stringalingdingdingding

I was watching the Noggin Channel with my nephew, and one of their music breaks came on. The guy's name was "Dr. Stringz," and I was thinking, "This guy is SO talented! He plays the violin, the guitar, and the mandolin, and he has a fantastic voice." Then at the end...I discovered, it was Andrew Bird!

I love it!

View of Sea Otter Island from Saint Paul Island, Alaska

say to God first

"If you have a child with a reactionary character, whatever you want to say to him, say to God first. Kneel before God and through the grace of God, your words will be conveyed to your child... Another child may listen to what you say, but though he hears he easily forgets. Therefore, you will kneel and ask for God's grace again, so that your fatherly words will fall upon good soil and bear fruit.... Don't pressure your children. Whatever you want to say to them, say it with your prayers. Children don't listen with their ears. They'll only listen to what we want to tell them when divine grace appears and enlightens them. When you want to say something to your child, say it to the Panagia instead and she will do all the work. Your prayer will become a spiritual hug, which embraces your children and captivates them."

- Father Porphyrios of Athens, from Road to Emmaus (an Orthodox journal)

bear patiently

"Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and in others. Consider it better thus--perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly. If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure...."

[Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ]