Tag Archives: Corporate Social Responsibility

Monday Gets Postponed

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I’m not ready for Monday; so I would like to just postpone it.  That’s right!!  Let’s start tomorrow or maybe the next day.  You know….stop the clocks.  Gone Fishin’!  Anyone want to join me?!!

How many times do you hear someone say…”If I had just one more day…”  We always think we would be better at something or more prepared or feel more rested or just have a better start….if we just had a little more time!  I do it all the time.  I call them the “Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve ‘s”  We all think we are just on the edge of a breakthrough or look for something to, at least, use as an excuse for why we don’t do better.  I’ve been doing it all day.  I have a huge project that is due tomorrow; but my usual combination of poor planning and procrastination has got me in a ‘dash for the finish line’ for tomorrow’s project.  I have all the valid excuses (or so I keep telling myself) of why I have put myself in this place.  You know what REALLY annoys me??  This is not the first time….nor it will it probably be the last time!  Why do I do this to myself??

Maybe I like the thrill of the last minute rush, or maybe I AGAIN didn’t plan wisely or maybe even, I set myself up to fail sometimes.  Honestly, right now, I’m thinking I’m just plain stupid!

OK….we realistically can’t postpone Monday….and even though it didn’t get off to a great start, perhaps it can end on a high note.  Nose to the grindstone.  Let’s get those projects finished.  I am the little red engine…I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!! 

How about you?  Got any of these hot fires to put out around your house?  I’ve started at the top of my priority list.  Today I will tackle my list and get my project finished.

By the end of the day, I will probably be exhausted.  But, sometimes there is a good type of exhausted feeling…..the feeling of accomplishment and getting things done.

At the end of the day, Pat yourself on the back.

But, don’t linger on your laurels for too long.

Tomorrow is a new day and I’m sure you have lots you need to get marked off your list.  Start each day with an attitude of doing your very best and not wasting precious time in front of a TV or maybe your computer or any of the multiple possibilities of not staying on track to be the best you can be.

Your friends on Facebook will understand.  In fact, how about posting to your timeline, the list you want to get accomplished this week.  I dare you to make the declaration….and follow through with gusto.

Sorry I couldn’t really postpone Monday for you.

You might find out, however, it’s going to turn out to be a great day.

Smiles,

Nancy

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Monday Gets A New Lesson

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Today, I was reminded of a lesson that I was taught early in my life that at the time seemed like just a big pain in my neck…. but turned into one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Monday Gets a New Lesson

My parents, particularly my Dad, would NEVER let me get away with just doing a job with half effort.  If I was going to do something, I had to do the best job I could.  One time, I took on this project to refinish an old desk.  I think I was 12 or so.  I started my project and after about 5 minutes was really “over” completing this grand idea, so pretty much just slapped the rest of the paint on.  My Dad was watching from a distance and if I recall correctly, even let me walk away from it while the paint was drying.  A few hours later, on my return to retrieve my project, my Dad (in his very quiet manner, with one eyebrow raised) informed me that the job was not finished.  He further proceeded to let me know that I needed to re-sand the whole desk and apply another layer of varnish.  I huffed a bit, of course, but (that raised-eyebrow scowl always scared me a bit), again sanded the desk and “slapped” the second coat of varnish on.  Again…he let me walk away for the desk to dry.  And….AGAIN upon my return, he gave me the same directions!!  More huffing and puffing on my part!

So….I am now a bit embarrassed to admit that this went on for the rest of the day and into the next.  As the project progressed (or di-gressed—whichever way you want to look at it), I stopped even get any words out of him, he would simply look at me and nod his head in a negative manner and walk back to his own project with no further words.

Well…..Thankfully!!….I finally “GOT IT”.  If I was ever going to be free to get on with my life (there’s so many important things happening in a 12 year old’s life, you know), I was going to have to resort to doing the job correctly…..and so I did.

FINALLY, I knew I was finished…..With the last try, my Dad just looked at me……and smiled…..and said “Good Job”!!

Well, that desk is still going strong….now, almost 50 years later.  Through the years NOTHING could permeate its surface with all the multiple layers of varnish….and I always felt a sense of pride when I looked at it.

So…..when I’m somewhere working whether it might be sitting at a desk job typing or washing my car or helping out someone else.  I think of this wonderful lesson I was taught early in life….If you’re going to do something, do it right and do the best job you can!  Not just because you might have to “do it again”, but rather because, in the end,  you can feel a great sense of pride about yourself and about the mission you have accomplished.

