CARNY ENCOURAGEMENT

My anxiety therapist LOVES this story and wanted me to post it on my blog. It is from my book
More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals from and About a Special Needs Family.

CARNY ENCOURAGEMENT: A SHORT STORY

KEY VERSE:

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

ESSAY:

“5 darts for $5. Pop 3 balloons and win a BIIIG prize,” he barked.

As the carnival crowd ignored him and bustled by, he darted behind the booth for another drag on his cigarette. When he popped his head back around, he was startled to see her, as if one of his giant balloons had just exploded.

“Hi dad,” she said.

With the hot sun beating down on his balloon booth he shielded his eyes, pretending to look at her. But it wasn’t really the sun, it was the shame that made him avert her gaze.

“Mom told me where I could find you. She said you had trouble finding work and this was the only place that would hire you.” She paused to fight back the tears. She didn’t realize this would be so hard. His obvious discomfort wasn’t making it any easier.

“I’m sorry I never came to visit you,” she continued.

This was too painful for him and he turned to walk away, though he had no escape. She noticed how thin his frame was, how old and tired he looked. Sure, carny workers always look old and tired, but this was different. She had never seen him like this before.

“Don’t go,” she gasped. “It wasn’t just you. I never visited mom, either. When I came back to town, I was shocked that you two were still together. That she had waited for you.”

That made him smile and he stopped in his tracks.

“She said she decided to forgive you and that she still loved you. Always loved you. She waited five long years.”

“I don’t deserve your mother,” he stammered.  He thought his baby girl was gone forever. Instead she was here, and he was dirty and smelly. He had never wanted her to see him like this. He grabbed some balloons and began blowing them up, trying to keep busy. He needed something to do with his nervous energy.

“I didn’t wait,” she sobbed. Without realizing it, her crying had caused quite a commotion. Carnival goers, always eager to see a freak show, began to stop and stare.

“I got out of town as fast as I could. The only reason I got all those college scholarships is that people felt sorry for me. The good girl from the good family, until the dad got charged with a felony. I was so embarrassed. And I was so angry at you.” The sheer force of that sentence, the first time she had ever spoken those words, compelled her to look directly at him. For one brief moment they locked eyes and he was stung by her anger. He stopped exhaling and the balloon in his mouth shriveled up and fell to the floor. He wished he could do the same.

“My anger was so out of control I ended up following in your footsteps. I became the very thing I hated.”

Those words were a dagger. The last thing a father ever wants to do is hurt his child and he could see how deep a wound he inflicted. He reached out for her but shrunk back in fear.

“I didn’t come back to town because I wanted to. I had to. My anger consumed me, and I couldn’t focus on school. I got expelled for cheating. Like father, like daughter.”

As he began to cry, he noticed the onlookers and tried to shoo them away. He popped a balloon to break the tension and yelled, “Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.”

She thought he was trying to shut her up and she needed to finish. She had to get this off her chest. “No, I’ll pay,” she blurted. “Here’s $5” as she fumbled through her purse. She started talking faster, afraid that he would bolt.

“I came across the letters you wrote me from prison. I had never opened them. I was too good for you. You had hurt me, and I wanted nothing to do with you. But then when I saw them again, I thought maybe it will be comforting to read about someone’s life that is more messed up than mine.”

An older lady from the crowd approached and handed her a tissue. She wiped away a tear and let out a sigh that could have deflated a row of balloons.

“But I was wrong,” she admitted. “Your letters weren’t messed up. You told me how sorry you were. That you loved me. You took responsibility for your mistake. You shared about the Bible study in your cellblock and asking God to forgive you. You sounded so at peace. And I didn’t have any peace. So, I knew I needed to forgive you.”

Murmurs rose up from the crowd like an episode of the Jerry Springer show. Some agreed with her, some walked way in disgust. She turned to look at the crowd, as if to persuade them. “Mom and I agreed. I need to forgive you. I do forgive you, dad.”

