tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.comments2023-09-10T04:45:28.073-04:00Finding Joy in the JourneyErin K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comBlogger402125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-6075413049750024912015-05-24T15:15:21.437-04:002015-05-24T15:15:21.437-04:00Hi, I ended up here as I am working my way through...Hi, I ended up here as I am working my way through Aslobcomesclean. Just wanted to say enjoyed your strengths approach. I can relate. I'd say I'm low on execute too. You mentioned self discipline. I've been trying to look at that as coming from the word disciple and viewing it as self care, rather than a straight jacket imposed by societal standards. Thanks for the thought provoking posts. Cheers, KayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-90788372074585547412012-05-01T08:41:01.307-04:002012-05-01T08:41:01.307-04:00I have several jars of pickles I canned several ye...I have several jars of pickles I canned several years ago. I believe it is time to get rid of them since we don't eat them after they've been opened! I'll put them on the compost pile which won't be a total waste, and won't can any more pickles!<br /><br />Thanks, Erinesthernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-41319934499313605062012-04-24T14:44:28.060-04:002012-04-24T14:44:28.060-04:00Thanks everyone! The next post will be published o...Thanks everyone! The next post will be published on Friday morning. :)Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-6425445142332535272012-04-24T13:32:15.100-04:002012-04-24T13:32:15.100-04:00I just finished reading part 5.All of them gave m...I just finished reading part 5.All of them gave me something to think about. We are created by God with different strengths and personalities. And he said, "it is good." So, instead of pleasing others as I have often done, (when you get "old" you don't care as much what they think)I've worked on being who I am. Although, there is one area I wish I were different and that is able to do more talking in a group, be a fun person instead of the quiet one. Yeah, I see people who talk too much, never shut up and don't want to be one of those. Also, one who talks needs someone to listen, I guess that fits me.esthernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-25962059650421426182012-04-24T11:47:25.485-04:002012-04-24T11:47:25.485-04:00Good intro, Erin! I'm in.Good intro, Erin! I'm in.WEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819599052207220214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-83099611771432941072012-04-24T10:27:31.284-04:002012-04-24T10:27:31.284-04:00Amen Monica!Amen Monica!momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-7966786997588439142012-04-24T08:31:15.719-04:002012-04-24T08:31:15.719-04:00I sincerely hope you don't leave us hanging fo...I sincerely hope you don't leave us hanging for too long! :)Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399564334516630010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-44502837482570072632012-04-23T22:17:25.790-04:002012-04-23T22:17:25.790-04:00Thanks for the encouragement Wes (and for alerting...Thanks for the encouragement Wes (and for alerting me to the typo!) :) <br /><br />My "I've got nothing" comment in the last paragraph is mostly because I feel awkward about how to end a blog post, and especially how to end an entire series. It feels like there should be some profound statement that wraps the whole thing up in a nice pretty bow, like "Live long and prosper" or "May the odds be ever in your favor." (But I've heard that both of those are taken. Darn.)<br /><br />It is interesting to think about why I feel the need to have a "profound" ending. It's like how I sometimes have trouble with silences in a conversation; there is an urgency to fill the void with something, anything. There is a discomfort with letting some things stand on their own. <br /><br />For now, I'm going to leave the post as-is, partly for the sake of avoiding perfectionism and the temptation to constantly go back and edit and fix what I've written. And partly because I want to ponder this. And partly because I still don't know how to wrap it all up. :) Perhaps I should search out a blog post on how to end blog posts.<br /><br />Thanks for letting me know that sharing my experiences has given you a new way of looking at things. It fuels my drive to keep writing and keep sharing my experiences. Authenticity is scary, but the rewards far outweigh any perceived risks! (And most of the time the risks are only that - perceived and imagined.)Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-33500379866901100402012-04-23T17:14:00.817-04:002012-04-23T17:14:00.817-04:00We don't have a single top 5 in common. For s...We don't have a single top 5 in common. For some reason I thought we would.sara lukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05694085920579983942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-1595145823008553082012-04-21T16:11:34.050-04:002012-04-21T16:11:34.050-04:00Erin--I think you and I are very similar in some w...Erin--I think you and I are very similar in some ways, even though we only share one "strength" in common. (Also, apparently both of our Mothers read our blogs and comment on them.)