Enklings Studio

New Thanksgiving Video from Sharefaith.com

Let me know what you think. 

Simply,

Tim

www.sharefaith.com

What's Your Value?

It's easy to get caught up in our equity based society and see our value in such a limited way.  Take a look at this video to get a different perspective.

Simply,

Tim

Hope Video From Sharefaith

Check out the new video from Sharefaith and 1Word Studios. I really enjoy writing video scripts for these guys, they truly make words come alive!

Things My Children Taught Their Dad

I was thinking on my walk this beautiful Father’s Day morning that I’ve learned more from my kids than I’ve taught them.  I’ll probably be remembered by you for this one phrase: “You get what you get, and you don’t have a fit.”   I’m not sure that sums up what I’ve taught you in life, but being content and at peace is the one thing I hope you’ve learned from me.  What I have learned from you would take volumes to write, but here’s the short version – at least for today.

Lara, you’ve taught me what it means to be content in every situation.  You were always content with little.  You could spend a day, and still can, wrapped around a good book.  I still picture you in your room, slaving away at whatever project you had that day oblivious to hunger or the newest thing on TV or whatever your friends were doing.  You pour your entire life into the vessel in front of you at the moment.  I can see that rare gift in your life as a mom and a wife and I am so grateful to be able to watch.

Luke, you’ve taught me that life is to be held in an open hand.  Your passion for excitement, your commitment to your friends and your solid foundation of values show me what a wonderful man you have become.  I have seen in you that not gripping life too tightly will open up things that are impossible to do when you clinch.  I watch you work hard and play hard with a focus rarely seen in a man your age and I’m inspired to be a better man myself.  

Tia, you’ve taught me compassion.  You’ve always been the one to care for each of us and everyone you touch in a unique way.  From the mice the cat brings in to a far away child you sponsor, everyone and everything is touched by your gentle spirit and you always seem to know how to repair our brokenness.  You live life with fiery passion and peaceful compassion, a rare mix that I hope I can continue to learn from in watching your life.

Thank you, my kids, for teaching me what no one else could.

Simply,

Dad

180 - Two act drama of new found faith

Finally finished this little drama of new found faith I started a while ago.  Let me know what you think! 

Download 180 play 

Sample Dialogue:

 

Act One - Scene One

 

(Man on his knees in Living Room)

Peter:  God, I'm new at this but here goes:  Where do I start?   John said - You know my friend John don't You?  Oh of course You do, how stupid.  Anyway, John said I should talk to You about things.  So...how are You?  No...no...what a dumb thing to say, you're God how could You be anything but great!  Well, I'm not so great.  Somehow I thought all of this would be easier.  I've been meeting with John for months and at first I thought all of this Christian stuff was a bunch of bunk, sorry about that by the way, but as John kept talking with me it all seemed to make sense.  Once I put my trust in You I thought my problems would all just disappear.  I know.. John read me some verses that said I would have some trouble in my life - tribulations I think he called them -but I thought that was just a disclaimer.  Like those lawyer commercials on TV.  You know "...not based on actual cases, your actual outcome may differ."  You see, I told my friend Jason about my decision to follow You and he laughed until he nearly coughed up a lung.  I'm afraid I'll get the same reaction from Patty and the kids....

 

(Patty enters the room)

 

Patty:   What about me and the kids?  What are you doing Peter? Did you hurt your back again?

 

Peter:   Well, no....

 

Patty:   Here, let me help you up.  You've really got to see someone about this.  You know Dr. Young said he would look at you and see what's up with your back.  I told you he does all the chiropractic work for the 49ers didn't I.

 

Peter:   That's great, but I need....

 

Patty:   I know what you need - a stiff drink and a long soak in the hot tub.  I'll have it all ready for you tonight when you get home from work.

 

Peter:   That's not exactly....

 

Patty:   I know, I know...later though ok.   I've got to go get ready to meet with Theresa's school counselor this morning to see if I can get her back into her science class.  Who would have thought that one little explosion could get you kicked out of chemistry.  I mean, no one got hurt or anything and the fire was out in just a matter of hours.  Anyway I'll take good care of you tonight - see ya later.

 

Peter:   Patty.

 

Patty:   Yeah.

 

Peter:   I just...I just...

