Sometimes the most inspirational, re-energizing part of the day comes when you least expect it. (I say this because I loathe getting the kids ready for bed…it’s so exhausting.)

Earlier this evening, I took my daughter on a bike ride. She rode her little Huffy Angelfire and we rode side-by-side down the bike path. After getting her ready for bed, we laid down in her “teepee,” which is actually just pvc pipe and a sheet held together by a bungee cord. To me, it’s a bit silly, but to her, it’s a place where she transforms into Pochahantas.

We read the story of Ariel the Little Mermaid and how the two little merbabies exhausted her. I don’t think she made the connection that so often she’s an energetic little merbaby herself. To top it all off, she gave me one of her famous running start hugs.

It was one of those evenings when I was just glad to be a dad, and happy that I have an opportunity to save these memories.

Don’t let yourself get caught up in the rat race, don’t worry too much about the “stuff” you don’t have, don’t regret. Above all, find joy in the mundane and discover something special, even during the time of day that you like the least.

My daughter’s Taekwondo academy was clearing out some land–pulling weeds, chopping trees, etc.–to create a xeriscaped area. The Master asked for volunteers to help, and my six-year-old daughter asked me to join in the weed-pulling festivities (as if she was going whether I came or not). Naturally, I had to dig deep (no pun intended) to find the enthusiasm the day of.

Still, I learned a couple of life lessons while sweating profusely under the baking-hot sun. Sophie and I pulled two kinds of weeds. The first kind was a clearly recognizable weed. We grabbed the stalk and pulled it out, roots and all. It was easy, and I thought, “We’ll get done in no time–before the pizza arrives!”

Alas, the pizza was cold by the time I finished. Because on the other side of the academy, there were weeds that were, well…only the devil himself could have planted them. Indeed, when I saw them, they deceived me. They had pretty purple buds, they smelled like alfalfa, they looked like a plant you would want in your garden. I knew they had to come out, though.

I pulled, the stalks broke. The roots stayed stubbornly in the ground. I grabbed the shovel. I dug. And I dug. And I dug. I’m not sure if I pulled any of the roots out, and I know the deceptively tough weeds have destined themselves to live again.

Here are two applications.

One–our characters need contrasting qualities that are deceptively stubborn and deceptively transparent. When searching for article ideas, we need to solve problems and symptons. All folks have habits they can easily overcome; at the same time, folks have deeply buried habits that require the drastic or tragic to overcome.

Second–as we struggle to write. Or strive to be a perfect father or mother. Or employee. Or boss. Or in any area of life, laboriously dig at the habits that hold us back. When the stalks break, dig again, until we’ve treated the root of the problem, rather than just the symptoms. Here’s an example. I don’t have time to write! Maybe not, or maybe you are just checking your email too often. Cut back on the email. See how many more minutes of daylight you have?

Whether you’re a best-selling author or struggling writer, we all can strive to make a positive impact in the world. You can’t change the world until you change yourself.

I disagree with a lot of President Obama’s policies, economic and social. But he does take care of his kids–that’s apparent to me; it seems like he’s a good dad to his little girls, and is a good husband to his wife.

I do stand with him there.

He made a great speech yesterday at the NAACP 100th anniversary celebration.  He shows great leadership in making these kinds of comments.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Last night a blustery wind tore through Southern Colorado, leaving in its wake slick streets and snowy sidewalks. When I taught school, I loved these days. I still get a 10 a.m. start, but I love the snow for a new reason…sledding.

Near our house we have a park that is excellent sledding ground. A couple of weeks ago, a storm dumped about a foot or so on the region. This was the first sledding trip with my kids.

I cherish those memories, and when I’m looking for writing fodder, these are what I’ll conjure up and write about. Think back through your memory. What are some special events with your family that you could write about?