Finding the Floor - A thoughtful approach to midlife motherhood and what comes next.

Send us Fan Mail

 “Decide why you’re really gathering.”  In this week’s episode we begin the discussion of the book, The Art of Gathering - How we meet and why it matters - by Priya Parker.   In part 1, we learn of finding the real purpose to our gatherings.  Ms. Parker invites us to go deeper, to find a very specific and unique purpose to gatherings both large and small.  I share the different ways she shares how we can do this and give some examples from my own life and also from the book on how to do this.  

For shownotes and transcripts, go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep266

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

 “Learn of the people who have come before you.”  Today I am sharing a few stories I learned today about a few of my ancestors.  I begin by sharing one of the books that changed a perspective which was a historical fiction account of the Martin and Willie handcart companies.  I share a story of an ancestor from that harrowing journey. Thanks to my mom, I was able to learn more about her husband and his life as well.  I also share how I miss my mom, father in law, and my grandparents and share a few brief stories or things that I miss about them.  I finish with an invitation to learn more about your ancestors this July 24th weekend or Pioneer day as it is in Utah.  

For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep265

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

 “We read to know we are not alone.” – C.S. Lewis. In this week’s episode I cover the topic of summer reading and how it helps us become.  I mention at the beginning how my mom made sure we had a pile of books to read each summer - our homework for the summer and how I now continue to love reading.  I also share how books can change us and help us see a new perspective. I also share a few of my own stories when a book has totally connected me to someone else because we both loved the author or a particular story.  I finish with an invitation to look back and see what books have helped you change your perspective or helped you grow in a certain way.  So grab your pile of books and get reading!

For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep264

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

How do bad apples effect the whole barrel?  In this episode, I talk about 2 chapters in the book, Why we Click by Kate Murphy.  Have you ever felt an instant click with someone got along fantasitcally or felt the mood in a room change due to someone’s anger?  Is there someone in your life that is really easy to be around or someone who is difficult to be around? I share how lately we talk about the vibe or aura of people and that is actually shown to be a thing.  We can sync up to people’s moods unconsciously.  I share how we can get romantically interested with people due to being on the same wavelength. And that being matched up with people online can be totally different from when you meet up in person and why that might be.   I also talk about a few studies that show how someone’s bad mood or attitude can affect group.  The “bad apple”  person really can bring the whole group’s vibe down.  These things we have a sensed for years but now because of new scientific tools can measure more readily.   

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

“There you are!”  In this week’s episode we talk a bit more about the lost art of small talk.  This week I give you a few tips on different ways to think about it and also topics or situations that can help you feel more comfortable.  Acronyms like S_O_F_T_E_N or F_O_R_D or A_R_E which can help you with your body language as well as topics ideas or ways to go about engaging in small talk. Also I love the reminder that small talk is supposed to be aimless, it is not about what you are talking about but that you are simply willing to talk to each other.   One helpful metaphor is the idea of small talk as a bridge to a new relationship.  I share a few more metaphors and tips to help with your small talk with others.  

For shownotes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep262
 

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

 This week I am exploring the idea of small talk and calling it a lost art.  I notice how I am really not very good at it and want to try to be better.  Essentially I call it a way to notice people and make connections even for just a moment.  I mention how our phones are a contributing factor along with COVID helping us be a bit out of practice. I share a particularly mortifying experience while in line at Home Depot with my kids year ago.  I include some info shared by Ellen Hendriksen about the importance of acquaintances, especially to help us feel like we belong in a community.  I give an example of my sister in law who is especially good at talking to anyone.  Finally I talk of how Christ noticed people and that is what we are essentially doing when we decide to small talk with someone. 

For more info and show notes go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep261

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

“There is nothing wrong with coming back to a story that loves you back.” I have been going back to my favorite books and movies lately, so I thought it would be fun to understand why we do that.  I share what I learned from an article and a youtube video.  A few things I mention is that we find emotional comfort in familiar characters, it helps us when we feel uncertain and we like to look deeper into them and appreciate good art.  I talk about more fun reasons why we re-read books and re-watch movies and shows.  My favorite is that we love coming back to something that brings us profound joy.

For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep260

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

A road trip is a great metaphor for life.  In this episode I share 6 ideas  or rules for life that come from the road.  I share a few road trips stories and then weave them into how that can relate to our life in general.  Rules like, detours are part of life and make sure to stop and refuel.  In addition a few deeper metaphors, like knowing your destination and the people in the car matter.  As you think about and plan your next road trip, you may also think how this adventure can relate to the metaphor of life. 

For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep259
 

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

 “When God seems silent … He is in no way absent.”  This week I am inspired by the story of Esther.  In the book of Esther, God is not explicit in the story but he is still there. I share a brief review of the story of Esther and then point out the ways that the Lord put people in just the right place to help in the deliverance.  Then relate it to our own lives, how many times we may not realize how the Lord is there in our lives.  I share of few of the times when he has been in mine lately and invite you to look for ways that he may not be involved in the small and simple ways.  And also happy beginning of summer!

For show notes and transcipts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep258
 

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!

Send us Fan Mail

 Different busy is the topic for this week.  I contemplate different seasons in our lives.  How I used to be so good at some things when my kids were little and now I don’t do those same things as well.  Like regularly getting to the grocery store.  I also share how we need to give ourselves grace because it is easy to compare how we used to be in one season and may not be now.  Seasons obviously change as our children grow and we are constantly adjusting to their new needs and working on our relationships.  Lastly I talk about the seasons of our spiritual growth and share the great scripture passage from Ecclesiastes about a season for everything.  

For show notes and transcript go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep257

I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me at [email protected] or dm @findingthefloor on instagram.  Thanks for listening!!

Thanks to Seth Johnson for my intro and outro original music.  I love it so much!