Tree of Life Mothering

Wow, last week was so powerful! If you ever want to have a boatload of fun, go to a three-day seminar on self-improvement with your son, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law. You might think I am kidding but I am not. It really was fun. After I got there, I discovered that even more people I know were there, like one of my informal mentors on homeschooling, two people who read this blog, treeoflifemothering.com, and the Bowlers, whom I did a presentation with last year at the TJED Forum here http://www.tjedmarketplace.com/forums/slc/2011/youth-forum-ages-14-15/wanted-heroes-dead-alive.

Their son Brad, who is a classmate at George Wythe college with my son, was also there. I was hoping to get more out of Brad than I can out of my son about the heated discussions that go on there as these students, including two of Oliver DeMille’s daughters, ruminate on history, philosophy, economics, science and Eastern religion, but he was just as tight-lipped as my son. Darn! The Bowlers had other homeschooling friends from St. George there. All these friends are really good friends to my sister-in-law because they belong to the same commonwealth school. The potential for gossiping abounded! But nothing juicy was said, we controlled ourselves.

This event was all about learning to say no to the voices in your head that keep you from being successful, how to read body language, and how to control your body language so that the message you want to present to the world matches the messages your body language is sending.

You can listen to Kirk Duncan talk about Vision Boards here as a free download here http://3keyelements.com/new/audio.php. I did what Kirk said around New Year’s, and here about 8 weeks later, I got my first thing! Now I get to make a Vision Board book and put the picture of what I achieved in the book like Kirk does. (It’s a binder with plastic sheet protectors full of pictures of what he has accomplished.)

So go get some green Frogger tape at Lowe’s. Put it in the shape of a rectangle or square, not too big. Don’t worry about making things look pretty with straight sides and precise corners. Then put pictures or words of things you want to have. Don’t put more than 9, in the shape of 3 by 3. Then every morning and every evening look at your vision board with intense excitement and tell your brain that you want those things. If you are consistent and these things are what God wants you to have (check with Him first) you will attract these things. its exciting! Now you know how to have Christmas year-round.

So much creative power lies dormant in our brains, waiting to be used. And everything that we touch and enjoy started out as a thought in someone’s head. We read in the Pearl of Great Price that God first created everything spiritually before He created anything physically. If we want those things to have physical life, we must have them in vision first. As the Bible says, “Without vision, my people perish.”

Here is a powerful story from my friend. I don’t think she knows about Kirk’s Vision Board ideas but she knew it was important to be put goals on a wall so she could see them every day and create a “vision” that would create change.

 I also had several not posted goals that went along with the posted goals
I felt a confirmation from the Lord that he would bless me with these things
before the end of the year.

Starting with the weekend after Thanksgiving the first of the last 4 of my 8 goals
(I had kind of given up on them happening this year–feeling like 4 of the 8 was 
enough for me- they were big goals and felt sort of greedy to want them all) happened

This was a grand piano. It was huge to me and represented much that was lost when 
my parents were divorced. It was a symbol of the Lord making our family whole again
some how. And it was also a way to bring music and the spirit back into our home.A 
way to combat the media choices of those in my family who are struggling.  But it was 
also a GRAND PIANO. That was a huge expense and just didn’t seem to be a way.

But curiously I started researching Grand Pianos checking to see what price range we would
need to be saving and those kinds of things. My husband was neutral– certainly not opposed
but certainly not on board. 

I found a grand piano from USU that had been recently purchased when USU went to 
all Stienway. it was $1900 which compared to the 5000-10000 ones was much more in
our league. 

Thanksgiving weekend after a great date and great connecting conversation with my husband 
I asked if we could just go look at it because it was by where we were eating. My husband said
yes but was hesitant. 

When we got there it was more beautiful then the picture of it was online. I fell in love with it
and found that they had marked it down $700 (who marks a piano down $700) anyway, that 
mark down meant we could do it. My husband got a call from my 11 year old who 
apparently not knowing where we were said “Dad remember I want a piano for Christmas”
When I came out to the car my husband said “I think we should get it”  So the first week of Dec
I received a new baby grand piano. 

