Share Four Somethings—January 2022

Near the end of each month I share four somethings with others at Heather’s.

Beginning in 2022, Heather has changed the categories to these four delightful ones: something loved, something gleaned, something braved, and something achieved. 

Plus here’s my latest One Second monthly video . . . 

[click here if you can’t see the video]

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Something Loved

  • GRANDPARENT CAPS 

Before our first grandchild was born, I labored over what our grandparent names would be. I knew we’d be called this the remainder of our lives. We finally settled on Granna and Gramps. We loved when our oldest granddaughter could start calling us by these names. 

Our youngest grandchild can’t yet say anything, but Jenna gave us personalized caps at Christmas with our grandparent names on them. We love them! And especially what they signify.

Being grandparents to our three littles has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. 

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Something Gleaned 

  • ATLAS OF THE HEART

I waited my turn for this library book shorter than expected. But Brené Brown’s latest book would be well worth any wait.

In Atlas of the Heart she is mapping out the individual emotions we feel, giving insights on each one.

Here’s an example on the emotion of Resentment. How would you fill in the blank? One of my answers might be “uncaring.”

“We know from research that unwanted identity is the most powerful elicitor of shame. If you want to know what’s likely to trigger shame for you, just fill in this sentence stem: It’s really important for me not to be perceived as ________.”

A few more quotes I’ve already marked:

“Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.”

“The brokenhearted are the bravest among us—they dared to love.”

“Each person’s grief is as unique as their fingerprint. But what everyone has in common is that no matter how they grieve, they share a need for their grief to be witnessed.”

I expect to find a few new mantras from her book to add to the list I’m collecting. I’m starting a new #Write28Days series on February 1, Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}.”

If you’re interested in these short mantra posts via email in February, add your name to my email list here. (If you are already a blog subscriber, do nothing; they’ll come to you automatically.)

Find Your Mantra: 28 Daily Mantras

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Something Braved

  • BEING QUIET

When something’s wrong in a relationship, I want to talk it out. It’s usually the right thing to do.

Except sometimes you can’t. Or on a rare occasion, you shouldn’t.

And it’s very hard for me to stay quiet when I’d rather have the conversation.

But I’ve been forced to work on it lately. And discovering it takes a lot more courage than I realized.

Not being able to fully explain myself makes me feel vulnerable. I’ve been practicing in small matters by choice (see “Do You Need to Explain Yourself?”), but I’m having to do it in a big matter not by choice. Lord, have mercy.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Something Achieved

  • SMALL GROUPS FOR OUR ONE WORD COMMUNITY

Last year I took a leap of faith and opened up a One Word community. I didn’t know if anybody would want to join, but thankfully there were lots of amazing people who wanted to stay connected with our words and each other throughout the year. It was a wonderful experience for me.

This year I organized to take it a step deeper by subdividing into smaller groups of 4-5 people each for those who want to get more personal. Again I have no idea if this will work or not.

But already in this first month, I count it a success for me in my small groups (I joined two groups). God has coordinated some amazing connections that go far beyond just just my One Word. 

RELEASE is my word of the year. My daughter Jenna made me this wonderful sign that I have sitting on my piano so I can see it again and again throughout my day to remember to loosen my grip.  


What’s been a highlight of your January? What are you looking forward to in February? Share your thoughts in the comments.

previous Share Four Somethings

21 thoughts on “Share Four Somethings—January 2022

  1. Martha J Orlando

    Release is a perfect word for the year, Lisa. So many things we need to let go of to get on with the life God has planned for us.
    I’ve decided that the word “breathe” is calling my name. I want to cherish and celebrate each breath I take in 2022 and beyond. Having been blessed beyond measure, it’s the least I can do.
    Blessings!

  2. Lynn D. Morrissey

    Lisa, I love all you share. Really, you could be a blog mentor, in how to set it up and do it right. 🙂 Seriously!

    Reading this triggered a couple thoughts:
    1. I love “Granna.” How unique. Sheridan called her grandparents (my parents) Baba and Bawpaw. Just her own unique appellations. Interestingly, though, Baba is what Russians call older women. Mother loves Russian literature and music, and so studied the R. language in college (she attended as an older adult and later took a student tour to Russian in the Cold War era). Anyway, how serendipitous for Sheridan to conjure that name in her babyhood. Granna has such a delicate sound. Never particularly liked the sound of Grandma, but that is what I called mine, and loved them dearly. What a wonderful Granna you are! Love your jazzy caps, too!

    2. Can you tell me if Brown shows collage mapping, or is is just a title? I’m interested not just in this content, but all things collage for journaling classes.

    3. I have trouble staying quiet, and in my case, more to justify myself, and sadly, sometimes to pontificate. I need to remember that Jesus has justified me by his life and death.

