Breakdance: Wisdom From/For The Heart
My daughter joined a Breakdance class last year. She always loved dancing and had a natural “popping” ability, so I showed her some styles online and Breaking caught her.
It might seem peculiar compared to e.g. swimming or soccer, but the style was as normal to me as street drummers or people passing with purple mohawks (I grew up in cities and various cultural circles).
But this was the first time I got to get close.
It’s one thing to hear about crews and listen to beats as a kid. It’s another to see your own kids rocking out.
And every time she had class, it was like all was well with the world..
Remix Your Life: A Note on Being vs. Labelling-Up
I find it hard writing bios for my social media accts.– is it just me? Passionate about people, beats, geeking on both HP and government policy… I think about sounds, planets, cheering others on… and the minute a label nears (“woman” “mom” “american” “dutchie” “bookworm” “basshead”) I’m limited. I’m claustrophobic.
How many times have you labelled up?
“It’s Not Just Magic..” 3 Reasons to Check Harry Potter (even if you’re Christian)
(#HarryPotterBookNight this 6 Feb, I’m reading at Expeditie-E!)
I was leaving High School when the Harry Potter phenomena struck. The hype repelled me and some Christian background flagged “witchcraft” as skip.
Sorry Harry…
Fast forward 20 years. My kids’ school sends a letter urging parents to mind “trends and hypes,” characters with magic or super powers like Elsa and Superman came under fire.
Maybe Kids aren’t a Distraction, but the Main Event?
Ever been in a store and witnessed a child meltdown? The parent is either a. trying to ignore, b. negotiating/pleading, or c. hoisting kid in prem and getting out quick. (yes, I’ve been ‘all of the above’ person).
Parenting can mess people up.
We think we’re calm, sane people, but kids blow that up. You get a new spectrum of emotions, including fierce protector, bottomless love, anxiety, grief,… add another child to the mix and watch anger jump off the Richter scale when you see one hurt the other.
Yes, that was me who clapped so hard and stood up shouting “Stop!” at my kids during a Hema breakfast outing. The restaurant went silent for a moment.
It can feel like a sliding scale between brain mush and losing your mind, but is something more profound going on?
WWVD? 9 Life Hacks from Voltron, Legendary Defender
The new Voltron (Netflix) blows my mind. I never saw the original (ahem, Thunder Cats), but 30 years later with my own kids, I’ve been longing for cartoons with solid stories and, uh, steady volume. We even blocked a few “kids” channels since so much was like junk food.
But Voltron-Legendary Defender has been a revelation. Rich story lines, deep and diverse characters, 23 glorious minutes of adventure and self-reflection.
One day my little had a meltdown about having to bike to school. My eldest had to go ahead without us. I hated separating and spontaneously asked her, “What would Voltron do?!”
That got me thinking, so here’s my Top 9 Voltron – Legendary Defender Life Hacks for some fun and encouragement.
God Loves Drum & Bass: Keep Calm, or Let Loose
[This post may be best experienced with speakers hooked up.]
Can we only experience God in a Cathedral or Sunday service? Do we need silence or meditation? If we’re searching with our hearts we might find *Him anywhere, but one powerful place is Music.
Now, I want to tell you a secret. When I’m waiting at the bike light you’ll find me tapping beats on my brakes. Sure, it’s a normal sight, but you probably don’t imagine I’m exploding internally. Amidst the peace and silence “outside”, there’s rowdy beats and wild noise inside me.