But the Lord was not done. My Grandfather whom I adore made each of his grand daughters
a beautiful ceder chest. It was priceless to me. But when our family moved to Maryland I 
lost mine. It has caused me much sorrow and sadness to have lost this irreplaceable 
treasure. My sister had broken hers and didn’t feel so strongly about it and said I could have
her broken one. I had my brother fix it for me and for Christmas he gave it to me. It is a 
treasure to me and feels like a second way the Lord has replaced something I had lost.

The Lord has been working on me this month as i have fasted and prayed to know how
to help the men in my life feel the “love of GOD” for each of them. He has inspired me to
show them my love. In small ways and big he has inspired my way to show them love.
One such event was a company party at my husbands work. They let him know the
day before and he told me that night after work it is not that important to me that you come
because I was scheduled to work that night. The Lord knew differently and kept telling me
loudly it is important you are there. You need to get off work and go to this.  I was able to 
get it off through some miracles and went to the party. My husband  said after wards it really meant 
alot to me to have you come. I said why didn’t you just tell me and he said you seem so 
overwhelmed with working and trying to do Christmas that I didn’t want to put another 
burden on you. Luckily the lord knew and blessed me to go

And Dec 31st the last of my 8 goals was delivered– a new living room set for our front room
As we were bringing it home I realized that it was the last day of 2011 and that the Lord’s 
promises to me were all being fulfilled. 

I know that God wants us to have all that He has. He really does. He is a kingly father, abounding in riches, desirous that His royal children inherit all of His good and beautiful things.  In D&C 111:11 it says, “I will order all things for your good as fast as you are able to receive them.” So he’s not holding back on giving us more money and other blessings because of anything to do with Him, it’s because of our lack of being ready. Creating a vision and having the faith to bring that vision to reality shows us that we are ready for whatever righteous blessing we desire.

It all started back in Sept. My TJED friend Penny shared a video on Facebook of the Gill and Kelly Bates family of Tennessee. I stayed up late to watch it one Saturday night when everybody else had gone to bed. (Do you ever have nights like that when you just can’t fall asleep, maybe because of a need for inspiration for your tired mommy brain? But you don’t want to read and have to think too hard to get the inspiration.)

These classes are being offered by TOLM member Jenni Wilson. She is a mom of 7 and knows a lot about being Dr. Mom. She has a Master Herbalist degree from the Dr. Christopher School of Natural Healing. Check out her site at http://momessentials.net

“How To Treat Babies With Herbs & Essential Oils” and “How To Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding”

IN THESE CLASSES YOU WILL LEARN:

• How to avoid the annoying, often harmful, sometimes dangerous side effects of common over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications.
• How to get rid of that helpless feeling you get when your baby is sick and you don’t know what to do.
• How to stop wasting money on expensive doctor visits and health care bills.
• How to use herbs, essential oils and other natural tools to treat common ailments like congestion, cough, fever, viral infection, flu, ear infection, runny noses, tummy aches, etc.

BONUS:  There will be a giveaway for one of my ebooks AND a free Q&A after these classes for the people on the call. Each class is $19. Registration includes a recording of the class as an audio Mp3 and a copy of the transcription.

“How To Treat Babies With Herbs & Essential Oils” will be held on Thursday, February 16th at 7PM Mountain Standard Time.

I have received many calls and emails regarding caring for babies and using essential oils, what is safe, what is not, how to apply, etc.

• Keep your baby out of the doctor’s office!
• Stop feeling helpless when your baby is sick!
• Understand what red flag symptoms in your baby indicate that professional medical care is necessary.
• Learn how to use herbs, essential oils and other natural tools to treat common ailments like, colic, teething, congestion, cough, fever, viral infection, flu, ear infection, runny nose, constipation, diaper rash, thrush, eczema, tummy ache, and more!

The next class, “How To Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding” will be held Thursday, March 1st at 7 PM Mountain Standard Time.

I have some fantastic information to share!  Do you suffer from any common pregnancy or breastfeeding ailments? Don’t you hate getting sick when can affect both you and your baby?

