Four Bright Flashes of Glorious Color

That the teal green thread and the beige thread matched the material I was given to make beanbags for a three year old I love was a wonderful God-incidence. I just grabbed what I could reach as I dashed out for the ferry. The deep jewel tones of the material with the fish pattern on it and the white material with the fortune cookies printed on would easily keep the bean bags separate if anyone ever decided to play teams.
 
As I’ve said before, color influences me in significant ways. Spring energizes me not just because of warmer weather or longer days but because the explosions of roadside pinks and reds and yellows and purples wakes my heart up in a different way.
 
If winter grays and dead browns and dull greens pause me into deeper interior thoughts, Spring’s shots of leafy colored newness urge fresh ideas and the hope that comes when things appear seemingly out of nowhere.
 
Did you know Dr. Seuss’ first book, “To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street” was rejected 37 times? Hey…who wants to be known as the guy that told Dr. Seuss his book would never sell?
 
Walt Disney was fired from his first job and told he ‘lacked any imagination or creativity”. Way to go HR!
 
Annie Sullivan was shunned by the board of the Perkins School for the Blind because they thought her methods with Helen Keller were inappropriate and unfruitful. Well, invite them to Helen’s Harvard graduation please.
 
The list goes on and on. Emily Dickinson only published twelve poems in her lifetime.
 
And in my hometown of Norristown, PA it is of course legend to tell the story of jazz organist Jimmy Smith who was kicked out of music class because he lacked any ability.
 
First question of the week: Are you the kind of person who looks for the person who fits in, or the person who operates outside the box?
 
There is much to be said for not being accepted by the ‘in’ crowd. In fact many times it is a thing of which to be wary.
 
Yet how do we live close enough to our own lives, the truth of who we were created to be? How do we bear the circumstances of our lives, the joys, sorrows, losses, failures and accomplishments to know ourselves in bold ways that prompt us to add to life whether we get paid for it or not?
 
Recently I’ve been examining the lives of people who are deceitful, and dependency based. This question keeps coming to mind. Do people who lie think about it before hand? I mean, do they actually know they are lying? Do they plan it or is it a crime of opportunity? And when they are caught and tell another lie, is it an impulse or learned response? Where does that reaction come from? In working with children and teens I know it has to do with fear and shame. And what does such a negative musing have to do with the delicious burst of life and color of Spring?
 
Well, Because this the annual Mother’s Day column and telling the truth is a big issue when you are raising kids.  Want to know what I taught my children, and now teach other parents to teach their children?
 
Look at life as a mystery and you are gathering clues to find the kernel of wholeness and health in all things and people. Then build on those clues. Build on what you find about health and wholeness.
 
Be completely taken in by bright, colorful epiphanies that stand against the monotones of the “in” crowd. Only desire the “in” crowd if they’re out on the edge! Carve out enough of a rhythm of quiet you can discern what it is you need to discern to find that health and wholeness within you.
 
Trust your gut but shy away from snap judgments. Look with your heart. Make sure your heart has eyes.
 
Be brave, be very brave. And when you are on a team, make sure it’s a team that is not afraid they might be wrong or fail. That kind of team will be open to new ideas and confident of their resiliency. Any other will constrain and tread water, very tepid water.
 
Do the most you can with the life you’ve been handed and accept responsibility for the parts you’ve created.
 
Take your angry feelings out to the Mad Tree. Use the Thinking Chair to figure out what you did wrong, how you are going to fix it, and how you are going to not do it the next time you want to.
 
It’s never as bad as it seems. It always turns out better than you think it will. Anything can be fixed. If you tell the truth you will be in less trouble  than if you lie.
 
I spent many years teaching my four kids. Some of them think I’m their Mom only if they love me back. Being a parent isn’t about what you get. Nah…unconditional love from near or far is the only way to go. I love you kids, all of you. You took everything I taught you and upped your games and shine like stars today. You’re awesome. Keep sharing it with the world! Tell your kids you love them no matter what, not matter where. I do. You are exactly who I hoped you would be. Fantastically, individually , exactly who you were created to be! Keeper kisses all around.
Love, Mom