 Do you remember as a child chasing fireflies in the summer?
Watching and waiting for their flicker of light ... then dashing after them, running to catch them in your cupped hands and racing back to mom to help you put them in a jar? Chasing fireflies is one of my favorite memories of my childhood. I think it is because we did it as a family. Ahhh … Family. Two sisters and one brother, mom and dad and hot summer nights. Warm, life-giving air … fun, laughter, and pure joy! Being outside in the stifling hot summer evenings somehow gave us a sense of relief from the heat. Outside, you could feel the breeze and run with it. We could laugh and giggle and call each other names without a trace of argument. We just enjoyed being together and sharing the fun. One game we played growing up in Columbus, Ohio was Kick-the-Can. Oh my, what fun we had! It had to be dusk or near dark so that the person who was "it" could barely see us run to hide. Hearing the noise of the can being kicked to proclaim we were "safe" was just a blast! That noise said we were one notch above being "caught" by the person trying to find us in the dark. What is it about our childhood that brings us so much joy? Is it the innocence? The carefree way we could experience life? Was it that we had no worries, no cares? Or, was it just pure fun? Connection. That's what it is all about for me. Who can I connect to? Who can I share a little part of my corner of the world with? Who can I share JOY with today? Think about where you are now. Can you remember the joys of your childhood? Can you go back year by year until the playful child emerges again? Can you remember giggling? Laughing? Sharing some fun with your family or others in the neighborhood? If not, I hope you will create some memories like that for your kids and grandkids or friends around the corner from where you live. Make some connections - what is one nice memory can you create that will fill your heart with joy? Try it! You might find out you like it. Memories can be wonderful - if you are willing to connect, to create a memory shared with someone you love. Chase a firefly tonight! Pam Spencer has always had an interest in Stress Management and graduated with her Master of Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Natural Health and Wellness from Baker University. Pam teaches Stress Management at the Women’s Employment Network in Kansas City, MO, and loves using her skills to help less fortunate women. She has taken her life experience, interpersonal and organizational skills from these stressful years and has developed a DeStress with Joy attitude and uses this philosophy in her approach to life. Pam has a passion to share this gift from God to teach others how to DeStress with Joy and live life to the fullest.
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