Applause broke out amongst her supporters as she looked back at her dad. He ran to the edge of the booth and leaped over the counter. He swung her around in his arms as the remaining crowd hollered their support.

APPLICATION:

The old adage is you always hurt the ones you love. And it is often true. Those nearest and dearest to us can cause the deepest wounds. Who, in your life, do you need to forgive? Remember that we are admonished to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. Even if that person doesn’t ask for forgiveness. Even if they don’t deserve forgiveness. Who is God calling you to forgive? Begin the act of forgiveness by writing that person a letter. You don’t even have to mail it. Just put the words of forgiveness down on paper. Ask God to use this simple exercise to move in your heart toward forgiving that loved one, that coworker, that friend.

HOW TO BE HUMBLE

James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." This verse has always intrigued me. Biblical commentaries I have read on it seem stress that it means we should always acknowledge our sinfulness and dependence on God and never think ourselves equal to or greater than Him. As a Christian, it felt like I was always taught it meant we needed to not draw attention to ourselves, don't be conceited and self-promote. But as a writer, if I don't promote my works, no one will buy my books and no magazines will publish my articles. So I always felt like this verse put me in a quandary. I wonder how other Christian creative people feel. I am a performer. I thrive on being the center of attention. Again, this verse always seemed to put a damper on that desire. I am 51 years old and still trying to figure all of this stuff out.

SWEET SIXTEEN

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

Every three work days I change the quote at the end of my outgoing emails. The quote is always intended to be something inspirational and usually focuses on one of four topics:

1) encouragement

2) friendship

3) smiling or

4) faith.

Sometimes it is a famous (or not so famous) quote, or a pop culture reference, or a song lyrics, or even a Bible verse. Because the department I work for has to interact with everyone, I get to send a lot of emails and I have the potential of reaching all 70,000+ employees. Normally, my quotes don’t get a response. But every once in a while someone will email me back and say something like “I love that quote,” or “I really needed that today.” I decided to track the ones that got the most positive feedback. There were 20 that received positive feedback. The sentence at the top of the post is the 16^th most popular quote for 2018.

FIND YOUR WINGS

“I pray that God would fill you heart with dreams.

And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.

I’m here for you whatever this life brings.

So let my love give you roots.  And help you find your wings.” –

 Find Your Wings sung by Mark Harris

If you know me well, you know that my life revolves around my special needs son. Born with autism, cerebral palsy and a host of other disabilities, Parker is my pride and joy. His very survival and perseverance are the “daring to do great things” this inspirational hit mentions.

 Written by Christian singer Mark Harris as a tribute to his two children, this song has the potential to speak to every parent or educator about the hopes and dreams they have for the children in their lives.

During the workweek I send out, potentially, hundreds of emails. I work for a nonprofit organization that employees over 70,000 people and my department has the opportunity to touch each of those individuals.

At the close of each email I post a quote from my collection of favorites. I change the quote on my outgoing work email messages once every three days. In 2018, there were 20 email messages that drew positive feedback from my coworkers. I have collected those quotes and ranked them based upon amount of feedback into the top 20 for the year. These are quotes that inspired my colleagues, moved them or made them laugh.

This inspired lyric from the inspirational song soared to #17 on the list of the most popular quotes of the year.

Find Your Wings video

WORDS OF STEEL:

“Smile. It increases your face value.” – Dolly Parton as Truvy in Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias is a classic film and a favorite in my house. Sure, many would call it a chick flick, I don't care because I liked it, too. This 1989 drama with a southern flair for comedy garnered (at least) one major Academy Award nomination for Julia Roberts as Best Supporting Actress. It was her first major film role and she shined like a true southern belle. The story is part drama, part comedy, part tragedy, detailing the turbulent relationship between a Louisiana mother and her grown daughter, along with the support they receive from four other strong southern women who all frequent the same beauty salon.

