I read an article here....
It was entitiled, 7 Rules Not to break in the School Drop-Off (or Pick-Up) line! It is obvious the author has been there, done that!
Rule #1: Do NOT get out of your car. Ever. Not to
“quickly grab” your kid, wave “come on” to your child over the
playground fence, or just say “hi” to your friend in line behind you to
tell her how much fun you had at Girl’s Night Out. Stay in your car. And
when the car in front of you moves, you move.
Rule #2: Put down the cellphone.
Don’t text or type emails. Waiting for your kid in your empty (and
wonderfully quiet) car seems like the perfect opportunity to catch up on
work – but it’s also a distraction. People on their phones don’t notice
the car in front of them has moved, and as we learned in Rule #1, you
know what to do next. More importantly, it’s dangerous. People on their
phones don’t see children darting out between cars to the parents
breaking rule #3.
Rule #3: Don’t double park. Maybe you’re thinking “I’ll just pull up alongside this nice lady here and my kid can run out in front of her and jump in.” No. “But I see my kid right there!” Good. Then you can wave at them to meet you at the end of the line when you circle back around the block. Plus, it’s illegal.
Rule #4: DON’T cut the line.
It doesn’t matter that there is a gap the size of the one in Lauren
Hutton’s smile in front of that BMW ten cars up. We’re all waiting for
them to get off their phone and move up (pop quiz: “What do you do when
the car in front of you moves?”). Zipping into that gap is like cutting
the line at a cupcake shop. You wouldn’t pull that $#*% at Sprinkles,
would you?
Rule #5: Leave the PDA at home. You
love your little one and want to send him on his way to school with a
kiss. That’s lovely. You’re cute. But if little Johnny won’t get out of
the car or he’s not ready to say “goodbye,” go park your car and walk
him in. Even better? Install an ejector seat. People are waiting, folks.
Rule #6: The rules of the car drop-off lane apply to everybody, no matter what kind of car you drive. So move your Maserati to the back of the line, dude. You’re giving the 1 percent a bad name.
Rule #7: Move swiftly.
Once your kids locate you, get them into the car and get going. Don’t
sit there in line and have the “how was your day?” discussion with them.
In
short, a little politeness goes a long way in the car lane (and
beyond). Remember, being behind the wheel of a car doesn’t make you
invisible. We see you. We all see you. Including our children.
So let’s try to set a good example. Now put the phone down… the car in
front of you just moved up.
Amen!
( I must confess, I do read when sitting in line but I've mastered the art of reading with one eye while watching the car in front of me with the other...won't catch me holding up the line!!!)
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2015
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Control
Most of us envision our lives as being orderly with all things happening the way we want. We make plans and have dreams, some of them divinely inspired, that
we want to see through to completion. We want to be happy, successful,
and healthy, all of which are perfectly natural and perfectly human. So
when life takes us to places we don’t want to go, we often
feel as if something has gone wrong, or we must have made a mistake
somewhere along the line. Although this will repeatedly happen in all our lives we rarely understand the reasons...at least in the beginning. Eventually we all come to realize that trials are designed to strengthen us, teach us and mold us.
It may take something major to wake us up. After all, it's very hard to turn our lives loose, to feel out of control...even though control is a huge illusion! It is loss of control more than anything else that humbles us and enables us to see the big picture. It reminds us that there is someone else in control. Hopefully, this awareness will help us release our resistance to what is. Joy exists within our lives whether things go our way or not. And when we don’t feel it, it is because we choose not to.
Learning to release our imagined control to the One who truly IS in control is life changing...and it's oh, so much easier!
It may take something major to wake us up. After all, it's very hard to turn our lives loose, to feel out of control...even though control is a huge illusion! It is loss of control more than anything else that humbles us and enables us to see the big picture. It reminds us that there is someone else in control. Hopefully, this awareness will help us release our resistance to what is. Joy exists within our lives whether things go our way or not. And when we don’t feel it, it is because we choose not to.
