When was the last time someone said “thank you” or “please” to you? Really think about the last time someone out of the clear blue said “thank you” for something kind you did for them or said “please” when something was needed. Oh no! You can’t think of a recent time when someone said those magical phrases in a sincere manner? Well, sadly, that is my point today. It seems so rare to hear a kind word of thanks, praise, appreciation, or encouragement that is not forced or contrived to get you to do something for someone. So, with that […]
Life lessons
Living Life with Joy
I had a tremendous response to last week’s show that I called “To Life.” It was in memory and honor of a dear friend who passed away recently, but I didn’t want to focus on death. I wanted to remind you, dear listener, that you should live your life to the fullest every day. And I believe for that to happen, many of you who are listening by radio or podcast or reading my blog need to Unloose yourself from the rules and expectations of others who steal your joy and make your life unpleasant. Today, I want to continue […]
May you stay in one place forever…
The other day, I was reading some information for a speech I am working on, and I came across perhaps the most awful thing that could ever be said about someone, and it is from the Tartar tribe of Central Asia – they say that prior to battle, the Tartar Tribes of Central Asia used to make a pronouncement over their enemies. It had nothing to do with their ability to overpower or wipe out their enemy in battle. Instead, their curse was this, “May you stay in one place forever.” Their curse was that their enemy would stop learning, […]
One small crack does not mean that you are broken
One small crack does not mean that you are broken; it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart. Today, I want to shout out a cheer to some of you for sticking with it and getting the hard work done or just accomplishing a goal that you set, and now, friend, you’re basking in the glow of a good job well done. My theme today is a quote from Linda Poindexter, who said, “One small crack does not mean that you are broken; it means that you were put to the test and you […]
Patience, Perseverance and Practice
The other day, I saw a man who had the telling scar of a knee replacement, and what made it unusual was that I noticed his knee was stiff and not very workable, so he had learned to swing it in a walking motion instead of walking with a normal gait. When I asked about his surgery, he admitted that he had not done all the exercises that were required right after the surgery, and the knee healed in a stiff position. I am sure that he could stretch the muscles and sinew to make his walking easier and more […]
To Life
As I walked into his room, he was quiet for a moment, with raspy, heavy breathing, lying there on the bed. All of a sudden, he started reaching up to the ceiling as if to pick apples from a tree, one by one, and bring them to earth (or, in this case, his bed). Apple picking—that is what the Hospice nurse said he was doing. They say that at the end of life, many times, people will reach up and pull down something from thin air that they seem to be able to see. As I watched my friend seriously […]
Push Yourself Because No One Is Going to Do It for You
Push Yourself Because No One Is Going to Do It for You When I was thinking about what to share this week, I tussled with a few ideas that I wanted to use to encourage you, knowing that there are a lot of things going on in your life right now. So, understanding that you are busy, let me be your personal motivator to remind you to continue to push yourself because no one is going to do it for you. Whether it is getting the family ready for school, re-organizing your life for the new year, or simply re-engaging […]
If You’re Tired of Starting Over – Quit Giving Up
If You’re Tired of Starting Over — Quit Giving Up I love the quote, If you’re tired of starting over—quit giving up. I am not sure who said it, but wow, if there was ever a billboard that we should put up around the world, it’s this one. If you’re tired of starting over—quit giving up. I hear people say all the time that they are tired of always having to start over, and so many times, I want to ask the obvious question: of why did you stop? Really, why did you stop your diet? Why did you stop […]
Try Approving of Yourself
So the other night, I half-heartedly watched a thread of a conversation unfold on Facebook, and it reminded me of an odd habit that I am seeing in so many people these days, which is being unusually mean and harsh about themselves in a public setting for the sheer purpose to draw attention to themselves and have others heap undue praise on them to help settle them down. They post sad comments and then eagerly wait for their “friends” to reply to the post, proving that they have value and that the sad sack isn’t that bad, that mean, that […]