Steel Magnolias featured a stellar cast as Roberts was joined by Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah. This movie will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you think. And it deserved much more praise than it got, if for no other reason than the assortment of classic quotes from the film. Here are just a few of my other favorites:

Dolly Parton (Truvy): "If you can achieve puberty, you can achieve a past."

Julia Roberts (Shelby): "I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

Daryl Hannah (Annelle): "My personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair."

Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser): "He is a boil on the butt of humanity."

Dolly Parton (Truvy) -- "There's some pretty sick tickets in this town."

Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser) -- "What's wrong with you these days? You got a reindeer up your butt?"

Olympia Dukakis (Claree) -- "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."

That's enough for now. Go rent this classic and watch it again. What are your favorites?

During the workweek I send out, potentially, hundreds of emails. I work for a nonprofit organization that employees over 70,000 people and my department has the opportunity to touch each of those individuals.

At the close of each email I post a quote from my collection of favorites. I change the quote on my outgoing work email messages once every three days. In 2018, there were 20 email messages that drew positive feedback from my coworkers. I have collected those quotes and ranked them based upon amount of feedback into the top 20 for the year. These are quotes that inspired my colleagues, moved them or made them laugh.

The Dolly Parton movie quote at the top of this article made people smile and moved it all the way up to the 18^th most popular quote of 2018.

If you'd like me to speak on how to raise your kids to be media savvy Christians, please contact me at 916-296-4647 or rich_seiber@yahoo.com.

Below is the devotional speech I shared at a church in Roseville, California last month to a group of young adults with a variety of special needs, most of them severely disabled.

I have a friend named Dana. When she was your age she was in church. And the church service was starting with a prayer. So, it was really quiet because everyone had bowed their heads and closed their eyes. The only person talking was the pastor doing the prayer. And right in the middle of the prayer my friend Dana accidentally lets out this great big toot. That’s right, she farted in church.

                She felt so bad. She was very embarrassed. She didn’t mean to do it, it just kind of snuck up on her and before she knew it, it was too late. The church was super quiet, so everyone heard it. And the church was crowded so everybody smelled it. People started laughing because it was funny, and they were surprised that someone would fart in church.

                Now after Dana farted in church, some of her friends began to treat her differently. They decided they can’t be her friend anymore because she embarrassed them. She did something uncool, she farted in church. And they made fun of her and stopped being her friend.

                How do you think that made my friend Dana feel? It made her feel horrible. Her feelings were hurt. She felt sad and hurt by the people who stopped being her friends and she felt embarrassed because she had accidentally done something she didn’t mean to do. Fart in church!

                Dana learned a valuable Bible lesson in that hurt and embarrassment. What she learned is as easy as counting to ten. Yep, as easy as counting to ten. You know what helped her continue to be nice to her friends even though they weren’t being nice to her? And do you know what helped her forgive herself for doing something embarrassing? It was a Bible verse that taught her she couldn’t do those things on her own, she had to have help. And she taught it to herself by counting to ten.

                I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

                One word for each finger. 10 fingers. 10 words. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. It is a verse out of the Bible, Philippians 4:13.

                Dana realized when she asked Jesus to help her, she was able to relax about her embarrassment and forgive her friends for being mean.

                I had a similar experience where I needed Jesus’ help, too. I was extremely sick. I had a super bad stomachache. I mean it was bad. I was groaning in pain, rolling back and forth on my couch holding my tummy. I didn’t know if I needed to throw up or go potty or both. I couldn’t talk I was in so much pain. But I remembered what my friend Dana had learned and in my head I started to count to ten. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. I wasn’t doing a very good job of dealing with the belly pain but I knew that Jesus could help me so I just started saying over and over in my head, I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. And you know what? I survived. Not only did I survive, I started calming down and I started focusing on Jesus instead of the pain and he helped me endure it until the pain eventually went away.