I wish everyone felt the same way about tackling projects.  It seems there are so many who just do a “slapped on” job.  Unfortunately, they will never feel that sense of accomplishment or pride about what they do.  Maybe that’s what is so wrong in this world.  Many people just don’t want to make that effort.  Very sad!

So everyone reading today….here’s your challenge.

No matter what you do…whether it is cleaning your house, washing

your car, wrapping presents, cooking dinner, digging a ditch or any

other kind of task you take on…..do the very best job you can

possibly do.  Then….Stand back and admire your work

and feel the sense of pride that spreads through

your whole body!!

And know that….You’ve just made a difference and the world is

a better place because of your efforts!

My Dad will be so proud of you.

He’s an Angel in Heaven now, so I’m sure he will be watching.

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Patriotic

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Today is the observance of Veterans Day.  A day to show honor and respect and appreciation for those who have served in the armed forces protecting our good ole     US of A!!!  Veterans Day also marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

We are lucky to live in a country with so many freedoms and so many choices.  On the heels of the presidential election, it seems even more pronounced in its symbolism of freedom.  Some may not be happy with the current presidential candidate…but you did have the freedom to vote and make your own personal choice.

 Monday Gets Patriotic

Happy Veterans Day, Dear Neighbors

There are ways to remind others to be proud of their American homeland.  My little walkway of flags was a small showing of that.  I just wanted to give a subtle reminder for us to stop to think how lucky we are to have a flag that represents such amazing possibilities of what we are able to aspire to be.  Each and every one of us can decide what goals we want to meet and then have a plethora of opportunities to make all those dreams come true.

Sometimes we might feel we have not been given a fair deal (particularly, any Romney voters right now); but also with freedom we must learn compromise and understanding.  We can’t all have our own way at every possible moment.  What doesn’t seem fair to some becomes huge victories and opportunities to do good things for others.  The key is to stay united and find ways to work together for the good of all.  “Division of troops” is not good in the military forces and it’s not good in government….Period!!

I would like to also take a moment to honor the men and women who have given their lives in battle for this country.  I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a family member while they are fighting on other lands to protect our freedom here.

God Bless America!

The United States seems to make great effort to build tributes to those that have lost their lives in combat; but it is such a small token for the huge price that is paid.

Vietnam Memorial Wall–Washington, D.C.

So today, take the time to thank those that you know that are serving our country now or have served in previous times.

Shake their hand, salute them or maybe just give them a big hug.

 Let them know that you are proud of them and appreciate their dedication and hard work.

Maybe knock on the door of a wife or mother that is struggling to fill the void of the loss of the head of their household while they are in some other country and who has been gone for months now.  Give them a little boost in their day…..they are also “serving” our country by their unselfish support of our troops.

Stand tall…Stand proud.

We are Americans and we are very lucky to live in this country.

Don’t take your freedoms lightly AND don’t abuse them either…..many Americans have

given their lives to keep us safe and free!  Show your honor and respect for them.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America!

You Matter America!

Smiles, Nancy….born in the USA

Monday Gets Political—or Not

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There are so many things happening in our country that seem to tax one’s political side to the max.  The Presidential Election!  Wow!  There’s a lot to take into consideration.  It would be great if we had two really outstanding candidates; but unfortunately, it just seems we are voting for the lesser of two evils.  I know that just “raised the hair on the back of your neck” for some; but I just think everyone is trying to rationalize and stretch the positive points.

What happened to the truth in politics….or was that ever a possibility?   Why does everyone have to skirt the issues?  Why can’t they just ‘say it like it is’?!!

MONDAY GETS POLITICAL….or NOT

Don’t you think it would be wonderful to have someone stand up in front of the nation and say….”Hey, I’m not perfect and I don’t have all the answers, but I am going to try my very best to get the job done.  I’ve got a great team behind me and if I don’t know something, you can be assured my staff is going to work to find all the details to inform me about the issue so I can make the very best decision.”  And…then actually do that!!  Instead…they skirt the issues, lie when they feel it might slip by and rarely just say “I don’t know!”

