Caroline Flohr's Blog: Caroline Flohr, author's personal blog, page 3

POPE FRANCIS: Can he be the world leader needed today?

I love that our new Pope has chosen the name Francis. Francis has always been one of my favorite names. And Francis of Assisi, a favorite saint. The name “Francis” reminds me of a humble man, one connected to nature, one walking softly with awareness, a calm being.

Did you know that more has been written about Francis of Assisi than any other man in world history? Francis of Assisi looked at animals, plants, water, and the earth as brothers and sisters, not things. He believed that the natural world already revealed the glory of God. He followed in Jesus’s footsteps going to where the pain was, serving those who suffered. He practiced the spirituality of letting go, living simply. Always questioning the God he was seeking, he asked, “Who am I? And who are you?” Well, in August Pope Francis did a series of interviews with America, The National Catholic Review, and last week, that revealing interview was released. He began by introducing himself as a sinner.

FULL INTERVIEW:
http://bit.ly/18VEa1t

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NY TIMES: http://bit.ly/1h1KCZu

Today’s world and the younger generations are very different than what I knew as a child. And yet, both are much the same. But I believe that people today want more of themselves, not more for themselves. I believe that we want more humanness, more goodness, more kindness. It seems to me that the world needs a world leader who can inspire HOPE and CHANGE for the GOODNESS of ALL men. We need a leader who doesn’t divide but UNITES people. One who embraces all differences with COMPASSION. We need a world leader who can encourage and instill BALANCE. There’s a reason why our previous Pope has resigned and retreated to a life of prayer. There’s a very good reason why a man calling himself Francis now presides.

I don’t want to wait for a tomorrow that is better than today. Let’s consider the ideas that Pope Francis offers and act on them. Today is what we have. I am not sure about a tomorrow.

Can Pope Francis be the world leader we need today? Or maybe the right question to ask is “Will he be the leader our people so desperately need today?”

- See more at: http://www.carolineflohr.com/pope-fra...

Heaven's Child, A Mother's Journey From Heartbreak To Healing

POPE FRANCIS: Can he be the world leader needed today?

I love that our new Pope has chosen the name Francis.  Francis has always been one of my favorite names. And Francis of Assisi, a favorite saint. The name “Francis” reminds me of a humble man, one connected to nature, one walking softly with awareness, a calm being.

Did you know that more has been written about Francis of Assisi than any other man in world history?  Francis of Assisi looked at animals, plants, water, and the earth as brothers and sisters, not things. He believed that the natural world already revealed the glory of God.  He followed in Jesus’s footsteps going to where the pain was, serving those who suffered. He practiced the spirituality of letting go, living simply. Always questioning the God he was seeking, he asked, “Who am I? And who are you?” Well, in August Pope Francis did a series of interviews with America, The National Catholic Review, and last week, that revealing interview was released. He began by introducing himself as a sinner.

FULL INTERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NY TIMES

Today’s world and the younger generations are very different than what I knew as a child.  And yet, both are much the same. But I believe that people today want more of themselves, not more for themselves. I believe that we want more humanness, more goodness, more kindness. It seems to me that the world needs a world leader who can inspire HOPE and CHANGE for the GOODNESS of ALL men. We need a leader who doesn’t divide but UNITES people. One who embraces all differences with COMPASSION. We need a world leader who can encourage and instill BALANCE. There’s a reason why our previous Pope has resigned and retreated to a life of prayer. There’s a very good reason why a man calling himself Francis now presides.

I don’t want to wait for a tomorrow that is better than today. Let’s consider the ideas that Pope Francis offers and act on them. Today is what we have. I am not sure about a tomorrow.

Can Pope Francis be the world leader we need today? Or maybe the right question to ask is “Will he be the leader our people so desperately need today?”

redefining failure, part 2

If you read part 1, you would know that I believe failure is more important than success. Failure includes the imperfections, the, pain and wounds that accumulate as the years pass. Failure challenges me to redefine myself, to consider things differently, no matter how mundane. For certain, life isn’t a straight line.

But more important than comparing failure to success is recognizing how failure deepens my spiritual side. I’m not defining spirituality in religious terms, but spirituality as a commitment to truth, prayer, and humility. To me, spirituality is a sense that overcomes me in those moments of silence and solitude. When I fail, I search within. Time slows. I ask for help…silently.