                We can learn from my friend Dana the value of counting to ten. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

                If our friends hurt us and treat us bad, we can still be nice to them because I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

               

                When we do something silly and embarrassing Jesus can help us forgive ourselves because, say it with me,  I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

                And when we are sick and in pain, we know we can get through it because I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

                I learned a lot from my friend Dana and her counting exercise and from my own experience when I was sick. But there’s another person in my life who has taught me even more about those ten words. That’s my son Parker.

                Parker is 13 years old but when he was born, he was really sick. He was diagnosed with a lot of illnesses, autism, cerebral palsy, a cyst on his brain, developmental delay and up to 50 percent of his brain didn’t develop in the womb. If we pretend that most people have a brain the size of a football, Parker was born with a brain the size of a baseball. The doctors weren’t sure if Parker would live or if he would ever walk or talk or crawl. But Parker has done all of that and more, not by himself but because he knows that I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. Parker is my inspiration and he reminds me every day of that verse in Philippians 4:13.  I want to end with a poem I wrote about Parker when he was six years old and I wrote it to remind myself that however challenging life gets, I just need to remember my son and his ability to count to ten.

                When you think it can’t be done

                Just remember my son.

                Born with half a brain.

                A life destined for pain.

                They said he might not walk.

                And possibly not talk.

                We wondered would he crawl.

                Or ever throw a ball.

                But lots of people prayed.

                Daily progress he has made.

                And now at age of six

                He runs and throws and kicks.

                Don’t tell me you can’t do it.

                That there’s too much to go through it.

                You haven’t met my son.

                He’s proof it can be done.

               

               

               

My 2nd novel is available for free today on Amazon. Click on the link below.
Box Office Betrayal for Free

“Have a holly jolly Christmas.

And in case you didn’t hear: Oh by golly,

Have a holly jolly Christmas this year!” – Burl Ives

This quote is from one of my favorite Christmas carols. Written in 1962 and first recorded by singer Burl Ives later that decade, it has lingered as one of the most popular holiday lyrics for more than 40 years.

During the workweek I send out, potentially, hundreds of emails. I work for a nonprofit organization that employees over 70,000 people and my department has the opportunity to touch each of those individuals.

At the close of each email I post a quote from my collection of favorites. I change the quote on my outgoing work email messages once every three days. In 2018, there were 20 email messages that drew positive feedback from my coworkers. I have collected those quotes and ranked them based upon amount of feedback into the top 20 for the year. These are quotes that inspired my colleagues, moved them or made them laugh.

The catchy chorus inspired the Christmas spirit in enough folks to make this quote the 19^th most popular quote of the year. Now that you’ve read it, I bet the song will stay stuck in your head all day. And that’s just the way Burl Ives would want it.

“You can’t stay mad at someone who makes you laugh.”  - Jay Leno

During the workweek I send out, potentially, hundreds of emails. I work for a nonprofit organization that employees over 70,000 people and my department has the opportunity to touch each of those individuals.

At the close of each email I post a quote from my collection of favorites. I change the quote on my outgoing work email messages once every three days. In 2018, there were 20 email messages that drew positive feedback from my coworkers. I have collected those quotes and ranked them based upon amount of feedback into the top 20 for the year. These are quotes that inspired my colleagues, moved them or made them laugh.

Of course, Jay Leno has made us laugh for years as a stand-up comedian, host of the Tonight Show on NBC and now as a recurring character on the sitcom Last Man Standing. So he ought to know about making us laugh and how that humor helps to diffuse tense and angry situations. My coworkers agreed with him. His quote above made no one mad and is in the top 20 quotes of the year at number 20.

If you'd like me to speak to your group about how to be a media savvy Christian, contact me at 

916-296-4647.

