Simply enjoying the moment is my best defense against outside forces that may attempt to break my spirit.

-GDR

Photo by BKS

When someone says to me, “Don’t worry”, I automatically feel a sense of anxiety. Because we all know that those words would not be uttered unless there is bad news lurking. Unfortunately, many of us are still sweating the small stuff. So, finding out that your favorite flavor of tea or coffee has run out may have the same effect on your mood as something more vital for your well-being.

Taking brief moments to relax and renew in almost any situation, will turn stress into triumph.

The link below contains a session by famous inspirational speaker Esther “Abraham” Hicks. Her words have truly inspired me to take things lightly. The strategy is powerful.

“You’ll Manifest Your Desires When You Relax!” (Law of Attraction)

-Esther “Abraham” Hicks

“Take Things Lightly “

No matter what an individual aspires to be or what he or she hopes to accomplish, the values instilled during the growing years are going to play a major role in their success.

Today’s children become more independent at an earlier age; therefore, parents need to find more ways to interact with them. If this mode of parenting starts at an early age, it is less likely to be viewed in a negative manner. Sometimes children set up “walls” to avoid having to deal with parents. Such barriers should not be forcibly removed. An easier, less invasive method of communicating with children is to find common ground where you, as a parent can connect with them. It might involve learning a computer game that you and the child can play together. This is also a good way to open the lines of communication with your child. Most children love to teach adults, and adults can learn a lot from children. Allow children to take charge and teach. Sometimes bridging the “gap” can be as simple as expressing interest in a subject that he or she enjoys. In the process, you are connecting to your child in a way that will encourage positive communication.

A major role in parenting is teaching children life skills. Though it is not an easy task, most parents, somehow, manage to provide the essentials. The rest, good or bad, will likely come with experience of living and maturing.
I’ve read that birds fly in a tight formation to ensure that predators cannot get in to their group. Safety in numbers. As humans, we could learn a valuable lesson from the birds. We need to keep the lines of communication open with children. Thus, establishing a close knit formation with the family, which is a sure way to cover any areas where predators might get in to sabotage the family values.

The lessons learned as a result of good parenting can provide valuable tools that will help children grow, mature and prosper. Invest in your children’s future—teach them well.

GDR

My first credit card was obtained from a department store that I worked for. Even though I was employed by this well-known store, I was denied a credit card twice before I was finally approved. Both times the reason was that I did not have any credit history. Not only was I disappointed, but I was confused. In my mind, if I worked for the company, I should be trusted to have a credit card from them. What I did not realize at the time was, in order to obtain credit the borrower needs to have a credit history to prove that he or she can be trusted to pay back the debt. If there is no proof in your credit report to ensure that you can be trusted, it is unlikely that credit will be extended to you.

When I was approved for my first credit card, I was very excited. Not so much because I had resources for shopping, but because that credit approval represented a trust. I am proud to say, I never took that trust for granted. In fact, the approval for my first credit card was the foundation that inspired me to establish and maintain an excellent credit status. Even during difficult times, I was driven by that trust. I realized that good credit and good character go hand-in-hand.

I was prompted to write this post because I thought about a time in my life when I went through a difficult period. Fortunately for me, I met a business owner who trusted me based on my word. He ran a service station which also did automobile repairs. I took my car to him for service. The repairs I needed were extensive—more than I could afford at the time. I explained to him that I would not be able to pay for the repairs that day. He said I could bring the money to him the following week. The only information he had for me was my unpublished phone number and my word. Because of his trust, I felt empowered. That situation proved to be a great character builder for me; I realized the value of my word. I felt as though I had received an approval letter from a major lender.

Prior to settling the debt, various individuals told me I shouldn’t bother to pay for the repairs. One even said, “Why should you pay the guy? He doesn’t even know where you live.” Another friend said, “You could have gotten the repairs cheaper someplace else.” No matter what those individuals said, the only thing that mattered to me was the fact that I had given my word. I did not let those comments influence my actions.

On the day I settled my debt for the repairs, I arrived a little late. The shop had closed, but the owner was sitting outside in his car waiting for me. He knew I would not go back on my word. Because of that experience, I learned that my word is the part of my credit status that really matters.