I find prayer, a mediation of Hail Mary’s, anchoring me as I wait for the ‘why’ and the ‘what next.’ I sit with my eyes wide open. I watch for the patterns and synchronicities. Yes, I believe there is always a reason to answer the “why,” even when the “why” hides itself. That’s when faith slips in unexpectedly. Faith is the substance of hope, the conviction of things not seen, and faith accepts even that which appears unreasonable. It’s like walking in darkness without fear.

We all have our failures. There are broken parts in each of us. And as we tend to our wounds and honor our failures, space opens in our hearts. We grow. Our wounds transform and we transmit positive energy. Smiles flow generously.

What do you do with your failures? What have you ever lost from failing?

Caroline Flohr, writing true stories from a mother’s heart

www.CarolineFlohr.com

- See more at: http://www.carolineflohr.com/why-fail...

redefining failure (part 2)

If you read part 1, you would know that I believe failure is more important than success. Failure includes the imperfections, the, pain and wounds that accumulate as the years pass. Failure challenges me to redefine myself, to consider things differently, no matter how mundane.  For certain, life isn’t a straight line.

But more important than comparing failure to success is recognizing how failure deepens my spiritual side. I’m not defining spirituality in religious terms, but spirituality as a commitment to truth, prayer, and humility. To me, spirituality is a sense that overcomes me in those moments of silence and solitude. When I fail, I search within. Time slows. I ask for help…silently.

I find prayer, a mediation of Hail Mary’s, anchoring me as I wait for the ‘why’ and the ‘what next.’ I sit with my eyes wide open. I watch for the patterns and synchronicities. Yes, I believe there is always a reason to answer the “why,” even when the “why” hides itself. That’s when faith slips in unexpectedly. Faith is the substance of hope, the conviction of things not seen, and faith accepts even that which appears unreasonable. It’s like walking in darkness without fear.

We all have our failures. There are broken parts in each of us. And as we tend to our wounds and honor our failures, space opens in our hearts. We grow. Our wounds transform and we transmit positive energy.  Smiles flow generously.

What do you do with your failures? What have you ever lost from failing?

Caroline Flohr, writing true stories from a mother’s heart

www.CarolineFlohr.com

redefining failure (part 1)

In late August, at a small inn that was as close to the Artic Circle as I will ever get, I woke later than usual, made a cup of Starbucks Via coffee and powered up the television. To keep my morning routine constant when traveling, I travel with instant coffee. My two littlest girls, ages 9 and 10, were already plugged into their Kindles. Fareed Zakaria of CNN was interviewing Sara Blakely, the founder and CEO of Spanx.

Sharing her success story, Ms. Blakely’s infectious smile and energy pulled me in.  She told of her childhood and how each night her father asked about the day’s failures. They’d share a high-five to each failure. Then she told of how the universe had reached out to her with this idea of a better body shaper. And she ran with it…but not without many, many obstacles and rejections.

I remember well the first pair of Spanx I’d bought. The undergarment reshaped my midline, firmed up my rear, and deleted the dreaded panty line. Spanx changed my perception of clothes and how I felt when dressed. Her product now an essential component of almost every woman’s wardrobe, Sara Blakely had achieved the ultimate: the American dream. But it was her father’s celebration of failure that she applauds, setting her up to know success. I summoned my two littlest children to listen.

My 50th is here soon and I’ve seen more failure than success in my lifetime, but over the years I’ve learned to embrace failure. Failure challenges me to do better, gets me thinking differently, and encourages me to change directions. My two girls and I listened intently.

Life without failure?  Hum. I can’t imagine that. Failure needs to be redefined. I hope my youngest children will remember sitting on the bed while on our Iceland adventure and watching this interview when they contemplate failure.

For a free short excerpt of the CNN video interview with Sara Blakely discussing the American dream, CLICK HERE

The podcast of the August 25th interview can be downloaded on iTunes. Ms. Blakely’s interview begins about halfway through the podcast. CLICK HERE

And for the complete video interview discussing her celebration of failure, you need to buy it on Amazon. It’s $1.99, less than an espresso and a morning roll, and much more satisfying. I think it’s worth it. CLICK HERE TO BUY.