Who is your all time favorite superhero? That was the question on our whiteboard at work this morning. Each week a pop culture question is asked, we all write our answer on the board and vote at the end of the week for a winner. Iron Man, Super Man, Hulk were all listed. I wrote down "My son." I don't think I'll win the whiteboard contest this week, but my answer is truthful. Superheroes are wonderful sources of entertainment that we watch and read about. I think they serve a valuable purpose. But ultimately they are not real. What my son has overcome and the strength and perseverance he shows every day to rise above his challenges -- that is real. That is what we should recognize and celebrate. And that makes him my superhero.

If you'd like me to share Parker's inspirational story at your church or event, please contact me at 916-296-4647.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou.

I collect quotes. I have for years. My student government office wall in college was covered with a cacophony of quotes. Important things people have said.

“Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend." – Plautus.

Famous people and not so famous people. Sometimes from friends, even things I have said.

“ENCOURAGEMENT TAKES COURAGE.
 A. The courage to risk your time.
 B. The courage to risk your effort.
 C. The courage to risk rejection. “– Rich Seiber.

Celebrities, athletes, politicians can all say something profound at one time or another.

“I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down.” - President Abraham Lincoln

Occasionally they are not quotes from real, historical people but from books, movies, television shows or song lyrics.

"For as long as I shall live, I will testify to love.
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough.
With every breath I take, I will give thanks to God above.
For as long as I shall live, I will testify to love." – Testify to Love sung by Wynonna Judd, from a Touched by an Angel episode.

Usually I collect quotes about encouragement, how to encourage others. Closely related to that are sayings about friendship, caring and smiling.

“Smile! It increases your face value.” – Dolly Parton as Truvy in Steel Magnolias.

Every three days at work I change my outgoing email message so that it features a new quote. I regularly get feedback from coworkers about their favorites, what speaks to them, inspires them. This quote is the most well-liked of all:

“Worry less about who you might offend and worry more about who you might inspire.” – Tim Allen, as “Mike Baxter” in Last Man Standing.

I do believe quotes have the potential to inspire, bless, motivate.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

Words have tremendous power. Let’s not pretend otherwise. The Bible agrees with me.

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24 (King Solomon).

Collecting quotes allows me to learn from the words of others who are wiser than I am. Memorizing them, categorizing them, sharing them with others feeds my soul.

"Good words are worth much and cost little."- George Herbert.

I encourage you to feed your own soul. Start collecting quotes. You’ll find there is wonder in the words of the wise.

"Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire.
Joy will fall like rain, when you speak life with the things you say." – Speak Life sung by Toby Mac.

I am launching a new Web site with a free ebook offer on Amazon.com. Please check out my first novel The Homeless Informant. It is free until midnight today. Enjoy and thanks for your interest in my books.

https://www.amazon.com/Homeless-Informant-Husband-Hospitalization-fall-ebook/dp/B00UBLQZM0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=rich+seiber&qid=1558974102&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Press Release

              About the Speaker/Author:

With more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, Rich Seiber is a savvy and entertaining speaker. He has been a featured speaker for many notable organizations such as the Sacramento March of Dimes, International Day of Prayer, Sweet Home Evangelical Church, Corban University, Associations for Christians in Student Development and the Sutter Health Office of the General Counsel. His fundraising keynote address resulted in an increase in donations of more than $57,000 for the March of Dimes from the previous year. He has inspired audiences by speaking on such topics as:

 

1. One pro-life family, two separate journeys.
2. How the church can minister to special needs families.
3. God still performs miracles today, my son is proof.
4. Involve God in your successful weight loss and keep the pounds off!
5. Raise your child to be a media savvy Christian.
6. Be an encouragement expert.