There’s so much diversity in all areas in our country right now.  There are people who will fight to the end to honor and protect our country….and there are those who find it appropriate to picket a funeral of a family who have just lost a son or husband fighting for our nation.  There is complete destruction on the East Coast from Hurricane Sandy and then there are areas that seem almost immune to anything except blue skies and balmy breezes today.  Gas prices dropping by at least a dollar a gallon in California….and little gas available in New York/New Jersey.  But, everyone, no matter what their circumstances, is looking for some balance, some certainty, some kept promises…..some hope.  Wouldn’t it be great if tomorrow’s election provided that?!!

Some people that read this Blog aren’t from the United States.  I wonder what they think about all the debates that have gone on between the candidates.  I wonder if it seems very appropriate and common or rather sounds like a bunch of whining kids who are trying to get their way!!

I guess it could always be worse.  We could have no freedom, no choices, no right to vote.  We could be living in war zones and fearing for our lives every moment of the day.  I just think we sometimes take what we have for granted and some take advantage of the freedoms we are given.

So for this new reign of the elected officials of our country….whomever it might be….

I wish for some forward movement of resolving some of the issues of healthcare and national debt and unemployment and an overall struggling nation.

I wish for the citizens of this country to be able to feel they are being represented and supported by candidates who are sincere in their efforts and follow through on all their promises.

I wish the candidates that are elected are true to their word and can see the struggles of many and fight to make changes, so some of the suffering can end.

And….I wish for this Monday to indeed be the start of something new and exciting.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get back that American spirit and everyone be able to feel proud to be an American.  I think we have lost a little of that.

So remember to vote tomorrow

and choose your candidates wisely.

Let’s hope brighter days and good times are just around the corner.

Onward and Forward!

Smiles,  Nancy

Monday Gets “Taken Advantage of….”

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I keep running into people and hearing their stories of how other people are taking advantage of them.  These are really sweet and kind individuals who wouldn’t “hurt a fly” literally; and yet other human beings…..no, make that inconsiderate, selfish animals are taking advantage of them without any guilt at all.

What is wrong with this world??  Why do some people really just NOT care if they hurt someone else??  This is sad….very sad.  And, it makes me VERY angry that I am limited in what I can do about it.  I know that these are not all bad people that are doing this.  They don’t commit violent crimes or carry weapons that you should be afraid to meet them after dark.  But rather, they are people who are just completely oblivious that someone is hurting or struggling or looking for a little consideration…..not to be stepped on and used and taken advantage of for their innocence and sweet demeanor.

Monday Gets “Taken Advantage of………”

What do we do about this type of happening?  I feel helpless when seeing it and hearing about it and would really like to change things.  What I would LIKE to do is confront these idiots and really shake them up.  I wonder if they heard the truth, they would change.  Maybe their parents just didn’t teach them right and wrong and how to treat people.

I think some people think that they deserve all the attention and there is NO ONE that has a more difficult life than they do!!  I’m SURE you all know at least one person like that.  You know the ones…..they always show up late for everything you plan, they bring along a guest for dinner but don’t tell you until you open the door to greet them, they ask you over and over to help them out but never return the favor because they’re too busy AND they are on their cell phones most of the time when you decide to have lunch together and catch up.  What is that!  Do they just not get it??!!

I would LOVE to be someone who could have an intervention with these folks. You know….just lay it on the line!!  Basically, tell them they are a selfish, uncaring, Low Life!!  It just doesn’t happen that way though.  I am who I am and do my best to hope there is good in everyone and they will change and hope that people don’t need such a kick to see what they are doing to others.

What I can do though is to be caring and patient and understanding towards the ones being mistreated.  I can try to do my best to be kind to them and tell them they are special and deserve to be treated with respect.  I can do nice things for them and try to help them when they are struggling.

So today my dear friends, do you know someone that is always that example of kindness?  Someone who NEVER asks you to help them or who might be struggling quietly and not feel they have the right or ability to ask for help.

They might be someone you see in your neighborhood or maybe someone at your workplace or maybe even someone that you see on the bus every day.

Maybe you see them every day…but you don’t even know their name.Well, today is the day to change that.  Today is Monday—a good day to make things better for someone else.

Today, your goal is to find someone who you can make a difference in their life.  Find someone who you know would never ask for help, but is struggling a bit in life.  Just show up at their doorstep and say “I’m here to help.”

Or take them a nice batch of cookies for their kids.

Or maybe mow their lawn for them while they’re at work.

Or maybe bring a co-worker a nice bouquet of flowers that you picked from your garden or a big basket of fruit.

Make them feel they are special and that there are good people in this world that care about them and want them to feel that they matter.

