Validated
Why I feel it, why I hope everyone can feel it too...plus, celebrating May's special family birthdays, and the joys of reading aloud...
What fills YOU up when you feel low?
What makes you feel validated (worthwhile, valued as a person)? Some lucky people receive that gift as young children, from their families. Others come into their own in school, or on the job. A very important kind of validation, to me, is the kind you give to yourself —and, full disclosure, I’m not super successful at this. Indeed, my self-talk veers often into very UN-validated territory (“what’s the matter with me?” “Why can’t I do this whatever-it-is?” “Someone has criticized me and their words are now the only truth of my life!”) My family has always made me feel validated, as have my friends, my church family and, more recently, many lovely responses I’ve received for my writing. I hope I’ve done the same for them.
Because we ALL need to feel that we matter, don’t we? Here’s one of my favorite short films (made back in 2007 but the message is timeless) about the magic of validation…
VIDEO: VALIDATION
BIRTHDAY ROUNDUP!!
And speaking of family, May is a major birthday month for mine. My sister C celebrated hers on May 2. Patrick’s was yesterday, Sher’s is Friday, Aiden’s is the 27th and Julie’s Gil’s is the 28th. We can’t always be together on these days, but we’re together in our hearts.
THE JOY OF READING (ALOUD): I was in Aiden’s third grade class a few weeks back, reading to the kiddos. I’ll be visiting Kindergarten soon to do the same for Peter’s class. I think there is nothing more fun than reading aloud to children of ALL ages—I read Gone With the Wind to Evan when he was in high school (he was suffering from debilitating daily headaches back then, and this was required reading. There was no way he’d have been able to concentrate because of his pain, so I gladly read the whole book to him).
Three (!) years ago, Sher and Aiden collaborated on this sweet video—six year old Aiden reading the wonderful book Each Peach Pear Plum, with Sheridan providing original piano accompaniment.
What were your favorite books growing up? Do you have any special memories of reading, or being read to? I’d love to hear!!
Me reading Jimmy Buffett’s The Jolly Mon long ago to baby Julie and Rose (who had learned the accompanying song on her little guitar:-)
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
(from “A Little Boost in the Morning” by Kate Bowler)
Lord, you know the obstacle course ahead.
The intractability of most of my problems.
The irritations I will need to smile through.
The forgetfulness that will undo my best efforts. And the fights I will need to pick because someone really should. But bring me back to this moment, God.
The gratitude that rises up within me
lifts my eyes and settles my soul.
Resurrection has happened again today—
you made the sun rise…
As I post this newsletter in the early morning hours, I am so grateful for sunrises, and resurrection. And for all of you. Have a great week, my friends.