'Tis the Season

     And, so, the season of Lent has begun. I did not participate in Lent until I was in my forties, and took the time to research why certain faiths practice this time of sacrifice, fasting and penitence. It became clear to me that these few weeks may potentially lead a person into a deeper walk of faith, a healthier lifestyle (physically and spiritually), and stronger relationships with both God and our fellow man.

     For me, Lent is less a time of giving something UP, than it is a time of giving something TO... by doing something positive to move closer to God and to a more faithful way of living out each day. While I may indeed decide to give up something for Lent, the space that is left by sacrificing something material is then filled with something spiritual. One year, I fasted an hour of sleep each day, and got up early for a time of spiritual quiet time. That 40 day 'fast' led to an early morning habit that continues to this day.

     Last year, I posted on Facebook the following list of suggestions for steps to take during Lent. The list came from a devotion I found at www.upperroom.org. I can't find the author's name, but I thought it worth posting again. However you mark the season of Lent, these few weeks leading up to the Easter celebration, let it be a time that draws you closer to the One who is always seeking a stronger  relationship with you.

·         Electronic Fast. Replace TV shows, Facebook, Twitter, etc. with prayer and/or devotional study.

·         Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check your e-mail. Before you text someone, pray for them.

·         Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes, or drive to and from work. (You don't have to know them. You just have to see them and pray for them.

·         Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it

·         Read one chapter in the Bible each day.

·         Give up soft drinks or fast food and give the money you save to someone in crisis.

·         Create a daily quiet time. Spend thirty minutes a day in prayer.

·         Cultivate a life of gratitude. Start by writing at least one person a thank you note  each week.

·         Be kind to someone each day.

·         Volunteer 1 hour, or more, a week.  (maybe even yourself.)
6. Give up soft drinks, fast food. Give the money you save to help folks in crisis.
5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer.
4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week.
3. Be kind to someone each day.
2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.
1. Volunteer 1 or more hours a week.

               

 (maybe even yourself.)
6. Give up soft drinks, fast food. Give the money you save to help folks in crisis.
5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer.
4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week.
3. Be kind to someone each day.
2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.
1. Volunteer 1 or more hours a week.

In Today's Campus News: Look Who's Back In The Saddle, Again

         

        As I make my way through the classes in my resumed pursuit of higher education, I am really enjoying my classes and thinking that college just might be wasted on the young!

        My recent media tech assignment: to write a short news story (approximately 1 minute) and deliver it on-camera... news anchor style. The location: the student TV production set on the college campus. Because I spent nearly 30 years in front of a television news camera, I knew that my fellow students would be closely watching me.

          Pressure? You bet.

          Luckily, they are a wonderful, supportive, engaging group of people. I not only had a great time in front of the camera, I had a blast behind it... as the instructors and the students allowed me to share with them "insider-information" that helped them shake off the nerves; use their posture, body language and vocal tone to engage the viewer; understand how to use conversational writing and script formatting to conquer the teleprompter; and to relax and have a good time!

          We all took turns running camera, giving 'stand bys' and operating the teleprompter for our classmates. The camaraderie in the room reminded me of the 'old days' in television news, at WEAR-TV in Pensacola, Florida and WKRG-TV in Mobile, Alabama. The staff at WEAR and at WKRG was small back then, and we were more to each other than co-workers. We were family. In fact, some of us still are... thirty years later.

          As I watched this group of students (ranging in age from 18 to 53... yes, '53' would be me) I found myself wishing for them a career in journalism that is as enduring and satisfying as the one with which I was so blessed for. And, even though the business of television news is more 'business' than anything else these days, I also wish for them the opportunity to meet colleagues who will become friends, or better yet 'family'; to travel to fun places; to interview unforgettable people; and to someday be able to look back over their years as a journalist and say "Wow! That was a lot of fun!"        

        Oh... you may be wondering how things went when I sat behind at the student anchor desk. Part of my grade includes sharing the experience with you. Here is the youtube link: http://youtu.be/8CcHzuosQwo   No video, no graphics, just a straight read. Not gonna' lie. I had a good time. Be easy on me. The last time I was read a news story on camera was in 2007.

Ready or not...

Burning the midnight oil, working on an exciting new

business that debuts in a matter of days! Nearly four

years of planning, working.. and dreaming...

have been oh, so worth it!

Stay tuned for details. The countdown

has begun.

TMI

     (Too much) Information that makes you say "Ewwww."

     Honest to goodness, this is straight from my Meteorology book. "Maybe it has never rained cats and dogs, but it has rained maggots. In Acapulco, Mexico in 1968, swarms of maggots fell from the sky during a heavy rain shower, covering everything, including people...Apparently, the maggots were swept into a thunderstorm by strong vertical air currents."


     I don't quite know what to say. And, that's unusual for me.

     "Ewww" will have to do.

Madonna and Me

One of the biggest lessons I've learned while going back to school. Sometimes the most important information....is not in the book.


Conversation in Monday's Media Tech class:


Instructor: "So, what did you think of Madonna's performance last night at the Superbowl?"


18 year old female student: "She's OLD!!! Gross."


Me: "I'm the same age as Madonna."


18 year old female student: "Yeah, but you're not up on a stage tryin' to be all sexy and all that."


Me: "Is that a dare?"


...to be continued.

Pitchin' A Fit!

Taken from an email and posted here for my friends from the South... and those of you who wish you were... ;)

"Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't HAVE them, you PITCH them."

Reminds me of my sweet grandmama who accused me of 'pitching' a hissie fit or two in my younger days.
She was wrong.

Sure, she was.