Positive Reinforcement: You're A Good Breather

Value: Positive Reinforcement Have you ever told a co-worker “Good Job?” Have you told your son or daughter lately that you appreciate their help (no matter how great or small)? Have you smiled at a store clerk and thanked them for their assistance? Have you patted your dog’s head and said “Good Dog?” OR Have you ever had someone complain to you, yell, throw a pen (or something bigger) at you, scream, or hold up their “one” finger salute? I’m sure you would have preferred a positive comment rather than a negative one. We all need to use positive reinforcement even if it is only to say “You’re a good breather!” In our homes now, we are rushed to get off to work and school. We are stressed at the end of the day because of commitments, homework or a home that needs repairs, cleaning, or just everyday meal preparation. How many of us tend to find fault with or criticize our family members/friends or rag on them for things done wrong or not at all? Strive each day to find something nice to say. Find ways to complement each other. Find ways to bring kindness into your conversations. Find ways to reinforce good behavior in your children and loved ones. Value positive reinforcement!

Belief: Life After Death

Value: Belief We have had two distant cousins die in the last week from illnesses that have been brutal on each of these individuals. The first cousin died of ALS where the family watched a brilliant mother and wife who had been a gardener, a candy maker, and a community minded individual become unable to care for herself. The second cousin was a mother who survived cancer for 21 years and finally passed away in hospital. We had a daughter who died two years ago of colon cancer. She fought a good fight for 4½ years. She left four wonderful children still in their pre-teen state and a wonderful husband who cared for her each and every day. She had wonderful friends and family that rallied by her side with all modern medicine could do, but still the Lord wanted her home. She was heard calling out to and speaking briefly to her late grandmother who she saw at the foot of her bed the day before she died. Because I believe in life after death, in a life with loved ones and family, I know with all of my being that this life is not the end. All deaths are hard because we do not have them with us in this life to be part of our daily activities, but it is easy to know that it won’t be long until we are together again, laughing and talking in a world that is free of death, sorrow and pain. Value Belief!

Reading: Read To Me

Value: Reading Last month, I was impressed with an auto glass repair shop for having a book shelf in their waiting room along with a table full of magazines. On that book shelf were a several books that were unusual for an auto shop, for example: History of Art, RV Repair and Maintenance Manual, and Story of Painting. How nice it was to think that someone’s new talent for the future may have been found in one of those books. I love books. I look at, read, study, and peruse. I catalogue all my books at home by topic like a library so that I can find what I am looking for very easily. We have books for reference, like dictionaries, languages, gardening, computers, cooking, health, psychology, parenting, teaching, writing, etc. We have always had a collection. We get books from libraries, book stores (physical stores or online), or from garage sales, second hand stores, neighbors and ‘free to me’ book drop offs. My latest acquisitions have been the classics or other books - in duplicate. I keep them in my car and one grandchild will take one and then I can read with them in person, over the phone, or on FaceTime or Skype. Last night a 6 year old sat next to me intensely listening as I read the first 2 chapters of The Indian in the Cupboard. Cherish reading. Read to your children or those in your charge. Have them read to you or to each other. Turn off your other gaming electronics for an hour or more each day to foster reading. Imaginations can be fostered, interests can be captured and magic can happen thru books. Grades will improve and you will ignite a love of reading for the rest of their lives. Value Reading!

Courtesy: Morning Traffic

Value: Courtesy May 4th, I was on the I-15 first thing in the morning and found six lanes of heavy traffic. Upon entering the freeway, I stood still for 2 minutes and then I was able to proceed to 20 mph. Cars would try to change lanes and something unusual was happening. Cars parted and they were also allowing others to change lanes. I was amazed – was it the full moon. I maybe witnessed the honk for a car not jumping at a green light left turn but, hey, the day started great. Yet, the next day, I needed an extra dose of patience. The day started with every intersection hearing a horn honked and every lane of traffic had its clown who needed to dart in and out shoving their car into the tightest of openings. I don’t think everyone who drives has had driver’s education. I can really tell! There were no blinkers used for lane changes, no proper spaces left between vehicles, no shoulder checking and no courtesy for entering or exiting vehicles – either those already there or the new ones trying to make their move. Maybe my patience has to come from within before I even begin my drive? Value courtesy!

Time With My Daughter

Value Time! I picked up my married daughter from work a few nights ago, just because she needed the ride and I needed some time to just talk to her. It had been months since I had had any visit at all. The time went fast and we just talked, saying generally nothing, but spent that time together like the good old days when she was in high school. Back then I would pick her up from her evening job at the Welling store. Tonight, as we drove in drive way, she had to run saying a quick goodbye. We had spent less than 40 minutes together. We didn’t stop for gas or a pop or even a Slurpee like we sometimes do, but it was short and sweet, and I was privileged to be able to spend that time. Value Time!

Fuzzy Peach Candies

Value: Sharing I went to take the last of the Maynard fuzzy peach candies out of the sack between the front seats and my husband’s hand was in the sack first. He let out a laugh as if to say, “I got the last one!” I then reached in and found one more candy. “Ha Ha,” I replied, “I got the last one.” We laughed talking about looking out for ourselves in getting our fair share, but really when it comes down to it, we really look out for each other. We take care of each other and we share. That is really what our friendship is all about. Each of us grew up as one of six siblings and as parents of six children, we always had to share and tried to teach our children to share, i.e., the box of candy, the bike in the yard, the chores of mowing the lawn or feeding the dog. We all took our turns and tried to share just like dividing up a dessert. We also honored someone’s piece of the dessert and protected it until they were able to eat it later. That is part of sharing. Value Sharing!