It Is Easy To Maintain Momentum

I am the body in motion that stays in motion.

This universal law of physics applies to both my body and mind. Once I start an activity, it’s easy to maintain momentum. Knowing this, I can soar past obstacles in my path and remain focused on my tasks and goals.

I create my action plans so they begin with undemanding tasks. This allows me to start any project with ease. Then I can quickly complete that task and move effortlessly onto the next, gaining momentum as I move forward.

The energy of my forward momentum helps push challenges aside. My active and focused mind is able to figure out a way to work with or overcome difficulties. Sometimes I may have to alter my plans, but I always maintain momentum.

It is similar to a game of pool. Once the cue hits the ball with enough energy to give it a strong push, it continues its momentum regardless of anything in its path. When it hits another ball or the wall, it simply changes its path and keeps going.

Like the ball, each and every day I have a chance to take my turn and do with it what I will! I choose to maintain my forward momentum with my eyes on my prize, even if I must change my plan from time to time.

Just as the ball comes to a stop at the end of its turn, I wind down at the end of the day and rest. The next morning I feel rejuvenated and I have the energy to take another exciting turn in this wonderful game of life!

Today, I strive to be the body in motion that stays in motion. With my forward momentum, I can handle anything that steers me away from my tasks. I may change my route to overcome challenges that arise, but I am still on course to attain my goals.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I include easy tasks at the start of my action plans?
2. What challenges in my life do I allow to stop my momentum?
3. Can I alter my path to get past my challenges so I can keep moving forward?

Moving Boxes, Video Games, and Learning to Write

Learning can happen at any time and in any place, if you are open to it. This is what Life Learning is all about. All homeschoolers, and I dare say all parents, can tell you that learning does not happen in neat little packages at the prescribed time of day or on a certain date. Unschoolers and Life Learners specifically follow that thought. We use teachable moments, rather than lesson times, to encourage our children to pursue learning.

Are you wondering how 'moving boxes, video games, and learning to write' could possibly go together?

As we pack up our belongings for our upcoming move, the boys were inspired to put pen magnet to Magna Doodle and start copying words. They walked around looking at the boxes I was labeling sounding out some words and asking about others. They would find a word they liked, and sit down to copy the letters. I took a few seconds to appreciate the milestone. It is always a fantastic feeling to be able to see the learning happen. Here I was watching them take the next step on their life long journey of the written word.

Later that night, I carried the packed boxes to the front room for storage until the load them in the truck. As I walked out from the last load, I watch from a distance as Little A runs to the movie rack and pulls out a handful of Wii games. He carries the games off saying something to J-Man that I couldn't hear. As I walk into the room I hear Little A as J-Man which game he wanted, and then watched as he handed it to him. Giving them their space, I watch from across the room as the start copying the names of the Wii games onto their Magna Doodles, and then showing each other their accomplishments. Another accomplishment of reading and writing found in the most unusual learning environment.

I don't know how any other parent handles it, but I certainly had trouble that night bringing myself to tell them to put away their toys because it was bed time!

I Choose To Feel Inspired By My Passions

I am passionate about my goals.

My passion drives me forward to live the life of my dreams. I know what I want in life and I set goals to get me there. I know that each goal I achieve brings me in union with what I desire. I feel truly invigorated with each success!

Meeting a goal, no matter how big or small, strengthens my confidence and self-esteem. I enjoy these feelings and strive to receive them as often as possible.

Setting and achieving goals is a never-ending circle of positivity that fuels my passion even more. My passion encourages me to persevere over obstacles and it is replenished and increased with every goal I complete.

My passion enables my success. I use tools to ignite and refuel my passion on a daily basis, even when I face challenges that try to smother it.

My tools include affirmations to transform negative thoughts into positive ones, meditation to relax and rejuvenate my energy, and notes and pictures to inspire and remind me of my goals.

Today, I choose to feel inspired by my passions and let the excitement propel me forward to achieve my goals, regardless of any challenges that may arise.


Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I passionate about my goals?
2. Where can I find additional inspiration?
3. What task can I achieve today to fuel my passion and get me back on track toward my goals?

Another Route To Success

Even if I take a wrong turn, I can find another route to success.

If I steer my vessel in the wrong direction, I can find a map and chart out a new course.  Stopping is not an option. I will find my way as long as I keep my eyes on the prize.

Success is a journey, not a destination. That is why I strive to make each step count. A positive attitude helps me move forward and, even when I am unsure of where I am, I am not lost. Instead, I choose to become a trailblazer. The generation coming behind me will have access to another route thanks to my resolve to stay the course and forge a new path.

When I come to a fork in the road I trust my intuition to guide me. Being spontaneous in this way helps me release my inner self and experience success in a new way.  Spontaneity gives me freedom.

