{Editing Talk?}

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I’m learning to write succinct sentences.

It’s becoming easier to cut out extra words.

But there’s a problem with learning:

Suddenly you see problems that need to be fixed.

Example: When I read a book about listening, I start noticing people with good — or bad listening habits.

Because I’m currently focused on succinct writing, I’ve now been tempted to mentally edit wordy talkers.

Sometimes I wish I could edit/delete:

  • that energetically winding rabbit trail that goes nowhere before it reaches the
  • the elaborate sideline speech about a neighbor’s dental work before we revisit
  • the same phrase you just said a minute ago and the
  • day’s news told three times, three different ways

Maybe I just need to enhance my listening skills…but are you ever inclined to edit talk?

Photo: Pixabay

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[ Industry Disruptors]

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What is an industry disruptor?

It is a business innovation that creates a new market and value network and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network, displacing established market leading firms, products, and alliances.

Think….

  • UBER & LYFT vs. traditional taxi services 
  • NETFLIX vs. video rental stores 
  • AIR B & B vs. hotels / motels 
  • AMAZON vs. everything 

According to Forbes, the next few years may include disruptions in these areas:

  1. Fintech – financial technology
  2. Healthcare & Biotech – online pharmacy, blood testing, etc.
  3. Artificial Intelligence
  4. Virtual Reality
  5. Insurance – health, legal and other

I don’t know what all of this means.

I had to look up “fintech.”

The bottom line is that fresh, creative new companies have moved in and hauled away the hearts of the consumer.

I especially like #5.

  • I’m glad that someone is disrupting the high cost of health insurance, and I hope the future of healthcare will be brighter.
  • Because I have been burned by high legal costs in the past, I am a firm believer in shaking up the world of lawyers and legal fees.

Since joining Legal Shield, we have used a lawyer more than we ever had before.

DUH, because now we can afford it.

  • We now have good quality attorneys at our disposal
  • We have legal counsel on “retainer” if you will — hehe….it sounds mah-velous to say that
  • We have a legal buddy at the touch of an app

If you haven’t needed a lawyer, chances are you will someday.

Or you will wish you had.

Click to support innovation, save money, & seek legal counsel on *retainer* 🙂

This is re-posted from my other blog: https://sotapthatapp.wordpress.com/

Photo credit:Lexi Ruskell

{ Visualize the Vacancy }

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Happy Resurrection Day 2018. It’s the day I celebrate the empty tomb, the victory over sin and death, and the promise of His return.

In the early dawn, the women walked over the dewy ground, carrying spices. Suddenly, they were surprised–perhaps frantic— by the sight of the empty tomb.  Two men in shining attire announced to them that Jesus had risen.

The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24: 5-8

The women ran to tell the disciples. Did all of Jesus’ words suddenly “connect” with his closest earthly friends?

No — the Bible says that “these words seemed to them an idle tale.” (Luke 24:11)

Both in public and in private, Jesus had revealed that He would die and rise again. It’s interesting that his friends didn’t immediately grasp the fulfilled prophecy.

As a Christian — a 21st century friend of Jesus– I need to stop pointing the finger at the disciples and examine what else Jesus has promised He would do.

What does He say to me? 

  • I am coming soon. (Revelation 22:12)
  • I will repay everyone for what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)
  • Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13)

May I, you, and all believers watch expectantlyand live accordingly.

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13

“When the day of recompense comes, our only regret will be that we have done so little for Him – not that we have done too much.” –George Muller

{ Wonder }

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Wonder is a unique book and movie.

I first read the book a few years ago in audiobook form.  Hearing the book made a big impact and I highly recommend the audio.

I saw the film recently in the local (cheap) theater with my children. Here are the reasons why I liked both the book (written by R.J. Palacio) and the movie version of Wonder:

  • The writing of the book was prompted by a true-life encounter by the author.
  • In both book and movie, we get to peer into the inner thoughts and feelings of the main characters.
  • The story of Wonder displays how ugly it is to be unkind.
  • There are sequels to the first book that go delve into the supporting characters. I especially liked The Julian Chapter, the book written from the bully’s point-of-view.
  • The movie stayed true to the book.
  • The acting in the movie was excellent.  Owen Wilson played Auggie’s dad perfectly and Julia Roberts’ mom vibe was spot on.
  • The movie (and the book) didn’t force you to cry.  It just told you a story….and the tears flowed naturally.

 