• Keep yourself out of the doctor’s office!
• Stop feeling helpless when you get sick during pregnancy!
• Learn if it’s okay to cleanse during this time.
• Understand which essential oils are safe or unsafe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Learn effective tools and remedies for treating low energy, bloating, nausea, edema, back pain, constipation, episiotomy prevention, labor pains, perineum healing, stress, stretch marks, depression, sore nipples, low milk supply, too much milk, mastitis, etc.

 Invest in the health of you and your baby…

Receive a discount if you register for both classes!
Click this button to get both classes for $35! Awesome value!

BONUS:  There will be a free Q&A after the class for live participants. Registration includes a recordings of the classes as audio Mp3s and copies of class transcriptions.

This means that if you purchase these classes, you will be able to download the recordings and listen to them whenever you want, as many times as you want!

After registration, phone number for class call-in (712 area code) will be emailed to you.  Thanks!

“Jenni, thanks so much for the informative teleseminar!  I am looking into getting some essential oils to keep on hand. You have re-inspired me to educate myself on more holistic options for my family in keeping healthy! Looking forward to your next session!” -Jolene

The results came back from my daughter’s test for celiac and H. pylori. They are both negative.  Now we are thinking that her digestive troubles might be yeast-related so we are working on that with herbal remedies. We got the Yeast Treatment program from my friend Jonell over at http://myyeastreatment.com. She calls her formula for killing yeast “Diflucan on steroids.”

The testimonials included in the package are amazing. If any of you have stomach problems, maybe it is yeast.

Jonell has some free ebooks over at the above web site, here http://www.myyeasttreatment.com/free-e-books/ They are about

• the road to recovery from autoimmune disorders
• tips for sugar-free, dairy free, and gluten free eating
• whole foods kitchen equipment

So go there and check them out!

Jonell endorsed the Feelings Buried Alive Never Die book and said this:

“The Feelings book points to the way out of all feelings that are unlike love and it’s the Saviors Atonement in action. It’s the most powerful tool to heal our bodies and spirits that has powerfully lifted and blessed my family and me.”

Jonell, in middle of the back row with baby on her lap, and a lot of us Veggie Gals.

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing Jonell. If you go here you can get a free download of Jonell from my 2009 natural LDS moms’ conference where she shares her story of healing herself from autoimmunity and her recommendations for a whole foods diet. Scroll down to the middle of the page http://treeoflifemothering.ning.com/page/free-recordings-from-the-2009

Ooooh, I am finding so many inspiring quotes in the new Daughters in My Kingdom book! We are discussing the first four chapters tomorrow online from 2 to 4 PM MST.  This is the first class in our Zion Finishing School. You will be amazed at and transformed by all the cool things you will learn from the course. The syllabus is here http://treeoflifemothering.ning.com/page/an-online-finishing-school-for If you haven’t joined us for one class for free before, and you want to try it out, please join us. Comment below and I will send you the link.

We will be searching for principles to help us be wiser and more virtuous, by examining these inspiring quotes and then searching within us to dig out the principles. If you have the book and are resisting it, please realize what a beautiful gift you are missing out on. Here’s an analogy from Sister Julie Beck.

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1

Here are some great things I am learning:

• all the cool women in the New Testament who I never noticed much before, who were disciples of Christ. I find it very interesting that the book states that some of these women may have supported Christ economically. So when is it OK for women to support men economically?

• that Joseph Smith said that an organization similar to the Relief Society existed in the Savior’s day

• that when the R.S. was organized, Joseph and Emma lived in little 2 bedroom home with their four children, and 11 other people! How can we follow their example and extend our hospitality to others outside our family?

• that Section 25 of the Doctrine of Covenants applies not just to Emma Smith, but unto all women. It is a guide for being a better wife, mother, and neighbor. How can we apply it in our lives? How do we lay aside things of the world and seek for the better?

• Brigham Young called for the sisters to retrench (I knew that) but I didn’t know he wanted them to reform their eating and housekeeping habits. What can we retrench from, even in things that seem so inconsequential as our eating and housekeeping?

• that Elder James Talmage said that Jesus Christ is the greatest champion of women. How does that apply to today’s post-women’s lib world?

• that Brigham Young asked the women of the LDS Church to create their own fashions that were pleasing to them. Does this apply to today? How do we do that?

