Pieces of Love

We give a piece of ourselves to others through love; our daughters, our sons, our wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, friends and acquaintances all take a piece of our hearts.  Through relationships, those pieces come back to us and complete a joy.  Never regret giving a piece of yourself away.  Don’t let that piece become tainted with hatred for a piece of your heart will always be a piece of love.  The more love you give away the more beautiful you become.  We’re all broken in one way or another, but together we’re a masterpiece.  

Golf: Every Sport In One Game?

I’ve come to learn that golf incorporates almost every sport known to man.  If you haven’t played the game, then you might argue that golfing is boring, lazy, and downright tormenting.  But you’d be surprised at the range of sports you’ll find…on the course.

1.    You hit the ball in the sand—Beach Polo.

2.    Your ball lands in a nest of fire ants—Hopscotch.

3.    The perfect drive hooks into a house—100 yard dash.

4.    Another golfer pockets your ball—Gladiators.

5.    A swarm of bees finds you interesting—Fencing (your 9 iron is truly a sword).

6.    Your pitching wedge floats the ball to within inches—Layup (Basketball).

7.    Fairway wood plus the tree in front of you—Backstroke (Swimming).

8.    200 yard drive plus 50 yard bounce off cart path—Homerun (Baseball).

9.    Perfect shot, but the stream catches your ball instead—Interception (Football).

10.   9 Iron loft hits an embankment and bounces back—Volleyball.

11.   Your ball lands amongst exposed tree roots—Kickball or Soccer.

12.   You chip a shot, only to realize a stick or pinecone was in front of your ball—Net (Tennis).

13.   Your teammate tosses a ball at you while you’re trying to drive—Handball.

14.   Your new Taylormade ball lands in the lake—Scuba Diving.

15.   Another golfer nearly hits you with their ball—Boxing.

16.   10 feet off the green, but you still think you can putt—Hockey.

17.   The perfect shot, a hole in one—Golf.

 

The list can surely go on, but one thing is for certain…golf is the most competitive sport played because your greatest opponent is yourself.  So, bring your swimming trunks, cleats, sunscreen, and tent because you’re going to experience everything from beachfront properties to camping in the woods.

Liquid Love

Your love tries to drain me, but I won’t let it be—I have my bottle of water.

The first time we met, under my arms were wet—thank you D.O. for working harder.

The first time we kissed, there was a mist on my lips, but it disappeared with passion.

When we said “I do”, my forehead resembled dew—tux sleeves are just big napkins.
Sweat on my chest; let’s not mention the rest—that first time we made love.

Streams down my cheeks, at our baby’s first squeak—experiencing my first “little hug”.

Water on my brow, learning how to plow—digging dirt to experience gardening.

No liquid in my brain, fighting this migraine—but smiling as you watch Tonya Harding.

My socks are soaking wet, I smell like a pet—mowing just to keep you at bay.

My eyes won’t stop pouring, this onion is roaring—for you, I replicate Bobby Flay.

My back is a lake, this shirt you can take—painting every room a different shade.

Now I’m ready to quit, there’s sweat in my knee pit—hiking a mountain for play.

Is this sweat in my hair?  Hey, I don’t care—about to toss you into the ocean.

My arms are completely covered, my muscles quiver—rubbing your back with lotion.

I’m forced to hydrate.  For you, my mate—because I try to rise above.

I may smell like a horse, but with no remorse—for you, I drip liquid love.

Adventures With Your Children: This week…Build A Fire

It’s officially camping season!  But you don’t have to pack all the gear into your car and head for the mountains to build a fire.  Get a few bricks from your local hardware store, make a circle in your back yard, and create a place where children’s imaginations flourish.  A fire attracts bugs, burning wood creates a wonderful display of colors, the stars fill the night sky, and nature provides the ambiance.  When the flames start to rise, so will your child’s eyebrows.

Think of all the wonderful things you can do around a fire…make s’mores, have a picnic, bundle up next to your little one, and tell stories.  You see, the fire will be the center of attention, which will take the pressure off you to be the hero for the moment, but as the night goes along, you will take center stage again.  Tell a wonderful story and have your child chime in with plot twists.  Hand out goodies and treats, while mimicking the strangest voice you can muster.  Play hide and seek in the dark.