I still am overwhelmed with pride in myself any time I recall that situation. The experience effected the way I view credit and trust. Credit standing begins with the first time you establish trust. It doesn’t matter if it involves money or merely a commitment, your word is your most solid collateral. Trust does build character—but at the foundation of that character is your word.

the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
syn: flower, prime, peak, heyday, blossom, efflorescence, flushyday, blossom, efflorescence, flush

My favorite quotes by Mary Engelbreit:

“Bloom where you are planted”

“Happiness must be grown in one’s own garden”

***************
The message I get from these quotes is:

Even if you find yourself “planted” in a place where you cannot see your path, remain steadfast. Create a better you for where you are now; prime yourself for where you’re headed. Growth potential begins where you are planted–allow yourself to bloom.
-GDR

Be sure to remind family, friends, and guests that their presence is much more valuable than the presents.

Remember to do your part to create a good season for yourself, and for those around you.

Happy Holidays to all!

I am amazed to see the number of parents who give infants and children their smart phones, as a way to settle the child down. Even though there are numerous entertaining apps that will hold the child’s attention, verbal interaction should still be maintained.

Many children are content playing with smart phones and computers. Most can go for extended periods without interaction with other children or adults. The educational apps that are available for young children and infants can give them a head-start on basic learning. Meanwhile, the parents get a chance to complete tasks like housework, shopping, homework, or for just taking a much deserved break.

There were no smart phones when my child was young; therefore, while shopping, he would attack a box of cookies or a sugary drink. I knew I would pay later when he started bouncing off the walls. Some parents still resort to the “shopping cart buffet” method of keeping their young children quiet and content during shopping trips. Those parents are not always willing to give up the phone—because they are talking on it, and cannot be distracted, for fear of missing what “he” or “she” has said.(aka, the latest gossip) So the child ends up overeating, hyper, and sick from sampling whatever can be easily opened in the shopping cart.

Parents will do whatever it takes to keep their children quiet; they do not want to be bothered while they complete their tasks. Whether at home, out running errands or out for a stroll in the park, most parents rely on their smart phones to keep children busy—and quiet.

Here are a few helpful suggestions to ensure that children learn the value of interaction and communication:

Make it a point to engage in a conversational exchange with children. (Even babies will respond)

Interact with them to discuss the games or apps they played on the phone or computer.

Encourage children to talk about what they just did; ask them to explain how to operate the game or app.

Create active conversations about how things work in the home. (Appliances, electronics, television)

The interaction created will help children develop communication skills and logic when they attempt to explain a process. This does not have to be a difficult task for the child. Parents just have to fill in the gaps to keep the child talking. The fun part is watching them gain confidence as they see how the parent is relying on them to understand how things work. If time allows, this type of interaction should be practiced on a daily basis.

Technology has given us lots of gadgets that allow us to communicate without interaction. Have fun with them, share them, and use them to teach. Above all, make sure you find ways to use them to encourage children to communicate the old fashion way—by talking, by answering, and by elaborating.

Interaction is smart; show your children how it is done.

(I came up with the content for this blog post after observing parents on outings with their young children.)

Grant us, young and old, the ability to hold our tempers.
Help us to pause long enough to think before we make costly or fatal mistakes.
Above all, guide parents to instill morals and ethical values in their children

while they are young.

Grant parents the wisdom to become better role models for their children.
It is time for us to invest in the task of building communities;
The only way to accomplish that is to invest in our children.

Smile down on us.

Grant us the power to change the trend; young lives are being taken, and families are being torn apart.
Give us the strength and wisdom to create better days.

I send my plea out to the UNIVERSE.

Several of my friends commended me for making such a wise purchase; so, I thought it odd that they told me to keep a map in the car. If I could read a map, I probably would not need a GPS, which is the acronym for global positioning system. Furthermore, having a map, for me, just meant I would spend more time being lost—while attempting to read the map. I mounted the unit in a special place on my dashboard. Actually, it was the most convenient place, but I wanted Gypsy to think I had gone out of my way to make sure she was safe and comfortable; after all, we would be taking lots of fun trips together. I know this sounds strange, but over the years, electronic gadgets have actually taken on personalities; therefore, I thought it was ok to talk about my GPS as though it were a person.