10 things I want my children to know before they marry.

For years I have harped to my children about getting married, having children, and living life. That’s probably because my first marriage ended in divorce, and regardless of how well we parents think we handle it, divorce has a profound effect on children.

My first child is now getting married and I want her, and all my children, to know these ten things before they marry.

1. I will always be your biggest cheerleader. I promise never to leave you, to listen more than I talk, to respect your decisions, and to embrace you for who you are. You will always be my child, and me always your mother, my home always your home.

2. Marriage is much more than a lifelong commitment between two people. It’s a coming together of two families. It is a spiritual commitment blessed by, and in the eyes of, God.

3. Believe in yourself and treat yourself well. Always have something to look forward to.

4. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Remember that you are not limited by your five senses. Listen to your gut. It will always tell you the truth. And the truth will set you free.

5. Remember that respect is at the core of every relationship.

6. When you choose to have children, know that your children are yours forever. Remember this when choosing a spouse because your children will have the genetic makeup and characteristics of both parents.

7. Live in the present but remember where you’ve been and that you are strong. Consider today as truly a present. You know that tragedies and adversities are inevitable in our lifetime, and it’s how we weave them into our life that makes all the difference. As life gets complicated, ask for help.

8. If it’s meant to happen, it will happen. God always takes care of the details. Have faith.

9. People do not change, but our experiences change us. Surround yourself with those who celebrate your presence, and focus on things that last forever because learning to live and love is a lifelong process.
Set your ego aside, walk with grace, and lead with humility. Show your vulnerability and your humanity.

10. Connect with others and Nature because what matters in the end are the connections we leave behind.

Caroline Flohr
www.CarolineFlohr.com
- See more at: http://www.carolineflohr.com/10-thing...

back-to-school shopping: teaching our kids HOW to shop.

Back to school shopping always seems to spring upon me before summer has turned the corner. Ads fly in every direction. School supplies. New shoes. The trendiest fashion statement. The newest accessories and gadgets.  With or without the hype I admit that I do look forward to it. It’s like an unspoken challenge. I’ve learned over the years that it’s best to stock up now than wait until later. Come late-July when the sales begin, we take one day away from the beach and hit the stores. Who can pass up the white uniform polos at Old Navy, 3 for $12? Or a fresh box of Crayola crayons, 50 cents at Target? Or the stack of lab notebooks at Walmart, 10 for $1? Glue sticks, boxes of #2 pencils, highlighters, the latest in lunch bags that keep your meal chilled…all for a fraction of what you’d pay mid-winter. The kids and I wander the aisles, methodically tossing this and that into our cart while I wonder how the stores can sell the items for almost nothing. Or maybe I should be wondering why the cost of supplies increases fivefold once school begins? I plan ahead and buy extras for home.

Before each item gets tossed in the basket, I ask if it’s is on their school supply list. If the answer is ‘yes,’ then the price is requested. If the answer is ‘no,’ then it’s the question of ‘want versus need’ and ‘what does it cost.’ What they return to the shelves surprises me. The kids tally their items as we maneuver our cart through the stacks of notebooks and paper. The one splurge each year is the new backpack. Their choice. The only restriction is that it must fit their back, nothing too big that can carry an unnecessary load.

Arriving at the checkout, they sort their items and we wait our turn. We watch the scanner display prices. The commentary is mine, keeping them aware of the cost of items, what was needed and what was wanted. The backpacks pass over the scanner. I choke. I comment on the price. They plead their case. Even with the $40 backpack, the cost of supplies and new clothes is manageable. And I am pleasantly surprised… the total cost is lower than the previous year. Maybe the big stores can be my friends.

Summer isn’t even half over but the kids are ready for their September return. We drive home and stash the supplies in organized piles on closet shelves. I am pleased. We have met the challenge. The kids are learning to budget. They are learning the difference between needs and wants. It’s all part of my job definition. I am their mother. Each late-July this one day has become tradition. As much as we all enjoy it, one day is enough and then it’s time to dig our toes back into the sand.

Please share your back-to-school shopping adventures. What are your traditions?

setting family goals. leading my family.

