IS YOUR LIFE TOO FRENETIC? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 170

The pace of life today can be overwhelming.  Employers are demanding more from fewer workers.  Children no longer safe to go out and play have play dates.  Children of all ages are in organized activities and sports. School buses are not available in all areas as they used to be.  This means parents are spending lots of time chauffeuring their offspring.  With the divorce rate in America at almost 1 out of two marriages this means there are a lot of single mothers (or single fathers) taking care of everyone and everything.  Some aging grandparents are raising their grandchildren, and some children are caregivers for aging parents. Then throw in housework, yard work, bill paying, grocery shopping, food preparation, religious training, exercising and so many other tasks that one day does not seem to provide enough time to accomplish everything and still get sufficient sleep to prepare to do it all over again the next day.  Our lives are in constant motion except during sleep.

We all need time to decompress and to catch our breaths.  We all need to learn to delegate so that home life becomes a joint effort. Even toddlers can be taught to pick up toys or toss things in the trash.  We also need to decide that children or grandchildren do not need to have play dates, sports, various types of lessons, or any other extra-curricular activity 7 days a week.  Have them choose only one or two activities to participate in during any given time period.

Even if it is only 30 minutes a day we all need to rejuvenate ourselves which we can do if we and all family members

LEARN TO BE STILL!

TODAY IS VETERANS' DAY - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 166

In the USA November 11 used to be called Armistice Day and then was changed years later to Veterans' Day.  It is a time to pause, reflect, and be thankful for all of the men and women who have sacrificed so much up to and including their lives so that we have been able to live free for over 200 years.  We should also be thankful for the spouses, parents and children of the people who have served or are serving in our military forces.  They give up so much when a spouse or parent is away while children are growing up. When a life is lost they all grieve and must carry on.  We need to remember that.

When I see in the news that too many young boys are attacking people for no reason, playing a game called Knock Out; it makes me ill.  They think they are being macho, but if they want to find out what macho really is then they should enlist in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force.  They would quickly find out that they really are just punk hoodlums and not tough guys.  They need to get a grip, get a goal, and grow up to take their rightful place in society.  No matter age, education, health, or wealth, all of us can do something to make our country a better place.

On this day I encourage everyone to be thankful and to think of ways to

BE PRODUCTIVE!

CAN YOU BE TRUSTED? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 159

In the current political mess there appear to be many untruthful people running our country, and they are not limited to one party.  It makes me sick at heart to realize that we the people no longer know whom to trust or whom to follow.  In the celebrity world there is a well-publicized lack of trust and fidelity between couples; and this is too often also true in the lives of non-celebrities.  Men parent children and then feel no obligation to support, love and care for those children.  Women trust men to mean what they say and end up as single parents struggling for years to raise their children.

In business there are lifetime guarantees given for products and services that may not last five years.  Who in their right mind believes there is any longer such a thing as a lifetime guarantee?  Companies start up and go out of business without so much as a word to the customers who trusted them.  Bernie Maidoff was not the only swindler; there are more scam artists, identity thieves and felons than we can count.  Hit and run accidents have reached an all-time high because the people behind the wheels cannot be trusted to do the right thing.  They think nothing of leaving their victims on the streets to die.  People in positions of authority who should be trustworthy molest the most innocent among us.  Lies and money protect parents, priests, pastors, teachers, athletic coaches, scout leaders and other volunteers who work with children.

People make promises and lie when they do not keep them.  Children are taught to lie because if they tell the truth too often they receive such harsh punishment that they are afraid to speak the truth.  Fraud and cheating are rampant in every facet of our lives and at every age.  There are politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, mayors, city council members, military personnel, ceo's, presidents, managers, supervisors, employees, co-workers, colleagues, school board members, school superintendents, professors, deans, teachers, students, nannies, babysitters, housekeepers, neighbors, and friends who lie.  How did we get to be such a society?  Is it just greed?  Is it not a failure to be held responsible or accountable for our own behavior?

I would be wrong to say there are NO trustworthy people, but when I was growing up the majority of the people were honest, hardworking, and knew if they lied there would be consequences.  Now perhaps the majority are liars, and they experience few if any consequences.

The world would be a better place and life easier to live if all people were truthful.  If people had been created like the storybook character Pinocchio there would be a world full of long noses, and we would be certain of who is lying and who is not.  Integrity is a wonderful trait to have because the truth does not change.  You do not have to worry about remembering because facts don't change.