My first trip with Gypsy was to my mom’s house. I knew how to get there, but I wanted to hear the cheerful voice that would be directing me to places that I, previously, had not dared to go. After I entered my mom’s address, Gypsy’s friendly voice began to give me directions. The route we took was not the one I was used to, but no problem; I was confident that Gypsy would get me to mom’s house, using the best route. After a short time, and a few turns, I heard the announcement that I had arrived at my destination; surprisingly, I was in front of my own house. Of course, I assumed that the device had malfunctioned. I rechecked the information I had entered; everything looked fine. Then I figured out what the problem was—I had, inadvertently, entered my own address. With a quick, smooth motion, I turned the unit off. I did not want my new best friend to know that I had made such a dumb mistake; I resumed the trip to my mom’s house, without any assistance from Gypsy. I suddenly thought of a science fiction movie I had seen, where the computer took control of its operator. After thinking about the possibility of Gypsy taking over my car, I actually laughed out loud.

Even though I felt good about having the GPS to help me navigate to unfamiliar places, my fear of getting lost did not go away. In fact, I was afraid that Gypsy would direct me to a location, and then not know how to find its way out. I became so paranoid that I would not listen to the directions from Gypsy; unfortunately, on those occasions, I got lost. Of course, when that happened, I would wait for Gypsy to recalculate and put me back on course.

The GPS unit came with a number of useful features; the one that appealed to me most was the trip simulator. I thought, if I used it to preview the route, I would feel at ease when it was time to make the actual trip. That was not the case; unfortunately, after going through the route on the simulator, I became confused and nervous. On more than one occasion, I cancelled the intended trip because… yes, I became paranoid about making the trip. Nevertheless, I was confident that Gypsy would, eventually, make my trips fun and relaxing; therefore, I did not give up. I was determined to start following the directions exactly as they were given. I just needed to relax, listen, and allow Gypsy to be my guide.

Another feature on the GPS unit, allows the user to pick a vehicle that would be displayed on the screen during the trip. I picked a red Corvette; I had never driven one, so I thought it would be cool to have it on the screen. That was not a good idea. I decided it would be better if I saw my own vehicle on the screen; therefore, I changed the display avatar to a blue minivan, identical to mine. I know this sounds crazy, but I needed to see the little blue minivan always in the exact location as mine. If there is ever a glitch in the system that would cause the vehicle displayed on the screen to disappear, I would reach the highest point on the paranoia scale—if there is such a scale.

At some point, the friendly voice of the Gypsy made me feel relaxed, but whenever she was silent, I still panicked. Since I have no logical thought process when I am driving to unfamiliar places, it took me awhile to figure out that Gypsy only talks when there is a change in the route. Again, having the blue minivan displayed on the screen assured me that my friend, Gypsy, was still there to direct me to my intended destination.

In spite of my paranoia while traveling, Gypsy took some of the worry out my driving trips; as well, I saved money on gas. Prior to having my GPS, I would drive miles and miles off of my intended course. Sometimes I would end up is suburbs that I would not have been able to find if I wanted to; so, being lost sometimes led to discovery. Once, before I purchased the GPS, I got lost in a nearby subdivision; after about 25 minutes of driving around in circles, I asked a resident to lead me back to the main street. The trip home, from there, only took me about ten minutes. I’ve heard that laughter is the best medicine; that day, I laughed, off and on, for the entire trip home. I laughed even more when I got home and told my husband about the incident.

Though it is obvious why I need my GPS, I am embarrassed about my ineptness when it comes to traveling by automobile. Admittedly, I am even more embarrassed that the incidents I described really happened to me. But I am happy to say that my automobile trips have become more relaxing, and I actually look forward to driving to new places. Gypsy is truly my best friend forever. The one thing I can depend on is, no matter how far off course I go, and no matter how obnoxious and angry I become; the cheerful voice of my friend, Gypsy, will always recalculate—and then tell me exactly where to go.

They could be using that time to express appreciation for their many blessings, and to uplift each other. If less time was spent dwelling on what is wrong with others, there would be time to see and to address the issues that are causing their own negative and destructive attitudes. Unfortunately, their negative behavior may be the cause of destructive patterns in their children’s behavior.

Children that become bullies are mimicking behavior they’ve seen among family members. (Their role models)

When adults start setting better examples for young children, we will see a positive change in the attitudes and behavior of our youth.

Let’s stop the bullying by becoming positive role models.

Parents, please do everything in your power to build your children up so that they are less likely to try to tear other children down.

Image by G.:” See the Light”