Mindfulness Mondays: Embracing the "Experience" with bonus Blog Hop

h/t bored panda

Dee Dee Chumley posted this priceless quote last week: 

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

Credited to Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture) and can also be found on the wall of Jimmy John's sandwich shops all across the country.

We all get our share of "experience." How you respond is what makes the difference.  Will you grow and persevere or will you give up? 

This week I will embrace the opportunity to grow through my experiences. 

Bonus Blog Hop:  Last week I was asked to participate in a "blog hop" by my wise friend and critique partner Mari Farthing. She sent me five questions regarding the writing process and encouraged me to "tag" another blogger for you to visit next week who will answer the same five questions.  

Welcome to my stop on the hop

What are you working on?

Over the past ten years I have been working on improving my writing and developing a sense of community with writerly friends/colleagues. My current obsession focus is on my NICE ADVICE series, “because all problems feel big when you are little and every caring parent wants to help.” The stories are a blend of fiction and nonfiction, addressing topics related to feelings, families, friendship, and school.  Each book encourages parent and child to cuddle up, read aloud, and begin the conversation. 

This past weekend at the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc (OWFI) I had an “experience.” A talented editor/agent informed me that my series was actually geared toward Early Reader (think Junie B Jones) versus Picture Book (Where the Wild Things are). This shift will require expansion, revision, and a great deal of work.  I’m very excited about the challenge- many thanks to Maria Vicente.

How does your work differ from other of its genre?

There are some very good traditional “counseling books” on the market but I typically use nontraditional books in my private practice.  A strong story and a relatable character is what works in making a child feel comfortable talking about difficult things. 

Why do you write what you do?

I write children’s books to provide a positive experience between parent and child.  My mission in my psychology practice/writing is advocacy, empowerment, and healing. 

How does your writing process work?

I struggle with finding the time to balance all the things that I love, and imagine this is a lifelong juggle. My “sweet spot” time for writing/blogging seems to be morning to get thoughts out of my head and onto the page, and revision always goes smoother in the evening. 

The next stop on our blog hop is Shel Harrington.  Shel is not only the divorce lawyer who hates divorce she is also a humorous writer who loves marriage.  Please send some blog love her way on Monday, May 12 to find out more about her writing process.

Take a hike: developing an appreciation for nature

This morning on my walk with Suki (my fabulous furry friend)  I noticed baby squirrels skittering across the road, blooming patches of Indian Paintbrush flowers, and a bunny hiding in the shade of a Cedar. I am sure that my appreciation of nature comes from early visits to city parks, National Parks, and camping.  Summer is the perfect time to introduce your child to the great outdoors. It is far easier to get children to recycle and stop littering when they have an appreciation of nature.  Get your child excited by the vision of making a difference at home, in the neighborhood, and ultimately in the world.  Enter an amazing new book (2011) by author and illustrator Patrick McDonnell, Me . . . Jane.  This book presents the ultimate lesson in big dreams with many small steps along the way.  It is a terrific conversation spark about following your interests, nature, and the love of learning.

Me . . . Jane is the story of how a young girl developed a lifelong interest in animals, the environment, observation, and learning.  The girl was Jane Goodall who later went on to change the world's thinking about animal behavior and continues to inspire others to care about the environment and social issues.  McDonnell has included some actual drawings from her childhood notebooks as well as a message from Dr. Goodall remarking that "each one of us makes a difference." This book shows how big dreams are realized. The resulting effect of illustration and text is more than magical, it is inspiring and empowering for little people. (You will like it too!)

Be a Storytelling Parent:
Pre-Read the story before you have storytelling time. Turn off all technology and tune in to your child. Find a cozy spot to snuggle and read the book all the way through.  Add some drama to the big reveal near the end of the book.

Conversation Sparks
What animals do you notice in our backyard (or the park)? 
Where is your favorite place to imagine when you are outside?
What do you like to think about?
Jane was curious about where eggs come from . . .
What things in nature do you wonder about?  How could we learn more about those things?

Jane wanted one day to work with animals in Africa.  What did she do to get ready for her grown up life?  What made her think that she would like that job?
What are some of your ideas about what you would like to do when you are older?
What are some things we could do now to learn more about those jobs?

Extention Activities:
Take a walk in your neighborhood or park and observe local wild life, pick up fallen leaves to bring home and look up the names of the trees. 
Go to the zoo and watch the animals that are most interesting to your child.  Make observations out loud and encourage your child to dialogue about what he/she notices about animal behavior.
Visit the children's section of the library to check out books about your child's current interests.  
Check out Jane Goodall's foundation to inspire you with more ideas about empowering you and your child to make a difference together http://www.rootsandshoots.org/parents. 

Please share your experience in storytelling with this book- Happy Reading!