Tell them… “YOU MATTER”

over and over and over!!

Make sure they hear it.

And then…..be sure to remember that sweet smile you will see!

Priceless!

Go Make a Difference.

Smiles to you all,

Nancy

Monday Gets Thankful

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I woke up this morning and before I could completely get my eyes opened, I found myself feeling very thankful for a lot of things in my life.  I stretched my arms out and immediately felt my sweet old lab, Tramp.

My “view” this morning.

He is there for me always no matter what kind of day I am having….Blessing #1 of the day.  The longer I laid in bed, the longer my list of gratefulness grew!  The irony here is that I have been struggling a bit in my work-a-day world and feeling a bit defeated at times.  I felt like doors had been closing for me and I was in a “woe is me” state of mind (Hmmm..sounds like a song perhaps). But yet, this morning, I found myself counting my blessings.  So let me share with you a bit……

Monday Gets Thankful

 I have to wonder if just “changing my attitude” made the difference.  Last night, I had to “sit myself down” and give myself a good talking to about my attitude.  What I realized was how much energy I was wasting feeling defeated and how it really wasn’t helping my situation.  It sure isn’t a way to win friends or move you forward if all you do is complain about your situation and problems.  Although I have to say, that part of the reason for changing my attitude had to do with some of the extremely kind and caring messages and words that I received from my friends and family.  Many offers of kindness have been sent my way.  How lucky I am to have sweet angels all around me who are “holding me up” when I need the extra boost…..many Blessings for sure!!

I have the sweetest son in the whole world who always boost my spirit by believing in me and making me feel that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.  He always believes I can “win the race” with flying colors.

I Can Do It!!

He does have a way of bringing out the stubborn-ness in me to prove that I can do something!!   Although…when I mentioned that I would like to try skydiving recently, he was not too supportive!!?!! Blessing! Blessing! Blessing! Tenfold!

As you know from my post last week, I have taking great strides in improving my health by following a Paleo lifestyle.  This diet plan may not be for everyone, but it sure is working for me….2 more pounds lighter this week.  I just can’t imagine having adversities in my life and dealing with health issues that would add to the struggles right now….in that regard, another scoop of Blessings for me!  I wonder if Ben & Jerry have thought of creating a flavor called “Blessings”.  I doubt if I could stop with just one scoop.

So, before I “lay it on too thick”, here is what I really wanted to share.  Life is a struggle for everyone….no matter what their situation might be.  But what we need to do is just count our blessings and keep saying to ourselves….“I Matter”  If we just believe in ourselves, then we can accomplish great things.  What it really is all about is “Love”….loving ourselves….and we all know “Love can move Mountains!  Right?  I have a few friends out there who are struggling right along with me right now, so here is a personal wish for you…..I love you and I believe in you and “You Matter” to me…So go Move a Mountain!!

So, what mountain do you want to move today?!!

Life getting you down too and sending you a bunch of struggles to deal with that are feeling like burdens and too much to handle sometimes?!!

Count your Blessings, my dear friends and fellow bloggers.  That’s right….make that darn list and realize all the good things that you have to be thankful for today.  You might be surprised like I was to find out just how long your list might stretch.

I’d like to give you a little “kick start”….I’m letting you know that “YOU MATTER”.

Did you hear me?…..YOU MATTER!

Make your list, count your blessings, change your attitude and before the day ends…Make sure that you tell someone else YOU MATTER too!

By making a difference in someone else’s life, you will be surprised to find how much of a difference you can make in your own life too!

Have a great Monday! Be Thankful for the moment and the day!

You Matter!

Smiles,  Nancy

Monday Gets Bogged Down

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Okay….last week, Monday Got Lazy and now it seems I am ‘bogged down’ in so many things to do that my head is spinning and my List is a mile long.  I guess I should admit, however, there might have been another day or so along the way this week that I felt I needed to pull out my lazy card!!…..Oh the price we pay sometimes for doing things that seem to come so natural and easy!!

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just post our lists on a community bulletin board somewhere and have help in completing the tasks that we are not very good at being able to complete.  Kind of a barter system….you do the laundry and I’ll fold it and put it away.  I’ll do the dishes….if you’ll do the cooking today.  Guess that’s the way it use to be when multiple generations lived together all in the same house.  Of course, I’m sure Woody Allen would be able to create a pretty authentic picture of what the real scene might be when that happens!  Be careful what you ask for, right?  Let’s address the issue….

