This inquiry comes my way…

nearly each and every day right now.

While I adore being American…

I can safely say…

that our primary area of weakness…

and dysfunction as a culture…

is undoubtedly death.

It’s not dinner table…

or social gathering…

discussion material.

Ever.

Sadly, I think few…

will embrace it enough…

to realize what an incredible teacher…

sculptor…

and molder of character it really is.

Friday’s post…

will highlight…

some great things…

about my brother Tim…

from my recent trip to Seattle.

For today…

I’d like to share…

in as non-threatening terminology as possible…

answers and personal observations…

to the above question.

Because it’s good to clear the air from time to time…

as it makes for greater growth…

when honesty moves to the forefront…

forcing you to face some things.

Not always pleasant…

or even gentle…

but necessary.

At least it’s necessary…

if you’re an individual…

that desires to continue to grow…

change…

and develop for the better.

Son #4…

recently purchased this.

You may…

(or may not)…

recognize her…

as a beefed up version…

of this Ninjago.

I introduced her here in July…

and currently…

personally relate to her newfound look.

She remains the only female…

in this particular LEGO craze.

When he arrived home with her…

I executed an extremely mature…

level-headed and calculated act as his mother.

I took her…

and promised a replacement!

I mean after all…

I’m dominated by male influence…

throughout my life!

“Give me a break, kid.”

(I actually uttered that.)

With a gracious smile…

he turned her over…

and reminded me…

that I owed him a new spinner.

Yesterday afternoon and evening…

I got around to checking out my cards.

I’m confident that you would all agree…

from time to time…

this is a productive life activity.

I’m personally coming from a worldview…

that doesn’t involve fate…

but rather evaluation of how…

I’m choosing to respond…

to present circumstances…

in light of my faith.

Again…

it can be a productive…

yet painful activity.

Here are the first two cards…

that depict my current life.

Yep, Whirlwind…

along with the constant temptation to Smoke Screen.

Regardless of whether or not my brother had died…

how many folks…

are playing these puppies out…

right alongside me…

in culture today?!

The whirlwind I’m currently experiencing…

has very little to do with my own making.

I’m finding my brother was a legend…

in more than one arena.

At times…

I feel a personal assistant would be in line…

in order to keep up with who he was…

and all he accomplished in a given day!

But then…

true honesty prompts me to realize…

many things…

about this particular topic/category of life.

Regardless of whether the source…

is internal or external…

how I respond…

makes or breaks both velocity…

as well as G-Forces!

I’m finding…

that success…

in all things whirlwind related…

simply involves…

faithfully doing the next right thing.

It’s most definitely the calm…

in the eye of any storm.

There isn’t a lot of fanfare…

hooplah…

or applause….

but at the end of the day…

as well as this life…

it all adds up…

to the sum total of your impact.

Some final clues:

Whirlwinds are caused by both positive…

and negative factors.

Examples of each?

Investing in others…

aiming for effectiveness vs. attractiveness…

realizing no positive investment or random act…

pays negative dividends in the end.

Negatives?

Thinking that activity equals productivity…

that “keeping up with the Joneses”….

in any and all areas of life…

is a genuine, honest template of reality…

just to name a few.

And then there’s the Smoke Screen card.

What I was initially struck by here…

was the obvious conflict this destructive act brings.

I mean…

look at the guy, would you?

Smiling on the outside…

can produce true angst on the inside…

where grief is concerned.

And make no mistake.

Death is not the only initiator of genuine grief.

Know your limits…

and practice productive self-care…

which is not to be confused with self-focus.

Have you noticed that wallowing…

is one of the most unproductive…

personally destructive activities…

to vibrant leadership there is?

I don’t care where the venue…

of said leadership is located…

be it home or stadium.

Concentrate on the care piece…

and the focus piece moves to the background…

where it belongs!

I love the next card.

Stand Tough.

Life involves lots of battles….

regardless of your calling…

vocation…

and mission.

Standing Tough…

and constantly honing this life skill…

eventually produces even greater strength…

coupled with vulnerable, healthy weakness…

that becomes a give and take…

amongst those traveling this life journey alongside you.

Practice Standing Tough…

because it is a continuous practice.

More and more…

I’m convinced zero arrive.

(That would be a Smoke Screen…

in which case…

please refer to the above!)

The gold card here…

is the Boomerang.

Leadership Education…

has very few tangible measures…

but this would be one.

What you throw out…

give away…

practice…

hurl…

and (gulp) model through example…

is beyond-the-shadow-of-a-doubt…

without exception…

guaranteed-with-money-in-the-bank…

going to come back to you.

