Mother Theresa Instead of the News
As I get older I sometimes have trouble falling asleep. I read in a magazine that watching the evening news with it's depressing stories can cause a person to not be able to fall asleep. I also read on the Care2.com website an interesting article about Mother Theresa and the news. It said:
It is said that just looking at Mother Teresa brings a person closer to a state of Grace. How much better if the world could look at a picture of her rather than the faces of murderers so often plastered over the news. Mother Teresa knew that great opportunities are rare and that the little opportunities that come our way every day provide the occasions for us to grow in love. We can respond with love in all the situations of life and practice compassion without counting the cost. And of course a spiritual practice of meditation or prayer can help prepare us to do everything with extraordinary love in each moment.
I probably won't be giving up watching the news before I go to bed. Instead, I'll meditate on Mother Theresa's words of love before I drift off to sleep and I'll say some prayers for the murderers and their victims. I'll think about those little opportunities that come my way to bring good news to others.
Speaking of good news--check out Gathered From the Garden's website. We've got some awesome Goat Milk and Honey Lotion. My niece says it's the only lotion that doesn't sting or burn her eczema!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
Work Hard, Play Hard
I have a sign above my computer that says "Work Hard, Play Hard" (Play is in larger letters).
I hadn't given it much thought until I saw a tv show last night about the teacher, Ron Clark. He is the author of an interesting book called "The Essential 55".
In the show, Ron goes to teach in Harlem. He has a tough bunch of kids to teach so he ends up using all of his creative abilities to reach them. While this method seemed to work great for Ron and his class, I wondered why the things we do have to always be entertaining. I've found that as a teacher myself, the art of drill and practice is falling by the wayside. Students don't want to do anything that seems like "work".
Look at the examples from our adult lives. We hire house-cleaners, lawn services, and even someone to buy our groceries. We don't do simple chores around the house or repair things--we just buy something new. (and yes, I'm guilty of this too!)
Then this morning as I was digging up sod from around my flowerbeds I thought of that "work" idea again. I really didn't want to be working up a sweat pushing my wheelbarrow around. I would much rather have been watching "The View" or some other show on tv. Or maybe even surfing the internet or shopping. But I kept on working until I finished the task.
Now that I'm finished, my flower beds look great. They are neatly trimmed and my flowers are not getting lost in with the grass. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment (along with my achy back). I knew that I had started a project and seen it through to the end.
Where has our sense of pride in a job well-done gone? Where is that "stick-to-itness" that sees us through? As adults if we don't let our kids see us "working" where will they learn this skill? Do we let our little ones help us if they can?
When my own children were little they got a new job on their birthday. It started with my son putting silverware on the table when he was five. As he got older he learned to clear the table, make his bed, prepare a simple casserole and do some laundry. All of our children became self-sufficient and learned a sense of accomplishment at the same time. We made them feel proud that they were getting old enough to take on a new chore. Yes, sometimes there was grumbling but we all had chores because we were all members of the family.
So I'll try to keep a better perspective when it comes to work but I'll also remember what my sign says. Work hard, play hard. Now it's time to go play!!
To keep your hard-working hands soft and clean try Gathered From The Garden's He-Man Hand Scrub or our Gardener's Hand Scrub.
I have a sign above my computer that says "Work Hard, Play Hard" (Play is in larger letters).
I hadn't given it much thought until I saw a tv show last night about the teacher, Ron Clark. He is the author of an interesting book called "The Essential 55".
In the show, Ron goes to teach in Harlem. He has a tough bunch of kids to teach so he ends up using all of his creative abilities to reach them. While this method seemed to work great for Ron and his class, I wondered why the things we do have to always be entertaining. I've found that as a teacher myself, the art of drill and practice is falling by the wayside. Students don't want to do anything that seems like "work".
Look at the examples from our adult lives. We hire house-cleaners, lawn services, and even someone to buy our groceries. We don't do simple chores around the house or repair things--we just buy something new. (and yes, I'm guilty of this too!)
Then this morning as I was digging up sod from around my flowerbeds I thought of that "work" idea again. I really didn't want to be working up a sweat pushing my wheelbarrow around. I would much rather have been watching "The View" or some other show on tv. Or maybe even surfing the internet or shopping. But I kept on working until I finished the task.
Now that I'm finished, my flower beds look great. They are neatly trimmed and my flowers are not getting lost in with the grass. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment (along with my achy back). I knew that I had started a project and seen it through to the end.
Where has our sense of pride in a job well-done gone? Where is that "stick-to-itness" that sees us through? As adults if we don't let our kids see us "working" where will they learn this skill? Do we let our little ones help us if they can?