Monday Gets Bogged Down

I wonder how some people are able to get so much accomplished in a very short time without procrastinating along the way.  I can’t even make a list without running off the edge of the paper and continuing to add to it before I even get a few items checked off AND actually losing the list several times before it’s completed.  I know I’m not considered to be a lazy person and most people think I’m above average in the organizational skill set.  Perhaps, I need to learn to delegate…….Hmmmm. Just asked Tramp to take out the trash and he looked at me and ran to the kitchen.  I was sure he was headed to get the garbage, but instead he just checked his food bowl to see if there were any scraps or extra dog biscuits!!  Guess I need to rethink this delegating thing….Choose your Delegate wisely, right?

I think this happens not only in just daily grind stuff, but just in life in general.  Even the fun stuff gets either over-completed OR gets pushed to the bottom of the list.  Life needs to be a balance, right?  Unfortunately, I think we often struggle to determine where the line gets drawn.  So, how do we get out of the ‘mess’ we’re in right now.  Let’s figure this out, so that perhaps we can work on this phenomenon together.

Are you in this space too?  Too much to do and too little time to do it.  What happened along the way?  For me, I think it is a cross between procrastination and distractions.  I might start cleaning the kitchen, but then take out the garbage and find myself out picking tomatoes off my plants in my garden.  Next thing I know, I am researching a good recipe to make with the tomatoes which leads somehow unexplainable to restaurants that I might want to dine at soon.  By the time I re-enter the kitchen, hours have passed, the kitchen is only half completed AND now I’m hungry (from ooo-ing over the recipes I’ve discovered) and struggle to find a clean spot to make some lunch.

Is anyone relating here??!!!  Please tell me that I’m not alone or unique in this horrible syndrome!!   Do you think there are any research studies going that I can join to find my cause and cure?  Perhaps, there might be a support group that will help me feel there is hope.

 Help!  Help!  Help!

Well, this is the point in my Blog post that I usual offer some suggestions or support to get beyond the current issue…..I’ve got nothing!!    Here’s what I thought I would do.  After you read this, post in the comment section at the top of the post, a description of a recent situation of your Bogged Down-itis.  Don’t be shy.  Even life’s problems can make us smile sometimes. Let’s see who could qualify for King/Queen of Bogged Down Monday.

Hopefully, what we’ll find is that we’re really not alone in this world and when we feel we are the ONLY human being dealing with something difficult, that we just need to open our eyes and look around us.

When life seems the most difficult, I’m sure there is always someone dealing with a worst situation.

And maybe too…..that we’ll understand that we need to reach out to others in time of need and get the support we need and offer the same to them.  We really don’t have to carry the whole burden alone.  Sometimes, the opportunity to make a difference is right in front of our face.

Have a Great Monday.

Make it a great day.  Reach out to others.

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Lazy

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Some days, no matter how hard we push ourselves, it seems that our body is just not willing to go any faster or work to its fullest and most efficient capacity.  We question the cause….are we getting older?  did we eat or drink the wrong thing?  do we need more sleep? are we getting sick?  Are we overly stressed?  Sometimes the question is ‘yes’ to at least one of the questions; but sometimes, there just isn’t any clue to what might solve the puzzle.  My Dad was a very wise man and I think he had the best diagnosis for this un-studied disease …. “The Can’t HelpIts”  ….You just can’t help feeling like you do….no cause and only one known cure.  By the way, I doubt if you will find the disease OR the cure listed in the Merck Manual; but it is definitely something real and the directions for curing it always works.  Today, I have the “Can’t HelpIts” and I am going to work on curing my illness!!  If you are experiencing the same disease today, please join me in the race to feel better—So, here’s the cure that has been passed down through the generations….

Monday Gets Lazy

That’s right…sometimes, it’s okay to just be lazy.  We push ourselves every day to get things done.  We race against the clock to try to finish everything within  our daily schedule parameters.  Gotta check off the items on our lists!!  We eat, drink and exercise within the guidelines of the medical communities insistence of what is good for us.  And, with an abundance of confusion, often what was good for us yesterday is today declared to be laden with carcinogens and the worst possible thing to be doing.  We search for some kind of medically approved and consistent balance in the path we follow to wellness.  Doctors don’t often prescribe “Do nothing today”.  I wonder if they’re afraid they would be sued for malpractice and the insurance companies would be obligated to cover the cost of us enjoying a day off.  Wouldn’t that be great to submit costs of what we did on our day of playing “hooky” from our normal crazy and stressful day?  However…..It would, in fact,  probably be far less expensive than the medicines or therapies our doctor prescribes!!

