Christmas is for Everyone by Bob Tschannen-Moran

LIFETREK PROVISION #752 (12/25/11): CHRISTMAS IS FOR EVERYONE
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Christians often bemoan the fact that Christmas has become so commercialized. In many Christian and non-Christian lands, the celebration of Christmas is in full swing with decorations, gift giving, and jolly times. It is the season of Christmas that makes or breaks retailers around the globe. Given how it all started, with humble beginnings in the Jewish street, the celebrations of today, some 2,000 years later, are easy to ridicule as hypocritical.

Before we go too far in that direction, however, consider this irony: at its core, the Christmas message is for everyone. Whether we believe in the message or not, the message is no more complicated than this: The Great One is with us. No strings attached. Right where we are, just the way we are. Infused with life. So why not have a big party to celebrate! Perhaps the secularization of Christmas is, in fact, a fitting turn of events. Everyone is able to get in on the act, and that seems marvelous to me.

So from all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas! Enjoy the day.

LifeTrek Coaching International Staff
 

Bob Tschannen-Moran	Megan Tschannen-Moran	Christina Lombardo Ray
Erika Jackson	Kate Kriynovich	Maura Rawn

Center for School Transformation Faculty

Amy Piacentino	Jeanie Cash	Kathleen Pietrasanta
Sara Miller	Susan MacDonald	Donni Davis-Perry

May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.

Bob Tschannen-Moran, IAC-CC

President, LifeTrek Coaching International, www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
CEO & Co-Founder, Center for School Transformation, www.SchoolTransformation.com
2010-2011 President, International Association of Coaching, www.CertifiedCoach.org
Author, Evocative Coaching: Transforming Schools One Conversation at a Time, Online Retailers

Address: 121 Will Scarlet Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Phone: (757) 345-3452 * Fax: (772) 382-3258
Skype: LifeTrek * Twitter: LifeTrekBob
Mobile: www.LifeTrekMobile.com

My Body

What happened to the body I knew?

The one I used to have?  Where by breasts were firm and high?  Two babies nurtured and nursed and years gone by.  Now not so firm and high but where grandbabies love to snuggle – right by my heart!

I do not know this body of mine now.  It has aches, pains, and ouches in very odd places.  Outstretched arms, once belonging to my children, no longer lift up.  Now those same arms reach down to their children.  Once lifting children was my life, now I settle on the couch, “come sit by me,” I say, “you are getting too big to carry.”  Surprisingly, they come and snuggle in beside me to read a book, or watch tv, or show me their latest booboo.

I do not match this body of mine.  Inside I am youthful, energetic, joyful, and full of life.  What I see in the mirror is not me…who has invaded my body?  I do not know her.  Round in so many places that once were strong and toned, still long limbed but thicker than when I was younger.  If I don’t put on my glasses I can no longer see me clearly at all…maybe that is my rose colored glasses…seeing out of focus.

When did my babies grow so strong and tall?  In the blink of an age, they are now awesome moms, uncles, aunts, and mentors with little ones who look up to them now.

When did the babies turn into grand-babies?  What is so grand about a grandma?  I like being a grand-mom.  It fits me.  I have much more time to stop and watch the ants (although I draw the line at watching the snake), paint a picture, rub a back, cheer on a soccer player, kiss a booboo.

A new group of babies giggle at me knees, sweetly sing-songing “maw-maw”, “maw-maw”, “watch me”!  I swore, when young, “maw-maw” I’d never be that was for old women.  Grams – never grammy, g’ma, g-mom.  Now maw-maw is the sweetest words I hear!  I don’t mind at all!

Teach me how to whisper

Teach me how to whisper 

so I can learn to be gentle with myself.

Teach me how to whisper

so truth and soul become one within.

Teach me how to whisper

so I speak my truth, gently, unerringly, infinitely. 

Teach me how to whisper

so I may show others their beginning paths.

Teach me how to whisper

so I have no need to shout.

Teach me how to whisper. 

3/27/11 

My Want List

beeswax candle making kit

long handled wooden spatula type wooden spoon for canning

picture frames all oak 5x7 size; three or four 8x10 size

good smelling bath stuff preferably something with patchouli (musk) in it
Passion by Elizabeth Taylor
vanilla amber musk by bodycology - NOT vanilla brown sugar which smells horrid!
candles all colors
clear candle holders plates

staple gun
sewing scissors sharpened
kitchen knives sharpened

Katrina Powers Friedberg You know when you are turning into your mother when....you come home from work look @ the tornado, laugh & head for bed.

“Grace is available for each of us every day - our spiritual daily bread - but we've got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow.”    Sarah Ban Breathnach

Heather's first homcoming she's beautifu!

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

Jayme dancing

I stand looking in the mirror, at these lines upon my face, wondering if in this lifetime, I will find peace and grace.