“You can’t blend in, when you were born to stand out.” –R.J. Palacio

~~~

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{ Late-Night Lullabye }

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Our nocturnal friend was out again last night, waking me up at 2:21 a.m. with its haunting croon. Normal birds chirp all day long and I hardly notice the background noise.

But that owl. Its uncompromising dirge cannot be ignored.

“Owls are wise. They are careful and patient. Wisdom precludes boldness. That is why owls make poor heroes.” –Patrick Rothfuss

  • There are around 200 different owl species.
  • A group of owls is called a parliament.
  • Owls can turn their heads as much as 270 degrees.

 

Photo credit:Philip Brown

{ Tending Life’s Garden }

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Picture and poem by Beatrix Potter

 

We have a little garden

A garden of our own

And every day we water there

The seeds that we have sown.

We love our little garden,

And tend it with such care,

You will not find a faded leaf

Or blighted blossom there.

 

When I sow pumpkin seeds, I harvest pumpkins.  When I cover the garden with dandelion-infested mulch, I find lots of dandelions growing later in July.

We know this about gardens, but sometimes forget about the law of sowing and reaping in life. When I sow bad seeds, I will reap bad fruit:

  1. When I gorge on chocolates, I will reap extra pounds.
  2. When I harbor bitterness against someone, I will reap an injured relationship and stifle forgiveness.
  3. When I allow my children to read or watch foolish things, we will reap more foolishness.

And then there are weeds….

  • Weeds grow faster than anything else.  Pull, uproot and destroy before they get so big you need an ax to chop them down.
  • Weeds are tricky.  They can grow and network underground where you can’t see them.  Little sins in the thoughts left unchecked turn into big problems later.
  • Weeds rob the good stuff.  Weeds in a relationship drain us.  We cannot enjoy each other when the annoying, prickly weeds of bad habits are bugging us.

 

Gracious God,
We want to have good soil in our souls,
show us how to tend to our spiritual gardens.
Thank you for the Master Gardener!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

“Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds.  The harvest will bring either flowers or weeds.”

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” –Robert Louis Stevenson

Prayer from http://www.flowingfaith.com/2013/03/tending-your-spiritual-garden.html

 

 

{ Not a Bucket List }

I was inspired to create the “opposite of a bucket list” by Ordinary Stardust.

Here’s 6 for starters:

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Have a daily 9-5 office job.

One summer, I worked inside an office, typing at a desk.  Constantly on the verge of drowsiness, I’d regularly exit for breaks — a strategy to wake myself up.

Sing in a choir.

I am too prone to laughter. I got in trouble in 5th grade for giggling at silly boys, who were trying to make us laugh.  Even now, in church, singing hymns with my funny husband, it can be a problem. Just telling myself, “Don’t laugh, it’s not funny,” can start the giggles bubbling up.

Join the political scene.

I care about the issues, but don’t see a point in the ceremonial, political song- and-dance. It seems like a game, with its rhetoric and rules.  I try to educate myself, and participate when pressed. I vote, attend caucuses and local meetings.  But, I would never want to be up there on the podium.

Travel with tours.

I’m too independent.  I’d rather peek into forgotten hovels and investigate forbidden stairways than be led like a sheep through Rome.

Live in a big city.

I lived in Hong Kong for a year, and it was fascinating.  But, it had its drawbacks. It’s hard to explain the constant drain of people looking at you and being close to you all the time. Perhaps I will rethink this someday, but for now, I will leave it as is.

Be Cold.

Maybe I’m choosing this one because it’s January and I live in Minnesota.  But, I have been truly cold – it happened just after I had a baby.  Long story short, I lost a lot of blood, was airlifted to the University of Minnesota hospital and was given a few blood transfusions. Warm, dryer-toasted blankets were piled upon me, but still I was shivering.  I thought, “Hell isn’t hot.  It’s cold.”

 

© Lisa M. Luciano 😊

 

 

 

{ George Washington Carver: Creative & Resourceful Genius }

The orphan boy showed up one morning on Mariah’s doorstep. He had lost his way the night before and had nowhere to go.  Mariah offered him work in exchange for room, board and a chance to go to school.  That was all George Carver wanted.

George loved to learn – from books and from the natural world.  After completing his education, George was offered a position at Tuskegee Institute, teaching agricultural science.  When he arrived at the college, he discovered there were no supplies or money for a classroom laboratory. So, he led his students to the town dump.  They collected bottles, cooking pots, jar lids, wire, scrap metal, rusty lamps and broken handles.

“All this may seem like junk to you,” he told his skeptical students. “But it is only waiting for us to apply our intelligence to it. Let’s get to work!”
Carver showed them how to make beakers and Bunsen burners out of old bottles.  With innovative tools made from trash, George taught his students principles that would help southern farmers. His contribution to southern agriculture became famous worldwide.  When complimented, George would answer humbly, “I only discover what the good Lord has made.”

 “When you do the common things in an uncommon way, you’ll command the attention of the world.” –George Washington Carver

 

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 Adapted from Christianity.com & Ten Boys Who Used Their Talents by Irene Howat

Photo credit:  ICR.org 

The word prompt of the day is CARVE. I recalled reading and writing about the amazing George Washington Carver.  His birthday was January 5th

© Lisa M. Luciano 😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

{ No Worry Curry }

I liked the theory of the Instant Pot, but had my doubts about throwing everything in for a one-pot meal.

I tried it tonight…and it worked!

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The brown rice looks like curly noodles in this photo.  But, it’s brown basmati rice, which cooked to perfection.  Nothing was overcooked; the scallions are even still green.
No Worry Curry

[curried chicken and brown rice in the Instant Pot]

Serves 6-8

7 cups chicken stock

2-3 cups cooked chicken, chopped

3 ½ cups brown rice

4-6 finely sliced scallions (green onions)

1 cup carrot matchsticks

1-2 Tablespoons curry powder

1 T garlic granules

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

Salt and pepper to taste

  1. Combine all in Instant Pot and stir.
  2. Cook on high pressure cooker set for 6 minutes.
  3. Allow 20 + minutes for the entire pressurizing, cooking and venting process.

© Lisa M. Luciano