Feelin Good

Encouragement, a positive impact we can have on others.  Ever have one of those really horrible days and someone says something uplifting or encouraging and you start to feel a little better.  Its amazing the impact a persons positive words can have on another.  We have the ability to literally change someones day for the better when we choose to be encouraging.

Receiving encouragement feels good.  It can put us in a better mood and just make our day a little brighter.  Even the smallest bit of encouragement can bring a smile to our face.

Giving encouragement feels just as good.  When we think something positive or nice about someone else we should tell them.  When we are paying attention, we notice other people and what they are doing.  We may never realize the impact we could have on a person by sharing something as simple as, "you did a great job on that project."  Keeping nice thoughts to ourselves does nothing for the person, saying it to them might.

So how can we be more encouraging?  Its really easy...

Say It:  Tell others the positive things you see in them or share some of the attributes you appreciate about them.  Dont wait on it, pick up the phone and actually talk to the person.  They may be shocked you called.

Write It:  The most popular ways to communicate today; if you dont have a ton of time send a quick text or email with some encouraging words.  Even saying, "I hope you have a nice day" or "I was thinking about you" is encouraging.  Better yet hand write a note for another person.  Talk about feelin good.  When someone takes the time to sit and write you a hand written note, you cant help but feeling cared about.  Hand written notes truly show effort.

Get creative maybe there are other ways you can encourage others.  Saying it and writing it are easy.  We all want to feel good, being encouraging is an act we can take to do our part.  We just have to take the time to do it.    

Question for the Day:  How can I be more of an encouragement to those around me?

3 Ways to Disconnect in Order to Connect

Oh the smart phone!  How did we ever live without these things?  Its hard to remember 10 years ago before the smart phone was around.  I remember actually having to print out maps before going somewhere or having to wait till I got home and on the internet to answer that burning question, "whats that name of that actor in that movie."

If you note sarcasm in my tone, you weren't off base.  I have to admit I love my smart phone but there comes a point when its just to much.  Sometimes its seems that I can even survive without it.  How many of us cant go anywhere without our phone?  I know that's the way I feel.  There are so many benefits to having information right at our fingertips and being able to access information so quickly.  The problem with having any information we want at any moment is that our phone becomes almost an obsession and has lead to a different dynamic in our relationships.

Some of you may have heard this idea before or even thought it yourself, that fact that relationships can be effected by our phones.  Or on the other hand you may think your phone has no negative impact on your life and relationships.  I just know that I am guilty of being on my phone to much and even rely on it to keep me occupied much of the time.  This is even true when I am with other people, including family and friends.

The fact is no matter how old you are, phones have become a way of life.  Jeff and I went to breakfast the other day and this was what we saw at the table next to us.  Look familiar?  No conversation, just heads down immersed in their phones.  I say a similar scene a few months ago at a restaurant.  There was a mom with her young son sitting across form her in the booth.  He was eating his food and she was staring down at her phone not even acknowledging him.  Sadly I have to say I have been guilty of the same behavior.  

I'm not saying smart phones are evil but I do think it is important for us to recognize the impact they have on our lives and the relationships around us.  I know this is especially true with my children.  I need to disconnect more often to be able to connect more fully with my kids and those around me.  Who likes talking to someone who is distracted by texting or looking at their phone.  I know I don't.

So here are some ideas on how to be more fully engage in the relationships around us.

1.  Schedule It:  Schedule specific times you will be on your phone.  For parents is may be that you choose not to be on your phone when you pick your kids up from school or are helping with homework.  It may be at dinner or at a certain time at night the phones go off or are out of sight.  Make a schedule with others in the home so you can better connect with your family.

2.  Time It:  If you spend to much time on the phone put a time limit on it.  Many of us can use our phones instead of computers and can spend just as much time on either.  If this is a problem for you and is cutting into relationships, allow yourself a certain amount of time.  You can even put a reminder in your phone or use the timer on your phone.  