Your child already wants to go outside.  Everybody loves a fire.  Who can resist chocolate and lemonade while the moon is glowing?  This adventure begins with the spark of a match and continues into a world of adventure.

Adventures With Your Children--Give 3 Things and Ask of 3 Things.

Children can easily fall victim to routine; they get home from school and expect to do their homework, get to watch a favorite show, play with their toys, get ready for bed, and fall asleep.  So, when they ask for something that usually happens several times a week, it probably doesn’t inspire them.  This week, let’s work on that inspiration and motivation by first giving three things and then doing three things.

Giving can be easy, simple, cheap, or elaborate and expensive.  If your child absolutely loves The Bubble guppies, then you can give your child your presence and attention.  Sit on the floor with them and interact while the show is on.  They will probably explain to you each character and what they find fascinating about the show.  By the end of the show, I promise your child will be more interested in The Bubble Guppies, then if you were in the kitchen washing dishes and they were alone.

Now, your child sees that you gave them something, and it’s your turn to ask for something—out of the ordinary.  Get the real bubbles out and go into the back yard.  Ask your child to join you and start the adventure.  Who can blow the biggest bubble?  Where are the bubbles going when they soar off to the neighbor’s yard?  What happens to the bubble when it pops?

After your initial request, you child might begin to imagine doing different things—out of their usual routine—and it’s now your chance to shine.  Be ready to grant their next request because it could include going to the park to blow bubbles this time.

By giving something simple and asking for something simple, you will show your child that you are genuinely interested in their perspective, their imagination, their world.  When you step into that world, you become larger than life…and the real adventure begins.

Adventures With Your Children--Powerful Crayons!

This week…Colors unlock your child’s imagination.

Your child may be six months old or thirty-five, but there is a magical wand that needs to be placed in their hand—a crayon.  The littlest ones may try to color their teeth, a six year old tries to stay in the lines, a ten year old recreates intelligence, a sixteen year old expresses beauty, a twenty-five year old conveys their emotions, and forty year olds colors laughter.  Crayons express imaginations on many different levels.

The selection of the picture doesn’t matter…it’s what happens when the mind starts racing to create something special.  A purple unicorn, orange sun, blue grass, and pink bunny doesn’t make sense, but the words coming out of your child’s mouth while this is happening will bring so much understanding to your soul.

“Daddy, the lion is brown, but he has red hair because you have red hair.  He can run fast, just like you, and he likes to give hugs.”  “Mommy, the princess has a pretty dress like you.  Her favorite food is macaroni and cheese and chocolate ice cream, just like me.”

I promise you, it doesn’t matter if the lines are crossed, colors mixed, or pages wrinkled, the outcome is simply beautiful.  Conversations come easier with a crayon in hand.  Fond memories surface and aspirations unfold.  If you really want to know what’s going on in your child’s life, take fifteen minutes, lay out the crayons, and start coloring with your them.  An adventure is waiting in your child’s mind…and you are the main character.

Adventures With Your Children

This week…Story Time With Your Children

There are plenty of books, conferences, shows (both radio and television), and lesson plans out there for men and women who aspire to be great parents.  They can have different aspects, advice, agendas, and outcomes, but one thing they have in common is quality time with the child.  The Adventures of Bubba and Sissy is going to run with that commonality.

Week One is for story time.  This week, pick out seven different books and set aside time to read one each day.  Devote yourself to this time.  Turn off your phone, computer, and television and simply read.  Don’t let the words of the book fall flat from your lips; discover each page, critique the pictures, and let your child express themselves through their imaginations.

When you’re finished reading the book, let the real adventure begin.  Run to the living room and play out the roles of the characters in your chosen book.  Let your child dictate the outcome of the real adventure.  Interact with their imagination and let your own imagination join their world.  Leave behind skepticism and realistic outcomes and delve into the world of your child’s imagination.  Transport yourself back to childhood and become your child’s best friend.

I assure you that quality time in reality will transcend into your child’s dreams.  You already are their hero, so it’s time to become their super-hero.  Remember, a child is constantly analyzing the world’s input and making decisions that you may never know about.  Become the beacon of positive light to their souls.

This week, read…let life become an adventure…starting today.