Learning to release our imagined control to the One who truly IS in control is life changing...and it's oh, so much easier!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
Dust
Haven't been able to locate information about the author but I had to print it anyway...it's called perspective!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Mistakes
Why is it so hard for others to let us get beyond our past? When
we stumble and fall or learn and grow we make progress. We mature, we evolve. We are constantly becoming our better
selves.
In our lives, there will always be those, who refuse to let go of what we may have been. Who continue to see us as young and immature or refuse to recognize that we have outgrown our mistakes. In their minds it must be brought up, time and again.
Most particularly to those who may not know the story.
But to what purpose?
As a warning so that we will not fall back to our former selves? As an example for those younger ones who might be kept from making the same mistakes? Or just to remind us that they remember who we were. The last sentence may sound harsh, and it is. Especially when these reminders come from one that was grown and mature before ever we first met them. We do not have information about their young selves. We don't know what type of child they were. They need never worry about anyone bringing up their past mistakes. They are safely tucked away.
We must always be careful of bringing up what we perceive as weaknesses in others. While we might feel we are performing a "service", in reality all we are doing is showing the world who we are, deep down.
In our lives, there will always be those, who refuse to let go of what we may have been. Who continue to see us as young and immature or refuse to recognize that we have outgrown our mistakes. In their minds it must be brought up, time and again.
Most particularly to those who may not know the story.
But to what purpose?
As a warning so that we will not fall back to our former selves? As an example for those younger ones who might be kept from making the same mistakes? Or just to remind us that they remember who we were. The last sentence may sound harsh, and it is. Especially when these reminders come from one that was grown and mature before ever we first met them. We do not have information about their young selves. We don't know what type of child they were. They need never worry about anyone bringing up their past mistakes. They are safely tucked away.
We must always be careful of bringing up what we perceive as weaknesses in others. While we might feel we are performing a "service", in reality all we are doing is showing the world who we are, deep down.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Life Lessons
Written by Regina Brett
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 50 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
So here is the column:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Truth...
I’m talking about simply being a mom.
Excellent encouragement for the Mom's (and many Dad's) of the world...take a moment to read it...you'll know what she's talking about.
Another beautiful part is that it never stops...the itinerary changes, but they'll always be your children and you'll always be Mom (or Dad).
Excellent encouragement for the Mom's (and many Dad's) of the world...take a moment to read it...you'll know what she's talking about.
Another beautiful part is that it never stops...the itinerary changes, but they'll always be your children and you'll always be Mom (or Dad).
Friday, January 3, 2014
Goals vs. Systems
Perhaps we've been going about it the wrong way...
We all have things that we want to achieve in our lives -- getting into the better shape, building a successful business, raising a wonderful family, writing a best-selling book, winning a championship, and so on.
And for most of us, the path to those things starts by setting a specific and actionable goal. At least, this is how I approached my life until recently. I would set goals for classes I took, for weights that I wanted to lift in the gym, and for clients I wanted in my business.
What I'm starting to realize, however, is that when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things.
We all have things that we want to achieve in our lives -- getting into the better shape, building a successful business, raising a wonderful family, writing a best-selling book, winning a championship, and so on.
And for most of us, the path to those things starts by setting a specific and actionable goal. At least, this is how I approached my life until recently. I would set goals for classes I took, for weights that I wanted to lift in the gym, and for clients I wanted in my business.
What I'm starting to realize, however, is that when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Southern Living...
I'm sure everyone is partial to the part of the world they grew up in (or currently live in). I, for one, couldn't imagine spending my life anywhere but the South.
Having grown up with a father who thought himself half gypsy, I've lived in several areas of the Southeastern US. Each place had it's own traditions and customs but many are the same throughout the region. People can tell by your accent which state you're from (although I do get asked if I'm from Texas from time to time...but this is by those who haven't lived here and don't have a fine-tuned ear for accents), and although we may get a little upset if you support our number 1 rival college football team, as long as your accent has a southern twang, people will accept you.
Enjoyed an article this morning written by someone who had their first taste of Southern living...you might like it too:
Minutes after landing in the South, I realized I was somewhere very, very different from California or New York. The air indoors was perfumed with fried chicken. The air outdoors felt humid and rich. People were... smiling. For no reason that I could see.