End of discussion…

because talk is cheap…

but results are priceless.

So…

how are you these days?

I hope with some honest introspection…

you can say that you’re doing okay…

answering from the ideology…

that we’re all works in progress.

I’ll tell you that I’m hurting…

I’m learning to embrace a new normal…

attempting to evaluate many things…

from a more enlightened perspective…

as to the true brevity and changing nature…

of this life and its circumstances…

prioritizing things differently…

and realizing more and more…

that life…

this precious life…

is one of the paramount teachers…

of all things.

That…

and the incredible grace of God…

in this Ninjago Chick’s life…

will insure…

that everything turns out fine!

Grateful for this spin,

on the pursuit of greater sensibility in this life.

Oh yes…

it is definitely not only something…

I have pursued off and on quite frequently…

but also, appears to still elude me…

on a fairly consistent basis.

I am hoping that turning the big 5-0…

two days ago brings with it…

epiphanous (is that even a word?)…

thought processes…

because when I share last Friday’s adventure…

you will see that perhaps I need them!

I strive to be a hip, cool mom…

from the standpoint of “getting it”…

within my children’s social culture…

which often sends Sons #1-#5…

into hysterical, doubled-over-from-the waist…

peals of laughter.

I don’t blame them.

This seemed like a grand idea…

at the time of its inception.

Clearly, many others felt the same way.

Four thousand…

okay 3,999 counting myself, to be exact.

I do love Sara’s music…

and listen to her frequently.

Again, evidence of my children’s influence.

Perhaps another factor in my decision…

to attend this event…

was my quest for meaningful…

holiday experiences…

that don’t contribute to clutter.

In any regard…

there I was, along with Hero Hubby…

and my offspring…

minus #5 who came down with the flu…

in the heart of Los Angeles…

Hollywood to be exact…

at The Palladium on Sunset Blvd.

It appeared to be random seating…

so one needed to be prepared for lines.

Nevertheless…

the sight upon arrival was still shocking.

Said line stretched for 3 HUGE city blocks.

Oh yes.

And wimpy as I have become…

for Southern California…

it was still freezing.

Due to this small-but-significant factoid…

we had decided to take the higher road…

and sit wherever there were seats left.

Parking in Los Angeles…

can be likened at times to winning the lottery.

The odds are pretty much the same, for sure.

As we turned to enter the $20-for-parking-lot…

I commented on the busy boulevard ahead…

being all blocked off…

with nary a soul in sight.

“They must be shooting a movie tonight.”

Who knew that was a prophetic comment…

if one deleted the “a movie tonight”…

portion of the above sentence?!

Mental adjustment needed quickly…

as I don’t frequent L.A. like I used to…

when I was younger.

Roughly 200-at-a-time lucky individuals…

incrementally moved towards the warmth.

My first clue…

should’ve been not only the size of the bouncers…

but the wrist-bands-for-alcohol callers…

strategically stationed just inside the doors.

And then…

the venue stretched in front of me…

in all of its glory!

There.were.no.seats.

Perhaps that statement…

isn’t entirely accurate.

The section deemed “VIP”…

as far as I could tell…

( because I attempted to hoof it that direction PRONTO)…

constituted 20 or so high backed stools…

randomly strewn in a balcony section.

Don’t look too closely…

as this photo merely represents…

“cool lighting”…

located on the other side…

upstairs…

across from…

the NON-VIP section.

Yes, that would be…

the location of Hero Hubby…

Son #4 and myself.

The other 3 sons and “one lucky friend” using #5′s ticket?

They’re down there.

I tried not to think about it…

for too much of the 3 hour time period…

that we were STANDING.

They are, after all trained martial artists.

Granted lifting and moving one’s limbs…

could be a challenge, but, hey.

A woman next to me…

commented during the opening act…

that if the guy sang one more slow song…

we could easily be asleep…

before Sara even took to the stage!

I think she was fairly close…

to my newly found “age of maturity”…

but it was honestly too dark to clearly tell.

And I wasn’t comfortable enough…

to take the liberty of groping her face…

even though we were STANDING…

close enough to be best friends.

Son #4, keep looking my direction…

and said “look” was one of disbelief…

at my apparent lapse in judgment.

“This will be FUN!”, I kept rallying.

Perhaps he was the mind of reason.

The music was fantastic…

the energy extremely profuse…

the musicianship stellar.

All in all…

it was a lovely evening.

