Links, Books, and Other Things I Love – July 2016
Once a month we share articles, books, and things we love at Leigh Kramer’s What I’m Into.
Here are some of my favorites from June and what I’m looking forward to in July.
1 Second Everyday
[If you can’t see the 1 Second Everyday video, click here]
~ * ~ * ~
Around the Web
• Giving Up the Right to Be Right
“The truth is, whether justified or not, my grandfather’s decision has affected our family for two generations. Right or wrong, it was a loss for the whole family. . . . Unforgiveness that is unresolved, never made right and never gotten over reaches far beyond the original offense,” says Laura Acuña.
• How Is Your Phone Changing You?
• The Ten Pleasures
An interesting reframing by David Murray of the Ten Commandments. “The Ten Commandments are framed mainly in the negative. But each negative also implies a positive, and each prohibition of vice enjoins a pleasure in virtue.”
• Psychologists Recommend Children Be Bored in the Summer
“There’s no problem with being bored,” says Lyn Fry. “It’s not a sin, is it? I think children need to learn how to be bored in order to motivate themselves to get things done. Being bored is a way to make children self-reliant.”
~ * ~ * ~
On Reading, Writing, and Blogging
• Read Like a Reader, Not a Student by Ryan Higginbottom
“Reading like a student is limiting. It’s like restricting yourself to one kind of pie. Apple is great, but wouldn’t life be better with cherry or pecan on the menu too?”
• Should You Start a Blog? by Darren Rowse
Here are 22 questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking about starting a blog.
• Can Reading Make You Happier? by Ceridwen Dovey
Yes, there is such a thing as a “bibliotherapist” now. Not a bad idea. We avid readers would agree that the right book can really change your life.
• Currently Reading
- I Am Malala
The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
by Malala Yousafzai - Paperboy
by Vince Vawter - Entering the Castle
An Inner Path to God and Your Soul
by Caroline Myss - The Happiness Dare
Pursuing Your Heart’s Deepest, Holiest, and Most Vulnerable Desire
by Jennifer Dukes Lee
~ * ~ * ~
Things I Love
• Ah, the beach
Jeff and I took a quick trip to Panama City Beach last weekend. This is one of our favorite things to do:
• Barry’s Show
My brother-in-law Barry is now in the top 4! He entered the “Kickstart Your Career” contest with a local sports radio station, and if he wins, he’ll be the host of his own radio talk show once a week.
Final 4! Anthony, Drew, Barry, Justin
We’ve had such fun gathering at The Furniture Factory each Tuesday night this month to eat together and watch Barry and the other contestants.
Our Auburn section with Cole Cubelic, a judge for the contest and former AU offensive lineman, 1996-2001 (you can guess which one is Cole, right?)
The door prize winners this week were all from our group, no matter how many times they would draw!
• Wedding Planning
has been fun. . . especially since we’ve successfully avoided this so far: The Problem with the Pinterest Dream Wedding.
Since Jenna got engaged May 30, I’ve enjoyed the extra time together and seeing how excited she is to spend the rest of her life with Trey. They began premarital counseling with their pastor last Sunday and are off to a great start.
• Book Club
A few of my family and friends are reading Entering the Castle together. We met a few weeks ago at my sister Sandy’s house for our first discussion. It’s a challenging book for spiritual growth, but knowing we’re in it together is helpful.
• NY’s Gain
We’ll be soon losing a great ministry and prayer warrior here in Alabama. I’m sad. But New York, look out because Ginger is on her way to be a blessing to you!
~ * ~ * ~
On the Blog
• Three Reasons to Let Go of Perfectionism
Sometimes it’s a win-win when we do something imperfectly (like face painting?) instead of just saying no altogether.
• Declutter Your Spiritual Junk Drawer, Too
Clutter builds up in our spiritual spaces, too, and can use a cleaning out.
• 3 Words to Silence Your Worries
When I start to worry too much, these three words make a difference for me.
* * *
What was one of your highlights in June? What are you looking forward to in July? Please share in the comments.
This is a great list! Thanks for sharing! And that’s exciting about your brother-in-law!
Thanks, Brooke. It’s been such fun watching my b-i-l do something he enjoys (and something SO different from his day job—he’s an aerospace engineer, ha).
Looks like a good summer! I love the comment that children being bored is a good thing because it teaches them to be self-reliant. I’m going to use that!!