The solution is an easy one, and it starts when you make the decision for yourself and your children to always

TELL THE TRUTH!

HOW DO YOUR FEELINGS RUN? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 156

Feelings can be like breathing............sometimes we hold our breath in difficult situations, and sometimes we hold back our feelings to keep them on a superficial level.  That is a learned behavior I think.  Little children are so pure and innocent that they hold nothing back unless they learn to hold back.  They learn to hold back if they are taught to do so.  They also learn to hold back if they are hurt enough times by the people who are supposed to love and care for them.  Many children in the foster care system learn to hold back their feelings to save themselves pain.

Of course, there are those of us who wear our feelings on our sleeves.  We never learned to hold back and so we do not.  This makes us vulnerable, but it also gives us the immeasurable joy of loving people and life. What goes around comes around so if we feel deeper we will feel more, receive more, enjoy more, and have happier lives.  I speak from experience so let yourself open up and

FEEL DEEPER!

WILL YOU BE THE NEXT VICTIM? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 152

There was a time in this country when a murder was a rarity in most cities and towns, and killing seemed to be confined to wars.  When a murder occurred it was on the front page of every newspaper, and before TV it would also be on the radio news.  Today it is no longer a rarity but rather an epidemic. Gang members are killing other gang members.  Children are being abused, assaulted and killed.  College students are being killed, spouses are being killed by spouses, significant others are killed by significant others, neighbors killing neighbors, and now young children are killing parents, teachers, and students.  This is not about owning guns. This is about parenting, education, mental health, accountability, and responsibility.

We have arrived at a time when too many people no longer respect or value life ..........not their own nor the life of anyone else.  If you are a parent have you taught your children to respect life, to value life, to love life? What about you?  Do you respect and value life?  Are you participating in their education?  Do you give them responsibility and hold them accountable?  Do you hold yourself accountable?  If your answer to any of these questions is negative, then it is time you started to do the right things..  If you have grandchildren are they being taught to appreciate life and to know how fragile it is?  If you do not teach them who will?

I am saddened to say this, but we have become a nation of pigs.  Greed and self-absorption abound at all ages and in all occupations and professions.  Lies have become the coin of the realm.  The anger and rage which are rampant, and the total lack of respect for anyone or anything exhibited by far too many people today will become the downfall of all of us.  Think about our children and grandchildren.  What kind of life can they expect to have?  Between the pigs and the ridiculous politicians we are paying to treat us less well than they treat themselves, I fear their lives will be a living hell.

Only we can change things, and the first thing we must believe and share with others is that

LIFE MATTERS! 

DO YOU PAY ATTENTION OR NOT? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 145

Are you going through life on auto-pilot?  Are you paying attention to everything around you?  Are you paying attention to all the people who cross your path each day?  Do you really pay attention to your spouse or your children?  Do you know anything that is interesting about your neighborhood, your town or city, your state, your region or your country?  Do you know all of the types of jobs or hobbies that are available to you?

Part of the reason young children and teens get bored and into trouble is because they have no idea what is around them or who is around them.  Marriages fall apart sometimes because one or both just get bored so they blame the other person rather than realizing that they themselves might be boring since they are not paying attention to life.  Some individuals suffer from terrible loneliness because they do not pay attention or take advantage of life.

Do yourself a huge favor and:

EXPLORE LIFE!

YOU DESERVE A BREAK - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 122

We receive reminders every day locally, nationally and globally about how fragile life really is and how it can change in an instant.  With the lives that have been senselessly lost I wonder what those individuals would have done had they known it would be their last days.  None of us know how much time we have on this earth so we should always make the most of it.

One day this weekend I hope you will do something you really want to do rather than doing what you ought to do.  Spend time with your children, spouse, significant other, friends, or parents and

JUST BE!

MORE OR LESS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 118

For years now we have lived in an ever increasing consumer society.  Constant advertising and commercials tempt us to want more, get more, buy more, and have more stuff.  Children are barraged by ads and other kids making them want ridiculously expensive athletic shoes which they will outgrow in a heartbeat, toys which will not last as long as the credit card bills, and clothes that will assure they "fit in" during their very important school years.

Adults have racked up enormous credit card debt living beyond their means to satisfy the never ending list of wants and must haves.  Somehow in this economy it is apparent that we all need to learn the difference between what is necessary and what is desirable.  We all need to learn to want what we have rather than keep wanting more and more of what we do not have and most likely do not need.

