Mary Pierce

Listen and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: Picture it. Six adults become babies, crawling, crying and throwing tantrums on a stage. Other grownups herd invisible chickens, operate an imaginary crane, and pretend to lay eggs.

Now add a zombie dog groomer, going fishing in a coffin, a Patrick Ewing impersonation and a prison chain gang.

Throw in three rappers, one of whom–guess who–is about as gangsta as the Church Lady, making rhymes on the spot. Uh-huh. Oh yeah.

Got the picture? Welcome to IMPROV!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: You see, I said, “YES!” a couple months ago to taking this class in improvisational comedy. And last Sunday night our group performed all of the above. In PUBLIC.

After years of controlled and practiced public speaking, the idea of just winging it in public terrified me.

But encouraged by our fearless leader Ben, we all gave ourselves permission to be goofy, stupid, ridiculous, outrageous, and more.  And here’s the unexpected bonus: I know that NOTHING–no future audience or speaking gig, no life challenge– will EVER be scarier than improv was!

Eight strangers gathered at that first class. But last Sunday night, it was eight friends who’d become family as we worked together, supported and encouraged one another, and had fun.

I’m going to miss our group, but I’m taking three truths with me:

(1) It’s better to connect with kindred spirits, rather than go it alone–whatever you’re doing. (Who are the like-minded folks in your life? Have none? Find some!)

(2) Grownups should never forget how to play. (When’s the last time you just had some fun?)

(3) Saying “yes” is scary, but ’tis better to say yes and bomb, than say no and wonder forever what might have been.

So what’s being offered to you today that scares you? What have you always wanted to do, but never dared? A friend says, “It’s never too late to be who God created you to be!”

This week, connect with a kindred soul, have some fun and say “YES” to something scary. You won’t regret it!

Thanks for blessing my life–now go bless somebody else today.

(Thanks to Amy Young for the “Benny’s Angels” pic above.)

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COMING IN AUGUST: The Second Annual IS IT HOT IN AUGUST OR IS IT JUST ME? Meltdown featuring book giveaways, guest bloggers and other surprises. Stay tuned!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to my BFF, Jonesy! We’ve been laughing together since kindergarten. What a blessing! (Some of you will recognize her with her dozen long-stemmed red noses bouquet.)

Celebrate your friendships this week!

Listen in and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: Last week’s laugh was on me. Life happened while I was making other plans. And I chose to go with the flow and say, “C’est la vie!” That’s life!

Well, this week the laugh is STILL on me. This week, life is STILL life!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Life happens. Last week’s challenges continue this week. They’re minor things but beyond my control–small inconveniences that continue to disrupt the plans I’d made. Plan A is out the window. Plan B–or maybe it’s plan C or even D–is in effect.

“C’est la vie.” Life happens. And I have a choice. I can fuss and fume and work myself into a frenzy over it all, or I can choose to trust God, go with the flow and say, again, “That’s life.”

That’s the way it is. That’s the way the ball bounces and the cookie crumbles. Into every life a little rain must fall. And every other cliche I can think of.  (What’s your favorite?)

I look at today’s choice as practice for future days, when the distractions will be disasters. When I’ll look back on the trouble of today and realize how good I really had it.

And those days–disaster, grief, loss, pain–will come. They always come. One way or another, they come. C’est la vie.

Accepting and flexing with the minor stuff today might help me trust with the bigger stuff tomorrow. I’ll look for the good in today and trust that there will still be good tomorrow–that God will be there–no matter what.

Meanwhile, I’ll embrace the gift of today. Here. Now. This moment is all we really have, isn’t it?

Open your mind and spirit to what’s good and right and worthy of praise in this day. Here. Now.

Thanks for blessing my life. May you be blessed today and be a blessing to everyone you encounter!

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P.S. Speaking of blessings, Happy Birthday today to Cat Box Boy, currently cruising in Canada. (FYI Son: 35 is still 35, U.S. or Canadian…)

P.P.S. Stay tuned for the SECOND ANNUAL “IS IT HOT IN AUGUST OR IS IT JUST ME?” MELTDOWN featuring guest bloggers with great books to give away!

P.P.P.S. If you are a Wisconsin writer and interested in learning more about “Inspirational Writing,” spend the week of AUGUST 23-28, 2009 with me at Green Lake Conference Center. I’m teaching every day and it’s going to be a blast!

TODAY’S LAUGH is on me…

I’ve always hated that saying, “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” I don’t WANT that–I want to be in control.

But this week life seems to be in charge of what I thought was my schedule.  Life made other plans. What’s a gal to do?

Trust God. Go with the flow. Smile and say, “C’est la vie!”

I’ll be back next week–at least I plan to be. For now, this week’s blog posting has been, um,  “called on account of life”!

May you be blessed, wherever life takes YOU this week!

Listen in for some encouragement for tough times…

TODAY’S LAUGH: I asked DaMama the other day, just for fun, “What’s on your agenda today?”

“Remaining upright,” she said. Ah, yes. Remaining upright is a worthy goal at 95…or at any age!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: DaMama got me thinking, not just about physically “remaining upright” but also the grander goal of standing up for what’s good and fair.

I want to remain upright, to stand up for what’s right these days, when so much of the news is about what’s gone wrong.

What’s right? Every day, brave members of our military and their families make sacrifices for us around the world.

What’s right? Every day, caregivers show up to help those who can’t help themselves.

What’s right? Every day, generous folks give to those less fortunate, and continue to give even when their own resources are shrinking.

Every day, good people are giving sacrificially for the benefit of others. I want to be more like them. I pray to be more generous, more compassionate and less self-absorbed.

The economic news isn’t good for any of us, but charitable giving has been hit especially hard. Charities are HURTING right now. It’s time for each of us–no matter what our personal challenges–to offer our support.

What’s right? If we each do our small part, we can make a big difference. How are you “remaining upright”? What are you standing up for today?

YOUR TURN: Contact your favorite charity and offer your support. Here are some suggestions: Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Association, USO, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, your local food pantry, shelter or mission, and don’t forget your own place of worship!

Your support is needed right now, like never before.

May you be blessed as you seek to bless others today!