“Waiting gives you time for thought.” Try something different today. If you happen to be standing in line and it’s moving slowly, instead of becoming agitated by the wait, focus on the positive side. You now have a few extra minutes to review your errands and make sure you have not forgotten anything; a few extra minutes to think about a project at work; a few extra minutes to chuckle about something funny your child said earlier in the day. Don’t tie up your emotional energy or become agitated or anxious about situations you can’t control. Instead, go with the flow. This change of attitude will make a huge difference in your day. ©Jane Powell Examining Your Life Two brothers fulfilled their mothers last wish by hiring a small plane to carry them out to sea where they might scatter her ashes. One of the two pilots opened the cockpit door and the brothers immediately emptied the contents of the urn into the wind. But a stiff breeze blew the ashes back into the cabin, dusting the four startled occupants. A moment’s stunned silence, and then one of the young men sighed, “Just like Mom – she was always all over everyone.” Maybe she was a critical person. But children, especially, often feel as if parents are “always all over them” when all those parents usually want is for their children to be the best they can be. Humorist Franklin Jones said, “Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger.” And Norman Vincent Peale adds this: “Most of us would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.” Few of us enjoy the experience when others point out areas for improvement. After all, who wants to hear what they dont want to hear? Criticism IS hard to take and Ill opt for praise over criticism every time. I hold that encouragement is often more effective than criticism. I will work harder and with more enthusiasm when I am encouraged, and I know I can get the best out of others if I spend more time pointing out what they did right than what they did wrong. But that said – honest and objective feedback is a necessity. To shy away from fair criticism, spoken by someone trusted, may be a great mistake. Those who are wise will occasionally seek out somebody they trust to hold a mirror before them in order to see themselves more accurately. To know the truth and to see ourselves clearly, as reflected in the eyes of a friend, is an immeasurable gift. And heres the surprising truth: As you gaze at yourself in the mirror held by another, you will see far more than your flaws. You also will see the beauty that is uniquely you; beauty that others see clearly and you may hardly know exists. That is also part of the truth about you. If youre courageous enough, allow a trusted friend to hold that mirror before you. Plato says, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” But a life properly examined makes living worthwhile. Steve Goodier Today is different If life has been good, today it can be good in a new and exciting way. If life has been difficult, today you can move beyond the difficulties into a more rewarding and fulfilling experience. Whatever may have been before, today is different. And you can choose, right now, to make it different in a good way. Your future is determined not by your past, but by your expectations. Today you can set those expectations at the highest level you can imagine. If you expect to be a victim, that’s what you’ll end up being. Yet today is different, and today you can do much, much better. Today is filled with great challenge, and with even greater promise. Make the decision to step up to the challenge, and to fulfill the highest promise of this day. Today is different, and is yours to live with purpose, discipline, enthusiasm and joy. Today is different, and you can make it the best one yet. Ralph Marston
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 04:22:12 +0000
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