 

For 7 years Rich served as a PBS television reporter and producer for national and statewide programming. You may recognize him for his starring role in a dozen television commercials and he delighted audiences as a radio disc jockey for stations such as KFIR and KFOX. His writings about his son and family have been featured in national publications and Web sites such as Yahoo, Football Nation, Mysterious Ways and Life Support. He has been the featured guest on numerous broadcast programs such as Good Day Sacramento, The Andrea Shea King Show, Real Christianity, 103.9 The Fish “Encouraging Story of the Day,” and 106.5 The End “Public Affairs.” Rich has Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Communication. Active in his home congregation, Bayside Church, Rich has been a volunteer for their Serve Day and Trunk or Treat ministries. For 5 years he served on the Board of Directors and was elected Board Secretary for a pro-life ministry, Pregnancy Support Group.  Rich has a steadfast faith in God and loves to speak and write about his faith and family. He is a devoted husband and father of 1 very awesome special needs son.

 

Rich has also written three books: two novels, The Homeless Informant and Box Office Betrayal and a devotional about his inspiring special needs son’s miraculous story: Parker’s Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism.

All books available at Amazon in ebook and paperback form:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rich+seiber

or contact the author directly, rich_seiber@yahoo.com, 916-296-4647

 

Guys and Greeting Cards: 5 Writing Tips for Men

This article was originally purchased by and published for Yahoo.com


Something came in the mail this morning that brightened my day. It was a card from my mom. She is retired, living in Florida. She doesn't own a computer, and there are no teenagers around to teach her to text, so if she wants to write a message, she has to do it the old fashioned way.


According to Hallmark, she is not alone. More than 5 billion greeting cards were purchased and distributed in 2010. That's 5 billion days that were brightened. I wonder how many of them were sent by men? Well,  the Greeting Card Association says 80% of their products are purchased by women.


I've probably written more than 12,000 cards in my life. People say that in the age of cell phones and email, handwritten notes are becoming a thing of the past. I hope not. In a violent world with a tough economy, we need all of the encouragement we can get. Still, it is odd to some people when they get a personal, handwritten note from me, a man. Men don't write notes. Well, this one does. Always have. It is just something I enjoy doing. And not just thank you notes, but notes of encouragement or praise as well. In our 14 years of marriage, my wife has saved every greeting card, love poem and thank you note I have ever written her. She's on storage box number three now. On the average, I craft at least one handwritten note per day. I find it helps me relax, takes the focus off of me, and makes me think about others. I would highly recommend it, especially if you are a male. Hand write a note to someone and shock them.


In the Bible we are admonished to "encourage one another and build one another up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). A written note is one of the easiest and more personal ways to do just that.


Lately, I have added a new twist to my note writing. I don't just write a quick note of encouragement or birthday wish. After the original purpose of the note is accomplished, I continue to write about our family and individual lives. What my son is doing in school; what is challenging at work; what trips we have planned. This way the note becomes more like a full-length letter. And it becomes more personal. It is my way of attempting to invest more time in the process and in the person receiving the note.


Proverbs 16:24 says, "Kind words are like honey -- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." This verse inspires me (and maybe you). An encouraging note can be a spiritual and physical blessing to the recipient. Let's be men (and women) who are the givers of blessings!


If you are not like me, inclined to write an encouraging note or card at the drop of the hat, here are some tips on how to get started.


1. Be Mindful. Mark on your calendar or phone or have your personal assistant keep track of special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. These special occasions are the easiest and most reliable reasons to send a card. It is always appropriate and appreciated!


2. Be Thankful. If your associate helps you land that new account, it would be poor business etiquette not to say thanks. But why stop there? Write it out. If your neighbor knows your busy and mows your side lawn for you, buy him a six pack and attach a thank you note. You should say, "Thank you," but you can write it as well.


3. Be Romantic. This is the same concept as number two above, just write to your spouse or significant other instead of your business partner. Whether she is ironing your dress shirt or ironing out your problems with the cable company so you don't have to, write her a note. Believe me, it pays dividends.


4. Be Brief. Yes, I know I wrote that I try to make the card into a full-fledged letter. But I am a professional. I have been doing this for years. You can grow into that. If you are just getting started, keep it simple. One or two lines will do. "Thanks for your help on the project. It was a pleasure working with you."


