Kindness

Kindness is a word that is easily understood. We can easily recognize the kind acts of people we encounter. We know when we, ourselves have shown kindness towards someone.

As simple and understandable as kindness is--it is often not practised by people. How often have you been at a traffic light and cars continue to go through after your light turns green.

How often do you hear children saying unkind words to each other--at school--at home--in a store--etc...

We each have the power to make a change for the better. We can CHOOSE kindness. That may seem simple, but to consciously choose to be kind in all situations is quite a challenge.

That means that we have to NOT go through the yellow light--rather, travel at a speed that will allow yourself to stop when the light turns yellow.

That means us kind words all day long--even to your spouse, co-workers, boss, (or when you are talking about those people to a trusted friend).

Kindness is a choice. People do not "make" us mad. They do not "make" us loose control. Those actions are within our power to control. We just need to flex the muscle we are not so used to using. Practice saying kind things and it will get to be a natural way of speaking.

Take care,
MissT

Sunday

Sunday. The day of rest. The day to get ready for the next work week. This could come in the form of laundry, grocery shopping, cooking some meals ahead. You may need to cleaning up the kitchen after a weekend of letting things slide a bit. It could mean to simply, take a nap at 2pm. In my case it is all, or most of the above mentioned. I like Sundays a lot. The expectations are different on Sunday. On Saturday we have 2 whole days to get the weekend chores done. By Sunday afternoon you are looking at the list and deciding what to push to the next weekend. It seems that everything does not really need to get done "this weekend" after all. We prioritize, we categorize, we make choices about what is important. On Friday night everything seems possible--on Sunday afternoon everything does not seem so urgent.

Enjoy your Sunday. Get a couple of chores done (the really important ones) then take a nap--that is what I am going to do. There is no better way to prepare for a good work week than to have a well rested worker show up to work ready to do a great job.

Be Good, Be very Good

"Be Good".

This is a common phrase spoken by parents as they leave for an evening out and a babysitter is in charge.

It is part of the phrase my husband and I often say to our own adult children as they leave for a trip, adventure, or evening out with friends--"Have fun, but be good" is what we say.

I have been thinking about what that simple Phrase means. In a way, it is a very "loaded" statement. It puts pressure (all be it reasonable) on the child and babysitter. It, hopefully, causes the adult 'child' to think about his/her behavior and be more responsible. These are all good things--but I think the phrase is over used and has lost some of it's impact because of the frequent use.


What else could we say to the child being left with a sitter or the 20-something going out for the evening or a weekend trip with friends. What could we say that has more impact and maybe would accomplish what we seek. That is, a well behaved child that does not disrespect the sitter therefore the sitter will be more willing to return for another evening our (good sitters are very valuable to a family). What is it that would keep the young people safe on the roads at night or in a strange city. Words matter--I believe words make a great deal of difference in my life and in the lives of those I speak to, so I want to choose my words carefully. That is especially true in the fore mentioned situations.

Why not be more specific and raise the bar of expectation with our children. Maybe something like this: "I know what a charming and fun child you are, we are very lucking to have this intelligent and caring sitter here tonight. Please show her the respect you show your teachers at school or the minister at church (whatever fits for you situation) and have a wonderful evening together. Your parents want to go out and enjoy our time together; we can not do that if we are worried about what is happening with you. We love you and want you to enjoy yourself and we want this sitter to want to come back another time."

For the 20 something person: "Honey, we trust you or we would not be OK with the plans you have made (for the evening or weekend). This does not mean that we do not worry about things that can happen to young people. It is easy to get 'caught-up' in the moment and forget to use good judgement. Please think before you act tonight (this weekend) and always us the good judgement that has made us so proud of you in the past (through in a concrete example).

I know this takes a little planning--they will not be willing to stand and listen to a long winded goodbye like this at the last minute. In fact it would have a lot more impact--I think--if this is delivered during the day or even, (for older 'children') the day before said trip or outing.

Wow! That was very preachy!

Take care,
MissT

thought

Thought for today #11:
Slow down and enjoy what you are doing. We (me included) often miss enjoyable details of our own lives. Take the time to notice the small things that make our world so incredible.

Rain

"Rain drops are falling on my head...." There is a beautiful summer rain falling outside my door this morning. I am so grateful for the rain. It means that I do not have to water the numerous pots of flowers that are flourishing this year. It means that my lawn will not have brown spots where the sprinklers miss. It means that those new bushes we put in a few weeks ago will do well without any work on my part. I have a lot to be thankful for today.

I also have a nice house with big windows to frame this rain like a post card just for me. The sounds and smells of a summer rain are really something to behold. I am going to get off the computer and go enjoy the rain. I hope you are enjoying your day too. Be it rain, sun, cloudy, stormy, weather--they all have their own place in our world so try hard to enjoy the weather today--whatever that weather is.

MissT

Chic

I am feeling quite "chic" today. I love it when something negative happens and it turns into a positive. My internet is not working at my house so I went to a local coffee shop to use their "Y_Fi"-- I don't think I even spelled that right--but it sounds good to me.

I did something fun today. I had to take a few days off work so I am trying to make the most of my time off by doing things I would normally not be able [time restraints] to do. I had lunch at a sandwich shop I like [by myself]. I engaged strangers in conversation and showed them some of the pictures I have been taking on my didgital camera. By the way--our picture phones and digital cameras are the hi-tech version of wallet photos--only better. I showed two small preschool girls [and their mother] pictures of a mother robin feeding her babies, grasshoppers, and spiders--I bit they will have interesting dinnertime conversation tonight.

I also got my nails done at a place I have been frequenting of late. The gal that did my nails asked me if I had a "green thumb". I admitted that I had learned a lot about plants and gardening from my childhood on a farm and a friend that ran a garden shop for years. We [the nail gal] and I made plans to "swap" services in May. I will plant a couple of large pots of flowers that are easy to grow--give her care instructions--she will do my nails---GREAT!

Life is more fun when you are open to new and out of the ordinary experiences--GO ENJOY LIFE TODAY!

Another thought for today:
Save your best smile for your loved ones today. Too often we "give away" our best smiles, behavior, pleasantries, etc... to strangers we see in the store or at the gas station. Go ahead and be nice to them, but save your best smile for your husband, wife, kids, etc...

Take care,
MissT

Mud between your toes

Thought for today #10:
Feel mud (or sand) between your toes today—I guarantee you will feel younger! [Then go wash your feet.]