The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Aug 2nd- A few of my favorite things...

~The excitement receiving the next shipment of socks in the mail

~A new design each month to look forward to

~A fun pair of socks to help say "Game On" to enjoying the second half of summer

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

 May 156th- A Few of My Favorite Things...

~The anticipation our next shipment of socks

~The fun of receiving a new design

~Knowing that good dental hygiene is always in style, from head to toe

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

 Mar 6th- A few of my favorite things...

~The fun of receiving mystery patterned socks each month

~The surprise of a colorful design reminiscent of pebbles on the beach

~The knowledge of knowing your socks support a worthy cause...and are comfy, too!

#awesomesocksclub

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

 Oct 2nd- A few of my favorite things...

~The fun of revisiting old favorites

~The fun of making an old movie your new favorite

~The fun of receiving an all-around favorite from your Big Sis and Family

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

May 4th- A few of my favorite things...
~Receiving the long-awaited call that my clarinet was ready to come home from the shop
~A master technician who figured out how to adapt my clarinet for me
~Being able to reach a key with the left hand comfortably for the first time

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Oct 2nd- A few of my favorite things...
~The satisfying low rumbly sound of paper being loaded on the carriage
~The distinctive clickety-clack sound of typewriter keys by my aspiring writer
~The warm-your-heart fun of a receiving a note typed just for you

The Habit of Encouragement: The Puff Paradigm

My aunt is one of the greatest encouragers I know.

She has the gift of mercy.

She remembers details of what 

other people's happy thoughts are.

She buys amazing little gifts that lift the spirits.

She makes yummy meals for those in need.

Brings ice cream 

and cones

for no particular reason,

She even remembered what a 

friend's favorite milkshake was

and had me deliver it 

when he moved into 

my area.

She will listen to you, pray with you

and remind you that God is always with you...

...even in the storms

of life...

He is still there!

Recently, my aunt and uncle 

have been going through their own storm.

When she called me the first night crying, 

I prayed for them both, but I also prayed that 

friends would surround them and shower them

with their presence and encourage them

along the way...

...and they have!

Friends have sent cards,

brought meals,

written notes,

and just 

been there

for them.

They have been 

the hands of feet of God

on earth.

Those she once encouraged, now encourage her.

And she is allowing them to 

bless her.

The Puff Paradigm is now complete.

What is the Puff Paradigm?

Recently I introduced the magic "Puff The Magic Dragon"

to my kids.

As I watched it I never realized how deep

this children's movie was.

Jackie Draper was sad and needed encouragement,

so...

Puff took Jackie Draper and turned him into Jackie Paper.

Then he taught him 3 important lessons.

First, he needed a change of perspective his situation: the sea.

He only could think of the sea as a horrible place.

Puff showed him what it could be:

Second he needed a change of perspective on people.

Puff helped show him that the mean, scary pirate

was really just a person who'd rather 

be a cook.

Now if the movie ended there,

It would be a great message:

Sometimes we need a change of perspective

on 

the circumstances

and/or 

the people

in our lives.

But the message would be incomplete....that's not where the movie ends.

So just how did Jackie Paper (not real) become Jackie Draper (real) once again?

He learned this lesson:

He learned to give back 

what he had been taught!

How do you know you really have learned something?

When you can teach it to others.

That is the Puff Paradigm:

It is completed only when you can give back to someone else, 

even the one who encouraged you in the first place.

One-way giving can be toxic to both the giver and recipient.

It is better when it goes both ways.

Jackie Paper realized 

he could help Puff 

and encouraged him in his time of need.

And Puff realized he could be the receiver 

when he was used to being the giver.

The cycle was complete!

Jackie Paper became Jackie Draper once again.

So today,

take time to lift up

someone else,

show them a 

different perspective

on 

circumstances 

and/or

people.

Encourage 

as you have been

Encouraged.

Be encouraged 

as you have been

encouraged by

 those who come along side you.

And Puff's Paradigm

will make everyone's

day

brighter.