Two power-packed writing conferences this month have kept my brain so full that I forgot to write my monthly blog. My apologies. I just wanted to take a minute to say how thankful I am for the opportunity to get further training on my craft. I love learning! A big thank you to those experienced writers who gave their time and wisdom to those of us who are still learning.

I’m looking forward to voting in this election because I believe in the democratic process. I am extremely thankful for the right to vote. The United States has experienced over 200 years of freedom because of the democratic process. After numerous years of internal conflict, other nations of the world are slowly turning to the United States, deciding they can no longer rule their country with communist or socialist beliefs. Why? The democratic process, with it’s flaws, really works.

Americans have been given the right to vote, yet many choose not to. I don’t understand. I would have voted in the 1976 election had I not been 6 years old at the time. At that age, I didn’t understand the difference between Democrats and Republicans. I didn’t understand the platform each candidate stood on. What mattered to me was Jimmy Carter was from Georgia, my home state. Any time he came on TV, I’d stop what I was doing and listen to him share his vision for the future of America. He was the greatest in my eyes. My parents took me with them them when they voted. I was invited to experience the process. To my delight, the presidential candidate I liked, won. This experience laid the foundation of my strong belief in the responsibility each American has to vote.

My parents never forced the responsibility to vote down my throat; instead they modeled it by explaining the process and by taking me to vote with them. I am very thankful they took the time to answer all of my silly questions.  I truly wanted to understand the process of electing people to office because they placed value on it. Kids cannot follow what they don’t see modeled.

My husband and I have talked about this election with our boys. They don’t really understand the difference between Democrats and Republicans because we are focusing more on what each candidate believes. We explain the importance of taking the time to stand in the lines and vote, allowing our voices to be heard. And I will follow the modeling I received by taking them with me when I vote. While we stand in line, I’ll explain how voting is important to the success of our nation. I’ll share the wisdom my Dad shared with me: If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain when political things don’t go they way you’d like them to go. I pray these experiences will carry with my boys throughout their lives and the lives of their children.

I believe in the democratic process. How about you? Will you take the time to vote in this election? If not, why not?

August 5th . . . today my oldest son, Ashton, turns ten. Double digits. The big 1 – 0. He’s been so excited about this special day because it officially enters him into the phase of life known as the “tweens.” Just to mark the occasion, we made a trip to Abercrombie so he could spend his birthday money on the latest tween fashions. I have to admit they look handsome on him. His entrance to the “tweens” phase enters me into a new phase of life, but I’m not sure they have a name for it yet. Perhaps it should be called the “pre-awkward” phase? Or the “oh no, the teen phase is coming!” phase? Or the “I don’t have much time left” phase? I do lean toward the last choice of names. The reality that more than half of his time at home with us is over doesn’t settle well with my heart. I love that boy! He is a smart young man with a generous and loving heart. He loves children (which makes me happy!) and is always willing to help in every situation. He looks and acts so much like his Dad that I always have to claim my share of his DNA – his bright blue-eyes and his shaggy curls. Both of those will benefit him greatly in his “dating” phase. He’ll be gone before we know it. This new phase causes me to reflect on what practical life skills we still need to teach him. We covered the grass cutting skill this summer – he’s not too crazy about it, but I think it’s more of the oppressive heat than disliking the chore. He’ll take out the trash when reminded. Guess it’s a gender thing. No seriously . . . I thought back to my college days when I left the nest and discovered my independence. Was I really ready for it? It was a freeing experience but a daunting one at the same time. Being an only child didn’t allow for much practice with sharing . . . so that was a practical life skill I was forced to acquire. I’m still not too good at sharing my things! I thought awhile about what skills were helpful to me at that age. I thought about what new skills did I need when I got married. I didn’t make a list of all these skills (I know you don’t believe me Mom), but it put a fire under me since my time with him is drawing short. I want to make sure he knows how to wash his own clothes, to cook a simple meal, to manage his money wisely and to clean up after himself. He’d tell you he’s got it all covered, but I think a couple of years of more practice will help him immensely. Thankfully, he and his brother both have the manner thing covered. There are so many skills about interacting with people that he’s observed in our lives that I hope he will carry with him. I guess the most important life skill I want him to have is not about a what but a who. I pray all the time for Ashton and Palmer to know Jesus. Without Him, their lives will be full of unneccesary struggles and heartache. It’s one thing to call on Jesus as Savior and a totally different thing to live life with and for Him. I know it’s possible. I have to leave that tall order in God’s hands. Many of you have completely raised your kids and it helps to know you’ve successfully made it through it alive. I’d love any advice from those of you who’ve been there, done that. Send it on! Until next month . . . much love, Melony

This month I want to do something different: I would love some feedback from you. I’ve been studying the book of Proverbs each day for the last year and a half. I look at the day of the month and read the chapter number that corresponds to that day (e.g., June 9th would correspond with Proverbs, chapter 9). It is full of information about wisdom – what it is, how to get it, what to do with it once you have it, etc. I reflect on one verse from the chapter of the day each day and scribble down my thoughts or some insight or some plan of action. It’s been great to read back over each month’s entry. I can see the answers to some prayers and even how I worked through some issues. God’s wisdom is truly amazing. He rewards those who diligently search for it.

