....rest of yesterday's post

What Is Bullying, and How Bad Is This Problem?

To be specific, bullying involves ongoing aggressive behavior intended to cause harm or distress in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power, physical or otherwise. Bullying is literally "as old as sin" and can occur at any stage of life, but it is particularly common — and destructive — during childhood and adolescence.

Sadly but not surprisingly, the targets of bullying are often those who are poorly equipped to deal with it: the small, the weak, those who look or act a little different from the crowd, and those who have difficulty making and keeping friends. Bullying goes well beyond the usual horseplay, verbal and otherwise, of childhood and adolescence. It is essentially child abuse perpetrated by peers, and it may take a variety of forms:

• Verbal. Insults, name-calling, racial or ethnic slurs. These are experienced equally by boys and girls, and represent the most common form of bullying.
• Physical. Hitting, kicking, shoving or other direct bodily injury, as well as destruction
• Social. Spreading gossip and rumors (often sexually related), exclusion or outright isolation. These are more common forms of bullying among girls.
• Electronic. "Cyberbullying" on the Internet or through other electronic devices such as text messaging on cell phones.¹

What Is Bullying, and How Bad Is This Problem? (FROM FOCUS ON THE FAMILY)

To be specific, bullying involves ongoing aggressive behavior intended to cause harm or distress in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power, physical or otherwise. Bullying is literally "as old as sin" and can occur at any stage of life, but it is particularly common — and destructive — during childhood and adolescence.

Sadly but not surprisingly, the targets of bullying are often those who are poorly equipped to deal with it: the small, the weak, those who look or act a little different from the crowd, and those who have difficulty making and keeping friends. Bullying goes well beyond the usual horseplay, verbal and otherwise, of childhood and adolescence. It is essentially child abuse perpetrated by peers, and it may take a variety of forms:

• Verbal. Insults, name-calling, racial or ethnic slurs. These are experienced equally by boys and girls, and represent the most common form of bullying.
• Physical. Hitting, kicking, shoving or other direct bodily injury, as well as destruction
• Social. Spreading gossip and rumors (often sexually related), exclusion or outright isolation. These are more common forms of bullying among girls.
• Electronic. "Cyberbullying" on the Internet or through other electronic devices such as text messaging on cell phones.¹

Finding Kind, The HELP et all

Have you ever been the one who has been intentionally excluded? Worse yet, has your sweet son or daughter been the one time after time that has been excluded, leaving you to take a deep breath, give a big hug, and wipe the tears away trying to give a soothing explanation?

Words alone...can never describe the pain of watching a child suffer like that. Clearly a debilitating illness and many other tragedies are worse, however watching your child be left out stabs at a certain part of your heart that nothing else can. We love our children with an intensity that cannot be described....Imagine what our Creator feels like when HIS children are treated like that. I believe it breaks God's heart....

I am finding it interesting that The Movie: The Help is so popular now, #1 at the box office this past weekend. I found it heart-wrenching from beginning to end. Not only was the character "Millie" astoundingly cruel but to make matters worse the "crowd" followed her in her unkindness. Remember the darling blonde in the high heels coming to the door to bring her a pie and Millie had everyone "hide"? As if (can't find her name anywhere) the cute blonde was impervious and clueless and didn't know what was going on? I could hardly sit through that scene.

This leads right in to how to combat bullying, mean spiritedness.....Finding "KIND"

Finding Kind's beautiful (20year old) founders Molly and Lauren will share with us at our Casual Afternoon Tea how the bullying or "mean" girls changed their lives in middle school, then we will host the Movie Premiere!

Our first "EVENT" this year of Inspired31.org is September 25! We will be hosting the PREMIERE of the Finding Kind Documentary Movie at 5pm. Order Tickets, now!

See the Finding Kind Trailer

If you want to help change lives, bring a teenage girl. Better yet, bring several. It is worth the drive from Orange County, Santa Barbara or wherever!

Simple.

In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

So, yesterday was my birthday :)! I am 29! (jk) It was a wonderfully simple day. Guess what I wanted to do? Watch the sweet gardner trim my trees! Yes, I am a very exciting person!