Today's message is:

WANT LESS!

NOW OR LATER? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 114

I have learned this lesson very late in life, and I wish I had learned it when I was very young.  Instead of enjoying each day for itself, I used to always be looking forward and waiting for a future date.  You know those things we tell ourselves to justify postponing things we really want to do or need to do.  We say we will do it/them when we have enough money, when the children are older, when life is not so busy, or when we have enough time.

By putting things off we often miss opportunities, damage friendships, wait to repair relationships until it is too late, and prevent ourselves from knowing the joy that each day can bring.  We postpone our joy until some future date, and because life is fragile we truly never know if we will be around when that future date arrives.

Today's message is:

ENJOY THIS NOW!

DO YOU TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 108

While there are definitely many serious things in life, much of the time we humans take ourselves way too seriously.  We need to accept the fact that we make mistakes.  We are not always correct in what we say, think or do.  We sometimes are too filled with pride for our own good.  This is sad enough in and of itself, but the bigger problem is that we are raising an entire generation of children with the idea that mistakes are unacceptable.

No one wants to be wrong.  No one wants to apologize.  Customer service employees rarely apologize to their customers who have genuine complaints.  Doctors and dentists rarely apologize to patients for keeping them waiting unreasonable lengths of time as if their time is more valuable than the patients' time.

We learn by making mistakes.  Fear of failure prevents many people and especially children from trying new things.  Stop taking yourself too seriously, and allow your children to not be humiliated or punished for making mistakes.

Stop supporting tabloids and other media whose reporters cannot wait to tear people down and to publicize mistakes.  They fawn over celebrities and then denigrate them in print every chance they get.  What they print or say is not always factual, but that does not stop them.

Today's message is:

LIGHTEN UP!

CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAYS 104 AND 105

I apologize for not getting the posts for these two days published on a timely basis.  Due to the very serious illness of two dear friends and then my brother-in-law taking a bad fall and landing in the Emergency Room, my plans for the past two days have been revised several times.  So, in the interest of your time and to get back on track I am going to briefly share with you the messages for the two days:

Day 104................BE INSPIRED

We all need a dose of inspiration from time to time.  You may get it from looking at the beauty of nature, or the innocence of children, reading the wise words of a great poet or author, or studying a work of art by a painter of sculptor.  Be certain to take time to allow yourself to become inspired.  There are a myriad of things just waiting to give you the inspiration you need to reach your goals and achieve your dreams.

Day 105..................BE READY FOR IT

The slogan of the Boy Scouts of America is Be Prepared.  That is such a great motto, and we would all do well to be as prepared as we can be for all kinds of situations.  We cannot always be ready for everything, but it should be extremely easy to be prepared for those events and appointments we schedule ourselves. Whether it is being prepared for a meeting, a test, a medical appointment, a child's first day at school, or every school day............get organized, help others to get organized and be ready for whatever the day will bring.  You can do it!

WILL YOU HELP OTHERS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 89

No matter how much we think we know or understand about other people, especially children and young adults, chances are there is much we don't know or understand.  One of the things it is so easy to overlook is how much others may look at us as role models to emulate.  Are our behavior and attitude worthy of emulation?  Do we encourage others and give them hope to have success and to achieve their goals and dreams?

You can never be sure when something you have done or said will be just the thing to inspire someone else to try harder, to do better, to not give up, or to have increased self-confidence.  Your courage, your bravery your spirit, your accomplishments, your kindness, your listening ear, or your love may do more for other people than you will ever know.

Try to remember today's message which is:

INSPIRE OTHERS!

WHEN DID YOU LAST HAVE FUN? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 71

Are you caught up in a daily grind?  Working too many hours?  Feeling tired?  Feeling bored?  Feeling frustration over your progress or lack thereof?  What have you done for yourself recently?  Have you given yourself a break from the daily routine?  Have you spent time with your family or friends?  Have you spent any time with a child?  Children are so joyful and able to live in the moment; if you want to feel younger and more relaxed then spend an afternoon with your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or godchildren.  You will be refreshed and all the laughter will do you worlds of good.   Go to the beach, the lake, the park, or even just on your patio or balcony and enjoy good food and good times.

Today's message is:

HAVE A PICNIC!