I love this story Pres. Monson tells of the family with the dad and brothers who sacrificed by moving far away to earn money so that the whole family could travel to get sealed together forever in the temple.

Two Saturdays ago dh and I got to go to the Bountiful Temple and do sealings of family file names. These are names that I personally found. I have never done sealings on names that I found before so this was a big deal for me. My kids did the baptisms and confirmations and I enlisted family and friends to help me with the other work. We did the sealings work during the day, so the sunlight was coming in through the windows of the sealing room. (Usually we go to the temple in the evening.) I felt so happy, clean and wonderful. I am glad I got to feel that way because right now life sometimes feel rather dark. I am hoping that by doing this work I will attract some help from angels my way. I wrote more about temple work here http://treeoflifemothering.ning.com/profiles/blogs/two-big-myths

Last week at our Relief Society weeknight meeting, (I am glad that we don’t call it Enrichment any more because that was confusing, since in LLL we also have Enrichment meetings) we played this game called Guess Who? Part of it involved writing down something that nobody knows about me to see if anyone could guess it was me. I have a lot of things about me that my ward doesn’t know. So it was hard to pick just one. I had to think hard but I finally decided to identify that I am probably the only Utah Mormon who doesn’t like Jello and doesn’t want Mitt Romney to be president. I’m for Ron Paul!

Lots of Nevadans are too. Here’s a video of a rally in Las Vegas that my sis in law Sally sent me. My nephews were there. Our mutual friend Amanda is doing a project of “Mormons for Ron Paul.” Basically you make a video of you and your family with a poster saying, “I’m Mormon and I support for Ron Paul.” Then email the video to mormonsforronpaul2012@gmail.com

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/823619053

Here’s why anyone, Mormon or not, should vote for Ron Paul. I am copying this from Thomas Woods Jr., PhD and his blog post here http://www.tomwoods.com/blog/26-things-non-paul-voters-are-basically-saying/. These are 26 statements people are saying when they pick someone besides Ron:

So, whether they realize it or not, here are 26 things non-Paul supporters appear to be saying.

(1) The American political establishment has done a super job keeping our country prosperous and our liberties protected, so I’m sure whatever candidate they push on me is probably a good one.

(2) Our country is basically bankrupt. Unfunded entitlement liabilities are in excess of twice world GDP. Therefore, it’s a good idea to vote for someone who offers no specific spending cuts of any kind.

(3) Vague promises to cut spending are good enough for me, even though they have always resulted in higher spending in the past.

(4) I prefer a candidate who plays to the crowd, instead of having the courage to tell his audience things they may not want to hear.

(5) I am deeply concerned about spending. Therefore, I would like to vote for someone who supported Medicare Part D, thereby adding $7 trillion to Medicare’s unfunded liabilities.

(6) I am opposed to bailouts. Therefore, I will vote for a candidate who supported TARP.

(7) The federal government is much too involved in education, where it has no constitutional role. Therefore, I will vote for a candidate who supported expanding the Department of Education and favored the No Child Left Behind Act.

(8) Even though practically everyone was caught by surprise in the 2008 financial crisis, which we are still reeling from, it’s a good idea not to vote for the one man in politics who predicted exactly what was bound to unfold, all the way back in 2001.

(9) I am not impressed by a candidate who inspires people, especially young ones, to read the great economists and political philosophers.

(10) I am concerned about taxes. Therefore, I will not vote for the one candidate who has never supported a tax increase.

(11) I believe it is conservative to support bringing the Enlightenment to Afghanistan via military intervention.

(12) Even though I lost half my retirement portfolio when the economy crashed from the sugar high the Federal Reserve’s artificially low interest rates put it on, I would like to vote for someone who is not really interested in the Federal Reserve.

(13) Even though 50 years of the embargo on Cuba did nothing to undermine Fidel Castro, and in fact handed him a perfect excuse for all the failures of socialism, I favor continuing this policy.

(14) If someone has a drug problem, prison rape is the best solution I can think of.