Missing a turn causes me no panic because I know that I have countless options; I am not limited to only one way. A wrong turn may lead me to find a new way. The opportunity to explore the unknown excites me.

Although it feels daring to get off the fast-paced highway of life and take the scenic route, detours can be worthwhile because they lead me to discover the beautiful things in life that I otherwise may have missed. The road less traveled is filled with the most stunning sights.

Flexibility allows me to prosper despite failure. Being flexible gives me the strength to keep going when I would rather stop.


Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What do I do when I reach a dead end?
2. How might I become less rigid and more flexible?
3. What changes can I make to ensure that I enjoy the journey just as much as the end reward?

Breastfeeding Promotion Act

I found out about the Breastfeeding Promotion Act being introduced to both houses of Congress today, and immediately sent a letter to my senators and representative. Consider what these small steps could mean for mothers in the United States. Think of what this Act could mean for tomorrow's children... Click the link to send letters to your representative and senators today also!

On June 11, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act in both houses of Congress. This is the first time the bill has been introduced in the Senate.

Forty-nine states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands already have enacted various laws protecting breastfeeding mothers, but they are not uniform and most are not comprehensive. Ask your Representative and Senators to co-sponsor the Breastfeeding Promotion Act to provide a unified national policy to keep mothers, their children, and their communities healthy.

**TAKE ACTION**

Tell your Representative and Senators to co-sponsor the Breastfeeding Promotion Act:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5162/t/6359/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1697

We know that breastfeeding is good for mothers, babies, and society. The medical evidence shows that NOT breastfeeding increases the baby’s risk of infections, diarrhea, SIDS, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and childhood leukemia, and increases the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers and diabetes.Breastfeeding also has significant economic and environmental benefits for families, employers, and society.

Given all of these benefits, all major medical authorities (including the Department of Health and Human Services), recommend that babies get no food or drink other than breast milk for their first 6 months and continue to breastfeed for at least the first 1-2 years of life. But mothers need more support: only 12% of U.S. mothers are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months, and only 21% are still breastfeeding at 1 year.

Interest in breastfeeding is at an all-time high: 77% of women breastfeed their infants at birth. But breastfeeding rates drop rapidly after hospital discharge. More than 50% of women with infants less than one year old are in the labor force. Employed mothers are more likely to stop breastfeeding early if they do not receive the support they need in the workplace.

Together we can change this! Tell Congress to support the Breastfeeding Promotion Act to provide the support mothers need!

WRITE TO CONGRESS:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5162/t/6359/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1697

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2819, S. 1244) includes five provisions:

1. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect breastfeeding women from being fired or discriminated against in the workplace.
2. Provides tax incentives for businesses that establish private lactation areas in the workplace, or provide breastfeeding equipment or consultation services to their employees.
3. Provides for a performance standard to ensure breast pumps are safe and effective.
4. Allows breastfeeding equipment and consultation services to be tax deductible for families (amends Internal Revenue Code definition of "medical care").
5. Protects the privacy of breastfeeding mothers by ensuring they have break time and a private place to pump (applies to employers with 50 or more employees, see text of legislation for details).

You've been making great strides at the state level, and we know we can do it at the national level too! With a few clicks of the mouse today, you can help build critical support for a groundbreaking bill to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in the United States.

We look forward to continuing our important work together to improve the health of mothers and babies, and thank you in advance for your support!

JumpStart Storyland 'Pet Rescue' for Wii

I just found some screen shots of the new JumpStart Wii game! The boys and I can't wait to play the game. The idea of being able to put JumpStart on the Wii so that we can all share it together is exactly the kind of thing we look for. When any of us are playing games, looking at pictures, or watching videos on the computer, we just all end up huddled together, pushing for elbow room, to see the screen. We are just very family oriented, and love to spend time together. Sometimes I think that homeschooling is a big reason why we are this way. And as my daughter is a teenager now, I am so glad to say that we are good friends, and are able to talk about everything together.

But, back to the Jumpstart Wii game. We actually did try going to JumpStart.com from within the Wii internet channel. Alas, it would not work. I think it said something about needing to download a plug-in for the browser, which I don't believe you can do on the Wii. If it can be done, we have not figured out how. But our luck is changing!

From what I have heard, JumpStart.com's Storyland is jumping off the internet and into a Wii game disc! The new game will be titled, 'Pet Rescue'. I will share more as I hear it, so stayed tuned! Meanwhile, here's a sneak peek!

JumpStart is Coming Out for Wii!

The kids and I are so excited about JumpStart coming out with a Wii game! The Wii is fairly new in our house anyways, but the idea of a JumpStart game coming out for it has all of us hopping around!