For a few warm, smiley days, my eager (read: eager to party) hosts led me in the Southern way of life. The things they taught me (between beers) have made my real life all the better...
Although it wouldn't be hard to find more than the 8 things listed, it's a good start! Check here...
Having grown up with a father who thought himself half gypsy, I've lived in several areas of the Southeastern US. Each place had it's own traditions and customs but many are the same throughout the region. People can tell by your accent which state you're from (although I do get asked if I'm from Texas from time to time...but this is by those who haven't lived here and don't have a fine-tuned ear for accents), and although we may get a little upset if you support our number 1 rival college football team, as long as your accent has a southern twang, people will accept you.
Enjoyed an article this morning written by someone who had their first taste of Southern living...you might like it too:
Minutes after landing in the South, I realized I was somewhere very, very different from California or New York. The air indoors was perfumed with fried chicken. The air outdoors felt humid and rich. People were... smiling. For no reason that I could see.
For a few warm, smiley days, my eager (read: eager to party) hosts led me in the Southern way of life. The things they taught me (between beers) have made my real life all the better...
Although it wouldn't be hard to find more than the 8 things listed, it's a good start! Check here...
Monday, December 2, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Dear Other Parents...
Excellent thoughts from a mom teaching her children to do things for themselves...
Dear Other Parents At The Park:
Please do not lift my daughters to the top of the ladder, especially after you've just heard me tell them I wasn't going to do it for them and encourage them to try it themselves.
I am not sitting here, 15 whole feet away from my kids, because I am too lazy to get up. I am sitting here because I didn't bring them to the park so they could learn how to manipulate others into doing the hard work for them. I brought them here so they could learn to do it themselves.
They're not here to be at the top of the ladder; they are here to learn to climb. If they can't do it on their own, they will survive the disappointment. What's more, they will have a goal and the incentive to work to achieve it.
In the meantime, they can use the stairs. I want them to tire of their own limitations and decide to push past them and put in the effort to make that happen without any help from me.
It is not my job — and it is certainly not yours — to prevent my children from feeling frustration, fear, or discomfort. If I do, I have robbed them of the opportunity to learn that those things are not the end of the world, and can be overcome or used to their advantage.
If they get stuck, it is not my job to save them immediately. If I do, I have robbed them of the opportunity to learn to calm themselves, assess their situation, and try to problem solve their own way out of it.
It is not my job to keep them from falling. If I do, I have robbed them of the opportunity to learn that falling is possible but worth the risk, and that they can, in fact, get up again.
I don't want my daughters to learn that they can't overcome obstacles without help. I don't want them to learn that they can reach great heights without effort. I don't want them to learn that they are entitled to the reward without having to push through whatever it is that's holding them back and *earn* it.
Because — and this might come as a surprise to you — none of those things are true. And if I let them think for one moment that they are, I have failed them as a mother.
I want my girls to know the exhilaration of overcoming fear and doubt and achieving a hard-won success.
I want them to believe in their own abilities and be confident and determined in their actions.
I want them to accept their limitations until they can figure out a way past them on their own significant power.
I want them to feel capable of making their own decisions, developing their own skills, taking their own risks, and coping with their own feelings.
I want them to climb that ladder without any help, however well-intentioned, from you.
Because they can. I know it. And if I give them a little space, they will soon know it, too.
So I'll thank you to stand back and let me do my job, here, which consists mostly of resisting the very same impulses you are indulging, and biting my tongue when I want to yell, "BE CAREFUL," and choosing, deliberately, painfully, repeatedly, to stand back instead of rush forward.
Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get taller, and scarier, and much more difficult to climb. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather help them learn the skills they'll need to navigate them now, while a misstep means a bumped head or scraped knee that can be healed with a kiss, while the most difficult of hills can be conquered by chanting, "I think I can, I think I can", and while those 15 whole feet between us still feels, to them, like I'm much too far away.
