I am a Preschool teacher again. In my forties, I don’t feel as limber as I once was, but my tolerance and patience have increased immensely since the after-school program I taught as a 21-year-old. Unexpectedly, I have been rewarded for my hard work with inspiration from these little ones. Here are some of the lessons I have learned.

In our basement sits my paternal grandmother’s piano. It is the only heirloom I have from her. If sold it wouldn’t bring much money, but it is priceless to me. Pressing its keys, I am reminded it needs tuning. Like this piano, I think people can get pulled out of tune. When circumstances shift and routine is halted it is easy to feel life go flat. The rhythm feels disjointed in seasons of change.

Procrastination is not our friend. He is a menace who tries to steal our success. He sounds just like us, so we often are fooled by his schemes. Still, we can find a better way.

I was scrolling through Facebook reels when I came across a video: How to make a magical garland using post-bloomed dandelions. I watched the 30-second reel in amazement. As I heard, “Such a garland creates a beautiful and magical experience for young and old alike,” I was convinced, so I got started on creating my own.

What’s in your hand? With the answer to this question comes an invitation to act right now. To be present, in this moment. To lean into the bright lyric of the bird’s song and to breathe in and out slowly so as to pick up the hint of lilac on the breeze.

“Almost there,” I whispered to myself as I squinted my eyes toward the puffy cumulus clouds. The sky hung above in brilliant blue beckoning me as my pointed toes reached. My body stretched like an arrow in the launch as my hands gripped the chains. As quickly as I almost reached the sky gravity pulled me back. Hauling myself into a sit position with my legs curled under I sailed backward. This was the tallest swing in any park I had ever played in.

I’m ready for the new season to begin, how about you? Under the snow, I believe new growth has begun. What if it took a winter for the richest things in us to finally rest long enough to bloom again? Are you ready for a fresh start?

Have you ever experienced aching muscles after lifting weights or moving boxes? You know how out of shape you are when the pain is even worse on the second day. This resistance is nothing compared to the battle we face when we try to do something very important with our lives. Heads up! Get ready for a fight.

A Snow Day reminds me of the magical hope carried in childhood. Anything was possible, absolutely anything. All we had to do was put our hearts into it. We could climb any mountain…hop on our red plastic sleds and ride the path down where ever it would lead. Yippee! It’s still true: anything is possible!

It was a hot summer’s day yet it was raining. What a great excuse to grab a book, I thought. Content I lay on the couch until my husband asked the question: “So Dianne, what about your writing?”

With a deep breath, I wipe the moisture from under my eyes and nose. I stand ready to finish the trail and face my beautiful life, reminded again of the many blessings. A prayer lingers on my tongue like a song I hope I never forget: “Oh, may I never lose this wonder…”

Gone were the dreams of becoming an Olympic speed walker, now I was focused on winning the 800 meters. Like a gazelle, I leaped past the woods, the retirement home, and closed in on my apartment building at last…

The process of becoming is complicated I thought. I looked up at the framed picture hanging over my desk, the hand-drawn face of a girl in charcoal. I had peeked in at my daughter many times as she worked to bring out each feature.

You know those moments when you think I should throw a big party. It will be a blast, what could possibly go wrong? Here is the story of my biggest Christmas Party FAIL.

The recipe came to me from the kitchen of my dear mother-in-law, Sandy Singleton. But I think she must have received this dessert straight from heaven because it is so delightful.

Have you ever done something, just because it sounded cool, only to realize later how foolish it really was? Perhaps this story will cheer you up today.

This is not just for me. When I see the creative wheels turning in you I want to cheer, “Go for it, You are doing great!”

The ancient words still breathe

Train your ear to hear the voice of heaven…

Take Courage, a poem to encourage you.

In the pressures of life have you lost the wonder that makes your dreams possible? Read how a memory from the past got me back on track.

She wants to try every flavor and as I allow myself to sit in the chair to form a habit that will become a routine I welcome her childlike perspective. I let her speak with all the bright colors of living life full of toppings.