(15) Even though the Constitution had to be amended to allow for alcohol prohibition, and even though I claim to care about the Constitution, I don’t mind that there’s no constitutional authorization for the war on drugs, and I will punish at the polls anyone who favors the constitutional solution of returning the issue to the states.

(16) I believe only a “liberal” would think it was inhumane to keep essential items out of Iraq in the 1990s, even though one of the first people to protest this policy was Pat Buchanan.

(17) The Brookings Institution says Newt Gingrich’s 1994 Contract with America was an insignificant nibbling around the edges. I favor people who support insignificant nibbling around the edges, as long as they occasionally trick me with a nice speech.

(18) I am deeply concerned about radical Islam, so it was a good idea to depose the secular Saddam Hussein — who was so despised by Islamists that Osama bin Laden himself offered to fight against him in the 1991 Persian Gulf War — and replace him with a Shiite regime friendly with Iran, while also bringing about a new Iraqi constitution that makes Islam the state religion and forbids any law that contradicts its teachings.

(19) Indefinite detention for U.S. citizens seems like nothing to be worried about, especially since our political class is so trustworthy that it could never abuse such a power.

(20) Following up on (19), I believe Thomas Jefferson was just being paranoid when he said, “In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

(21) Even though the war in Iraq was based on crude propaganda I would have laughed at if the Soviet Union had peddled it, and even though the result has been hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis, four million people displaced, trillions of dollars down the drain, tens of thousands of serious injuries among American servicemen and an epidemic of suicide throughout the military, not to mention the ruination of America’s reputation in the world, I see no reason to be skeptical when the same people who peddled that fiasco urge me to support yet another war as my country is going bankrupt.

(22) I do not trust the media. But when the media tells me I am not to support Ron Paul, who says things he is not allowed to say, I will comply.

(23) I know the media will smear or marginalize anyone who would really fix this country. But when the media smears and marginalizes Ron Paul, I will draw no conclusion from this.

(24) I want to be spoken to like this: “My fellow Americans, you are the awesomest of the awesome, and the only reason anyone in the world might be unhappy with your government is because of your sheer awesomeness.”

(25) I think it’s a good idea to vote for Mitt Romney, whose top three donors are Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley, and a bad idea to vote for Ron Paul, whose top three donors are the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force.

(26) I have not been exploited enough by the cozy relationship between large financial firms and the U.S. government, and I would like to see it continue.

UPDATE: Some people are saying, “I oppose Ron Paul for different reasons. Why, he’ll force little kids to work in mines for 30 cents a day, he’ll destroy the environment, he’ll fire many of our selfless public servants, he believes in ‘deregulation,’” etc. Or, on the right, I hear, “He’s great on domestic policy, but he should be more pro-war.” Want replies to those? They’re right here, after scrolling down http://www.tomwoods.com/blog/26-things-non-paul-voters-are-basically-saying/

I copied this from Mary Ann Johnson. It will help you as a parent, whether you homeschool or not:

What goes in the Closet?

 

This is the most asked question that I ever get and it is the most fun to answer.

In this free article you will discover:

• How flexible are the guidelines?
• Can you use the Internet?
• How can the library help?
• How much money will it cost?
• Does curriculum go in the Closet?
• What about toys?

PLUS….   A HUGE list of possible Closet content items for ages 0-12

I am interested…take me to the “What Goes in the Closet?” page!

The lucky winner of this giveaway will get to come hear Mary Ann Johnson speak about how to fall in love with parenting. The event is this Saturday, Feb. 11 in Syracuse UT, all day. Your husband gets to come too!

If you would like to enter the drawing for this giveaway, here’s what you do:

1. Enter your name in the comment box below and why you want to come.

2. Like “Home School Coach” on Facebook.

3. Like “Tree of Life Mothering” on Facebook.

Entries close at 5 PM MST on Friday Feb. 10th.

Go here to view logistical details http://home-school-coach.com/ai1ec_event/love-of-parenting-workshop/?instance_id=35

If you are feeling STUCK in your parenting and are ready to transform, you are in the right place! Here is the TRUTH about being a parent: 

• A huge majority of parents have trouble remaining calm
• Many parents feel overwhelmed and underqualified
• There is never enough time!
• Fathers want to connect to their children but don’t know how
• And for many parents, guilt overrides enjoyment in the experience

You are probably not enjoying parenting as much as you could. You are stuck in the SWAMP of parenting.