So, here’s your list of today’s activities:

  • Do nothing.
  • Do nothing.
  • Do nothing.
  • Take a nap.
  • Do more nothing.

Think you can handle it??!!  I bet you have a new love for my Monday mandatory list again, right?

And since, I’m always encouraging you to make a difference for others, why not drag a friend or family member along for this journey.  Being lazy is fun; but having someone else along on your journey makes it even better.  Probably gives you that verification that we sometimes need to be okay with something out of the norm.  Drag along a friend and suddenly everything is acceptable.

So, are you ready to start?

Won’t take you much to get revved up for THIS journey!  I’d like to leave you with a few words from my favorite author.  In the immortal words of Winnie the Pooh, when asked what Lazy means:

“It means just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear….and not bothering!”

 Hope you have a great day.

I know I will.

Let's go see what they caught!

You Matter!

Smiles, Nancy

Disclaimer:  If your place of employment is not real happy about your choice of being lazy today, please save this ‘lazy card’ for a day that better suits your needs….just promise me that you won’t let it expire!

Monday Gets Confident

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I have been recently evaluating my work related skill level and trying to assess how many things I can attach the word “Proficient” in my Resume.   It is a funny word to me as I think it has many boundaries that are defined personally by each person who uses it.  Defined by Webster, it means well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge.  Synonyms include: accomplished, ace, adept, complete, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, practiced, professed, skilled, versed…..which kind of adds to more confusion of how to determine the measurement of someone’s skills that has included the word.  It seems if I say I am proficient in typing that I could be anywhere from just a good typist to a master typist….pretty big gap I think.

What I realized in trying to determine my own skill level as well as determine its meaning is that when it is used, it is really about someone trying to feel and project confidence about what they do.  Let’s talk about what we can do to feel “Proficient” in all the things we do and also helps others feel the same.

Monday Gets Confident

I think our confidence level rules so many things about us.  Our feelings can be elevated to new heights of accomplishment or we can sink to such pits that we don’t feel we are competent at anything.  Sometimes, it even fluctuates in a matter of moments.  We can be feeling really good about a job we completed at work; and suddenly, a co-worker or manager comes in and points out all the negative points and our confidence goes flying out the window!  Words are powerful tools and can sometimes be harmful.  I guess it is one of those human nature things that we sometimes open our mouths without thinking through what we allow to pour out.  I know that constructive criticism is needed at times, but it is important to give an unbiased judgment by indicating all the good stuff too.  It will go a long way in helping a person feel really great about what they contributed to the task at hand.  It also encourages us to make improvements and increase our level of “Proficiency”.

This not only applies in the workplace, but also in our personal lives as well.  Children need lots of guidance in their lives to do things correctly; but they also need to know that they are not doing everything wrong.  Spouses, friends, even our parents need that little bit of applause from time to time for daily routine tasks that might become mundane and also resented if they are not from time to time given at least a few moments of appreciation.

When was the last time you told your child how beautiful they were or maybe how proud you were of them that they could now make their own breakfast or even that you liked the friends they had chosen?  Does your mate make coffee every morning and you stagger to the kitchen to get your caffeine jolt without even acknowledging how delicious it might taste or that it helps you start each day a lot easier?  What about when you go to the grocery store, do you thank the person who bags your groceries?  Many people every day make our lives a little easier and we just become so accustomed to the tasks being done for us that we forget to even thank them.  Wouldn’t it be nice to boost their confidence level and let them know how “proficient” they are at what they do.  It only takes a moment and so little effort to do that!!

Are you ready to make a difference today?

Here’s what you do.

Each person that you come in contact, take a moment to find something about them that you can bestow some praise on them.

It doesn’t have to be anything profound…..and EVERYONE has a special thing about them that deserves some applause.

You will know that you have completed your mission when you see a smile come to their face.  You might even notice a slight change in their posture as the feeling of confidence straightens their spine.

And Hey! Don’t stop with Monday, do it tomorrow and the next day and every day of the rest of your life.

How better to help people during a time of a struggling economy where we are feeling we have somehow done something horrible to be in such difficult times.  We can blame it on the Republicans or the Democrats….whichever party preference you might lean…..but it doesn’t mean we can’t do something to make some changes.