    4. I love the beautiful wooden plaque your daughter made, however, the real surprise for me was discovering you are a pianist. Tell us about that! I’m a vocalist and we have a grand piano–however, in my case, while I can play some, of late, I use it more to learn my Bach music for chorus. While that is a joy, I need to get back to playing other music. I’m not great, but I do enjoy it. I’d love to know about your love for music and playing.

    4. I tried to sign up for the “mantra” and was rejected, b/c apparently, I’m already signed up! 🙂 However, I don’t recall receiving a mantra email.

    Wishing you joy as you continue to release through 2022!

    Love
    Lynn
    xo

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I didn’t want to be called Grandma either but in the end, I was willing to take whatever the grandkids could say. 🙂 Our oldest started out with Gran-Gran, which I loved too, before she switched to Granna. (And occasionally she’d call me Granny, which I wasn’t thrilled with, lol, but it turned into a fun game between us. Too many Beverly Hillbillies episodes in my past.)

      Brene’s book does not have collage mapping in it (that I’ve seen so far anyway). But it is quite a beautiful book with heavy paper and lots of quotes on a full page. I’m thankful my library ordered it!

      Well, calling me a pianist might be a little stretch. 🙂 I do love to play, but mainly just for myself. I used to be the hymn player for our large family gatherings when we’d sing around the piano, but once my uncle moved closer, I gladly gave him the position. He’s an amazing musician.

      Thanks for sharing you signed up for the email but was rejected; it prompted me to change my wording in the post that if you already get the blog, you’re in. 🙂 You help in so many ways even when you don’t realize it. Love you, Lynn.

  3. Joanne

    I love your new hats! We had a long discussion with all our parents (between my husband and I our kids had 4 full sets) and what names they wanted to be. A few picked the same names so we tacked on quantifiers when our kids were little so they’d know which set of grandparents we were talking about. It was neat to see how their names changed over time (my mother in law went from grammie to grammie bad boys — she always called her cats bad boys and my kids picked up on that and now my youngest has started calling her a very formal grandmother).

  4. Barbara Harper

    I love the caps! Also the sign. And the 1-second video. 🙂

    Explaining is a hard one. Sometimes it’s necessary to explain to clear the air and smooth over misunderstandings. But sometimes it’s just self-justification or a further stab at getting our way. May God gives us grace in this and all things to know when to speak and when to be quiet.

  5. Lynn

    I love being a grandparent too! The season has changed now that the eldest is a “tween.” It’s finding new ways to connect that stretch me, and that is a good thing! Thanks for sharing Brené’s new book. I hadn’t heard of that one yet! And have read all her others.

  6. JeanWise

    Love the caps and the idea of 28 Mantras. I just started a Share Four somethings series too thanks to you. You are always a great inspiration. Thank you

  7. Donna

    Love your four somethings Lisa! The caps are precious! Brene Brown’s book IS fabulous, and what a great idea to create mantras; they do help us focus on the truth of our lives rather than the lies we so easily believe. Congratulations on the great achievement of small groups for our One Word community, I know members will gain helpful insights here.
    Braving being quiet, is not easy no matter the context. But especially in the midst of relational issues. Yet I have learned God works in powerful ways in the space of silence.

  8. Kym

    Oh I love the grandparent caps! I think I’ll need a custom made one too as my grandmother name is rather unusual. My husband and I thought we knew what we wanted to be called when we reached grandparent status, but we changed our minds when our first grandchild was on the way. So . . . I’m Nonnie, which I love, but which doesn’t usually appear in the ready-made cards or t-shirts! LOL

  9. Anita Ojeda

    I love your grandparent caps ?. Our grandson calls me Abula (his early attempt at ‘abuela’) and my hubby Abuelo. I’m looking forward to a long weekend break in February, and, of course, the start of the Write 28 Days Challenge!

  10. Linda Stoll

    Lisa, I absolutely LOVE those caps!

    My nephew got a copy of Brene’s book at a medical leadership conference and asked me if I wanted it!

    Uh, yes. It’s a beauty of a book, just looking at it. Will be settling in with it soon.

    You know I’m continuing to pray.
    xo

  11. Donna B Reidland

    Silence is a big one for me, too, Lisa! I have recently been meditating on the fact that it’s sometimes even ok to not be fully understood. I’m not sure where I read that, perhaps here.
    I would also agree that grandparenting is such a joy!
    Have a blessed weekend!

  12. Lois Flowers

    The sign your daughter made is beautiful, Lisa. I’m so thankful for your faithful caretaking of the One Word community, and will trust with you that the small groups will be exactly what they need to be for each participant. Praying for you, my friend.

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