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It's That Time...

Long time reader, Robin, was in town on Friday and we squeezed in time to visit.

It reminded me of everything I love about the House of Shine and why I continue feeling committed to our community.

When you are in community, hurdles like time and distance don't feel threatening. Time can pass and distance between members can grow, but still there is a familiarity that makes reconnecting easy and natural.

Two weeks time has passed since our last post and many of you are feeling distanced from our message of Shine. But we are a community and so I hope our monthly invitation to reconnect through High, Low, Aha feels both easy and natural.

Newcomers to our site need a quick introduction to High, Low, Aha:

Each month on, our around the eighteenth day, we ask readers to share the best thing that has happened to them in the last month (High); the worst thing that has happened to them (Low); and something they have learned (Aha). This is our way of staying connected despite our busy lives.

I will start and then share yours by joining me in the Comment Section.

High: A successful training session in Boston and visiting with long-time friend, George; successfully completing the leadership class I was teaching; reconnecting with a former student and some old friends; making more progress on my home; placing second in Cheryl's art contest (and having Matthew place third!).

Low: Ending a professional relationship; projects moving at a snail's pace; bad hair, and worrying about my family in New York.

Aha: I am reading a lot these days, so I feel like I am constantly learning. The thing I most find myself thinking about these days is the difference between being busy and being efficient.

Your turn...

Shining off until...

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    Posted @ 9/19/2011 6:09 AM by beekayroot
    beekayroot's avatar

    HIGH - I love having students around. It reaffirms why I do what I do.

    LOW - I've been putting in 80 hours week easily at work over the past month. I'm so tired.

    AHA - A conversation with one of my students made me realize how much I miss writing on a regular basis, and how important it is to find time for it if I truly miss it.

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 6:11 AM by Katie K
    Katie K's avatar

    High- Teaching University 101 and being back in the classroom; I now am Rhe proud owner of an iPhone; great friendships that continue to grow every day; lots of upcoming travel with friends!

    Low- A lot of my student staff have challenges going on in their personal lives.

    Aha- I am figuring out and playing with my iPhone constantly!!! I feel like I can do anything with it- it's incredible!

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 7:46 AM by chaotickristi
    chaotickristi's avatar

    high: 4.0 GPA
    low: tired, not as young as I used to be
    aha: there is just not much really wrong in my life when I can stand in the surf and have stingrays swim around my ankles.

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 8:30 AM by Cheryl
    Cheryl's avatar

    Highs: My growing relationship with Chris, him meeting my boys and me meeting his kids, a successful and fun painting workshop with Bob Burridge, I love my job and I'm so happy about the way something turned out here (cryptic, I know), I'm so fortunate to have boys that wake up easily on school days- I will never take that for granted, I'm really enjoying Valley Creek church that Chris introduced me to- so much that I even go by myself when he's unable to attend. I'm so happy there is a post up today at House of Shine! I miss you guys. So good to see you Robin.

    Lows: With the start of school, soccer and JB taking guitar lessons evenings have become quite hectic and I hate homework. With a passion! I suck at it! I also dislike curriculum nights. I need to be more careful with my spending. Boo! Issues with a couple of people at work. I realize I need to be more graceful about the situations but hey! I'm not freaking perfect. :)

    Ahas: things usually workout the way they're suppose to- I just need to be patient. And that isn't always easy but when it works out it is pure greatness.

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 10:57 AM by Claudia
    Claudia's avatar

    Checking into our site today and seeing Brian as our first post MADE MY DAY!!!

    I love that lots of our oldies but goodies keep coming back!

    Fun to get your updates, folks. Keep 'em coming.

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 12:54 PM by Robin
    Robin's avatar

    HIGH: Seeing a lot of the House of Shine gang as I was in Texas this weekend. I even got to hang out at the Official HOS Starbucks, not once but TWICE. I was in town for a conference and was elected to the board of directors! Yay!

    LOW: Crazy paper work and being under the weather this weekend, making me a bit off my game by the time I got to see CHeryl. (Sorry!)

    AHA: I'll never feel like I've made it...

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 1:15 PM by Claudia
    Claudia's avatar

    As I said when I saw you on Thursday, Robin...

    "Join the club."

    Posted @ 9/19/2011 10:51 PM by Laura
    Laura's avatar

    HIGH: After two epidurals, my back is feeling much better (dare I say, back to normal?!)...my birthday today brought lots of fun well-wishes...singing in a choir again makes me super happy...lots of photography jobs recently also reminds me of my passion for that area of my life...contributed to/led a gorgeous and moving 9/11 memorial service at our church...just about everything about my baby boy - his sweetness, the ease at bedtime/naptime, his obsession with balls, the joy he gets out of such everyday things like trucks and busses on the road - I just don't think it will ever get old!

    LOW: Dealing with some "demanding" personalities at work on an upcoming church service (and trying to remain diplomatic and Christian!)

    AHA: Remembering why I quit my "real job" and trying to leave the TV off during the day and really spend quality time with my baby - he's only little for such a short time and I don't want to miss it!!!

    Posted @ 9/20/2011 7:25 AM by Molly
    Molly's avatar

    High - our annual Disney vacation with my parents. This was our 5th year and each year we have more fun than the year before. I am so thankful for that time we spend with my parents and hope my boys will always cherish those memories.

    Low - work. Lots of transition, new employees, etc.

    Aha - Elementary school is intense. I went to my son's 2nd grade orientation meeting and it seems kids have a lot of pressure at a young age to perform. I mean - it's a good thing, don't get me wrong. I am just surprised at the pressure put on grades at a young age and how much work parents are expected to to do keep their kids on track.

    Posted @ 9/20/2011 11:09 AM by Peggy
    Peggy's avatar

    High: Writing silly stories about life with a friend, Geocaching with my husband, enjoying my weekly yoga class, painting a room sign for a pre-school, Skyping with Kyle (he's been gone to the Univ. of Iowa for a month), finding great costumes for homecoming at Goodwill with Holly

    Low: missing my son, the NEW family dynamic has been a big adjustment for me. Love this line in a book I'm reading: "the motherhood job. I was good at it, if I do say so myself, and because I was, I've now been demoted to part-time work. Soon I will attain emerita status. This stinks."

    Aha: I make mistakes, it just seems I have more people who like to point them out to me!

    Posted @ 9/20/2011 12:25 PM by Heather
    Heather's avatar

    First: Oh Robin I hear ya, Sister.
    Second: Peggy your kids will always need you...no such thing as being emerita mother.

    High: Anticipation of change at work, Charlotte is walking and talking and just so darn cute, Seeing Robin (of course!).

    Low: Difficulties in parenting and the possibility that something bigger may be in play. My husband is traveling a lot for work and I miss him and the routine of life

    Aha: No one ever feels like they've arrived and everyone's opinion of what it means to "arrive" is different.

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