Encouragement Wednesday

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pic is another old photo from an old beach trip of a not-so-old Roxie. Love the cheeks!

RANDOMNESS #1 - After I wrote about Austin's view from his dorm room window on Project 365 Monday night, I thought no more about it (as is my custom). I moved on to another day, other thoughts, etc. Last night at 10:30, Austin called to tell us a little about his day. After he talked with his Dad for a few minutes, Mikie handed me the phone.

"Hi, Babe. How is everything going?"

"Good. Good. I'm really excited about this fall," he responded. I already knew this. Austin loves football games, band, traveling to games, etc. He actually grieves when football/band season is over.

"I know. It's about to get really busy."

"No. I mean, yeah. But I was looking out my window today. Did you know you can see the mountains and the stadium and all the trees and buildings? It is going to be beautiful when the leaves change. And if it snows... Wow. It's going to really be something if it snows this year."

Hmmm. Was he making fun of me? Had he read Project 365? No. That wasn't possible. My kids never read my blogs. Was he being sincere? Had he actually looked out his window and noticed the beauty from his dorm room window?

Yes. Yes, he had!

"You're very lucky to have such a great room and view this year," I told him.

"I know. I am so excited."

And that sums up the beginning of Austin's sophomore year at college pretty well. He is excited. (And while I wasn't able to say this last year, I'm excited for him.) See, we're both growing up!

Wednesday Wisdom - Since my official theme for the week is "Simplicity," I have a few quotes about the subject.

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius (So, so true.)

"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough." Author Unknown

"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring... these are some of the rewards of the simple life." John Burroughs (This is my favorite. It is a perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy what is all around you.)

"I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone; best both for the body and the mind." Albert Einstein

"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." Winston Churchill

Encouragement Wednesday

I said I would share an easy, simple tradition with you, and that is exactly what I'm going to do. I had something else in mind, but on the way to school today, I looked at Roxie and told her, "Why don't you text your brother (The Boy) this morning?" She usually sends him messages on Facebook a couple of times a week to update him on her volleyball games and life in general, but she whipped out her phone and in five seconds flat (no exaggeration), she had texted him a "Have a good day" type message.

"Done," she said.

"Well, you have two brothers," I reminded her. I expected her to tell me she had just said good-bye to Josh seconds earlier, but instead she grinned, and sent another text.

"I bet your cousins would like a little text from you, too." In 30 seconds, she had sent three more texts to Brad, Katie and Zac.

"I better send one to Aunt Bev. I don't want her to get jealous."

In a matter of three or four minutes, she had sent six encouraging text messages to family members.

"We're going to call this 'Encouragement Wednesday,' and you can do this each and every Wednesday on the way to school. It will be fun." And we high-fived and knuckle-bumped to make it official.

And that's what we're going to do. It will be a good way for her to stay connected with her brothers and cousins over the next few years as they grow up and away... and you never know when someone needs an encouraging word!

Will I join her and text on Encouragement Wednesday? I think not. What took Roxie a few minutes to accomplish, would have me busy until well after lunch. But I might send an e-mail or two.

Fun fact for you... I was regional shorthand and typing champ in high school. Keyboards don't scare me. Texting (and my lack of speed) drives me crazy!

Join us on Encouragement Wednesday! Even if you send only one encouraging text, you never know what impact it might have on that person.

Have a "grand" Wednesday. (That's the word Roxie used in my Encouragement Text I received from her after I dropped her off at school today... before a teacher took her phone away from her! I would LOVE to have a grand day. I think I shall!) On Thursday, I have some funny Blog Linkage to share and another SIMPLE date for you and yours.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting and Encouraging Belinda