3.  Forget It:  This may be the most difficult idea to implement.  I mean how are people going to get a hold of you if you don't have your phone?  What happens if you miss an important text?  What if you cant get the information you need right that second?  The answer is, the world will continue and you will be alright.  Sometimes its just to much of a temptation of have my phone with me so I will choose to leave it at home.  Especially when going out to dinner with the family or going to a friends house.  This forces conversation and interaction with those around you.  

Everything in moderation right?  I love my phone but just know that there needs to be a change.  I don't what to be the person who's nose is stuck in their phone.  Relationships are to important.  If we can disconnect with technology now and then I think we will learn a new way to connect with others....the way we used to.

        

Thought for the Day:  Which one of these three ideas could I use to help me more fully engage with those around me?

Power of Parenting

Last night I was watching a movie about Spartan warriors.  The story unfolded with a young Spartan boy and his training in the way of the Spartan warrior life.  This indoctrination was a daily, minute by minute experience for the child.  He lived, breathed and would die the Spartan way.  When the child had grown to the fullness of becoming a Spartan, he would later pass these traits onto his own children.

What struck me was the passion and conviction in which these families passed on their beliefs and the response their children gave in return.  The children grew to be warriors and had the same passion and conviction of beliefs.  They counted it an honor and even longed for a death on the battle field protecting their way of life.

If you have seen any movies that pertain to this type of culture you may be thinking that's abusive and extreme.  I am not endorsing the way these children were treated, I merely think there are things we can glean from this kind of passion and conviction.  It really made me ask myself, what am I passionate about and convicted enough about to pass onto my children?  What have I engraved so deeply into my life that it overflows into my daily interactions with those around me any my children?

It made me ask myself several questions:
Most importantly what am I teaching my children about God?  Have I taught them about his character and love for us and others?  Have I displayed the importance of living a Godly life by being an example to my children?

What am I really teaching my kids daily about:
love:  a true love for mankind that goes beyond what they deserve.
Joy:  a joy that flows from within that cannot be taken away even through difficult times.
Peace:  a peace that is always there not matter what the circumstances because of a trust in God.
Patience:  a patience that goes beyond waiting your turn but a calmness when dealing with difficult people.
Kindness:  a kindness extended to all even those that others mistreat.
Goodness:  a goodness that comes from a pure heart and mind that extends due to God's goodness to us.
Faithfulness:  a faithfulness that is true and deep, that stays strong and steady no matter the cost.
Gentleness:  a gentleness that goes beyond kind words but is shown by actions.
Self-control:  a self-control that is a result of hard work and focusing on what is good, true and right.

The list could go on regarding all of the wonderful things I could teach my kids.  These are some of the things that were foremost in my mind.  It is easy to look at these lists or even add to it and think its a lot to teach, there is no way I can be the example I need to be, its to late, im doing the best I can, or I have done enough.

The bottom line is that we really need to examine ourselves and realize that when we have children, life is not all about us (Im sure most of us understand this concept).  Our actions have consequences on our children, positive and negative.  This is not to say that  if we teach our kids to be Godly and loving that they will never stray from what we have taught them.  They ultimately have a choice on how they will choose to live their life and there is no perfect formula for being a parent.

The fact of the matter is we will shape our child's views, help build their character and will guide them down a path for their future.  The fact that we have that much power over a human being should not be taken lightly.

I know that if my passion and conviction is that God is real, alive and living in and though me, my kids should be experiencing this truth also.  I should be passing all that goes along with being a Christ follower on to them.  Just as the Spartans passion and conviction was passed on to their children how much more important that my passion and conviction be passed onto mine?

Thought for the day:  I will never be a perfect parent or do everything right, but what is it I need to do differently to encourage and influence my children down the right path?  How can I be more passionate and convicted about what I believe so that it will forever be in the hearts of my children?    


  

Plans

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed...In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

Proverb 16:3, 9

Commit to the Lord your plans, making sure its in accordance with God's will and you will succeed.  We can make plans and say we commit everything to God but if we are leaning on ourselves and what we think is right, it may not turn out like this verse is saying.  Context is key.  Its the Lord's plan we need to follow and committing to that bring success and I believe happiness.