time in history … those made a person cool!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Everything has a voice ... (except for worms) ~ Kaleb age 5
Photo Moment: Kaleb (age 5) 2003Back in 2003, my sister Erica had me conduct a little survey with my son, Kaleb who was 5 at the time. The survey was part of an assignment from her Child Development class in college. She sent me the questions and asked me to have him answer them. Easy enough right? I still remember how fun it was to see his little mind work and feel his excitement over each new question.
His answer to question #4 stays with me to this day: Why do birds sing?
Hummmmm - Because they have a voice. Everything has a voice - except for worms.
Birds like to sing - I've been thinking about that.
I was reminded of my son’s response today as I read a blog post by Stephen R.Covey -
(Below is an excerpt)
“I wrote in the 8th Habit that the crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. On page 104 I specifically wrote about the effects of the internet in the democratization (finding voice) of our world.
"The Democratization of Information/Expectations
No one manages the internet. It is a sea change of global proportion. For the first time in history the pure voice of the human spirit rings out in millions of unedited conversations unfettered by borders. Real-time information drives expectations and social will, which ultimately drive the political will that impacts every person."
His insights about the value and importance of finding our voice and inspiring others to find theirs really hit a spot with me. So true -Everything has a voice. And every one of us has the right and honor to use it!
So my question to you is …
Do you realize the importance of your voice?
Have you found it? Are you using it? Do you inspire others to find theirs?
Below is the complete survey by my son Kaleb at age 5 in 2003:
1. Where does the sun go at night? In outer space. I know b/c I've seen it in a book. The sun likes it there.
2. Why is the grass green? Because Heavenly Father made it that way. He can turn the grass green. I've thought a lot about that!
3. Why do we have snow? Because when it's winter and it's raining the raindrops of the rain turn into snow.
4. Why do birds sing? Hummmmm - Because they have a voice. Everything has a voice - except for worms. Birds like to sing - I've been thinking about that.
5. How do flies walk on the ceiling? They have sticky feet and they stick to everything.
6. Why do you have freckles? Because angels are kissing me.
7. How did you learn to talk? My Dad taught me - Actually, I don't know.
8. Why do you have a belly button? Because I grew that way. All of us have a belly button.
9. Why are you ticklish? Because I just am.
10. Why do the stars shine? Because the sun is reflecting on them.
11. Where do babies come from? From Mommy's stomach.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Just in: A clip from my radio interview on 105.3 FM
A few moments from the Mix Morning Show! :)
Simply push play and listen in ...
PS: It's the Little Moments that Matter
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
JUST DO IT!
{Flashback} It was the summer before my sophomore year in high school when this famous phrase hit the t-shirts and enthusiastic Nike fans of the world. JUST DO IT seemed to ignite the entire planet with passion, determination and enthusiasm!
Brief history of the empowering Nike phrase -
According to Nike company lore, one of the most famous and easily recognized slogans in advertising history was coined at a 1988 meeting of Nike’s ad agency Wieden and Kennedy and a group of Nike employees. Dan Weiden, speaking admiringly of Nike’s can-do attitude, reportedly said, “You Nike guys, you just do it.” The rest, as they say, is (advertising) history. (Read more)
Go ahead, feel the power … say these 3 words out loud (right now) – JUST DO IT! How did that feel? Did you feel the surge of energy sweep through your veins? Me too!
I find many people are happy and excited to wear the t-shirts and say the words but few actually get to the REAL doing! Why is that? Let’s explore for a moment:
First, in order to just do something you have to have a plan of what it is you just want to do!
Second, the plan needs to motivate and excite you. Otherwise, you won’t do anything.
Third, the fear of failing must not stop you!
Fourth, you need a deep belief that what you are doing matters (to you)!
Fifth, you need to BEGIN – Just do it.
Sixth – Every step of the journey is the journey. Believe in the process and who you will become because you dared to DO IT!
Personal CHALK story:
Every year in June, the Uptown Shopping Center holds a Chalk Art Festival in our city. People register and pay for a square/space to draw on the sidewalk. Each participant is entered into their age category and is handed a box of chalk to create their masterpiece. For the past 3 years, I have registered my children and happily sit back and enjoy their art. This year, I decided to JUST DO IT! Why not? Oh it felt good. Something wonderful happens inside of us when we JUST DO IT and LIVE….
The rose. By Wendy :) Chalk Art Festival, 2009
PS: The chalk art story is a simple example but I keep finding that the more we ACT and DO the more we grow and become. Start simple – then keep doing! Each act of action helps us build confidence and momentum to JUST DO the stuff inside of us that is screaming for attention and a chance to THRIVE!
Art by the Christensen Family: Top: Lauren, Rose: Wendy, Panda: KadeThis little moment matters: Write down one thing you will JUST DO today. Now write down why it matters to you. Next, write down what your life would be like if you did it. And finally, JUST DO IT! :)
