July's Book

This month's book is The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.  I think it may be one of the best books I've read in years.  I hope you like it!!  (Click on the title to link you to the amazon page).  I'll be posting my thoughts about things in a few weeks.  

Things to blog about on our blog

Last week we were talking about what we should post about on this here lil ole blog.  This is what Lindsey and I have come up with:

1. Life in general- what you've been doing, something book club would be especially interested in hearing about, etc.
   
2. Books that we're reading that we like/don't like that are not book club books
3. Questions/comments about random topics (politics, family issues, spiritual insights, "ah-ha!" moments, breast feeding advice, etc.)
4. Thoughts/comments on the book club book

Number four deserves special attention.  We think that if you're going to post something about the book club book and you will be attending our monthly meeting, you should probably not post anything until AFTER book club.  If you're not around for book club, feel free to put up what you would have told us had you been there, perhaps 2 or 3 days beforehand so we have time to read your comments.  

If you have any other ideas, feel free to share!  

My Thoughts on Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.

     I feel like some of the chapters in this book were written just for me to hear.  I was reading the chapter "Be Aware of the Snowball Effect of Your Thinking" and realized that was me.  This is after I had called Kelly fifty million times and had gone slightly crazy because of my overactive brain.  

     "Don't Interrupt Others or Finish Their Sentences" is something I need to remind myself on a daily basis.  I don't know if it because I grew up with all girls and we talked over each other all the time or something else but this is a really bad habit I have.  By the way,  What did you guys think of the book?  (see I am trying.)  

     The chapter "Do Something Nice for Someone Else--and Don't Tell Anyone About It" made me think of my Dad.  My Dad's motto in life is doing quiet random acts of kindness every day.  Our family home evening lessons are always about doing acts of kindness and not telling anyone about it.  I do think that this strategy can bring great peace and joy into your life.    

    I also have decided I need to "Become a Better Listener."  If I could go to book club this month I would try really hard not to comment on anything and just listen.  But if everyone decided to go as just the listener it would be a very boring book club.  Just tell me to be quiet when my overactive brain is snowballing and I overtake the conversation.

    I also need to "Become an Anthropologist."  I thought this was a great chapter on how to view people without judging them.  We are all different and it is our differences that make us special.  We should embrace the differences we have with others.

    I really liked the strategy "Remember That Everything Has God's Fingerprint on It."  Just Remember.  That's all I have to say about that.

   "Think About What You Have Instead of What You Want."  There are lots of things I want but I am trying not to think about them so I am not going to write anything else on this subject.

    "Be Happy Where You Are"  I totally believe that happiness is the way.  Things in life don't make you happy you make you happy.

    The chapter in this book that just won't work for me is "Become an Early Riser."  If he is getting up between 3 and 4 in the morning what time is he going to bed.  I choose sleep!!!  Sleep helps me feel less fatigued and more relaxed.  

     "Nurture a Plant" is another strategy that won't work for me because I kill plants.  They just die.  This strategy won't bring me more love.       

     I really liked the book but about half way through I felt like he just started repeating himself.  All he did was change the title of the strategy and share new stories about the same topics, which I did enjoy.  If I could sum the book up in just a few words I would say relax, love, serve others, don't judge, give others the glory, control your thoughts, and happiness is a way. 

     Emily, thank you for choosing this book.  I gained a lot of good insight.  I will miss all of you at book club.  I feel like I haven't seen you in forever and can't wait to come back.  Have fun tonight and I love you all.

P.S.  I obviously have a lot of time on my hands.  I am sorry this post is so long.    

A First

OK, I'm really just so excited about our blog, I wanted to write something - anything. This is, in fact, the first time I have ever written anything on any blog! So for now I will just say how glad I am that Emily picked this book - it is exactly all of the things I plan to work on every day and which I start over working on each new day. I like that it gives strategies for practicing... very helpful.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

This month's book is Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson.  The Book was picked by Emily.  Happy Reading.