Flecks of Gold

There's a story of a young man who sold all his possessions and left Boston in 1849 to join the California gold rush. He worked hard, but all he ever found were rocks. One day an old prospector came by and commented on the large pile of rocks the young man had collected.

The man complained that he hadn't found any gold. To this the old prospector took two of the rocks and smashed them together. He showed the young man the flecks of gold inside.

"But I want the big nuggets like the ones in that pouch of yours," the young man said.

The prospector handed over his pouch. When the young man looked inside, he found it was full of gold flecks. The old prospector had made a fortune out of the small, seemingly insignificant flakes of gold.

Too often in my efforts to parent and publish and serve and grow, I discount the little flecks of gold because I'm looking for the big nuggets. I forget that the patient accumulation of hundreds of gold flecks - a moment of laughter with my kids, getting a full manuscript request, bringing a smile to some one's face, adjusting a negative attitude - amounts to quite a fortune indeed.

What are the gold flecks in your life this week? Why do we disregard our small efforts/accomplishments for something bigger? What "fortunes" have you discovered in your life from seemingly small efforts?

It's Done!

After twelve weeks, our basement project is FINISHED. Instead of one big room, we now have a storage room (that's the door you see), bedroom/office and large pantry closet.

We worked like crazy to get it done this weekend - putting away everything we'd been storing in the garage and taking a load of things to goodwill that we'd hung onto.

And how did I celebrate the completion of this project? I did more organizing. Why can't I take a moment to relax and celebrate? Something to put on my to-do list. :)

What are your current projects? What things have you finished lately? How did you celebrate?

Just to Make You Laugh

We were at a barbecue last night and one of the guys there had some Chinese candy from work. My boys tried some, and then my second son came over and quietly asked me: "Does eating that candy make you speak in Chinese?" I laughed and laughed!

What funny things have your kids said or done lately? What's been a LOL moment for you? What ethnic candy/food would you love to eat and instantly be able to speak that language (me: a tie between French and Italian)?

Never Give Up

I mentioned in my last post about my boys' entrepreneur spirit, selling Popsicles to the neighborhood kids. They enjoyed it so much that the next day, loaded with more goodies my DH bought them to sell, they tried again. But this time they had no customers. When I helped my oldest son move his table closer to home, I asked him if he wanted to take a break. He replied, "No. I'm not giving up!"

Not too long after that, they had a little crowd around their stand and ended up selling much more than they had the day before. It was a great reminder to me of how much we can learn from our kids.

Another person who's inspired me with her "don't give up" attitude is my good friend and critique partner Elana Johnson. I had the opportunity to attend her launch party here in Utah Wednesday night for her book Possession. The evening was fun, funny, and inspiring.

Elana recalled how she'd been on the other side of the podium numerous times, watching other authors speak. But Wednesday night she was behind the podium, giving her own speech about her book. Knowing the obstacles she's faced on this journey, I am in awe of her determination not to give up and all that she's been able to accomplish. She's taught me to keep going, keep reaching, keep believing.

What people have inspired you in your life to never give up on yourself or your dreams? What helps you keep going when discouragement sets in?

Summer Plans

1. Going to South Dakota next month to visit friends and see one of the wonders of the World.

2. Hoping to get up to Bear Lake at some point. This is one of our favorite places to vacation here in Utah.

3. Writing more on my work in progress - I think I've found some of the joy again.

4. Watching some America's Got Talent and The Voice.

5. Reading. I have about 350 pages to go of 1,037 until I finish Gone With the Wind! Next in line is That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake and She Walks In Beauty by Siri Mitchell (if I can squeeze in another reading before book club at my house).

6. Enjoying our summer schedule but also the moments of spontaneity. Like my boys selling Popsicles with their friends to passersby today.

7. Last, but definitely not least, celebrating Simon and Schuster's release of Possession written by my good friend and critique partner Elana Johnson! This sci-fi young adult book is a fun, fast-paced read about a controlling society and how far you'd go for what you believe in.

(Here's me with my brand new, store-bought copy!)

There are all sorts of cool things happening with the release of this book. Check out the Possession fan site, and mark your calendars for the Virtual Launch Party on June 16th at 7:00 p.m. MST. (More info to follow on the fan site and on Elana's blog.) Elana will be answering questions LIVE about herself and her book!

What are your summer plans? Any great tips for traveling LONG distances with kiddos (particularly one under two years of age)?

True to You

Every year, our elementary school does a dance festival. All the grades perform a dance outside, on the black top, for the parents. This year my oldest son's class performed to a luau song from Grease 2. My fun-loving guy really got into it - even threw in some head to knee moves that were pretty sweet. The best part was seeing him having so much fun up there, which made it even funner for us watching him.

This experience and a great (re)post by literary agent Rachelle Gardner about writing your own truth got me thinking. I've been struggling with my work-in-progress. I've been trying to write it according to what other people think/want and not just letting it come from the heart. But it's only when we write honestly and from our heart, silencing the critics at this stage, that we are inspired, and in turn, those reading our work will be inspired too.

What helps you write from the heart? What things do you try to stay true to? What sweet dance moves can you bust out? (I don't have any break dancing moves like my little guy, but I can cha, cha, cha!)