Sunday, 25 August 2019

Lesson from a Grandfather ... or is it from a Grandchild ?




Lesson from A Grandfather…. Or is it from a Grandchild ?

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table. But, the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon and food rained onto the floor. When he grasped a glass, with his shaking hands milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 

So, they set a small table in the corner. There Grandfather ate alone, while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since, Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions, when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening, before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. That evening, the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table, and for the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And, for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future. And Maybe, just maybe their own.

Remember deeds of kindness and goodness and be a "skilled builder."




Sunday, 18 August 2019

Friendship Gifts




Friendship Gifts

THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
 Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" . A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life

THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

THE GIFT OF A FAVOUR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.






Sunday, 11 August 2019

You are....




You are…
When you take your grief and teach it to smile.
When you overcome your fear and help others
To do the same.
 When you see a flower and are thankful
 For the blessing.

 ... You are loving ...
When your own pain does not blind you
To the pain of others.
 ... You are wise ...
When you know the limits of your wisdom.
... You are true ...
When you admit there are times
You fool yourself.
... You are alive ...
When tomorrow's hope means more to you
 Than yesterday's mistake.
 ... You are growing ...
When you know what you are but
 Not what you will become.
... You are free ...
When you are in control of yourself and
 Do not wish to control others.
... You are honourable ...
When you find your honour is to honour others.
... You are generous ...
When you can take as sweetly as you can give.
... You are humble ...
When you do not know how humble you are.
... You are thoughtful ...
When you see me just as I am and
Treat me just as you are.
... You are merciful ...
When you forgive in others the faults
You condemn in yourself.
... You are beautiful ...
When you don't need a mirror to tell you.
... You are rich ...
When you never need more than what you have.
... You are you ...
When you are at peace with who you are not.





Sunday, 4 August 2019

Advice for children / teens starting back at school



Advice for children / teens starting back at School
My daughter starts middle school tomorrow. We've decorated her locker, bought new uniforms, even surprised her with a new backpack. But tonight just before bed, we did another pre-middle school task that is far more important than the others. I gave her a tube of toothpaste and asked her to squirt it out onto a plate. When she finished, I calmly asked her to put all the toothpaste back in the tube. She began exclaiming things like "But I can't!" and "It won't be like it was before!" I quietly waited for her to finish and then said the following:
"You will remember this plate of toothpaste for the rest of your life. Your words have the power of life or death. As you go into middle school, you are about to see just how much weight your words carry. You are going to have the opportunity to use your words to hurt, demean, slander and wound others. You are also going to have the opportunity to use your words to heal, encourage, inspire and love others. You will occasionally make the wrong choice; I can think of three times this week I have used my own words carelessly and caused harm. Just like this toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can't take them back. Use your words carefully. When others are misusing their words, guard your words. Make the choice every morning that life-giving words will come out of your mouth. Decide tonight that you are going to be a life-giver in middle school. Be known for your gentleness and compassion. Use your life to give life to a world that so desperately needs it. You will never, ever regret choosing kindness."




Forgiveness

  Forgiveness  My father once said, “If they hurt you, forgive them, but never forget what they’ve done.” This has always been a reminder ...