Copied from: Kate Bassford Baker's Blog
Dear Other Parents At The Park:
Please do not lift my daughters to the top of the ladder, especially after you've just heard me tell them I wasn't going to do it for them and encourage them to try it themselves.
I am not sitting here, 15 whole feet away from my kids, because I am too lazy to get up. I am sitting here because I didn't bring them to the park so they could learn how to manipulate others into doing the hard work for them. I brought them here so they could learn to do it themselves.
They're not here to be at the top of the ladder; they are here to learn to climb. If they can't do it on their own, they will survive the disappointment. What's more, they will have a goal and the incentive to work to achieve it.
In the meantime, they can use the stairs. I want them to tire of their own limitations and decide to push past them and put in the effort to make that happen without any help from me.
It is not my job — and it is certainly not yours — to prevent my children from feeling frustration, fear, or discomfort. If I do, I have robbed them of the opportunity to learn that those things are not the end of the world, and can be overcome or used to their advantage.
If they get stuck, it is not my job to save them immediately. If I do, I have robbed them of the opportunity to learn to calm themselves, assess their situation, and try to problem solve their own way out of it.
It is not my job to keep them from falling. If I do, I have robbed them of the opportunity to learn that falling is possible but worth the risk, and that they can, in fact, get up again.
I don't want my daughters to learn that they can't overcome obstacles without help. I don't want them to learn that they can reach great heights without effort. I don't want them to learn that they are entitled to the reward without having to push through whatever it is that's holding them back and *earn* it.
Because — and this might come as a surprise to you — none of those things are true. And if I let them think for one moment that they are, I have failed them as a mother.
I want my girls to know the exhilaration of overcoming fear and doubt and achieving a hard-won success.
I want them to believe in their own abilities and be confident and determined in their actions.
I want them to accept their limitations until they can figure out a way past them on their own significant power.
I want them to feel capable of making their own decisions, developing their own skills, taking their own risks, and coping with their own feelings.
I want them to climb that ladder without any help, however well-intentioned, from you.
Because they can. I know it. And if I give them a little space, they will soon know it, too.
So I'll thank you to stand back and let me do my job, here, which consists mostly of resisting the very same impulses you are indulging, and biting my tongue when I want to yell, "BE CAREFUL," and choosing, deliberately, painfully, repeatedly, to stand back instead of rush forward.
Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get taller, and scarier, and much more difficult to climb. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather help them learn the skills they'll need to navigate them now, while a misstep means a bumped head or scraped knee that can be healed with a kiss, while the most difficult of hills can be conquered by chanting, "I think I can, I think I can", and while those 15 whole feet between us still feels, to them, like I'm much too far away.
Copied from: Kate Bassford Baker's Blog
Friday, November 22, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Painting and life...
As a child and teenager, in other words before the days of cable TV, I spent many hours watching Bob Ross paint on PBS. From the first episode I watched until the last, he never ceased to amaze. The uplifting commentary spoke not only to putting paint on canvas, but to life itself.
In honor of the joy and knowledge he brought to me, I'd like to share this...
The man was truly an artist!
In honor of the joy and knowledge he brought to me, I'd like to share this...
The man was truly an artist!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Clutter
In life,
we tend to have an easier time acquiring possessions than we do getting
rid of them. Just as we harbor emotional baggage that is difficult to
let go of, our lives can tend to be filled with material objects that we
may feel compelled to hold on to. Most people are not conscious of how
much they own and how many of their possessions are no longer adding
value to their life. They fiercely hold on to material objects because
this makes them feel secure or comfortable. While it’s true that the
ownership of “stuff” can make you feel good for awhile, it seldom
satisfies the deep inner longings that nearly everyone has for
fulfillment and satisfaction. It is only when we are ready to let go of
our baggage and be vulnerable that it becomes possible to recognize the
emotional hold that our possessions can have on us.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Miserable
Why is it so hard to recognize the truth in the statement above? Is it merely the need to have others feel sorry for us because of our misery? Is the path to strength seen to be too lonely? And if we manage to stay on the path of strength, might we grow stronger with no one else recognizing the struggle? Why are we perpetually drawn to being miserable?
What is the reward?
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