HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALISTICALLY DO? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 82

There are some of us who have never learned to be team players.  Guys who are part of sports teams tend to learn early on what being a part of a team means.  More girls are involved in team sports than in prior years, but still there are many people who have no concept of teamwork.  There are also those of us who have too much pride to ask anyone else for help when clearly it would be wise to do so.  There are many who think they have to do everything themselves in order for it to be done "correctly" or in order for them to prove their value to others.

Be smart and evaluate your to-do list.  Is it too much for one person, or is it too much to accomplish in a given day?  Do you truly have to do everything yourself, or can you delegate part of the list to others?  Even toddlers can be taught to empty wastebaskets or to pick up their toys.  Elementary school-age children can be taught to make their beds and clear the kitchen table.  Middle school and high school students can be taught to clean their rooms, clean the kitchen, do their own laundry, and help with yard work.

If your work to-do list is too long, evaluate what is necessary and what is desirable.  What needs to be done right away?  What can be postponed?  Who else might be available to help you with some of the items?  If you are able to give clear direction it is most likely that someone else in the office has time and skills to assist you.

Today's message is:
                                                       DON'T DO IT ALL!

DOES PRIDE GET IN YOUR WAY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 66

Depending on how and when we were brought up, depending on the family dynamics and education systems we experienced, it is quite possible that sometimes personal pride will get in our way of achieving success.  As a female I did not participate in sports, but I think that somehow being part of a team as many males are can be undeniably helpful in keeping personal pride under control.

What exactly do I mean?  Well, no matter what you are doing it is essential to not be too proud to ask for help if any is needed.  Just as in sports, one team player can assist another to achieve the goal, the point, or whatever.  Many times we spin our wheels and waste time, energy and resources rather than speak up and ask for help.

Today's message is:

ASK FOR HELP!

Adults Robbing Our Children

Isn't it incredible the way music can transport us to a specific time or place in our lives or make us think of a special person or event? I have always thought life would be better with background music.........not elevator music, but music appropriate to our daily lives. Perhaps the saying, "Music soothes the savage beast" is correct. I think it might be very difficult to be filled with hate,rage or violence if people could hear background music that is happy, uplifting, and that makes them want to march or dance. I enjoy listening to music of different types depending on what I am doing and/or the mood I am experiencing. I have downloaded onto cd's and iPod the music that has special memories for me from throughout my life. I have not yet captured all of the songs, but enough so that I can enjoy, reminisce, tap my feet, smile, weep, or be uplifted depending on which selection is playing. In elementary school I learned to sing and the basics of how to read music from a wonderful teacher (Fiona Calder). I then learned more about singing and being part of a choir from Mrs. Kemp, the director of the junior choir at our church. In junior high school I learned about opera and classical music from Mrs. Wallach, a no-nonsense teacher who knew a great deal about music. Although I don't have a great voice and never learned to play an instrument, music has made a major contribution to my life. I am not artistic in any sense of the word, but I still remember art teacher August Pagel who taught in elementary and junior high school To remove music and art from public schools is doing a grave injustice to today's children and robbing them of the chance to learn what can make a monumental difference in their lives. Music and art can not only broaden the horizons of children from all backgrounds, but can also soften the hard edges of poverty and difficult home lives. Why do we think athletics are more important than the arts? I think athletics are important for the health and well-being of children, learning teamwork and sportsmanship. However, I don't think athletics should be saved at the expense of the arts because in truth our children need athletics, art and music to become well-rounded individuals. What do you think? Comments are welcome!