It seems that JumpStart has been a part of our house forever... okay, it has only been about 10 years. I remember my now teenage daughter playing the old 3rd grade CD-Rom on the computer years ago. It was a fun treat for her when I was busy being miserable during pregnancy. It was very self led, although at the time I felt bad about passing her off to the computer! The robot has never been forgotten...just his name.

Along the way, we picked up other JumpStart titles. I remember the JumpStart Animal Adventures coming into our house about four years ago and being among our favorites. The bats "Echolocation" song still gets sung around our house to this day. My youngest absolutely loves it.

When the boys had hit a plateau with the self directed "learn to read" materials in the house, I went in search of more. I turned to JumpStart as a trusted friend full of educational entertainment for the boys. I picked up JumpStart World Kindergarten and JumpStart Phonics for them. Then, there is JumpStart.com ...

Of course, this is where the adventure of computer mishaps started. I will save that part of the story for another time.

Suffice to say that we are currently waiting with bated breath for the new JumpStart Wii game to be released.

I Wannabe A Hub Nugget!

A hub that I put up on HubPages has been nominated to be a Hub Nugget! 

Check out 'Allergic to Everything'! It is the tale of discovering my family's food allergies and sensitivities. 

It was chosen to be among eleven hubs that have also been nominated this week. I would love to be able to start of my HubPages career with a Hub Nugget standing among my hubs! All I need is for a bunch of you guys to go over to this page, and vote for 'Allergic To Everything' by Sparkle Chi. The page is a bit long, but the voting isn't until most of the way down it, and you will find 'Allergic to Everything' listed in the middle. 

You do not need to be a member of HubPages to vote, and no you don't need to sign up... just push the little radio button next to 'Allergic To Everything'! Please?

Of course, if you like to write, you might want to sign up for HupPages here.

And, "Yes, I did go link crazy! Mwhahahhaa!"

Self Forgiveness & Passion

We must all accept that we are each doing the best that we know how in our current understanding. When we grow, we must forgive ourselves...

...forgive ourselves from whatever our past holds. Sometimes it seems too painful to bear, and self forgiveness the farthest thing from us.

and it is in this that we find our passion, but to grow we need to forgive ourselves. I think I have much passion, and not enough growth...

...quoted from what I tweeted earlier. I meant no judgment of anyone, unless it was of my own past deeds.

Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sparkle_Chi 

Bugs, Kids, and Energy!

A busy weekend has crept over it's limit, and invaded my week.
It was an eventful time dedicated to family and, of course, my kids.

We had a glorious time with a new pc game that we bought, Plants vs. Zombies. It is the perfect blending of defending us from the "bad guys" that my oldest son is still stuck in, and using nature to defend us that my other children love! It has adorable plant characters, and the funniest looking zombies you have ever seen. Nothing to be scared of here, even my six year old loves the game! I just love to watch my boys cooperate to solve problems...even when it is figuring out how to defeat a computer game!

Impromptu Science Class!

Of course if you want to feel just a bit of fear coming up from deep in the DNA of your bones, then the "show" that we witnessed would be just for you! My six year old came up from the back of the house at one point to gather everyone to come see something that he had discovered. We walked with him, and watched him climb up on a stool and point to the ceiling. A very enterprising spider had taken the liberty of building a web around the hallway light bulb. At first I was annoyed that I had more webs to take down, but then he pointed out that the spider had caught a moth in its web, and was busy wrapping it in a cocoon. As we watched, it went from something that we could identify as a moth to a cylindrical lump. The most horrifying part was watching as the carnivorous spider sucked the blood, and whatever other fluids, from the body of the hopefully dead moth.

Now most people may not feel much of a reaction to watching this process, and are able to experience it with a simple curiosity of the process. And, for this experience, I count those people as lucky. Having children that are sensitive to the currents of the energy that make up ourselves and the world around us can sometimes be a trying experience, as everyday occurrences can be felt as the harrowing experiences they are truly are. I count myself lucky to be able to see and feel so much of what they do, and have learned so much from them. Again I am thankful that I homeschool.

I don't want to leave you on such a dark note. The natural processes of insects is that they are designed to be the clean up crew for the Earth. They serve the necessary role of breaking down that which is already decaying, rotting, or dead. Imagine what a garbage dump the Earth would be without their help! But as such, their job is one of destruction, and it is hard to be so sensitive to it and be so close to it.

As for sensing the energies, the joys of seeing and experiencing the energy of growth and love is fabulous. That is why I balance our lives with pets and plants! If you have a pet that you love, you will understand just what I mean, whether you can feel or see energy or not. It is the love from hugging your child, curling up with your cat, or tending your garden. It is the warmth you feel from the sun on a pleasant spring day. A smile in your soul...