I remember loving having freedom in the summer to be bored and do nothing (although in my case, I’d just read more books, ha). I’m sad to see many kids who no longer have that luxury. It is possible to learn a lot from boredom! 🙂 Thanks for stopping in, Dianne.
Lisa — Thank you so much for featuring my blog post , “Giving Up the Right to Be Right” today. I so appreciate your generosity — Many Blessings! xo
You’re welcome, Laura! Your words really spoke to me, so I’m glad to share them with others. We all have areas where we cling to our right to be right, and they usually harm more than help.
That smart phone video was spot on, Lisa.
And you know I enjoy your second by second monthly journal!
Happy 4th, happy wedding planning, happy page-turning …
Thanks, Linda. A lot of things going on in the next few months….but it’s all good! Have a Happy 4th!
You know I read this in my email and wondered how you compiled the clips for the video. Smart move!
Beautiful post really!!!!
Have añ awesome weekend
The 1 Second video is super easy to do. I use the 1 Second Everyday app and it links together all the videos for the month. I’ve really enjoyed using it!
What do you think of Outlander?? I’m always curious to find out what other people thought. Also can’t wait to read that Pinterest wedding article. I’m just starting wedding planning and it’s extremely easy to get caught up in Pinterest craziness!
So far I’m enjoying Outlander. I’m about 1/3 in it now. It was a little slow to me at first, but now I don’t want to put it down. I can’t imagine a happy ending though! But I need to read more to find out the possibilities. 🙂 The article on weddings is a good one! Happy wedding planning.
Had to come back to reply that I’m not really liking Outlander very much anymore. ha. I’m still not even halfway through, but the writing has taken a turn I’m not comfortable with….
Wow. Busy summer! I think you cheated on the “one second” at the beach… I saw three… !
I’m excited for you and Jenna. Another summer…
To steal a phrase from “Meet Joe Black”, “doesn’t it go by in a blink”.
You’re observant, Floyd! We spent Thursday-Sunday at the beach so there was more than one clip there. 🙂 Yes, it definitely goes by in a blink. Hope you’re enjoying your summer, too, with your expanding family!
The beach pictures look so inviting! It’s been way too long since I’ve been. Congrats to your brother-in-law!
The beach is my favorite place to go to see God. Love it there. This was just a weekend trip, but still so worth it. Hope you get a chance to go sometimes soon!
I love the Ten Pleasures! What a great new perspective!
I thought the Ten Pleasures was a fresh perspective too. I like to consider the flip side of things. Thanks for stopping by, Kendra.
This was just too much fun. I’m also venturing into Malala’s world. Such a powerful book!
I’m glad you’re reading Malala’s story too, Michele! I’m finding it so intriguing, but also sad.
Great round-up! I loved the one second a day video. That’s a great idea!
The One Second videos have been so fun to do! I’ve actually done it for a whole year now; I never thought that would happen. ha. But it’s so easy, so why not? 🙂
I love to read blogging stuff from Darren Rowse’s blog. He is a best blogger according to me. I have increased so many followers and traffic with the tips and tricks shared by him. I will follow other blogging links you’ve shared in above post.
~Dr. Diana
I love Darren Rowe’s stuff too. I listen to his podcast faithfully. I don’t always do the things he suggests (he suggests so much!) but occasionally he’ll have a tip that is useful to me. Glad you follow him too!
Love your video here! So fun to see what you’re up to. I think I recognized Mary Geisen in it??? Is that right? I’m impressed by your reading list too. Way to go!
No Mary in this video. 🙂 I would love to meet her one day though!
I love the things you love!
The book on letting go of perfectionism sounds very interesting. That’s one of my difficulties – struggling to be and do all things perfect. Maybe it’s part of the reason I worry so much?!
GOD BLESS!
I’m glad we love the same things, Sharon. 🙂 You may be on to something about our worrying and perfectionism being tied together….I’ll have to think more about that! But not worry about it. ha.
Such a great post with lots of good stuff!
Thanks, Barbie! It’s always fun to compile these kind of posts (although I end up spending more time online than I intend to, once I get started, ha).
late in commenting but love this list as usual. That video about smart phones is unsettling. wow. and some great articles here to stimulate the heart and head. Thanks for sharing this each month, Lisa
Sometimes I don’t even want to hear any more bad things about smartphones because I do love mine so much. ha. But that’s probably why I DO need to listen. Sigh. Thanks for stopping by, Jean.