 

Patty:   What is it Peter?

 

Peter:   I just wanted to tell you I love you.

 

Patty:   That's sweet - bye bye now.

 

(Patty exits to bedroom)

 

Peter:   See God...you'd think it would be easy to tell your family such important news.  You'd think I could just stand up and say "Patty - I've become a Christian."

 

(Theresa enters on last few words)

 

Theresa: Who's become a Christian.

 

Peter:   Well....

 

Theresa: (searching the room for something) We've got some of those at school.  They seem nice enough, but most of them are just a little strange.  Kinda weird, ya know?  Anyway, I think it's dumb to limit yourself to one religion.  We need to be open to all forms of faith.  Don't you think so?

 

Peter:   Actually, I....

 

Theresa: Dad, have you seen my Nano?  I think this is the last place I had it.  I've looked everywhere else.

 

Peter:   I might have seen it.  What exactly is a "Nano."

 

Theresa: Oh dad, you're no help at all.  I gotta go, I'm late. Bye.

 

(Theresa exits)

 

Peter:   Ok. God, You tell me how to get through to this family when I can't put more than three words together at the same time.  Hey, I've done my part.  I believe.  I've done the 180.

 

(Tommy enters the room)

 

Tommy: You did a 180 Dad?  Cool.  Is that how you hurt your back?

 

Peter:    I didn't hurt my back!

 

Tommy: Mom said you hurt your back.  Too bad, cause if you had, that TV lawyer could get you (in TV. voice)"5.6 million dollars...actual results may differ."

 

Peter:   No Tommy, I've made some decisions to turn my life around.

 

Tommy:  That's great Dad, could you sign this?

 

Peter:   What is it?

 

Tommy: Just a permission slip for a class I have to take.

 

Peter:   What kind of class needs a permission slip?

 

Tommy: Just a family living class.

 

Peter:  That sounds good, but why does it need a permission slip?

 

Tommy: Well, I guess we talk about sex and stuff.

 

Peter:   Whoa...what kind of stuff?

 

Tommy: Stuff Dad!  Just stuff.  Will you please just sign it.

 

Peter:   Well I want to know a little more about....

 

Tommy: Is this about that 180 thing, 'cause if it is it's really lame!  Theresa took this class no questions asked.  I get nailed about everything like this, my friends will think I’m some kind of geek if I have to sit out of the class.  It's just not fair, you never understand.  I'll just ask Mom.

 

(Tommy exits in a huff)

 

Peter:   Tommy....  You see what I'm up against God.  I know I haven't paid much attention around here for the past few years, but you'd think they would listen at least a little.  After all  I am The Dad.  I have a feeling it's going to take a miracle to get through to them.  So... since miracles are your department...have at it!  I've got to go or I'm going to be late myself.  I'll talk to You later.

 

(leaves room and quickly re-enters)

 

Peter:   Oh...sorry.  Amen.

Download 180 for free - enjoy!

Simply,

Tim

Writing to Heal

I ran across this concept this week.  I'm sure it's not new to many of you , but recent research shows that expressive writing helps people with all sorts of ailments: cancer, arthritis, HIV, asthma - just to name a few.  This article by Bridget Murray Law, a former editor/writer for the "Monitor on Psychology" a publication of the American Psychological Association lays out a good case for this with numerous studies cited.  Also, the book "The Writing Cure, How Expressive Writing Promotes Health and Emotional Well-Being" by Stephen Lepore and Joshua Smyth seems to make the same case.  Definitely on my reading list!

I'm fascinated enough by this to challenge you to join me this year in a writing exercise.  I've created a new blog at www.write12.com to host one piece of expressive writing a month for anyone who cares to join me.  Mine is there for January.  Send me your pieces at tblair@enklings.com and I'll put them up as soon as I can. 

Why just one a month?  I encourage you to take your time in writing.  Think about it for a month and send it along.  Could be poetry, prose, thoughts, a "soapbox" commentary, just spend some time thinking and writing - that's the part that will help you.  For January, if you have a piece you have already been working on, send it along. 

For a lot of people, this is an anxious time.  Change, especially significant change like we are experiencing in the world, is stressful.  Join me in this adventure this year and Write12.  I think it will help.  I know it can't hurt!

Pops Blair, 2009