Do Right. Easier Said Than Done.

Why does doing the right thing tend to seem hard?

Saying something nice instead of what you’re really thinking.

Going against the majority because you’re acting in someone’s best interest.

Not taking that drink.

Taking time to reflect before reacting.

Getting up when you’re down.

Exercising.

Speaking out.

Why? Because in the moment it feels easier not to make that choice. But guess what. That choice that seemed easier keeps weighing on you. Instead of one moment being hard you get minutes, hours, days, years, lifetimes of hard. In an instant, just choosing to do right could change your life for the better. It really is an instant. And guess what happens almost in the instant that you do the right? Your heart let’s go. You breathe easier. You rest easier. You live easier. You love easier. You enjoy easier. Easier. Easier. Easier.

Easier said than done, huh?

So what was it that was easier?

#doright #withloveandlight

E.T. I'll be right here.

We watched “E.T.” tonight with our children. Abby is eight and William is six. It was fantastic.

After trying for many days to get a babysitter so my husband and I could go out to see a movie on our own, I gave up and proposed that instead we have a family movie night. Andrew suggested “E.T.” explaining that every child must see it. I’m not sure why, but I hesitated. As I looked through the other options, I honestly couldn’t imagine any other movie available being any better. I was right. Andrew was most definitely right.

Watching E.T. with our children for the first time was magical. I can only imagine what it was like for my parents when we first watched it together. Andrew and I had the added bonus of having seen the movie before and having the opportunity to help our children through some of the parts they found intense with the promise of hope.

I love, love, loved being reminded how those children stood up against every authority in their lives to protect the innocent, to do what was right and ultimately to save a life. I was amazed at the simplicity and yet complexity of the movie. My heart soared.

I will declare it now, regardless of technological achievements, the group bike escape and flying scene is the greatest movie scene of all times.

My heart is full of joy and hope. Thank you, Steven Spielberg. Your gift of creating meaningful relationships through characters and story continues to amaze me movie after movie. I so appreciate this special evening and memory you have given my family.

"I'll be right here."

With love and light,

LT

Strayed

I can appreciate Cheryl Strayed’s choice in last names. I’ll let you read her book “Wild” to realize why she chose it. My “strayed” is a different story but a strayed one none the less.

If I don’t work to keep a strong and centered focus on God and our relationship all the other parts of me start to stray. I’m not as patient with my children. I’m not as loving to my husband. I’m not as thoughtful to my friends. I’m not as kind to strangers. I close off. I become insular. I stop.

But, if I do focus on God, I can make stronger choices, choices that lead to positive reactions and positive repercussions.

To be honest, I don’t always know what staying focused on God looks like. I know what it feels like, but I’m not always awesome at taking the action steps to open the door to that intimacy. Should I be praying in a different way, studying, attending my bible study, curtailing my speech, taking action, or participating more in my church community. I’ll admit, probably all of the above is the answer. It’s all been weighing on my heart. So, why am I in my way and how do I get out of the way if I seem to know the answer?

Always in the hope of love and light,

LT