10 posts published by Wynne Leon during September 2025| Surprised By Joy
“Use your passion to create a job.” – Lailah Gifty Akita Recently, six-year-old Mr. D announced to his sister and me that he wanted to open a shop. After confessing that he didn’t know what he wanted to sell, we started brainstorming ideas based on his skills and interests. Ten-year-old Miss O came up with … Continue reading Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold: Medium Water→| Surprised By Joy
“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. One must also have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ” – Hans Christian Anderson This week was a rollercoaster because both of my kids got sick. Nothing serious thankfully, just back to school crud. But we still managed to squeeze in some time magnet fishing – something my … Continue reading Photos of the Week: September 27→| Surprised By Joy
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” – Christopher Reeve I recently watched the original 1979 Superman movie with my kids – the one with Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman. Such a classic. My 10-year-old daughter started asking questions about Christopher Reeve, the accident that left him paralyzed, and when he died. Christopher Reeve … Continue reading How to Share SCI Support and Advocacy→| Surprised By Joy
“It still amazes me that we insist on teaching algebra to all students when only about 20 percent will ever use it and fail to teach anything about parenting when the vast majority of our students will become parents.” – Nel Noddings My dad used to tell this joke: Three religious leaders were asked the … Continue reading Life Begins Now: The Parenting Trap→| Surprised By Joy
“The morning steals upon the night, Melting the darkness.” – William Shakespeare I once told my neighbor that my kids were doing Aikido camp. She thought I said, “IKEA” camp and was surprised there was such a thing to learn to put together flat pack furniture. We had a good laugh. But this past weekend, … Continue reading Photos of the Week: September 20→| Surprised By Joy
“Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” – Charles Dickens I love story time at night. Having 6-year-old and 10-year-old kids means that most evenings for the past 10 years, we’ve read a children’s book at bedtime. As they’ve gotten older, it’s been so heart-warming … Continue reading How to Share Patience→| Surprised By Joy
“Your attitude is either the lock or the key to the door of success.” – Dennis Waitley The lead up to this joke happened 13 months ago. I know because I blogged about it on Sharin…| Surprised By Joy
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington Yesterday afternoon my kids and I had two hours left of a six hour road trip when we came across a …| Surprised By Joy
“Stop staring at mountains. Climb them instead, yes, it’s a harder process but it will lead you to a better view.” – unknown Last weekend we visited some friends in Leavenworth, Washington where we had a great time riding skateboards and horses. And I was able to take them rock climbing at the place where … Continue reading Photos of the Week: September 13→| Surprised By Joy
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa I try pay extra close attention when I hear the same message from many sources. It’s like a wake-up call that is too powerful to ignore. Here’s a message that I keep hearing: Getting involved … Continue reading How to Make a Difference→| Surprised By Joy
“If someone is nasty to you, first try love. If that does not work, compassion. If that does not work, distance.” – Sadhguru I have a love-hate relationship with golf. On one hand, it’s outside and involves walking. On the other hand, it might be the sport about which I’ve had the most arguments. When … Continue reading A Long Walk Spoiled→| Surprised By Joy
“When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.” – A.A. Milne We visited our local zoo this past weekend. Here’s…| Surprised By Joy
“‘Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkergaard* I learned a powerful lesson about twenty-five years ago when I climbed Mt. Ixtaccihu…| Surprised By Joy
“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or the life of another.” – Helen Keller My 86-year-old mother recently bought an Apple watch a…| Surprised By Joy
“Everyone has a talent. What’s rare is to follow it to the dark places where it leads.” – Erica Jong Do you have a solid idea of what you know? Not what your jobs have been …| Surprised By Joy
“Sometimes life is too hard to be alone, and sometimes life is too good to be alone.” – Elizabeth Gilbert When I was climbing mountains, I noticed a funny thing when we roped up o…| Surprised By Joy
“Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do.” – Orson Swett Marden Mr. D’s 6th birthday fun The ready position Time to jump…and bloom Coo…| Surprised By Joy
“Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you remembered to do today was breathe.” – unknown Long before I learned to meditate, I learned a breath practice while climbing mount…| Surprised By Joy
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop Recently my daughter, nine-year-old Miss O, and I were at our neighborhood grocery store. When we went through t…| Surprised By Joy
