I think I’m getting dumber. Since having two kids and staying home more I’ve found I’m a little off, perhaps even feeling a little out of it, and I figured out one of the many reasons why. Stimuli. At work I was constantly learning new practices, reading books that stretched my understanding of the world, listening to thought provoking discussions, hearing from leaders in various fields, and discussing local and global justice issues with partner organizations. I now watch a crap ton of “Thomas and Friends” with my four year old and read the same “Peek A Who” board book with my baby. Bottom line… I wasn’t feeding the beast. Needless to say my mind needed something fresh to mull on. It’s so easy to skip out on something fresh for mama. Don’t do it. Your thought life needs more than the theme song from “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”
To pull me out of the rut I’ve stumbled upon a few gems that have battled my atrophy of the mind. A few of my favorites lately have been:
Any recent message on youtube of Francis Chan. A girlfriend sent me one and I’ve been on a roll. I listen to messages like this or podcasts while doing laundry, cleaning, or whenever else I can squeeze one in. It’s fed my soul. I love them. Save this one for later. It’s soooooo good.
Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. Poehler’s memoir is refreshing and gritty. I’ve loved her since SNL and was a huge fan of Parks and Rec. This woman is a leader, comedian, writer, producer, and mama. Not to mention she is FABULOUS about promoting other women and of course funny as heck.
Scary Close by Donald Miller. This book was eye opening for me. Miller describes various relationships, most specifically his own with his new bride. He faces his own pitfalls in relationships and gives light to why people act the way they do in relationships. I remember reading Blue Like Jazz with friends in the college days and now years later he’s knocking it out of the park again with Scary Close.
Savor by Shauna Niequist. Shauna Niequist loves people and loves food. This book provides short daily readings that inspire your socks off while making you hungry, extremely hungry. Not like, I need a cheeseburger hungry, but hungry like, I need filet mignon hungry. She throws in recipes that make you want to strap on an apron and dust off your cookbooks.
The Seattle Times. That’s right, folks, the newspaper. Call us old fashioned but we get the Sunday paper and I don’t mind rifling through it while I sip my coffee on a Sunday morning before church.