I did text Son #1 during the warm up.

“I’m evaluating whether or not I am officially too old for this stuff any more.”

His response?

“You’re not!”

I’m touched…

but clearly…

he was caught up in the moment.

I’m trying to figure a couple of things out.

Palladium derives its root meaning…

from the Greek goddess Palla…

who was THE GODDESS OF WISDOM.

Perhaps its oxymorons…

I need to be studying more closely…

in the coming year.

Son #3 and his “lucky friend”…

were thrilled to have been there.

“Mom, this place is epic!

The history unreal!

Aerosmith played this venue!”

Help me, Jesus.

I can’t even imagine.

I do know however…

that Steven Tyler…

has made a comeback…

FROM A CHAIR on American Idol!

When I shared this with my exuberant child…

it was a definite energy suck.

For my birthday…

my mom purchased me a sensible pair of shoes.

Cute, really cute…

but nevertheless sensible.

I’m hoping they inspire me to be grounded…

in my search…

for the ever-illusive sensibility I am seeking…

in the coming year.

While, of course…

I listen to Sara Bareilles…

on obnoxious CDs…

that perhaps could be viewed…

as archaic clutter.

Especially on the part…

of tech savvy teens…

and young adults.

It’s a vicious, vicious cycle.

Hopefully…

some of you relate…

young as you all may be!
P.S. Beautiful scarves detract from “sensible shoes.”  Don’t forget to comment so you can win one!

from one of my favorite TommyMoms.

All of them are my favorites, but that’s beside the point.

It went like this…

“I need some good classics that teach kids…

to be more humble and selfless this Christmas.

Any good ones come to mind?”

The second text continued…

“I have realized that it’s my fault…

not my children’s…

that they are spoiled.

I need to reign this in.

I would hope I”m not the only mom…

who has screwed up with this every year!

It could really help us all…

to gain perspective!”

Come back Wednesday…

when we begin to explore these concepts.

I’m certainly no expert…

and have committed…

my fair share of screw ups over the years.

In the meantime…

what are your thoughts and ideas?

When you discuss Leadership Education…

people tend to want to rush to get to the significant stuff.

You know…

the things you can see…

and measure.

The character traits, qualities…

and personal behaviors that validate…

and prove the success of methodologies.

Much of the time…

the greatest things produced in this life…

are built through practices…

and efforts…

that simply can’t be quantified.

This gets scary.

Because, you see…

when we really get down to it…

life is full of variables.

And interruptions.

And unpredictable things.

In fact…

it’s made up of them.

Leadership Education…

as defined by Oliver DeMille…

in “A Thomas Jefferson Education”…

has 4 Phases…

and 7 Keys.

People tend to aim for the one titled Scholar.

But reality suggests…

that we live a lot of life…

in Core.

My dear friend Rebecca Brandt…

writes at  MomsMustardSeeds.com.

Today…

and for the next 2 weeks Mon.-Fri. …

she is highlighting Leadership Education.

They are excellent pieces…

and she was mentored on a conference call…

with myself and Dr. Shanon Brooks.

They are wonderful…

and I encourage you to read them.

Perhaps “I read Rebecca”…

could be one of your quick contest comments here?

Just a thought.

Because you see…

when life hits you hard…

and you honestly don’t know if you can go on…

with faith, vision…

and hope that healing will occur…

you can pause…

breathe…

build Ferris Wheels for Little Green Men…

from scratch with no pattern…

and have your mom marvel that he doesn’t tip over…

even when the wheel is cranked because he’s so balanced.

If you’re ten…

you don’t have to be brave when grief hits you…

and can lay on your mom’s bed and let tears freely flow…

while you ask really tough questions about life…

and death and people you love leaving this earth.

And if you’re 17…

and have a huge life milestone coming up this week…

along with a 20 page thesis that’s due…

you’re secure enough in your relationship with her…

that you can be very vulnerable about your personal strengths…

weaknesses, disappointments…

and what you’ve learned and are still learning through all of them.

As the “Mom”…

you realize that this journey…

is different for every individual…

and that Core phase…

done properly guarantees that things will turn out right…

because physical and spiritual relationships are healthy…

and always what matters most.

And as the “Mom”…

you realize that vulnerability and raw honesty…

are two way streets…

and that those who are broken…

can’t help to heal others in the same place.

So you step back into Core.

And breathe.

And agree with the 17-year-old ( Son #3)…

to type said thesis…

if he will submit his mind map.

While you’re typing away…

and randomly discussing really deep things…

you look over to see this…

and then this…

and you realize that life may go on.