I am very familiar with the SWAMP. Do you know why? I spent 40 years with children in my home. I felt swamped much of the time because of four things:

#1   I didn’t have confidence in my ability to parent

#2   I couldn’t find a way to manage time

#3   I didn’t have any strategies for maintaining my calm

#4  The stories in my head let me know I wasn’t going to succeed

Sound familiar to you? So the first thing I had to do was face my own behaviors and then learn some strategies to help me change! 

Are you ready to feel confident and enjoy parenting more?

This program is  for parents who are READY to change, who are ready to face themselves and stop blaming things outside of themselves for the problems in their home!

If you ARE ready to parent with more confidence and joy, read on!

Register Here

My husband and I have known that we wanted our family unity to be better and that it should all start with us, yet we were stuck, turning our wheels and getting depressed for the lack of progress. This workshop helped us pinpoint the basics we need to work on to progress and how to get rid of the bad. We are so excited to implement what we have learned.  Janae D.

Mary Ann – You are a master teacher. Your workshop is the perfect blend of philosophy, story, and practical tools. I got so much out of this – I loved the negative thought exercise, the reminder to be present, the help I got creating my chunk clock, and am looking forward to doing the activities you suggested about forgiveness and creating space and stillness. I feel like I have hope to build the kind of relationship I have always wanted with my kids. thank you so much for sharing your gifts and sharing YOU with us – I would recommend this to anyone who wants to truly connect with their children. Kim Flynn – Queen of the MaMa Biz

My husband and I have been struggling with how to be good parents. We’ve sought a few avenues to assist us. The ideas and tips were great, but I just didn’t find the skills I needed to make a change. My friend recommended this workshop with Mary Ann, and it has been the one of the greatest gifts anyone has given us. Now, I feel like I have some real tools that I can use to effectively build a foundation of trust with our kids. Now, I have a battle plan to fight the negative thoughts that direct how I interact with my family. Now, I am hopeful. Which will make all the difference in meeting our boys needs and building wonderful relationships with them that will last forever.  Michelle Walkenhorst

Mary Ann is an authority in teaching and parenting. Her course provides real examples and clear advice  for improving relationships with children and other family members. She teaches principles that improve your emotional, spiritual, and physical well being after the very first day of putting them into practice. Jake Walkenhorst

The next step for you is to get some tools that will help you make the changes you want. Where in the world can a busy parent do that?

I have created an option; a $59 all-day workshop to introduce you to some of a parents most difficult issues and some strategies for changing them. 

I have listened to many-a-training that is, well, pretty fluffy.  A lot of trainers are super motivational, and exciting, make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and you leave wanting to take over the world, but you still don’t have a clue what the next step is for you.

THIS IS NOT THAT KIND OF TRAINING.

I am a motivating speaker, however, what I will be bringing to you in this all-day training is a content-heavy day that can lead you through all kinds of behavior changing processes that you can immediately implement in your life. My students tell me it is like trying to drink from a fire hose. There is a litle bit of “Rah-Rah, you can do it!” thrown in for good measure, but by and large this will be content-intense behavior changing strategy.

I cannot tell you what a fan of yours I am!  Thank you for all of your hard work and inspiration. You are truly opening my eyes and helping to transform my family. Leah S.

So what is included in this all-day workshop you ask? 

Simple strategies to help you:

• change the stories in your head so you stop self sabotage
• jettison the feeling of overwhelm
• take control of your time using the Family Chunk Clock
• stop comparing yourself to others
• get relief from anger and resentment
• how to know where you have come from and track where you are going
• how to stop living up to an imagined reality
• understand how all you relationships impact your ability to parent well

**************************************************************************************************

I am so excited to share with you what I have learned from 40 years of parenting and living long enough to see the result! You are going to have your eyes opened, get some clarity and go home with some simple strategies to help you have more joy today!

Yours,

Mary Ann

Register Here

If you missed the teleconference call last night with the Ten Boom Institute on how to lead a transformational book group discussion, you missed out! I took notes so you can read a recap here.

