Showing posts with label kindness

Prayers and a Pledge

in , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, December 18, 2012
 
So many worlds were forever changed last Friday. Even though my home is states away from Newtown Connecticut, I can almost see it; and the people in this beautiful New England town having spent a summer in the area years ago. 
  I wish I could have attended the candle-light vigil last night in Charleston, CT. to show my support.

vigil,prayers
courtesy: foxnews.com

 
I have felt helpless in the wake of this tragic, ugly event.
Yes, I have prayed and cried and gasped in horror and grieved right along with the rest of the world, but until this morning I felt powerless to do anything of true value.
 I had no plans to write about my feelings, because, honestly, this tragedy isn’t about me.
  And then it came to me - yes it is about me in one small but meaningful way. I am a Mom raising future Moms. 
 
Parents- this is our call to action!
 
 I can’t change the whole world, but I can change my part of it.  
 How?
 
The very best and most useful thing I can do for this grieving town full of families just like my own is to be a better me.
 Make my world- right here, in my home, on my street and community, in my children’s school, in my relationships with every single person I come in contact with starting right now: Better.
I can be a brighter light in this dark world and in turn I can enable my children to be bright lights as well.
 
It is the only true gift I have to give.
 
If we all went forth from this moment on with love and kindness in the fore-front, wouldn’t all our worlds be a brighter place?
 
You are in our thoughts and prayers Newtown.  We will light a candle for you on Christmas Day and I pledge to be a better me from this day forth.
 
 
 
From My friends at Motivationinaminute.com

        
Simple secrets to great relationships...

Brian Tracy said..."Eighty percent of life's satisfaction comes from meaningful relationships." Think about it...when you look back at the end of your life what will really matter? Five words...the quality of your relationships.

So here's the question: If your relationships are the most important part of your life, what are you doing to make them all they can be?

The 100/0 Principle may be the most important book you'll ever read. The message is truly life-changing. You've probably heard the phrase, it's not what you say, but how you say it, that turns the switch from "off" to "on." In fact, our book, 212°...The Extra Degree, is a great example of that, but...The 100/0 Principle is even better. The examples, the stories, the quotes provoke many "a-ha" moments. Simply put, this is a book that can make your marriage better and greatly improve your relationships with family members, friends, co-workers and...even your boss.

Here's a brief excerpt from The 100/0 Principle. Enjoy!

An Excerpt from The 100/0 Principle by Al Ritter


What is the most effective way to create and sustain great relationships with others? It's The 100/0 Principle: You take full responsibility (the 100) for the relationship, expecting nothing (the 0) in return.
Implementing The 100/0 Principle is not natural for most of us. It takes real commitment to the relationship and a good dose of self-discipline to think, act and give 100 percent.

The 100/0 Principle applies to those people in your life where the relationships are too important to react automatically or judgmentally. Each of us must determine the relationships to which this principle should apply. For most of us, it applies to work associates, customers, suppliers, family and friends.

STEP 1 - Determine what you can do to make the relationship work...then do it. Demonstrate respect and kindness to the other person, whether he/she deserves it or not.

STEP 2 - Do not expect anything in return. Zero, zip, nada.

STEP 3 - Do not allow anything the other person says or does (no matter how annoying!) to affect you. In other words, don't take the bait.

STEP 4 - Be persistent with your graciousness and kindness. Often we give up too soon, especially when others don't respond in kind. Remember to expect nothing in return.

At times (usually few), the relationship can remain challenging, even toxic, despite your 100 percent commitment and self-discipline. When this occurs, you need to avoid being the "Knower" and shift to being the "Learner." Avoid Knower statements/ thoughts like "that won't work," "I'm right, you are wrong," "I know it and you don't," "I'll teach you," "that's just the way it is," "I need to tell you what I know," etc.
Instead use Learner statements/thoughts like "Let me find out what is going on and try to understand the situation," "I could be wrong," "I wonder if there is anything of value here," "I wonder if..." etc. In other words, as a Learner, be curious!

Principle Paradox

This may strike you as strange, but here's the paradox: When you take authentic responsibility for a relationship, more often than not the other person quickly chooses to take responsibility as well. Consequently, the 100/0 relationship quickly transforms into something approaching 100/100. When that occurs, true breakthroughs happen for the individuals involved, their teams, their organizations and their families.

Hop on over to motivation in a minute.com to learn more about this great read! But before you do, tell me your thoughts here.
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