<br /><br />It's very much NOT "I've got nothing" as you say in the last paragraph. I think I'm learning myself that the profundity comes through the authenticity. You say that you wanted to reclaim some things in your life, and you were trying to please people, and you asked the Holy Spirit to help remind you who you are. Those are things that *I* need to do, and you having the courage to share what you did/prayed, gives me--not only the courage to do the same thing-- but the insight into how to do it. I'm *now* struggling with pleasing people, and, you know, for some reason, it didn't occur to me to ask God for specific help with that.<br /><br />Not to please me, but because it isn't true, I'd like you to remove that last bit from the last paragraph about having nothing profound. Take it from one who does--Don't sell yourself short! :)Wes athttp://www.wes-theprocess.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-23359446416103230272012-04-20T10:01:19.097-04:002012-04-20T10:01:19.097-04:00Love reading your thoughts.Love reading your thoughts.Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-1835453602552117212012-04-10T09:50:50.415-04:002012-04-10T09:50:50.415-04:00Oh yes, I think the opposite is definitely true as...Oh yes, I think the opposite is definitely true as well!! Funny how a little change in perspective can shift EVERYTHING. Thanks for trackin' along with me. :)Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-24320161591386001762012-04-07T13:05:54.184-04:002012-04-07T13:05:54.184-04:00Oooo--"I've learned to redefine success, ...Oooo--"I've learned to redefine success, which in turn has allowed me to redefine failure." Wes likes this. Might the opposite also be true too? I'm trackin' with you, Erin.WEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819599052207220214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-42725929567384787722012-03-30T17:49:04.484-04:002012-03-30T17:49:04.484-04:00I'm still relating to ya, Erin, on many fronts...I'm still relating to ya, Erin, on many fronts. But I've got you beat in the StrengthsFinder thinking realm: Intellection, Analyzation, Discipline, Responsibility(?), and Harmony. I was glad that Harmony was at the top, because all other 4 seem kind of brainy and square. Glad I at least have a heart somewhere. Keep bloggin'!WEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819599052207220214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-16480596112684317912012-03-27T21:34:48.189-04:002012-03-27T21:34:48.189-04:00I relate with you, Erin! I'm glad you're ...I relate with you, Erin! I'm glad you're posting again. I wasn't there the first time around, but I will be now. I'm wrestling with those expectations as well.WEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819599052207220214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-58240028644681548462012-03-27T16:27:42.165-04:002012-03-27T16:27:42.165-04:00How did I NOT know that you have a blog?? Perhaps ...How did I NOT know that you have a blog?? Perhaps I should spend the last half hour of the work day catching up on it. You know, in the spirit of building community among coworkers. That totally makes sense, right? :)Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-7007255038236646592012-03-27T16:26:05.396-04:002012-03-27T16:26:05.396-04:00Thanks for reading and commenting and for the enco...Thanks for reading and commenting and for the encouragement!!Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-36222020102908340062012-03-27T16:10:19.659-04:002012-03-27T16:10:19.659-04:00I know the feeling, Erin! I had a blog that I star...I know the feeling, Erin! I had a blog that I started back in 2006 and hardly ever updated. When I would, I always felt like I needed to explain what I've been up to and why I haven't blogged in a while, all before finally writing the actual post content. It was pretty overwhelming! <br /><br />With the blog I have now, I try to update it as often as I can, and I post whatever feels natural (which doesn't always mean brilliant and biting content.) Sometimes I post a photo with a paragraph or two and that's all. No eloquent sentences, no deep thoughts - just something I find inspiring. Surprisingly, that helps with my writing blocks more than anything else.Katherine Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01179574119249538157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-25360281454831509842012-03-27T11:25:28.951-04:002012-03-27T11:25:28.951-04:00Keep them coming, Erin!Keep them coming, Erin!Esthernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-89270764130369021462012-03-20T10:38:09.300-04:002012-03-20T10:38:09.300-04:00Thanks Wes for the comment and the suggestion and ...Thanks Wes for the comment and the suggestion and for welcoming me back to the fray. :) Honestly, I think it's a good thing for me to not have a TV in the kitchen - part of my problem has been an unwillingness to give up 15 minutes of a mindless rerun in exchange for putting my house in order. Plus, you are right that counter space would be an issue. And if I'm really committed to catching up on my Friends reruns I could also DVR them. I have options - sometimes I just refuse to see them and/or refuse to see that they are symptoms of a larger issue. Which is, perhaps, an entire blog post for another time. ;-)Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-10438435009332785932012-03-17T17:36:26.549-04:002012-03-17T17:36:26.549-04:00Welcome back to the fray!