When my own children were little they got a new job on their birthday. It started with my son putting silverware on the table when he was five. As he got older he learned to clear the table, make his bed, prepare a simple casserole and do some laundry. All of our children became self-sufficient and learned a sense of accomplishment at the same time. We made them feel proud that they were getting old enough to take on a new chore. Yes, sometimes there was grumbling but we all had chores because we were all members of the family.
So I'll try to keep a better perspective when it comes to work but I'll also remember what my sign says. Work hard, play hard. Now it's time to go play!!
To keep your hard-working hands soft and clean try Gathered From The Garden's He-Man Hand Scrub or our Gardener's Hand Scrub.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Chicken Soup for the Blogger's Soul?
I listened to an audio tape by Jack Canfield, one of the creators of the Chicken Soup series. (successprinciples.com) He is a very interesting fellow with a great story on how he became successful. Jack is an inspirational writer and speaker. In the audiotape he shared some of his tips. I'll share a couple of them with you. He said occasionally you should ask those around you "On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of ourrelationship (or my job of parenting, etc. whatever fits...) If you get less than a 10 you need a follow-up question. What would it take to make it a 10? I thought this could be very insightful. We often take relationships for granted. This would be one way to open up some communication and see just how the other person views us! I'm going to try it on Jerry. (Hopefully, my score will be in the higher end range!)
Another bit of wisdom that he share is that we all should develop 4 new habits a year. At that rate, you'd have 40 new habits in 10 years. I suppose to truly take advantage of that you could replace bad habits with a new good habit. I'll have to mull this around a little. I don't know if I want to add a new one or replace an old one. Maybe Jerry will have some ideas on this when he rates our relationship!! :)
I can suggest one good habit for you. Get in the habit of checking out our great products at gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com! Or email us (our address is on the site) and we'll be happy to send out a catalog to you.
I listened to an audio tape by Jack Canfield, one of the creators of the Chicken Soup series. (successprinciples.com) He is a very interesting fellow with a great story on how he became successful. Jack is an inspirational writer and speaker. In the audiotape he shared some of his tips. I'll share a couple of them with you. He said occasionally you should ask those around you "On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of ourrelationship (or my job of parenting, etc. whatever fits...) If you get less than a 10 you need a follow-up question. What would it take to make it a 10? I thought this could be very insightful. We often take relationships for granted. This would be one way to open up some communication and see just how the other person views us! I'm going to try it on Jerry. (Hopefully, my score will be in the higher end range!)
Another bit of wisdom that he share is that we all should develop 4 new habits a year. At that rate, you'd have 40 new habits in 10 years. I suppose to truly take advantage of that you could replace bad habits with a new good habit. I'll have to mull this around a little. I don't know if I want to add a new one or replace an old one. Maybe Jerry will have some ideas on this when he rates our relationship!! :)
I can suggest one good habit for you. Get in the habit of checking out our great products at gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com! Or email us (our address is on the site) and we'll be happy to send out a catalog to you.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
The Oxygen Mask Theory
What is the Oxygen Mask Theory you ask? If you don't put on your mask first, you won't be able to save anyone else. I was reminded of this when I reread a little book that Oprah magazine subscribers received a few years ago. In it Oprah talks about nurturing yourself so that you are able to nurture others.
Many years ago, when I was still going to confession face-to-face, I told the priest that I was a wife, mother, and teacher. He said you spend all of your time taking care of others. Who is taking care of you? I really had to think about that. My family was good to me but they weren't really nurturing me or my spirit.
This brought me to a decision to stop pursuing an advanced degree in educ. admin. and to instead get involved in something that brought (and still brings) me alot of joy. I became a Master Gardener and started creating a little bit of paradise in my backyard. Working in my flowers every day really feeds my soul. It gives me great joy to see what comes up each spring. I relish every butterfly and hummingbird that visits my garden.
I have a poster in my closet that says "A Joyful Journey is a Successful Life." I truly believe that. Where is the joy in your life?
What is the Oxygen Mask Theory you ask? If you don't put on your mask first, you won't be able to save anyone else. I was reminded of this when I reread a little book that Oprah magazine subscribers received a few years ago. In it Oprah talks about nurturing yourself so that you are able to nurture others.
Many years ago, when I was still going to confession face-to-face, I told the priest that I was a wife, mother, and teacher. He said you spend all of your time taking care of others. Who is taking care of you? I really had to think about that. My family was good to me but they weren't really nurturing me or my spirit.
This brought me to a decision to stop pursuing an advanced degree in educ. admin. and to instead get involved in something that brought (and still brings) me alot of joy. I became a Master Gardener and started creating a little bit of paradise in my backyard. Working in my flowers every day really feeds my soul. It gives me great joy to see what comes up each spring. I relish every butterfly and hummingbird that visits my garden.
I have a poster in my closet that says "A Joyful Journey is a Successful Life." I truly believe that. Where is the joy in your life?
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