Categories
Attitude

Stop and Live a Little

Cartoon of a boy and a grandfather. The boy says, "It's a beautiful world, Grandpa. You should try living in it."

Last night, I saw the most beautiful sunset. The sky was ablaze with yellows, oranges and reds. As I was driving along, I thought of all the other cars speeding by. I wondered how many commuters noticed the sunset that was so clear before them.

Life has a way of grinding us down, doesn’t it? I don’t know what you’ve been through. It may be stuff I couldn’t comprehend. But I do know this. There is so much beauty that is going on all around us. Sometimes, it is so obvious, yet the cares of this world keep us from seeing it.

That’s why I love working with kids. They see the world with innocent, awe-filled eyes. If you work around them a while, they’ll point out how beautiful the world is. Kids remind us there is an amazing world to be discovered, whether it is in nature, or the urban landscape.

Life may have thrown you some hard problem. But take the time to see the world that is around you. There is always something to be grateful for. Live it up!

Categories
growth

Change Happens

Cartoon of a boy and his grandfather. The boy says, "If you don't like change, Grandpa, why didn't you stay a kid?"

Change happens! It happens whether we want it or not, doesn’t it? If you don’t believe me, work with children for a few years. Sooner or later, they grow out of your class. Take a look at a photo of you several years ago. Yes, we change! Some of us lose hair, some of us gain it, Children grow and get stronger while adults age and wonder why things aren’t the way they used to be.

Change happens whether we want it or not. The question isn’t if it will happen. The question is how will you deal with it? Will you refuse to admit change is happening and live in denial? Will you refuse to accept it and become bitter? Or will you acknowledge change it always happening and learn how to deal with the new normal?

A few months back, I revisited the book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” I got a lot out of it ten years ago. Of course, now, I could get it on the Kindle, iBooks, or any other e-reader. What a testament to change!

Whether you’re in publishing, the classroom or another business, change is happening. How are you going to deal with it?

Categories
Coloring Page

Pilgrim Kids Coloring Page

Pilgrim Kids Coloring Page

Coloring page of two Pilgrim Kids. This page is for the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States and is available for personal, church and school use.

I’m open to suggestions. Let me know what coloring pages you would like to see, and I may be able to post it for you.

Categories
holiday

Thanksgiving Turkey Coloring Page

Thumbnail for Turkey coloring pageThanksgiving is just around the corner in the United States, and that means turkey with stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and… well, I’m getting hungry!

While you’re waiting for that turkey to get done, you can color this free page of Tom Turkey smiling for everyone. This guy has no idea he could be dinner. And that’s okay! Cartoon turkeys rarely become someone’s meal. They’re too rubbery!

Click on the image to download an Acrobat file.

Categories
webcomic

Good Fight or Good Flight

Cartoon of a man fleeing. He thinks, "Can I fight the good fight if I'm running away?"

I hate tension. Maybe that’s why I like cartoons so much. I always loved the way humor can break tension and turn an angry person into a laughing one. More than once, I’ve had to break a serious moment with a joke. Sometimes that works. Sometimes, well, it can backfire! If someone really wants to be angry, they’ll do anything to keep their sour mood.

When tension comes, my tendency is to crack a joke, then run. But is that fighting the good fight? Once in a while, I need to stand and hold my ground. That doesn’t mean I have to be the angry one. Sorry, but I’m still going to crack a few jokes. I have to get a little laugh out of an incident, right?