Top Secrets

From what I can tell, the number one goal of many Americans is having a "flat belly". (That, and lowering car insurance.) And the way to get the flat belly always seems to be the latest "simple trick".

Forgive me, but this particular goal hardly seems worthy of all the attention given to it. Don't get me wrong, I think it's important to be healthy and fit, but that won't always lead to a flat belly. Nor is physical activity the suggested method for getting said belly. After signing the family up for another year's membership at our community's fitness center, Eric said, "Too bad we can't get in shape just by paying the fee." Wouldn't that be great? "Okay! We've forked over the money. In one year, we should be all trim and fit."

There are some other topics for which I would love to know the top secrets. For example:

One simple trick for...

• helping your kids to get along with each other
• soundproofing a room
• maintaining your patience in the midst of noise and chaos
• encouraging gratitude in your children

I'm pretty sure all the answers are somewhere in the scriptures (with the exception of soundproofing), but sometimes I have a hard time seeing what's right before my eyes. Time to get out the magnifying glass. (I can read up on these while I'm working on that flat belly.)