For the past couple of years I've celebrated Christmas by giving gifts of apps and online things I've used throughout the year on my social media accounts. I usually do it on the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
It's fun! It makes me feel rich and let's me share tools that have my life easier and more enjoyable.
Here are the things I gave as gifts this year:
The Kinnu app
In the Bible in Proverbs 23 it says to "buy wisdom, buy knowledge, buy insight" a couple of times. But so many times I find myself just scrolling through social media or websites without feeling like I am gaining knowledge.
Kinnu is an app that changes that for me! It has a map of subjects that are available, and as I am working my way through different subjects in a couple of minutes a day I am learning plenty! I highly recommend it. Check it out at:
Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.kinnu&hl=en_US&gl=US
Apple app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kinnu-superpower-learning/id1625333066
Google Bard
With all the buzz about artificial intelligence taking over industries, writing books, and making some peoples' lives easier you can give AI a try for free with Google Bard. Early on I rolled some of those story dice and asked Google Bard to write a story based on the words for each picture on the dice; the story was actually pretty good!
Give Google Bard a try at
https://bard.google.com
Notion
I've used several of the notebook/organizers/project managers out there like OneNote, Evernote, and Trello.. They all have their place and usefulness.
Notion is handy for me because it's easy, fast to start sharing links and ideas to, and free unless you want to pay. While I haven't gotten deep in customizing Notion I'm reading a lot of great reviews on how flexible it is.
If you're looking to try an online notebook I suggest you give Notion a try!
Site:
https://www.notion.so
(You can get the app link on their site)
Duolingo
If you’ve wanted to learn a different language I highly recommend giving Duolingo a try! I’ve been using it for more than 5 years now and can finally understand Spanish. I can speak it a little but because I don’t practice with people enough I still feel like a child trying to speak but I’m coming along. I’m planning on using Duolingo to learn some Italian soon…
While Duolingo is free I pay for a subscription and think you’ll want to pay them, too. Enjoy!
https://www.duolingo.com/
(you can get the app on their site)
Shazam
When I hear a song with a good beat but don’t who the artist I love to use Shazam. The app listens, searches, then tells me all about the song. And I learned recently that Shazam adds the song to a Spotify playlist automatically so I don’t have to fumble around to listen to it again. And even cooler is that it works on my watch!
You’ve probably used Shazam more than me, but if not I recommend you give it a try!
Android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shazam.android
Apple app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shazam-music-discovery/id284993459
SimpleMind
I am a nerd. When I really want to brainstorm and gather a whole lot of thoughts quickly so I can organize them into an outline, something I still do, I've found mindmapping to be useful. It's graphic, quick for me, and lets me wander around a bunch of ideas without getting stuck on one of them. SimpleMind is one of those mindmapping apps that helps me go that. If you've never tried mindmapping give it a try!
Android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.modelmakertools.simplemindfree
Apple app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplemind-mind-mapping/id305727658
Wikipedia
Why in the world would I give you this? What I’ve found this year is that when I want to grab some info without having to wade through all the ads served up by almost every search engine Wikipedia has been very handy. I get information with links to other linked subjects. As with anything on the Internet I read more than just what I see on Wikipedia before I make a decision but it’s been a useful tool for me. If you haven’t tried it lately give it spin!
Android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.wikipedia
Apple app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wikipedia/id324715238
Site:
https://www.wikipedia.org/
Google Tasks
I love to make lists of tasks and then cross them off, but I don’t enjoy doing it on paper. I love to use Google stuff and was using Google Reminders because I could tell Google Assistant “remind me” and then say the thing I want to be reminded about and a day and time and it would add my reminder to my list. This year they rolled Reminders into the Tasks app and it’s been great ever since. And Tasks doesn’t have a lot of the confusing flashy stuff that clutters so many of the other tasks “managers” out there. I use Google Tasks daily. Give it a try!
Site:
https://assistant.google.com/tasks
Android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.tasks
Apple app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-tasks-get-things-done/id1353634006
The Abide meditation app
One of my hesitations about “meditation” has always been the New Age/ya ya woo woo aspect that seems to come when I try to learn about it. As a Christian I want to meditate on God and his word. The Abide app helps me do just that! The free side is good and they let you have the premium side for 7 days. If you want to learn to meditate on God and his word give this a try!
Abide site:
https://abide.com
Android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=is.abide
Apple app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/abide-bible-meditation-prayer/id726031617
Christmas song playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVqI204q3ewnmz6vOHeRNXGEU5ZLDUPXl
As I've gotten older Christmas starting sounding the same, so I started searching for new styles and different types of music that could help me celebrate this wonder-filled season. But I didn't want boring stuff to listen to :-)
These songs are some of my favorites that I've found over the years assembled into a YouTube playlist. Different styles, different takes, all focused on the reason for the season. I hope you enjoy these!
Fireplace playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVqI204q3ewnyGzrtTqyAyod54AcEjTcc
I love to have a fire going, either in the fireplace or out in the firepit my son Stephen built for us. But often we're in a rush and can't spend the time needed to have a proper fire.
These videos let me have a fire on the TV screen. Yes, it's corny and cheesy, but it's relaxing and fun for me :-) My mother always reminds me of when I was a boy of 7 or so and we sat in front of a fire when we were on the Big Island in Hawaii. No radio, no TV, just a fire. And I commented on how boring it was and why they liked watching the fire. I understand why a lot better now!
Enjoy!
The Christmas Story
I've been watching Bible Project videos over the past couple of years and really enjoy the way they capture the essence of the Bible stories and explain their relevance to our lives today. The whole idea of a "savior" coming in the form of a baby just doesn't make sense, and they explain that well in this video. I hope you watch and then meditate quietly on this for a few minutes. Enjoy!
