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Send us Fan Mail  “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”   This week I reflect on everyday life that used to happen or that is now happening.  The many soccer games that I have watched.  Getting ready for school, afterschool activities and bed time routines.  Now that my youngest is a senior we are starting to begin to reflect on the last of so many of these things and appreciate all that has happened in our life as a family when my children were younger.  I share different memories and fun routines that seem so chaotic then but now I look back fondly.  I miss reading stories to my kids or tickle tackle or my husband scaring the kids on their way to bed.  I also look at the present and what I love about our current routines and happenings - like Friday pizza and a movie.  It is hard to appreciate it in the moment but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate it later.  So take a snapshot of your everyday, which you may miss in a handful of years.     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 “Subtraction is the act of getting to less, but it is not the same as doing less.”  In this week’s episode, I discuss the idea of subtraction.  It started with wondering why it was so fun to add things.  I then found a great article sharing essentially the similar sentiment,  that we tend to be biased to add things when we want to find solutions or work on changing instead of subtracting them.   I explore this idea as I talk about our short term rental and then coming home and needing to get rid of things.  I go over the complications of subtraction with things, like my Kitchen Aid mixer.  I then share other ways less is more, in workouts or at church.  Finally I share some good quotes reminding us that even though subtraction might be hard it can help us find more simplicity in our lives.  For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep273   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   “... but your eyes are always open.”  I had such a wonderful conference last weekend.  In this week’s episode I share an overview of the conference and my thoughts on how it went.  The main thought, it was what it needed to be.  The sisters in my stake who chose to come got what they needed.  I also talked about one meaning of Jehovah is “I will be what tomorrow demands.’  In the end I have become to grateful for the process to stretch and grow in this way and to be able to allow the spirit to guide to help it be what it needed to be.  For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep272   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 cannot just practice our art. We need to force our way into its secrets, and then it will raise us to the divine.”  In this week’s episode after sharing a small talk prompt and a personal story,  I revisit the idea of creativity helping us with our mental strength.  I share a quote from Beethoven I heard from Steven Sharp Nelson who reminds us that using our creativity can help us feel happier.  I mention the 3 Cs, all which can be included in a type of creation, create, cultivate and contribute.  I look back on episode 79 when I spoke of the theory that the more we do those 3Cs, the more fulfilled we can be. Then share a few other stories about the tricky balance of doing more creating than consuming.       For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep271 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  “That’s the dream. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”  Inspired by a quote by Kobe Bryant - this week’s episode reflects on the journey being the dream.  I reflected upon making an idea that you have become a reality.  That creation is complicated and yet it is the process of creating that is the most important part.   I share Kobe Bryant’s quote and then share other times where I have with others taken ideas of an event or a devotional from a plan to making it happen.  I mention that it relates to so many creative things - including creating a family, taking it from an idea to then a reality.  And then to remember that the creation - the working hard and keeping at it journey - is the dream.   For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep270   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 “Accept that there is an ending”  This is the last episode sharing the book, The art of gathering, how we meet and why it matters, by Priya Parker.  I begin by sharing the chapter about leaving your best selves at home and creating an environment where people can be a little more authentic.  One idea she shares in the book is called 15 toasts.  Parker also talks about some events that can add a little heat if it is done in a safe and structured way for the guests.  Lastly, I share the importance of a good ending.  Which means we want to look inward and reflect on what happened and then get your guests ready to go back into the world.  For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/269 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 thoughtful opening moment…can change the course of a gathering…” I love this week’s topic from The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, pregame.  I share the value of priming your guest from the beginning of hearing of your event.  I loved the idea of rules made for your get together that then help your guest feel like they are in an alternate world.  I talk of the significance of making a transition from the outside world to your gathering.  And ultimately aweing and honoring your guest with a memorable beginning.  So many things that I didn’t know to think about before my event even takes place.  For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep268 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 “Protect your guests.”   This week’s episode is part 2 on the sharing of the book, The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.  I share the significance of your guest list.  I mention the importance of your venue choice, size and style which also helps you fulfill your purpose.  Then I talk about the warning not to be a chill host and the idea of a generous authority. Finally, I summarize what Parker says are the main purposes of a host, to protect, equalize and connect your guests.    For show notes and transcripts go to www.findingthefloor.com/ep267   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  “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!