I have five children, a husband, a busy life. I’m organized; my time is structured; goals are set and met. And like most families we stay somewhat balanced and everyone seems happy. But recently my friend who works for The Ken Blanchard Companies shared with me a book titled Lead Your Family Like Jesus. I’m Catholic so the title didn’t bother me. But if it does bother you let’s consider Jesus as a person. I think you will agree that Jesus led with a servant heart, that is, serving others with love as the ultimate goal. And, if you are reading this post then family is important to you.

Well, I engulfed the book, underlining key ideas, pausing and reflecting, as the book instructed me to do so. About half-way through I realized that I had never really considered what it means to lead a family. Yes, I have expectations for my marriage and my children, and we have family traditions, attend Mass regularly, and all those things that families do. And I have my personal agenda. I know what I want and where I am headed. But…my husband and I have never really discussed who we are, what we want and where we are headed as a family. And we’ve been married too long. I finished Mr. Blanchard’s book, set aside my ego, let my humility shine, and created an outline for a family meeting.

What is the vision we have for our family? What’s our purpose? Where are we going? What’s to guide us? Do we focus on what is temporary or what lasts forever? Do we lead our family from the heart? What are our intentions and motives? What are the battles worth fighting? How does our family fit into our community? How can we serve those we love and those in our community? What traditions inspire us? The list of questions continues.

Our children are watching us and I want to set up my family to win. I want my family to live with respect, kindness, integrity, and fairness. I want us to use our hearts, heads, hands, and habits to live and love. I want us to connect with each other, with our communities, and the world around us. One of my earliest readers said in her review, “… all we have is time.” If time is all we really have then it’s those connections that matter when the end comes. Faith and family are most important to me. And yes, Jesus matters in our family.

How do you lead your family? I invite you to share your values and your visions and how you are reaching your goals. And if you’ve never formulated a family plan, I encourage you to do so today. As Mr. Blanchard says, “Leading your family like Jesus focuses on what’s really important. And it all starts in the heart.”

Caroline Flohr, Author, writing true stories from a mother’s heart.

www.CarolineFlohr.com

- See more at: http://www.carolineflohr.com/setting-...

setting family goals. leading my family.

I have five children, a husband, a busy life. I’m organized; my time is structured; goals are set and met. And like most families we stay somewhat balanced and everyone seems happy. But...



If it’s the small stuff that matters, the real morsels of daily life that inspire, illuminate, or transform, then this blog is for you. It’s a collection of thoughts, articles, and current issues that will give you something to think about, talk about, and explore. Guaranteed to keep you smiling and laughing...take your time...and read on. www.CarolineFlohr.com

10 things I want my children to know before they marry.

For years I have harped to my children about getting married, having children, and living life. That’s probably because my first marriage ended in divorce, and regardless of how well we parents think we handle it, divorce has a profound effect on children.

My first child is now getting married and I want her, and all my children, to know these ten things before they marry.

1. I will always be your biggest cheerleader. I promise never to leave you, to listen more than I talk, to respect your decisions, and to embrace you for who you are.
You will always be my child, and me always your mother, my home always your home.

2. Marriage is much more than a lifelong commitment between two people. It’s a coming together of two families. It is a spiritual commitment blessed by, and in the eyes of, God.

3. Believe in yourself and treat yourself well. Always have something to look forward to.

4. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Remember that you are not limited by your five senses. Listen to your gut. It will always tell you the truth. And the truth will set you free.

5. Remember that respect is at the core of every relationship.

6. When you choose to have children, know that your children are yours forever. Remember this when choosing a spouse because your children will have the genetic makeup and characteristics of both parents.

7. Live in the present but remember where you’ve been and that you are strong. Consider today as truly a present. You know that tragedies and adversities are inevitable in our lifetime, and it’s how we weave them into our life that makes all the difference. As life gets complicated, ask for help.

8. If it’s meant to happen, it will happen. God always takes care of the details. Have faith.

9. People do not change, but our experiences change us. Surround yourself with those who celebrate your presence, and focus on things that last forever because learning to live and love is a lifelong process.

10. Set your ego aside, walk with grace, and lead with humility. Show your vulnerability and your humanity. Connect with others and Nature because what matters in the end are the connections we leave behind.

Caroline Flohr, author, writing true stories from a mother's heart, www.CarolineFlohr.com

Heaven's Child, A Mother's Journey From Heartbreak To Healing, Second Edition