Later…

with many pages still to go…

and Son #3 begging for a break…

you see that the punk…

has uploaded this last photo…

where he’s “pierced” with paper clips…

to one of your friends…

complete with text messages…

stating that he went out today…

and came home looking like this!

Her opinions are clearly expressed…

and you stop and realize still further…

that life will go on…

time softens the sharp edges of grief and pain…

and Uncle Tim is laughing.

It also rings true…

that nothing truly great is accomplished..

whether through learning or executing in life…

without solid…

open…

honest relationships.

Yep, we’re going to make it.
Much thanks and appreciation to Dr. Shanon Brooks for investing in both Rebecca and me to mentor us in Leadership Education principles this past week.  Your passion for these principles, and the use of them to invest in people is always humbling and something I personally never tire of listening to you teach about.

Today, I’m going to share a story…

inclusive of “moments or horror” or “situations gone wrong.”

Let’s face it…

we all have them.

I find it therapeutic to be vulnerable…

whether we are ready…

willing…

and able.

Or sometimes not.

It keeps us both humble and real.

Compassion is not one of my greater strengths.

I can be empathetic…

sincere…

pretty unconditionally loving…

but bring compassion into the gig and well…

not so much.

To be clear…

here is the definition:

“Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.”

Keep that in mind…

as I now bare my soul.

Warning: This situation isn’t overly pretty.

Twice now…

we have had the pleasure of attending this event.

After today…

you will clearly see…

that for our family…

“California’s number one field trip…”

took on a whole new meaning!

Said event…

is roughly 3 hours from our home…

and of course…

by year 2…

erroneously thinking…

that I was somehow qualified…

I volunteered to chaperone.

Which translates into…

“get there even earlier and look informed.”

The premise…

is that you will see vignettes…

of several Shakespeare plays…

performed by professional actors.

It is quite impressive.

It provides the inspiration necessary….

to cause individuals…

to enthusiastically embrace each and every play…

wanting to learn more.

Well…

most individuals.

This kid…

by nature…

is extremely easy-going.

A steady Eddy.

Rarely, if ever phased.

On this action-packed morning…

he quietly confessed…

“Um, Mom…

I’m having diarrhea.”

Me: ” Are you sure?

( How moronic can one seemingly-seasoned mother be?

Read on.)

We’ll stop and get you some medicine.”

#4: “Shouldn’t I maybe stay home with Grandma?

I mean, this is a 3 hour drive.”

Me: “You’ll be fine. Trust me.

Besides…

we’ve already purchased your ticket.”

Lacking in Compassion maneuver #1.

Standing outside of Rite-Aid…

I coaxed the children’s version of Imodium…

passed his unsuspecting lips.

He gulped several times before completely swallowing.

#4, complete with pained look of shock: “What WAS that?!”

Me: “Children’s remedy for diarrhea. It even has a minty flavor!”

#4: “Have you ever tasted it?!  It’s awful!”

Shows me his teeth very dramatically….

“Do I have hair on my teeth?”

Me: “Don’t be ridiculous.”

#4: “Is the enamel still there?”

Me: “Get in the car, please.  We need to be on time.”

Manuevers #2 and #3 combined.

The directions clearly stated…

to repeat this transaction…

every 30 minutes…

“until relief was found.”

I was watching the clock…

administered dose #2…

mission accomplished.

#4 is ashen, but resting.

As we approach Fwy. #2…

the next 3o minute interval approaches.

Sons #1,2,3 and 5…

are all sound asleep.

I passed the hemlock  Imodium back.

#4: “Mom, please.  I think this potion has killed people.”

Me: “Just plug your nose and down it, brother.”

What number are we on? Sigh.

#4: “I simply can’t.  It’s vile.”

As he attempts…

that dreaded…

vulgar..

yet unmistakeable-to-all-humankind sound…

begins to rise from deep within his being.

In fact…

quite possibly from his poor toes.

And seconds later…

you guessed it!

Sons #1 and #3 are upright, erect…

and totally coherent…

in the middle seat.

(Or in this case, death position.)

#1: “HOLY CRAP!…Did someone VOMIT?!”

#2: VOMIT!, VOMIT!….WHERE?!

#4 is now crying, because he’s guilty as charged.

Me: “EVERYONE CALM DOWN.”

# 54, quite possibly.

#3: ‘ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS IMMEDIATELY…

OR I MAY BECOME SYMPATHETIC-BY-SCENT!”

