Greased Lightning!

I’m tired this morning and all I had to do was watch cupcake yesterday in two performances of Grease! I didn’t sing, dance or memorize a trillion lines and have to deliver them flawlessly in front of 1000 people and I’m tired! I KNOW my Sandy Dumbrokski is dragging, but her schedule dictated that she rise and perform some more – this time for a final in a dual enrollment class.

I was overwhelmingly impressed with this group of teenagers. I was also blown away by the teacher that started the drama program from scratch last year (it’s a new school) and was able to pull off such an amazing production involving 78 students. In addition to being a world class teacher, Margo Deal Anderson is a performer herself. I know we have all had teachers that shaped us and made a lifelong impression for good, and Margo has done that for thousands of young people. Isn’t it wonderful to be around people that are full of passion, energy, hope and excitement? Just thinking about it gives me some much needed energy.

Pomp & Circumstance

I witnessed both pomp & interesting circumstances yesterday at the commencement exercises for the FSU class of 2008. Our daughter-in-law-to-be received her specialist degree. She got to wear the doctoral robe and all that special gear and I loved it. My mom graduated from FSU in 1949 and when we celebrated our daughter’s graduation with a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree from FSU it was very special. My dad also earned 2 degrees from FSU. So there’s some history and sentiment here.

It was with dismay that I listened to the commencement speaker’s address. He got my attention when early into his remarks he brought up “The Audacity of Hope”. I wishfully anticipated that he was going to build on a beautiful concept and address the graduates on the power of faith and hope. Instead, he started a rapid downhill slide when he used the platform to plug his political candidate. He did ask one thought-provoking question: “What are you going to do with rejection in your life?” Unfortunately, he didn’t take the opportunity to instruct or encourage.

I was sad for the graduates who deserved all the honor, encouragement and respect on that special day. I have now added to my list of “books I want to write” one based on basic speaker protocol. As a speaker, I came away with a starter list of cardinal rules to incorporate into the book:

Always honor the time limitations set by the program planner. It is extremely rude to thumb your nose at the clock.

Your audience is your reason for being there. It is not about you. It is an opportunity to speak into their lives, not a platform to glorify yourself.

It is an honor to be a speaker, not a right. Respect for the audience is essential. It's insolence when you don’t display that.

Hats off to the largest graduating class in the history of this wonderful college!
Nothing can mar the victory of your remarkable accomplishment.

(I’m tempted to send this review to the University president. Should I do it?)

Minature is… really tiny

This post was supposed to be a book review of John Ortberg’s “If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat”. I have heard great things about this inspiring book so I ordered one from an Amazon reseller while talking on the phone with a friend about the book. Multi-tasking has a price.

I can not tell you about the book because I can not see it to read it. I’m not kidding. I can’t complain or send it back because when I looked back at the description, it did say hardback. (Minature version). Who could know that minature is 2 x 3 inches and condensed version doesn’t begin to describe it. The good news is that if you fall asleep reading this book, it won’t hurt you if it falls on your face. The bad news is that there isn’t enough to read to make you sleepy. I suppose the laughter was worth the price.

Best Friends Forever

My new BFF is Matt Maher. He sent me his new CD for FREE because I blogged about him! I love his new CD “Empty and Beautiful” and have played it countless times already. For your information, he also wrote “Your Grace is Enough”, recorded by another favorite artist, Chris Tomlin. This is the first time in eons I have won anything! And the first tangible reward I have received from blogging! (Oh, but who can count the value of the intangible rewards?!) It made my day when I received the gift in the mail.
If you missed his offer, you can get his CD here for the amazingly low price of $8.97.

Since I introduced my new BFF, I felt it was time to introduce my old BFF. Since I can’t live a day without music, we have been friends a long time. He’s always in tune with my moods and very willing to jump right in and agree with me. He never tells my secrets or talks back. The only strike against him is he never helps with housework. Meet my piano - isn’t he beautiful?!

Of Blogs and Beauty

Lately, I've spent most of my blog time reading rather than writing. The talented writers, amusing videos and sheer volume of available resources in blogland is staggering. I have been researching to determine if I should use blogspot for my Lifepoint Blog or a different blog platform. I want to separate them, so I have decided to go with Wordpress, unless someone out there has better advice. I know they don't allow ads, but that's the only drawback. Personally, I am MUCH more likely to click through to buy something if someone has done a post about a product anyway. I have lots of interesting posts floating about in my head, but since I am supposed to be working right now, I'll just share this beauty tip for now. Very comforting for those of us who are noticing the steady pull of that thing called gravity.

Plantation Day

Did I already mention I love weddings? The one I attended yesterday was full of emotion for all the expected reasons and some unexpected ones as well. It was another beautiful setting, just north of Tallahassee on an old (and now exclusive) plantation. It was poignant for me as the beautiful bride came down the aisle (and what bride is not totally beautiful?!) to remember the first white I ever saw her in was her diapers. Time is surely fleeting. Our daughter was married 5 years ago on the plantation just south of where we were and that was an unforgettably wonderful day.

Some fascinating history was thrown in as well. The reception was held in the building where the first showing of Gone With the Wind took place. The ceremony was held by the "pool house", where immediately following the ceremony, a peacock entertained us with his strutting. He did eventually show his full fan, but since I am no photographer, I didn't capture that.

I learned something unexpected on this occasion. This event created a gathering of business colleagues in a social situation. I found it to be cathartic. We all work together daily, often under stress to meet deadlines, goals and fulfill stringent demands for excellence. I don't recall that we have ever just done something relaxing or fun together in 7 years of business. It was good to do that. I think we all needed an opportunity to see each other in a setting outside of the daily hustle. I know my attitude was refreshed.

I’m Rich!

I’m a rich woman. Maybe I can’t take you on my yacht and have my people serve you delicacies while we bask in luxury. But I can look out over acres of beautiful land from the windows of a home that is safe, has central heat and air and running water and a fully stocked pantry. I can get in my car and go wherever I need to. I have more than enough.

I was reading Lysa Terkeurst’s blog yesterday and the plight of orphanages that are literally out of food in Liberia grabbed me. It is so easy to stay detached from the needs in Africa, Haiti or wherever because those places are so FAR away that it is easy to feel removed. But 2 of Lysa’s precious boys came from the orphanage in need and that brought it home to me. I was in a store yesterday and almost bought some clothes for myself. And the Holy Spirit reminded me of rice. Read about it here. The needs across the world are so enormous, but if each one of us responds to the ones that are marked with our name, we can make a big difference. One bag of rice at a time. One smile at a time. One grateful heart at a time. Your life makes a difference.