My dear friend, Judy, took me for lunch and we went to the outlets. However we both love to do "things" to our house and garden, that we didn't want to stray far or do too long a lunch. So we just wandered around my yard and oohed and ahhed! (It had been a very long time since I have had the appropriate maintance in my yard, with lots of humongous trees)

My daughter and I laughed about what makes me happy/a dream day, that I decided to do my blog about it. I didn't want a fancy dinner in a restaurant (although I do love that here and there) I wanted to be home with my parents, kiddo's and sis and her family. Simply awesome.

Our life is frittered away by detail...simplify, simplify. Henry David Thoreau

Less is more. Robert Browning

I loved all of these inspiringly simple window boxes & potted plants...

I thought I'd finish with this simple arrangement of ferns. It looks so pretty to have just a little "fresh" in the middle of the table, especially in a glass vase with water. Of course, a few little votives makes it just perfect and charming! Simple pleasures really make us all the happiest! (can I say that?) Psalm 116 5&6: The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted....

I hope you have a simply wonderful evening with those you love!

ox

Window Boxes, Cultivating a Generous Attitude

My most favorite part of traveling/exploring is looking at the gorgeous ways man (or woman actually) makes beautiful things with the means and talent God has given him/her. Window boxes provide such an empty palette, for which so many beautiful and enjoyable creations are made. No matter what country, state, city or town one always finds such unique creations. Here are some such creations! Guess what my project is when kiddos go back to school next week! Yep, freshening up my window boxes. (I'll post pics!)

The above were in London! Always remember high in the back, to low in the front, varied colors and textures. Below I love the varigated ivy garland on a simple and sweet apartment. I think this was in Wales, but honestly I can't remember.

I think black window boxes are the bomb. Everything looks gorgeous in something black! (The little black dress, one piece of black furniture in each room....) I love to have flowers that thrive in a vase as they are so handy for a vase of fresh flowers!

Both above and below, London, have either boxwood (a staple) and ivy which are the best fillers.

White is a necessity, as well, as it makes the rest of the vignette just "pop"! As below, ferns are ideal as they really fill in the blank spots and always look so beautiful!

As with window boxes, with people, St. Vincent de Paul so wisely said,"Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances." My most important "practice" is being generous in the way I view people, striving for "graciousness", so as I am cultivating my beautiful boxes, I will be praying for the gift of seeing people, all people, as Christ does...with "Abundant Generousness" as author Debbie Macomber (One Simple Act) phrases it! Happy cultivating!

Kind Hospitality Outside the Home

From Pittsburgh to Santa Fe...

Kind touches and attention to detail have the ability to make one feel so welcomed. I'm just highlighting (from our Inspired trips) the little touches that can make the difference. Monica Schmelter, Host of Bridges mentioned during our interview, that one of the most memorable dinners her friends ever had for her was one where they did some simple and easy things, but she still remembers today. It wasn't the high cost/elegant location that made it memorable but the time they took which made her realize, "Wow, the time and attention into making me feel special. It did just that and more," related Monica.

At the darling Tea House, after Bridges interview...A simple cream cheese sandwich which they patted in dill. The presentation was magnificent yet so simple.

Monica...Her simple welcoming hug and words, " We are so happy to have you here", asking us if we wanted some tea, to make ourselves comfortable, basically all so simple to say...but kindness that put us at ease and made us feel so at home. Words (free!) can make all the difference for hospitality outside the home, to make you feel "At home"

This little cactus flower was on our room service tray in Santa Fe! What a delightful tiny detail that was beautiful and so flavorful of the area! Thoughtful and unique! A snippet from a plant in a votive candle holder!