#1 to #3: “FORGET THAT!  IS THERE ANY ON MY SWEATSHIRT?  LOOK CLOSELY!”

Hero Hubby…

who is rarely along on these outings…

and driving…

having zero clue…

that the rear window behind him is in disrepair…

obliges.

We are now doing 85…

all windows are down…

and the children…

are sounding intermittent…

in the newly-induced wind vortex.

Unison: “D-A-A-A-D.”

Hero Hubby ( HH): “A-A-R-E  T-T-H-E-Y  C-C-A-L-L-I-N-G  M-M-E?”

Me: “T-T-H-E-Y-’R-E  T-T-R-Y-I-N-G  T-O  I-N-F-O-R-R-M  Y-O-U  A-BOUT  THE  W-W-I-I-N-D-OW.”

HH: “WHAT W-I-I-N-N-D-O-O-W?

Through sign language and manual teamwork…

the window miraculously closes.

We pull off and signal the family following.

We’ve heard nothing from Son #2…

up until this point.

In a deserted not-yet-open Lowe’s parking lot…

he steps gingerly from the Excursion.

There he stood…

absolutely covered in mint-green Imodium..

from the waist down…

in his socks…

which could easily have been rung out.

Get ready…

here’s the Leadership example of all time…

uttered from my lips…

“Where are your shoes?”

Yes…

we are that family.

Pathetic…

isn’t it?

People…

at times falsely pedestalized…

are mere mortals…

with “feet of clay Imodium.”

Son #2, with a leveled gaze and eerily calculated tone…

“WELL, MADRE.  I DECIDED TO SLEEP.

I TOOK MY SHOES OFF…

PUT THEM UNDER SAID SEAT…

SWUNG MY LEGS UPON THE LAP OF #4…

WHO GENEROUSLY OFFERED…

AND THE REST IS HISTORY.

I THINK, QUITE POSSIBLY…

WE SHALL BE LATE.”

Two-mothers-of-ten-kids-between-them…

race to a nearby Target…

and could easily be mistaken…

for an episode of “Shopping Cart Wars”…

while racing at break neck speeds to obtain…

Industrial carpet cleaner…

Febreeze…

new jeans for #2…

and socks for #2 and #4.

Upon returning Hero Hasmat Hubby…

(Lowe’s is now open, praise Jesus!)

emerges from a suspiciously sparkling…

outstandingly clean…

“spring fresh scent” laden vehicle.

HH: “Get in.  I’m all done.

Send #2 into the restroom quickly to change.

I think I can still make it.”

We arrived 20 minutes late.

That, my friends, is a feat on record!

Leadership Education…

fosters and encourages the ever-present emergence…

of threads of similiar patterns and thoughts.

It applauds the ability to connect ideas and concepts together…

that perhaps bring new or further enlightenment into every subject.

Two months later…

I was reading a George Washington biography to #4 and #5…

that is age appropriate.

I was thrilled when it mentioned…

his friend, Cincinnatus.

Excitedly…

I ran for the college-level text…

painstakingly written by William Durant…

in which he chronicles the retirement exploits…

of Washington’s friend.

“Cincinnatus was content to withdraw to his farm…

where he dabbled in husbandry…

extensive pharmaceutical endeavors…” ( paraphrased by me)

That…

was all the further I got.

Stricken, #4 inquired in a high, somewhat fraught tone…

“Did he, by chance, invent Imodium?”

I had to leave the room.

Share something that became disastrous for you.  Share freely.  No condemnation.  After all, it’s smooth sailing after this particular expose’!

The winning number will be chosen next Wednesday, by Random.org.  What will the winner receive?  A succinct overview biography of Mother Teresa, fully illustrated, along with affirmation cards in a ceramic stand.  Imodium not included.  Yes I have my own copies of both, thanks.

Son #4 is very well adjusted, refuses to even look at Imodium, and just saw his first full Shakespeare stage play since this incident.  Son #2 still sports the jeans.  Thanks for wondering.

It’s your turn.

I always have…

and probably always will.

Rarely does a holiday…

elicit so much controversy and opinion.

But this year…

I’ve nailed it down…

and figured it out.

I love this holiday…

because for me…

it highlights community…

and creativity…

and kids and imagination…

and friends-who-have-grown-up-trick-or-treating-together…

(minus two that are now young adults)…

and fellowship…

and folks just acknowledging one another…

while they genuinely have fun with their families.

Might I insert here…

that I was able to clearly identify those amongst us…

that lived through the 60′s by the reactions…

to the dichotomy of these two costumes!