5. Be Persistent. Think of writing notes like exercising a muscle. It can be painful and awkward at first. It takes time before it feels right and you are using it correctly. Once you get some practice with your pen, you'll definitely be doing the write stuff.

Quote of the Day - Watty Piper

"I think I can, I think I can." The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

181.7

181.7 is today's weight. That is 7/10 of one pound less than yesterday. Amen! All of the walking from our early Mother's Day outing to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom yesterday helped a ton. I tried not to overload on water and liquids and that helped keep the water weight gain to a minimum. I did splurge yesterday with a giant chocolate cookie at the theme park and still managed to lose weight. So I am grateful. Thank you Jesus for a blessed day and weight loss to boot!

Review: The Beach House

Disclosure: I have ALWAYS loved Hallmark Hall of Fame (HHOF) movies, including the commercials. Even they make me cry. So the fact that I enjoyed the latest HHOF entry The Beach House is not that surprising. The reason why I liked it so much did catch me off guard. My favorite part of this television movie was the luminescent and endearing Minka Kelly. I had heard of this actress before but this is the first thing I ever remember seeing her in. I was captivated by her smile, her heart and her performance. She carries the film and I will look forward to seeing her in other projects. Chad Michael Murray does a decent job as her ex-, and soon to be again, boyfriend. I believed they could be a couple and their chemistry was subtle but genuine. The weakest link in the cast was the most well-known star, Andie McDowell. Her performance as Kelly's dying mother was uneven. Her energy level, along with her accent, fell flat in key moments. I didn't dislike her, she just didn't light up the screen with star power like her co-stars. The plot isn't overly exciting or involved. It's predictable, low key and easy to follow. Of course there is plenty of family drama, as there is in most HHOFs. And that is their hallmark, if you will. The emotional dynamics bring on the tears and lead right into a schmaltzy but effective Hallmark card commercial that leads to more tears. If that is what you are longing for, this TV movie won't disappoint.

 

Quote of the Day - Toby Mac

"Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire.
Joy will fall like rain, when you speak life with the things you say." – Speak Life sung by Toby Mac  

182.7

182.7 is today's weight. I'm up 8/10 of one pound. I am at 74 pounds lost overall. I ate nachos for dinner which is most likely the culprit for the weight gain. However, instead of using the entire can of turkey chili as would be standard, I only used 1/3 of it on my nachos. So that is progress. Thanks for your help in that progress Jesus.

Quote of the Day: George Matthew Adams

"There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don't care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause." - George Matthew Adams (American newspaper columnist)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Nine tenths of education is encouragement." – Anatole France (French novelist)

181.5

181.5 is today's weight. I am down 1 and 8/10 of a pound. Yay. Having a bout of the stomach flu and all that comes with that in the wee hours of the morning helps with the weight loss. I did have a better day yesterday food intake-wise as well. I had high protein for dinner: my old standby of pork chops. Plus I did not overindulge in the liquids later in the day so my water retention wasn't a problem. I did have a sip of caffeinated tea in the evening and I need to avoid that. Caffeine messes with my system and alters my attitude and mood. I am back to 75 pounds lost in total. Thank you God for helping me rebound with a better day.

183.3

183.3 is my weight. Ugh. I don't understand how I could gain 2+ pounds. It did not seem like a bad diet day for me. I'm at 73 pounds lost overall. Thanks God for overall blessings in this process.

181.2

181.2 is this morning's weight. I am down 8/10 of a pound. Yay! I am still at 75 pounds lost overall. I did not drink any protein shakes today but just tried to watch my calorie intake throughout the day. I did not have a high protein dinner. So this was a non-traditional diet day in most ways but it still paid off. One thing I did do that I think helped: I did not drink all of my water intake late in the day. So I did not retain all of that water and that helped me lose weight. Thanks God for this unique and successful dieting day.