DO YOU TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 44

Many people have grown up being very blessed in terms of how they live, what they have, and having a support system.  Too often those blessings are taken for granted rather than being appreciated.  As we mature we realize that at least 2/3 of the world's population if not more are much less fortunate.  It is when we become cognizant of the needs of others like clean drinking water, food to feed their children, medicine to take when they are sick, and proper shelter that we begin to be grateful for what we have and have been given.  It is true that there are some young children who are already grateful and doing amazing things to raise money to help those in need, but sadly we live in an era when many seem to be more concerned with themselves than with anyone else.

I remember someone once describing their children as "take me, buy me, give me, get me" kids.  It seems as if perhaps too many have grown up to be the "take me, buy me, give me, get me" adults.  If you take things for granted and are more interested in what your next purchase will be or the next gift you will receive, it is time to reflect on all that you already have and give thanks to the provider.

Today's message is:

GIVE THANKS

Whispers, Butterflies, Rose Petals, Satin, and A Mother's Touch

What do these things have in common?  They are all delicate, soft, fragile...........but what do they have to do with today's message?  They are gentle things.  To change your life with words, try being gentle in your treatment of others as well as yourself. Speak gently and softly to children, the elderly, animals, friends, and colleagues.  I realize there are occasions and situations which are not conducive to gentleness.  However, with so much anger and rage in today's society you can change your corner of the world with gentleness.  Gentle words, gentle touches, gentle approaches to people and situations, gentle correction of children and grandchildren, gentle living..............give them all a try.

Be Gentle! 

          

 

Why Trust Is A Must

The more I read and the more I hear about what is going on in the world, I am shocked and dismayed by the lack of integrity existing today in the realm of journalists, newscasters, bloggers, and celebrities.  Slanted, biased, untrue, and misleading are just some of the words that describe the information that not only we are exposed to on a daily basis but also to what our CHILDREN are exposed.

There was a time when integrity was not considered optional in our society, but it seems that era is long gone.  From the highest office to the lowest citizen in our world blatant untruths abound and are passed around via the Internet at such speed that trying to stop them is like trying to stop a moving train.  The people who originate lies obviously must have their own motivation to do so, but people who pass lies on and on seem to do so without thinking or researching to prevent perpetuating lies.

To bring up our children to be honest, productive, successful, educated, and caring adults they need and should be able to expect integrity from everyone.  Children are innocent, trusting and malleable so trust is a must......................how on earth are we going to restore integrity in our society?

Any suggestions?

Children Are Precious So Why Do We Not Protect Them As We Should?

Yesterday's news was horrifying about a little girl dying after being locked in a box overnight for eating a popcicle from the freezer. Her guardian(s) are alleged to be the culprits in this oh-so-sad scenario. When I hear things like this it makes me physically ill. As I watch the world news about babies being abandoned en route in Somalia as their parent(s) walk to escape the famine my heart breaks for those innocent and helpless little ones. The idea of being cruel and abusive to your baby or toddler most likely would never occur to you, and yet it happens. The thought of leaving your newborn or child of any age on the side of a road to die would be something I pray you cannot fathom. And yet these things are happening, and I ask myself again and again what is it going to take to protect the children of the world. Human trafficking, child abuse of all kinds, abandonment, child predators, lack of food and clean water, no health care, and the list of problems in the world goes on and on. One person cannot do everything, but one person can do something. If all the "one persons" decide to do something then perhaps we can end some, if not all of the problems that make life so difficult and at times downright horrible for the precious children of the world. Ask yourself, what can you do? Even with children of our own, we still can reach out to help others. As we experience the present economic crisis in the USA, we probably all know someone who is struggling to care for their child or children. Look around for opportunities to make a difference, and if you see or know of a child suffering abuse of any kind don't stand by and do nothing. Silence is consensus, and little ones have no voices. Will you hear their cries? Will I? I certainly hope so.

Summertime Lunches For Toddlers

Little children are usually delighted about anything fun or different when it comes to eating lunch. My own children loved to eat lunch on our patio regardless of summer heat or chilly days. Whether they were eating indoors or outside they loved it when I made sandwiches using their favorite cookie cutters. Such a simple thing to do and yet they reminisce about those lunches years later. Once your oldest child starts school and is no longer home for lunch, a younger sibling will be thrilled to have lunch served in his/her very own lunchbox. No matter if the lunchbox is new, used, homemade, or passed down from older siblings there is something about having a lunchbox that makes little ones feel special and more like a "big kid" and less like a baby. There are so many ways younger children try to emulate older siblings, and having a lunchbox is a good place to start. Sweet and simple memories are part of a happy childhood so enjoy creating them with your little one(s).