This was from last night, but so cute and poignant I had to include it. My 14 year old son eats about 10 meals a day now, as he is apparently in a growth spurt. We had some friends stop by late in the evening as they are having a mouse infestation problem...their little boy is just mesmerized by my son, who just loves little Wyatt. Well, Wyatt saw Justin's newly made Youtube videos (of trains and helicopters, that I had taken him at 5am!!-mommy points--- to film for 3 hours---coffee, yes) and said while sitting down to watch Justin eat his 8th meal @9pm, "Justin, I like your video's.....and (with his big wide beautiful eyes open) I also like waffles." Cute, a polite reminder to always offer your food to your guests. After laughing (hard) Justin said,"Wyatt I will share with you.." So....this is them sharing Justin's waffles.

Valeria, the makeup artist, who worked on Hannah before the show, (Picture actually of the makeup artist in Tampa...one of her many hats) was kind and warm and made us feel so great! It was the first official make up session for a show, so we were a tad trepidacious, although I could get used to that! (If only someone could do my hair everyday, like Nancy Pelosi-ugh-that is a whole other topic)

Toni Hembree, was our interviewer/host for His Place and She and her station were so incredibly hospitable. She is sooooo young and married for only 3 years, I say that counts as a newylwed. Her sweet grace put us at ease at once, and her ability on the set was professional, capable, and so graceful. (She is our March Speaker!!!) They had a "Green Room" where we waited to be called for the shows, that was filled with ice water, fruit, books by authors they had interviewed, coffee, tea etc... Robin Hieple, the producer of His Place, also came in to welcome us and ask us if we had questions! (overwhelming evidence of Christ's love abounded in this place) Her mother in law, Cathy Hembree, the host for Focus4, interviewed us. She is a woman after my own heart, came into the Green Room and welcomed us so heartily! She was energetic and passionate about hospitality and family, and embraced the "Inspired" mission of bringing back hospitality and celebrating our daughters, and all the corresponding relationships. She is also hysterical...you can tell when you watch the show! (They are all in the process of going up on our site) All of the places we visited encouraged me, again, what the collective WE are doing is evident and making a difference across our marvelous country!

Romans 12:13 PRACTICE HOSPITALITY

I love that it doesn't say PERFECT hospitality, just practice it!

The house you're building, on solid rock for an audience of ONE

While pondering the prudence of devoting resources; days, money and energy for a Media Tour for "Inspired31.org & Design" interviews, my friend (Lorianne) mentioned that I consider the blessing of time, connection, and fun with Hannah (who is always for adventure)! Thus begun the praying*, pondering, planning and ultimately P*urchasing (tickets, hotels, etc..) for an audience of one.

Inspiringly talented people from New Mexico, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, moved and touched our spirits, in ways that are beyond words. That our country is still filled, cities to towns, with faith-filled, intelligent people whose stories are as interesting and varied as the shells upon the beach was not only heartening but deeply motivating. Yet, our audience is an audience of one.

Ted Gonzales, Hannah and her Marshmallow-Outfitted mom (who is clearly not above posting a lousy pic of herself!!) on set: GAP, Son Network, New Mexico. He was a well-spoken, knowledgeable man of God, with a profoundly interesting story. Arriving at 8am for Praise & Worship, Han and I sang and worshipped, became one in mission, for a LIVE hour show, broadcast LIVE!!! I know, I know I said that. It broadcast 3 times that day countrywide, but really our audience was an audience of one.

Monica M. Schmelter, Author of: Right Sizing Your Life: Losing 70 Lbs. , and host of "Bridges" on CTN, was our gracious and hospitable host!

Traveling through 10 cities, 10 airports, as I listened I was transformed. Pondering not just the power of the Holy Spirit to transform a life, but more (importantly) that HE* wants to!

As Hannah and I sat in the "Green Room", the prayer hotline rang incessantly. A sweet lady prayed with aching people, in need of God's love. If I ever forgot the fabric of our faith-filled country and this HOUSE IS BUILT UPON....I was happily encouraged-what we (the collective WE here) are doing MATTERS! Spending time together, building our "house", which could mean a variety of things: The fabric of "Inspired" Design, family relationship, strong faithful relationships across country to glorify our maker but mostly relishing the idea that I am ultimately living for an audience of ONE, pleasing ONE.*

Matthew 7:24

Everyone who hears these words of Mine*** and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

* The reason: My Audience is an audience of ONE.