Monday, November 28, 2011

Laugh while you dance



I love to dance. I even think I am a good dancer, though some may think I resemble Elaine from Seinfeld! I played percussion as a kid, so I really think I have the beat! I have a few favorite local bands that I like to see and end up dancing most of the evening when I see them perform!  Dancing is such a great way to express ourselves, have fun with our friends, relieve some stress and enjoy the moment!

My husband and I took dance lessons at Springvale a few years ago. We were eventually  put in the special education section of the class. Both of us wanted to lead. He felt since he was the man, and a bit larger than me, he should lead. I felt that since I had rhythm, I should lead. It is not easy trying to lead someone twice your size! We laughed heartily at our awkwardness and our inability to follow directions. I don’t think our instructor found any humor in our silly antics! We eventually quit due to our clear ineptness, though  we still treasure the funny memories!!

I had a great evening celebrating my pastor’s birthday at his house one Friday night. He’s a musically talented man who enjoys a variety of classic music! After dinner, we spent most of the evening dancing and singing to great classics like Meatloaf and Queen. Every time I think of that evening I laugh. We had such a good time just dancing the night away! We were all relatively new to one another having known each other for only a few months to a couple of years, but you would have thought we knew each other for a lifetime they way we danced our hearts out that evening!

Dancing is such a fun and inexpensive activity to do with your children. You can form great memories while dancing with your children at home any time! I’ve enjoyed watching “Dancing with the Stars” with my nieces! We giggled incessantly at the fun dance moves the people use on that show! So, the next time there’s a rainy day, you’re feeling the blues or the kids aren’t getting along, put on the old LP player and crank out some fun dance tunes! Let your children freely express themselves, relieve stress, giggle endlessly and expound their vent up energy!! It will be a memory that will have you laughing for years!!!!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Believe - Kasey Crawford Kellem

Believe - Kasey Crawford Kellem

Monday, November 14, 2011

Dream Big!!!



Dreams have driven me to my present life and I hope continue to drive me through my future. I dreamt of true love with a caring, compassionate man. I dreamt for years of this man. There really weren’t any identifying characteristics of this man other than the way he treated me. He was kind and generous. I also dreamt he had two children and I came along to help raise them. I dreamt of the kind of neighborhood where we would all reside. Several years ago I stopped dreaming this dream.  I never thought about it again until years later when I was biking through one of the neighborhoods by where I have lived since I married my husband. I almost fell off of my bicycle when I saw the house that used to be in my dream. It hit me! I was living my dream from years ago! I had met that wonderful, caring man who actually had two children! I was determined and driven to pursue this dream and it came to life!

I also dreamt of writing books and giving motivational speeches to children of all ages. Though my dream of being an author is quickly coming to fruition, I am hoping to eventually add the presentations to coincide with my books on resiliency. “Dream big” pretty much sums up my anticipation for where I see myself in the next 10-20 years. I hope to not only have my five resiliency books in the hands of as many children as possible, but also hope to be able to present the concept of resiliency in person to these children. I also have a line of adult books that I would like write….Yep, I’m dreaming BIG!!!!!

Children should start young with their big dreams! They need vast experiences to know and understand all of the possibilities out there for them. They need to explore all sorts of areas: athletic, art, mechanical, culinary, etc. Volunteering at a young age can allow children varied experiences, as can organizations like the Boy & Girl  Scouts. What dreams do your children hold? What do they want to be when they grow up? What tools do they need to achieve this dream? What experiences can you start giving your children so they understand the sky is the limit?