--though you were there b...Welcome back to the fray!--though you were there before I was. I have another solution for you, too (though counter space may be limited): How about a small tv in the kitchen--then you can watch Friends while you're un/loading the dishwasher?WEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13819599052207220214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-80148040961698628572012-03-12T01:47:58.733-04:002012-03-12T01:47:58.733-04:00I lost my young daughter (age 3 1/2) 14 years ago ...I lost my young daughter (age 3 1/2) 14 years ago - suddenly, to an illness. I know what this family is going through - it is unimaginable. I have had many years to ponder the 'whys' and 'what ifs', and I have some thoughts about that. Several years ago I was watching Christopher Reeves in a Larry King interview, after his accident left him paralyzed from the neck down,and Larry asked the question: Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why me?"? CR answered, "No, I never asked 'Why me?'... why NOT ME? Nobody's exempt". <br />I agree with that. My belief is that what happened to my child, and Jay's child was random, and unlucky. I do not think these tradegies befall certain people as part of a grand plan. I don't. I think people are lucky and unlucky and these things happen randomly, through no fault of our own. I don't think folks that win the lottery are 'more blessed' than the rest of us - they are just lucky.<br />I do believe that how we react to these tradgic events, what we make from them and how we grow from them - that is what counts, and that is where God's goodness is seen. With my dear daughter's tiny coffin before me, I gave her eulogy - several people were saved right then and there, gave their lives to Christ - they wanted what I had. I stood there before 300+ people and gave thanks to God, that I was so blessed to have had my daughter for 3 1/2 years. I started a children's charity in her memory. If I remain sad and bitter, then my child becomes a martyr for the devil, but if I can find the good that her tradegic death can perhaps inspire, then she becomes a martyr for God. It's a choice.<br />I know there will be many Christians that disagree with how I feel about all this. It is what it is...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-80255122108755544402011-03-04T22:42:47.186-05:002011-03-04T22:42:47.186-05:00Erin, you have done a great job of putting into wo...Erin, you have done a great job of putting into words exactly what I wanted to say to another FB friend who posted a link to one of the original Truth articles with her own livid rant about "what kind of father..." I so badly wanted to say, "I sure hope you never have a moment in your life where you have your guard down and something outrageous happens to cause tragedy in your life." However, I have since decided to not stir the waters on something I'm sure she's already forgotten. However, this whole thing has made me really stop and think about how it's so easy to judge others without knowing all the details. Thank you for putting into words what I wasn't able to.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399564334516630010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-51165698292289704062011-03-03T21:11:16.187-05:002011-03-03T21:11:16.187-05:00Thanks for your kind words. I know writing this ou...Thanks for your kind words. I know writing this out helped me to process through a few things - I hope it will help others as well.Erin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07686443938324656578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981767720324825719.post-3961674658910232102011-03-03T08:28:08.824-05:002011-03-03T08:28:08.824-05:00This was so beautifully written, and from someone ...This was so beautifully written, and from someone who doesn't know the family at all, this totally paints a picture of who this father is, and despite questions many may have... It reminded me so well of God's grace and how we should hold our criticisms and place whatever energies we have with the all the questions looming, and simply lift our prayers up to God... our comforter during this tragic time. My prayers will include this family.<br />God bless .Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13702242096226042575noreply@blogger.com