It was hilarious.

This week also marks another milestone.

Two years ago…

TommyMom was born.

I was terrified while putting my first post together…

and even more so when it published.

My dear friend and tech support, Sherra Humphreys…

encouraged me…

along with my brother, Tim.

I was certain I would bomb.

Not because I’m ever at a lack for words…

but because both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates…

failed to pass on a single computer gene to me.

I’ve had to work and grow.

And I am so very thankful and grateful…

both for and to…

each of you who take the time to read these posts.

You are both a gift and a blessing…

and I am honored.

While I’m still sad…

and grief is a constant companion…

laughter is good for the soul.

Oh yes…

so are gifts.

In honor of this birthday…

be prepared to comment…

so that you can win!

Friday’s when the fun begins!

Until then…

Peace Out!

The looming question, is what are we going to do with it?

Today, I am honored to be a guest post on Hip Homeschool Moms.  Click on the HHM title link to finish this article.

Congratulations on starting your college career! As new freshman, you are most likely excited and nervous, just as you were when you entered high school for the first time, and just as you will be when you enter into your chosen field after graduating college. Looking back, I’m sure there are many little “tips and tricks” that you wished you had known ahead of time that would have made your high school experience go more smoothly. Those same tips and tricks are true for college life as well. Here are just a few.

Here are some things to definitely DO:

1. Get to know upperclassmen- They “know the ropes” about which professors to take, the best paths through campus, and even the best social activities to attend. Keep in mind that you want to ask advice from those who are successful and not those who are struggling to make it. Find a subtle way of asking how they are doing in their studies etc. to make sure you have chosen your information resources well.

2 . Know how far behind you are- It is unrealistic to say “don’t fall behind” because it is inevitable. The key is to know just how much work you have to finish in a particular time window. This will help you avoid having to read all of War and Peace in one night, with a 15 page paper assigned to accompany it. Budgeting your time is a skill that will take you far beyond college, but your freshman year is a GREAT time to master the skill. Learn from your mistakes and minimize the academic damage that comes from putting work off.

3. Take at least a couple of “exploration” courses- Even if you have your career path all mapped out, and know exactly what you want to major in, take at least a few courses just to broaden your knowledge base. Breaking the monotony of the “required” courses helps to rejuvenate your mind, and some even find a passion for a field of study they never knew existed. If you are UNsure of what you wish to do after college then DEFINITELY this advice will not steer you wrong.

Here are some things to AVOID:

1. DON’T assume that your study habits from high school will get you through.- If you were a “straight ‘A’ student” in high school, it might be possible that you have good habits. The college courses however, involve more intensive study over shorter periods of time. This can be an adjustment even for the best of students. If you were someone who was unorganized, unmotivated, and relied on your memory or last minute cramming to get you through, you may have quite an adjustment to make. It is not impossible, but the sooner you realize that some old habits need to be adjusted, the more successful you’ll be.

2. DON’T be afraid to get involved:  Clubs, Fraternities/Sororities, student government, athletics, or any other opportunity that presents itself is a great way to not only get acclimated but also to connect with others who are either in the same boat you are, or have experience that could be most helpful. In addition, you know what they say about “all work and no play”. So get involved and be more than just a number that goes through your freshman year.

3. DON’T let alcohol destroy your education: Chemical abuse runs rampant. By the time you should say “when”, you are mentally unable to do so. You must know ahead of time where the line is between having some harmless college fun, and jeopardizing your enrollment. If you find yourself worrying more about where the next party is, than when the next exam is, you’ve crossed the line. Don’t ruin a 40 year work career in order to have a 4 year party career.

College freshman can have a great experience if they have balance between fun and study, involvement and commitment to excellence, and exploration and goal definition. These elements will take them well through college and into their adulthood successfully.

Best,

Tim

If you are an American that is grateful for the freedoms that we have been afforded since the founding of our great nation, then please  read this article in its entirety, and consider passing it on.  It affects all of us.  We owe it to those who have gone before us, as well as future generations to engage.

Freedom is totally and completely dependent upon an informed citizenry.

I shall be Autumn
this Halloween,
with leaf draped skirt,
and folds of
boysenberry velvet wine
flowing to the ground.

Brown stained face,
eyes rimmed in gold,
nails dripping sunset,
a crown of twigs
to cover my head.

You may gather from me
the spring of my youth,
my summer of maturity,
and hold onto with me,
the solace of these days
of remembering
before the frost.

©2008, Judith A. Lawrence