Audrey, the presenter, was so dynamic and informative. Audrey is a former mentor of George Wythe College. I met her years ago at a Veggie Gals outing and was delighted to find out she has this amazing organization, at http://tenboominstitute.com

(It is so ironic that Audrey’s organization is called the Ten Boom Institute and the book we are discussing in the pictures here is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.)

Do you know just how powerful book discussions can be? Did you know that the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley came from a book group? So did Tolkien’s trilogy and C.S. Lewis’ science fiction series. What book is in you that will come forth from a book group? The quality of the discussions in group will determine if and what book comes out of you.

Why is discussion so important?

John Quincy Adams said that young people often boast of how many books they have read. Instead they should be boasting of the quality of the books they are reading. J.Q.A. also said that you should read books to make you wiser and more virtuous. Reading great books will help you be wiser and virtuous, but when you add discussion on top of that then then that helps you become even more wise and virtuous. Discussing books, in other words, answering questions about the book that you read, allows you to find the true  rules and principles the book is illustrating that you can use to govern your life.

Here’s Audrey with some reasons why you should discuss books.

What are the purposes of a book club?

1. To find truth so you can become wiser and more virtuous.

2. To increase relationship skills

3. To be inspired to learn and grow our whole lives.

Audrey said that when a book group fails, it’s because it is failing in these three purposes. The book group becomes a social club. People use it to talk about their sorrows and have a pity party or to go off on tangents that have nothing related to the book. The book group ceases to inspire so people stop coming.

So how do you avoid these traps?

1. Have rules, such as:

 -no interrupting other people (unless you are the moderator/facilitator and someone starts hogging the discussion)

 -each person may only comment for 3 to 5 minutes

 -no getting off-topic

(Note: A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion has a chapter on leading a book discussion as well as a section in the back of the book with a proposed constitution to help you set up rules for a book discussion club, p. 198. It also has discussion questions for at least a dozen classics in the back of the book.)

2. Remind people of the rules at the beginning of the discussion.

3.  If someone gets off-topic, say, “Hey that’s off-topic, so I’m sorry, I am going to have to cut you off.” Then ask a principle-based question to get them to get back to thinking about the book ahd the principles it illustrates..

4. As the facilitator of the book discussion, don’t lecture. Ask powerful questions to get people thinking about principles, or general truths that apply to everyone that lead to a virtuous life. Don’t be afraid of silence for several minutes. Just repeat the question and give people time to think.

5. Keep asking questions to get people to think so they get to a principle. Don’t lecture or do the thinking for them. Be careful about confusing applications of principles with principles themselves. For example, Audrey said, “Don’t state that homeschooling is for everyone or that everybody should homeschool.” That is not a principle. Homeschooling is an application of the principle that parents are responsible for their children’s education. Stick to questions that will lead people to have epiphanies about principles, not opinions.

In conclusion, Audrey shared the story of Ben Franklin from his autobiography. He shares in that book that he belonged to a book club, called The Junto, for 40 years. It succeeded because it had rules, a name, a purpose (to find truth), and a leader to facilitate the discussion. It also used study skills. Oh, another thing Audrey said, was that if your book discussion is not inspiring it is because the participants are not using study skills as they read the book. They don’t know how to mark the book as they read or ask themselves questions and write them down. Because of the study skills the members in Franklin’s group used, this book group was the best school of philosophy that anyone could attend, said Franklin. It benefited its members mentally, physically, socially, and financially. 

Wow! All that can come from a book club! Here is the link to the recording, on the left side of the page. http://tenboominstitute.com/events/

(To anyone who has participated in a book discussion I led that wasn’t up to snuff, I am sorry! Now that I know all of this they will be better!)

Would you like to join a book group but don’t know where to find one? Forgive the shameless plug, but If you are looking for an online book group, please consider joining our Zion Finishing School. We will be discussing the new book on the LDS Relief Society, Daughters in My Kingdom. Our first meeting is next week, Wed. Feb. 15 at 2 PM MST. We will discuss the first four chapters of the book. Go here to learn more and register http://treeoflifemothering.ning.com/page/an-online-finishing-school-for