Have a great day!

Let me know what your tally of smiles was today.

Here’s one to start you off.

Thank you for reading my Blog.  It puts a smile on my face every time someone leaves a comment or decides to be added to the list of followers.  I truly appreciate your support.  You Matter!…..and I Matter too!!

Smiles, Nancy

Monday Gets Prepared

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Most of my life I lived in Florida and….most of my life around this time, we would all start to get a little edgy that the “big one” may hit us this year….I’m talking the nasty “H” word!  Hurricanes!  Each year we would gather supplies, water, extra gas, check the generator, uncover the hurricane shutters, find copies of insurance policies….the list goes on and on…..as we would “Prepare” for the possibility of being the bulls-eye target for Emma, Katrina, Rachel….or whatever alphabet-given name the fierce winds were given at the time. Most seasons, I just remember a lot of cleanup in the yard of branches that should have been trimmed anyway and major window washing afterwards from all the salt spray that would get brought in, returning tumbled items to neighbor’s yards and playing a lot of board games for entertainment until the power was returned to our area.

The next year, the same ritual would begin….and mostly, it was just a lot of waiting for the infamous Cantore to let us know where he thought (actually it was just a guess because Hurricanes seem to have a mind of their own) the storm would make landfall.  What I remember vividly is how I would push myself to “Be Prepared”.  Even when I tried to convince myself that I was fully stocked,  the uncertainty would creep into my mind and I would find myself rushing out to the local store for more of those non-perishable snack foods, buying one more bag or two of ice and stopping at the gas station on the way home to ‘top off my tank’.  My personal compulsive ritual was to make sure everything was filed and put away in my home office and multiple copies were made of my computer back up disc to be locked away in a water-tight safe.

Funny how things get imbedded in your psyche……last week at work, I was compulsively cleaning off my desk and making sure everything was filed away.  Has L.A. ever had a hurricane?!!   Interesting weather trivia question….anyone know the answer??  Needless to say, there are other disasters that L.A. has experienced.  In fact, I probably should make filing an hourly chore just in case the ground starts to….shhhhush!  I just can’t repeat that nasty ‘E’ word!

What I keep thinking is why don’t we take other things in life more seriously?  Why don’t we “Get Prepared” for good things too?  Why does it always have to be about something disastrous?  So Today, I’m declaring that….

Monday Gets Prepared

That’s right!  We’re going to be prepared for whatever comes our way.  But instead of disasters, we’re going to prepare for something good!  What is it going to be?  Well, that’s your homework!  I know what I’m going to do.  I believe something really exciting is going to happen in my life.  I’m not sure what it is yet, but I believe Life brings us great joy only if we are willing to open our heart to receive the good stuff and to be open to change and opportunities.  Some people actually get lots of good stuff showered on them; but they haven’t opened their heart, so they don’t even know what has arrived at their front door!  It just passes them by without even an acknowledgement.  How sad!

So here’s the ‘how to prepare’ directions that I’m using.   I would love for you to join me in this Preparedness Extravaganza.

  • I’m going to make a list (I know…I know, you’re tired of these….but humor me for now) of things that I would like to accomplish this week, in the next month and then each month after that for the next several months.
  • I’m going to focus on eating good and healthy food and getting more exercise (my good buddy, Tramp, will love that part) and getting plenty of rest.
  • I will NOT let ‘roadblocks’ stop me when I feel I just can’t make the next hurdle.
  • I will do more things that make me happy and make me smile.
  • I will make difficult choices by listening to what my heart tells me is the right thing to do.
  • I will truly understand and appreciate the gifts I have been given and use that feeling of gratefulness to be able to live in the moment instead of pushing life along too quickly.
  • I will continue to do my part to make a difference in this world.   I will become a model for the ‘lead by example’ role.
  • But the most important thing is that I will love and appreciate and be grateful for whatever Life brings me.  My heart will be wide open!

So, how about you?  Want to be a good girl/boy scout and attest to your motto.

I wonder what’s around the corner for you?

I hope you will ‘stock up on supplies’ so you will “Be Prepared”.

But, more importantly, I hope you will have an open heart so you can feel the joy that is bestowed on you.

I hope Monday is the beginning of something exciting in YOUR life.

Be ready for the ‘gifts’ that arrive on your doorstep!

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy