Creative Inspiration for Passionate Living

In Northwest Indiana, the high schools do not offer driver's education so I proudly took on the task of teaching my oldest son how to drive.  We started in sub divisions where there was little traffic and less opportunity to cause major damage if the lessons went sour. During one particular lesson, I told my son to make a right hand turn at the stop sign.  He stopped  without pounding on the break, causing the whole Durango to jerk forward - I was proud.  When he began to accelerate, he turned the steering wheel in the direction of a left turn.  I told him to stop in a very stern voice which must have startled him.  He heard and comprehended my instruction but for reasons  unknown to me, he did the exact opposite.  He attempted to steer the truck to the right while in the middle of maneuvering for a left turn and trying to stop. At the same time, a car was approaching the intersection where we danced an SUV Samba. We su...

I once had an eyelash fall into my eye.  I didn't realize it was there right away but once my eye began to feel like it had a rock under the lid, I knew I had trouble. I ran to the mirror, lifted my eyelid and began searching for the fleecy culprit.  I spotted it just under my brow bone - the highest part of my eye.  I washed my hands and prepared for a surgery of sorts. That single lash moved around in my eye back and forth, to and fro but would NOT come out!  Though I could always see it, I was unable to manipulate it to the safe place where I could pluck it without causing harm to my eyeball. I tried every tactic I knew - making my eye water, gently massaging the hair to the corner of my eye and even flushing it - nothing worked.  With little left in my arsenal, I was forced to grant the eyelash reprieve.  Both me and my eye had become visibly irritated but I could do little but leave it where it was and continue with my day. Within a half ...

Everything in my house was cooked so that nothing was crispy or crunchy.  Instead, eggs, after being scrambles, were placed back in the bowl with remnants of uncooked goo.  Chicken was fried just until the skin was soft like bologna, the bared a slight tinge of pink and the veins were still stringy enough to be completely gross.  Fish... fish was usually fried but, just like it's clucking counterpart, was only cooked until we knew it wouldn't flap on the plate - it too was served super slimy style. As a result of what I consider undercooked food, I do NOT fry any chicken at home (besides the horrible smell it leaves in the house), eggs must show a hint of brown before I'll touch them and I have adamantly defended my dislike of fish for at least two decades. Recently, with slight apprehension, I baked Mahi Mahi seasoned with fresh lemon juice, ginger and pepper. I accidentally overcooked it just a bit (maybe to ensure there was no sli...

I took up a hobby in the early part of winter.  It was fun and exciting, I met new people and learned a dance that I really enjoy. While I was gliding and twirling though, laundry piled up, chores weren't done as thoroughly and I focused less than the right amount of attention on a major personal project (in my own opinion). For the first time in over 30 days, I missed a goal and that was my wake up call. There's another cycle of lessons starting but for several personal and professional reasons, I decided to take a pass.  I felt torn because dancing has always been a passion of mine and so is my project. I realized that I had to forego a simple pleasure so as to properly focus on my master plan.  Of course I enjoy dancing but I enjoy achieving life success even more. Today's Inspiration That Which is Necessary is Never Unwise Success comes with some tough decisions and serious sacrifice.  The rewards at the end of the road definitely make up for that which we mu...

For the last 3 years, my 10 year old has made the same request to upgrade his video game system.  His existing system works fine but he'd like a newer model that boasts better graphics, internet access and interactive gaming that allows him to connect with players all over the world. When I walk into his bedroom, several games call to me from the floor "please pick me up before I'm scratched or broken".  The game system feels unloved and exhausted from hours of playing to an empty room - my son turns it on then leaves.  Game controllers hold on to the end of their cords, praying not to be crushed by heavy feet - I've stepped on them more times than I care to admit. The lonely old bowl of oatmeal doubles as a petri dish collecting bacteria under the bed. Not sounding like upgrade time to me. Today's Inspiration Miracles arise from a mind that is ready for them All things in existence are created twice.  ...