So often I stumble over the question, do I go to the hospital to visit someone who is sick? Every case is different, there are no rules, and there are so many variables in the equation of “to visit or not to visit” someone who is in the hospital. For me, I usually ask myself three questions: Am I following the patient’s request? Am I supporting the family or caregiver? Have I prayed for the right opportunity to bless the patient or family? Am I following the patient’s request? There have been numerous times in my life when…
Our actions immediately give first impressions to all those around us. Recently after a soccer game, I saw a coach walk off the field over to a group of parents. Before he spoke to the group he looked around four times making sure nobody was around to overhear what he was about to say. The look on his face made him guilty before he even opened his mouth. He was giddy with excitement over what he was about to tell the parents. It was unfortunate for him that he didn’t know one of the club’s major supporters was…
Just like cutting down a tree, once your words are spoken or your actions are seen, they can’t be taken back. You can be forgiven, but the words will always have been said, and the actions will have been seen. Most of the time I am very careful about how I answer or respond to someone. Particularly if I am aware the person is uncomfortable or difficult. I don’t rush to react or feel pressure to respond. There are those times when I am caught off guard and say or do something I regret. It is during those…
When things stop being all about me, things start to get much better. I don’t have enough time, I have too much going on, I can’t relax, I can’t get organized, I’m tired, I don’t know what to make for dinner, I don’t have time to see my friends, I don’t want to clean the house, I work too much, the kids are driving me crazy, etc. Most of us have experienced some of these thoughts, I have experienced many of them! I find that these thoughts are very unproductive and I work…
I have lived my life focusing on what matters, my faith, my family, and my career, but it was not until I worked as a direct marketing consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics that I fully understood the importance of putting faith first, family second, and career third. Mary Kay Ash lived her life focusing on these priorities; never forcing her beliefs on others. Faith Matters: Although my faith has always been a strong component of my life, I have not always consciously made it my first priority. When I focus on my faith being my first priority, all other things…
Without a doubt, I see outside beauty as do most people. However, outside beauty only keeps my interest when it is backed up with internal beauty. How you treat people: I am most uncomfortable when I am in the presence of people who are not considerate to others. I want to fade out of the environment I am in and escape to a place where others are treated as I would like to be treated. Sometimes it is as simple as being with people who are rude to those serving them, other times it is more long-term as…
Some people don’t believe in hope or have given up on hope, but for me, my whole life is centered around hope. I can’t imagine my life without hope. I count on hope. I believe in hope. I thank God for hope. I will admit that I do anticipate that something good will come out of my struggles. Maya Angelou often referred to a song with the lyrics, When it looked like the sun wasn’t gonna shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the clouds. Sometimes it takes time to discover the rainbow, but every cloud has…
With all the last-minute holiday details, I am frequently reminded that tolerance is a valuable tool. I learned at a very young age that worrying about having everything perfect is exhausting and rarely comes to fruition. As a child, I would look around and see all the chaos leading up to a celebration. The event itself always seemed to go flawlessly, but the preparation appeared to be grueling. I promised myself that when it was time for me to host celebrations, I would make preparation tolerable or maybe even fun for all those involved! One of the things most…
We can count on the fact that change will occur. What we don’t know is how we will react to that change. Some people love change and can’t live without it, while others prefer as little change as possible. I tend to be in the middle. I always thrived on a job that was changing by the moment. No two problems are the same, which, for me, made my work exciting. The moment my work became a routine, I was ready for my next position. I always appreciate people who don’t require much change in their jobs…
How often do we take the time to think about what brings us Joy? What is it during the week that makes you happy, that makes you smile, and that brings joy to you and others? What do you do during the week that is fun? Are you doing something you consider fun every day? Are you allowing yourself daily joy? Everyone’s idea of joy is different. What brings joy to me might bring panic to others. Some of what brings me joy has changed as my life unfolds. Most of what brought me joy in my 20s…