Friday, 14 August 2015
I Am Thankful
I AM
THANKFUL:
FOR THE
WIFE
WHO
SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE
SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT
OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE..
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS
ON THE SOFA
BEING A
COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE
HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT
OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE
TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING
ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE
IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE
TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE
MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.FOR MY SHADOW THAT
WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE
IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A
LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS
THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND
GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL
THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR
ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE
IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. FOR THE
PARKING SPOT
I FIND
AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE
IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I
HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY
HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE
LADY BEHIND ME IN SHUL WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I CAN
HEAR.
FOR THE
PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR. FOR
WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE
IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
AND
FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING
OF ME.
Live
well, Laugh often, & Love
Compliment Our Children
TIME TO REMEMBER TO COMPLIMENT OUR CHILDREN
1. Compliment their character. We live in a world
where integrity is neither consistently taught nor widely expected. When our
children demonstrate honesty, kindness, trustworthiness and reliability,
that’s a great time to take them aside and offer a sincere compliment.
2. Compliment obedience and respect. It’s too
easy to fall into patterns of disapproval, where the only time we notice is when
kids do wrong. Rather than waiting for disobedience or disrespect (then coming
down like a ton of bricks) try noticing obedience and respect: “I don’t always
remember to tell you, but you are an awesome young man, and I appreciate the
way you treat your mother”.
3. Compliment them for simply being part of the
family. “Every time I see you, I’m thankful that I’m your Mom.” Kids need to
understand that they are valued simply because they are.
4. Compliment contributions to the family.
“Clearing the table (sweeping the porch… putting out the trash) makes a real
difference. I appreciate your contribution.” Kids need to understand that what
they do makes a difference, that the adults notice, and that pitching in is a
good part of family life.
5. Compliment the quality of their work. “This is
one clean porch, mister!” “You mowed the lawn right up to the edge. Way to go!
I’m so glad you take this job so seriously, it shows.” Doing a job at a high
standard is always worth noting.
6. Compliment the effort, even when the result is
not the best. “Your willingness to help makes me happy! Now we need to take a
look at how you can get the trash to the curb without leaving a trail!”
Compliments can be an important part of our role as teachers.
7. Compliment when they achieve something new.
“Wow! That’s a huge leap forward for you there in math, pal.” “Awesome! I’m not
at all surprised after you worked so hard.” A well-placed compliment can keep a
positive ball rolling.
8. Compliment their sense of style even if we
don’t exactly share their taste. We don’t want to force our kids into being
clones of us. “When it comes to putting together an outfit, you certainly have
some flair!” “I can tell that you put a lot of thought into the way you look.”
“I’ve never seen a table set quite like that before – you have an amazing
imagination!” It’s not useful to limit compliments to the narrow range of our
own taste.
9. Compliment steps toward a long-term goal.
“Son, the improvement you’re showing is commendable. Thanks for trying.”
Waiting for perfection before we’re willing to dish out a compliment is
inefficient, may dampen enthusiasm, and does little to help the process of
growth.
10. Compliment their friends. But only do this
when you can do it honestly! “Your friends are the greatest!” “That Jake is
such a good kid.” “You know, it gives me a lot of confidence to know you use
common sense in choosing your friends.
Shared by, Toby Lieder
We All Need A Tree What A Lesson For Life!
We all Need a Tree!
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse,
and after he had
just finished a rough first day on the job, a flat
tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient
one-ton truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On
arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front
door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with
both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing
transformation.. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small
children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree
and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do
earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied
"I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure,
those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children.. So I
just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask G-d to take
care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again." "Funny thing
is," he
smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick
'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night
before."
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we
are here we might as well dance.
We all Need a Tree!
The Brick What A Life Lesson
THE BRICK
A young and successful executive was traveling down a
neighbourhood street,
Going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was
Watching for kids darting out from between
parked
Cars and slowed down when he thought he saw
Something.
As his car passed, no children appeared.
Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side
door!
He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to
The spot where the brick had been thrown.
The angry driver then jumped out of the
Car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up
Against a parked car shouting,
'What was that all about and who are you? Just
what
The heck are you doing? That's a new car and
that
Brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money.
Why
Did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic.
'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't
Know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the
Brick because no one else would stop....' With
tears
Dripping down his face and off his chin, the
youth
Pointed to a spot just around a parked car..
'It's my Brother, 'he said 'He rolled off
the curb and fell
Out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him
Up.'
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive,
'Would you please help
Me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt
and
he's too heavy for me.'
Moved beyond words,
The driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling
Lump in his throat... He hurriedly lifted the
Handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then
took
Out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh
Scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him
everything
Was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may God bless
You,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too
Shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy!
Push his wheelchair-bound
brother down the sidewalk
Toward their home..
It was a long, slow
Walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very
Noticeable, but the driver never bothered to
repair
The dented side door. He kept the dent there to
Remind him of this message: ' Don't go through
life
So fast that someone has to throw a brick at you
to
Get your attention!' God whispers in our souls
and
Speaks to our hearts Sometimes when we don't have
Time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us.
It's
Our choice to listen or not.
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