The idea of running a race is mentioned in the Bible and it makes me think of those older, wiser Christians passing the baton of wisdom to the rest of us. Having learned from their own life experiences and sharing it with us allows us to gather wisdom from their choices. We, in turn, will pass on the wisdom we’ve learned to our own children and to younger Christians. It’s an ongoing process and such an important one.

I learned a piece of wisdom in high school (during the beginning of the computer age) that has carried through many different situations in my life: “Garbage in. Garbage out.” Jeff and I have taught our boys from the time they could crawl this piece of wisdom: “No means no.” They don’t particularly like it when it means they don’t get what they want, but they’ve used it themselves when solving a dispute. Another one that I find especially important is: “Faithful, respectful kids are the result of intentional parenting.” Enough about my pieces of wisdom ~ I want to hear yours!

I hope that some of you will click on “Add Comment” and tell me some wisdom (doesn’t have to be from God’s Word) you’ve learned. You can tell a story about how and from whom you learned it or just the piece of wisdom. Thank you for participating!

Thanks for all of your prayers and encouraging words. Enjoy the summer heat! Melony

Several years ago two brothers took this simple phrase and created a business that literally passed on their philosophy of life. Many of you have seen the t-shirts. Every time I see one, I smile. With all the vulgar, sexually explicit, drunken messages that have been displayed in the last ten to ?fteen years on t-shirts, it is so nice to see some positive messages. The messages are simple, but bold in their meaning. Even though the phrase “palm reader” might cause you to think of tarot cards, I assure you I get their meaning because I am a voracious reader (especially with my amazon Kindle)! These guys don’t profess to have a Christian message, but I believe it is spreading the idea that we are blessed in too many ways to count and indeed “Life is good!”

Before I get started on my thoughts let me share several of the short phrases (minus the fantastic cartoon pictures) from the Life is good series: “Optimism can take you anywhere; Whatever you are, be a good one; Do what you like. Like what you do; Dream on; Keep growing; Face the bumps with a smile; The world is your Entertainment Center.” I could list 50 more of my favorites but I think you get the idea.

Just for a moment think about a thirty minute segment of the evening news you’ve watched recently. How many clips highlight someone reaching out to help another? How many focus on friends pulling each other through a crisis? How about someone donating their time or money to an organization? Honestly, I don’t watch the news much anymore because it is depressing – people killing people, people robbing banks, children being kidnapped. I know those events are happening all around us, but I don’t want those thoughts and images in my brain or I’ll think about them over and over. It causes this thickness to cloud my perspective. I’d rather ?ll my mind with positive messages that encourage me to enjoy my family, my friends, my vocation . . . my life. Despite the circumstances or situations that cause us to have a bad day, couldn’t we all agree that God has blessed us abundantly and life is good?

A verse claiming “life is good” would have to be Proverbs 21:21 (from the Message). It reads “Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind ?nds life itself—glorious life!”
Until next month, live your life as if you truly believed that life is good! I would love to hear your stories about how your life is good. (To do this, click on ‘Add comment’)
If you’d like to visit the Life is good website, go to www.lifeisgood.com For those of you writers reading my blog, my very favorite Life is good pic and phrase is: “Write on!” (Rocket, the dog, has a pen in his mouth and a notebook by his feet)

You’d never invite a thief into your house. So, why would you allow thoughts that steal your joy to make themselves at home in your mind?

This rhetorical question was posed in the second chapter of a book I’ve recently been reading. Think honestly about this question and your response before reading on.

Even after being thoroughly convicted by this question, yesterday I still allowed a frustrating situation get me as angry as a kid being asked to turn off the TV during his favorite show. I vented to my Mom, apologized for it, and decided to let it go. I can’t change other people’s attitudes or behavior, so why was I giving them permission to steal my joy? Tommy Newberry’s book, The 4:8 Principle, is the reason I am being reminded that my frustrations can literally take away my joy.

I’ve known this principle for a long time; I think I just got lazy. It takes conscious effort to “stay positive.” The book is based on Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —think about such things.”

This is a heavy list in light of: the war on terror that can stop us in our tracks with fear; the evening news ?lled with murders and kidnappings and road rage; the nightly barrage of homework projects; the endless errands to the grocery store, the cleaners, and to the DMV to pay a ?ne for not having car insurance. (Quite a big ?asco!Make sure you’re clear with your insurance company when making changes to your policy!) All of the previously mentioned items – and more – can cause stress, frustration, and certainly inconvenience. All are capable of stealing your joy. Question is: Do you focus on them and let them steal your joy or do you choose to focus on the positive things in your life?

Tommy Newberry challenges us to develop mental strength by focusing on the good in your life rather than allowing life’s circumstances or people’s negative attitudes/behaviors to take away the joy in your life. God has blessed each one of us abundantly. We are all well fed, live in warm homes, and have a job that gives us the ability to provide for our family. Most of us are blessed with a spouse and/ or children. This means that we encounter love on a daily basis. Newberry’s book has encouraged me to renew my mind with positive things – God’s word, thankfulness, gratitude, and the blessings all around me – and in turn, my thinking will be transformed (Romans 12: 1-2).

If you chose to comment on this article, please share with me your blessings and the positive things happening in your life. “Damage isn’t caused by the ?eeting negative thought, but rather by the negative thought that sets up shop in your mind.” ~ Tommy Newberr