182.0

182.0 is today's weight. I am 1 and 6/10 pounds down from yesterday. I'm at 75 pounds lost overall. I ate a high protein dinner of a pork chop and I walked three times at work yesterday. Plus I did not drink liquids late so those were all helpful moves. Thanks Jesus for this weight loss blessing.

I LOVE ME SOME HALLMARK MOVIES

Last night I was watching a Hallmark movie and it hit me why they appeal to my tastes. It is the reliving of those heightened romantic moments: late night phone calls, first dates, first kiss, etc. It is fun and euphoric to relive those moments. Now as a man, there would have  been a time I was embarrassed to admit I liked Hallmark movies. But we're way beyond that now. I enjoy them, so I might as well own up to it. Plus they are wholesome and they always have a happy ending. I can watch them in front of my son and I don't have to worry about their content or language. Hallmark movies help entertain and de-stress me. I am not ashamed to admit I love me some Hallmark love story movies.

Disappointing Faith

I consider myself to be a Christian, though my faith is a disappointing part of my life. I am drawn to Christianity because I am a conservative, a traditionalist. I believe in the moral tenets of Christendom. Abortion is murder. Adultery is intrinsically harmful. Homosexuality is not what was intended. But beyond those strongly held conservative beliefs, my faith is listless. I will be the first to admit I am not one who is mature or persevering enough to be a great man of God. But in those times when I have sincerely pursued Him, in short, medium or long spurts of time, I have found Jesus to be wanting and absent and discouraging. I can't be the only one who has experienced this. When I think of walking away from my faith, which I often consider doing, I am never able to do it because I am emotionally and morally drawn back to my conservative moral beliefs. But I am never drawn back to or by a relationship with Jesus. That is a mystery I have tried to but never experienced. Faith for me has been a patriotic style feeling but never a friend.

Parker's Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced that the occurrence of autism has increased in America. It used to be that 1 in 68 children in the US were on the autism spectrum. Now it is 1 in 59 children, a substantial increase.

Press Release

“Parker’s Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism"

New Release on Amazon

by Rich Seiber, Photographs by Stephanie Seiber

Born with more challenges (autism, cerebral palsy and brain malformation) than most of us will face in a lifetime, my son's perseverance and personality have made him a hero to many. Parker's Story is full of humorous and uplifting stories. Written in a devotional style it features key Bible verses and application steps on how to apply the lessons learned to your own life.

About the Author:

With more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, Rich Seiber is a savvy and entertaining communicator. For seven years he served as a PBS television reporter for national and statewide programming. In addition to his TV reporting Rich has starred in almost a dozen television commercials and delighted audiences as a radio disc jockey for stations such as KFIR and KFOX. Along with Parker’s Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism, his writing about his son and family has been featured in national publications and Web sites such as Yahoo, Football Nation, Mysterious Ways and Life Support. Elements of Parker’s Story were highlighted on numerous broadcast programs such as Good Day Sacramento, The Andrea Shea King Show, Real Christianity, 103.9 The Fish “Encouraging Story of the Day,” and 106.5 The End “Public Affairs. “ Rich has been a featured speaker for many notable organizations such as the Sacramento March of Dimes, City of Sweet Home’s Day of Prayer and the Sutter Health Office of the General Counsel. Rich has also written two novels, The Homeless Informant and Box Office Betrayal. He has Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Communication. He is active in his home congregation, Bayside Church and has been a volunteer for their Serve Day and Trunk or Treat ministries. For five years he served on the Board of Directors and was elected Board Secretary for a pro-life ministry, Pregnancy Support Group.  Rich has a steadfast faith in God and loves to write about his faith and family. He is a devoted husband and father of one very awesome special needs son.

Available at Amazon as an ebook and in paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkers-Story-Essays-Autism-Awesometism/dp/1542553334/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499122585&sr=8-1&keywords=rich+seiber

or contact the author directly, rich_seiber@yahoo.com, 916-296-4647