Parenting/Shepherding Archives - The Shared Journey

A Glimpse of God

April 30, 2020 No Comments

Dear TSJ friends, Every now and again I get a glimpse of God or at least of God at work in this magnificent universe we are born into. I think we all do even if we do not describe it that way. A “glimpse” as the dictionary defines it, is a “partial or momentary view.” And just a momentary or partial view of Goodness and Light can bring hope and inspiration at crucial points on our life pilgrimage. Some remain indelibly etched in our hearts and minds. Solomon the muse here at TSJ has been sitting in the

What Is In It For Me? Others?

April 23, 2014 2 Comments

Dear TSJ Peeps,t I am wondering . . . Have you ever had a very bad day or gone through a very bad time in your life that surely seemed to make no sense (at the time anyway)? Of course you have. And it may not even have been personal to you, but it could have been something like a natural disaster or some form of evil that hit “close to home”and stirred you to tears of sadness or outbursts (wails) of anguish or anger. Such experiences and reactions are as old as creation itself, I think. Reading biblical stories

You + Me . . . Makes “We”

March 26, 2014 No Comments

Solomon’s message this morning is very simple. You plus me makes we. As you can see he is having a father-son talk with our newest addition to The Shared Journey, SJ (Solomon Junior). Such a simple phrase. Yet, unspeakably profound. What is parenting? Parenting (as has often been said) is not about what we do. It is about who we are in the here and now of life. That is why we must practice self-awareness and seek wisdom at every stage of the way. Parenting is all about relationship. That is the sacred “we.” This is

What We Remember~ A Mother’s Day Reflection

May 8, 2013 No Comments

What Will Our Kids Remember? This next weekend is Mother’s Day. And I don’t know if it is just me, but I have very mixed emotions about Mother’s Day. More on that in a minute. Yesterday was my mom’s birthday and Sunday was dad’s. Although they have been gone several years, this week always calls them to mind. Having a birthday close to Mother’s Day was seemingly good for my mother as she was always happiest at those times and as the old saying goes, “when mama was happy…we were.” Truthfully, she reveled in such events. So I have

Behind the Scenes & In the Know

April 17, 2013 No Comments

It is Wednesday Wisdom Day at TSJ! Our twin grandchildren had a Suzuki piano recital on Sunday. They are seven years old and watching their recitals is a reminder of how quickly they are shaped and molded. And most of it is behind-the-scenes work. Parents and piano teachers put in a lot of work to make sure the kids practice and show progress. Along with that are backstage details to get set up and create the best environment for the event. Our twins’ parents invite all of the grandparents (even some surrogate grandparents) to a dinner at

Do You Bully Yourself?

February 16, 2013 No Comments

Have you noticed that it seems anyone who publicly takes a leadership role in helping others is an open target for meanness? Sometimes it even borders on or crosses the line as some form of bullying. It is especially true on the Internet. It happens online very easily because the perpetrator of unkindness is not known by you or seen by you. Kids experience this more often than we want to imagine. But so do adults. Words can be poisonous darts to our hearts. And most people tend to take them to heart. When meanness is present empathy is absent. . .

How Are You Feeling & Why Does it Matter?

January 23, 2013 No Comments

Very often (and for a variety of reasons) we ignore our feelings. Today’s words are about the wisdom of acknowledging feelings. I wonder . . . how is your week going and what new insights and lessons of life are confronting you these days? what challenges are you facing? Are you feeling overwhelmed or powerless over a difficult situation? If so, listen to that voice from Star Wars that says, “May the Force be with you!” They are words of power and encouragement.

Principles & Strategies to Reset Your Parenting Buttons

August 8, 2012 No Comments

Is summer time starting to take its toll on your parenting energy? Today I am stepping out of my comfort zone. I do not like giving parents strategies unless I know the specific situation. It feels too much like telling parents what to do when I do not know their situation. Truthfully, I usually write about personal growth issues and am driven by a passion to help people find meaning and understanding within the context of what they are living. This, I believe, leads to making better choices and being more compassionate people, and has evolved out my own life

Life is An Adventure~ From First Cries to Final Good-byes

July 25, 2012 No Comments

Life is an Adventure . . . A few years ago, Tom and I had an experience I will likely remember for a long time. We spent two nights and three days taking care of our two grandkids in their own home (and cribs). They were just over a year old at the time. Their parents had to be away for the first time and it was difficult for them. We were a bit anxious too, and did not sleep well the night before, making things even harder for ourselves! As life would have it, within hours after they left,

3 Keys for Dealing with Our Kids’ Shifting Emotions

June 21, 2012 No Comments

Have you ever been amazed at how quickly your children’s emotional state can change? I mean one moment they are “happy campers” and within minutes they become hostile, upset, and/or moody. Although as adults we too do this, usually the executive area of our brain has matured enough to give us orders “to keep a lid on” our outward behaviors, unless we are flooded with emotions. At such times it goes momentarily “off line” much like our children experience. Summer is about to begin and while that is basically a relief for most children, and a special time for families

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