Expert Verses Beginner

The last few weeks I have decided to do something that I have always wanted to do (but was too afraid to try it). With the encouragement from Jeff, the kids and my friends...I have decided to do it! I won't share yet what it is... but every day I keep telling myself that this is the time of my life to try anything new that I want, and a time to truly enjoy every day. Why not take a chance? Well...that is exactly what I am going to do! Will share more soon!
Good Night dear friends!

 

Friendship!

Love this quote. It made me think of my day today. It is the little things, or at least little acts of kindness that make all the difference such as...
...The lady at the pool that I just met a week or so ago, and she already tells me everyday how glad she is to see me and encourages me to come back tomorrow. A new Swimming Buddy, maybe just what I needed since I am starting back after 12 years!
...Or the two class members that I taught today at work, they actually spent the afternoon at my home with my daughter and I. I know that they probably had a 1000 other things to do, but they came over and spent time with us...what an honor it was to have them!
...Or a hug from a friend who was lonely, I stopped to see her and she gave me a hug for coming and it was a sweet conversation between friends...little things? Maybe, but they do change your life for the better!
Good night dear friends!

There is still hope for my book!

I loved this article by Jason Wright of his humble beginnings as a writer. Maybe just maybe, there is still hope for my book to be published someday! And what he said about making sure you teach your kids... that they can become whatever they want to become some day, is some of the best parental advice out there. Good night dear friends!

11-year-old writer submits manuscript and waits 30 years for response

November 6, 2012 I submitted my first manuscript for publication 30 years ago this week. It wasn't my first completed project, but it was the first that felt polished enough for consideration by a seasoned acquisitions editor in New York City. It was the touching tale of two orphaned rabbits that taught the true meaning of Christmas to a ragtag bunch of bunny buddies. It was called "Molly and Polly's First Christmas," and I had visions of building the brand into novels, a movie and maybe a television series. It would, naturally, feature a robust merchandise line led by two white, plush rabbits with adventurous, big-button eyes and leather jackets on their backs. I was confident I'd never written anything at this level and the time had come to test the publishing waters. After all, I wasn't a kid anymore. I was 11. I wrote the manuscript on my parents' brand new IBM electric typewriter using three-hole-punched notebook paper because it was all I could find when inspiration hit. The play grew into 11 pages of riveting narration with the kind of snap, crackle and pop dialogue that grabs the audience by the collar and dares them to look away. In addition to the strong female leads, the story also introduced the world to Dolly, Holly, Olie and a grocery stock boy. Because I wanted to show prospective publishers that the play had production viability, I talked a teacher into letting me produce and direct it for the class. I even included a short bio under the header: "ABOUT THE AURTHER." I also added the actors' names on the draft I submitted, because nothing lends credibility like having the first names of my fifth-grade actors scribbled in pencil next to their roles. Several weeks after I sent the manuscript to a publisher in the Big Apple, I received a postcard informing me that my submission had been received and was under consideration. At the time I had no idea it was merely a procedural formality. As far as I was concerned, I'd cleared the first screening and a team of highbrow men in their tweed jackets and brilliant women in their business suits were debating the marketability of "Molly and Polly." I never heard back. Perhaps it's still under consideration? Undeterred, I moved on and co-authored a nonfiction manuscript with my neighbor Sally, one of my best childhood friends. It was called, "The Ultimate Contender: When Sharks Attack," and it went to a publisher with pencil drawings. About the same time I submitted a short manuscript about a family of mice who won the state lottery and helped free their extended family from Communist Cuba. Neither project was published. When I was 16 years old, my mother helped me self-publish a book of bad poetry and photographs. I called it "Sitting on the Dock" and I arranged to have it sold at local bookstores and from the trunk of my Datsun 210. It never made a best-seller list, but it did land me on the front page of the local paper and the evening news. Years later, my wife didn't blink when I wrote a novella called "The James Miracle" and, soon after, "Christmas Jars." She made the idea of shifting gears from politics and public policy to a career as a writer sound the most natural thing in the world. And isn't that how it all started? I've been surrounded my entire life by family and friends who convinced me anything was possible and that success didn't always mean first place, a big prize, winning the part or getting the job. What a miracle that the notion of an 11-year-old boy submitting a manuscript about talking bunny rabbits was the most obvious thing in the world. Do you have a budding artist, author, actor or athlete in your home, classroom or extended family tree? If one of them approached you today with "Molly and Polly"-sized dreams, would you pat them on the head and send them off? Or would you crouch down to eye-level, put your hands on their shoulders and respond as if their grand idea is the very best you'd ever heard? No matter your approach, children should know that sometimes runways are longer than we'd like and it's perfectly fine if dreams change their wings. But if they believe, and if they know you believe, too, then those dreams will eventually take flight -- even 30 years later. Exactly what did Molly and Polly teach about the true meaning of Christmas? Sorry, you'll have to wait for the movie.
To read more of Jason's articles go  Here:

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them."   ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Three years and counting!

Well if I had only had cancer once, I could say 10 years and counting! But since that is not the case…I had to start the whole number, counting thing all over again. But at least I am still here to count. It was three years ago today that I was in the hospital having my mastectomy, I was so scared  and I wasn’t sure what the future would hold? Wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to have a future, only days after the surgery… I was pretty sure that I didn’t even want a future if I had to go on living… looking and feeling  like I did.

Here I am now, I go out shopping in front of others, still doing my motivational speaking, I am working part time now and best of all….I am living again! I am so grateful that time  heals things, it truly does. But 3 years ago I wasn’t so sure if I believed that or not. I wondered how my family would handle my surgery, how Jeff could ever find me attractive again, what would my grandchildren think of me and on and on. The thoughts were things that I couldn’t for see, I was sure my life wouldn’t be the same and it hasn’t been; but not the way I thought…it has been better.

I wake up every day grateful to be alive, to still be here with family and friends. I am grateful for the hardships because they truly have given me  a much broader and sweeter view of life….what a gift!

So yes, I am three years and praying to count a whole lot more!

Thanks for your support, prayers and encouragement for me, what a big difference it made in my life! I am vey blessed!

Good night dear friends.      

It is important to dream!

I was talking to my friend the other day and explaining to her, how good it felt to look forward to things again and to even dream. During my battle with cancer, my dreams stopped completely. I was so concerned about each day and if I could make it through it.  Honestly at the time, thinking about the future at all ...was just too frightening. Here I am almost 2 and half years from my diagnosis of cancer, and I am beginning to dream and look forward to things again. Some days I still get scared but like this story reminded me, we need to keep dreaming and not let any one, or any situation take them away from us. Good night dear friends!

I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.

The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, “I want to tell you why I let Jack use my horse. It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy’s high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.

“That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.

“He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.’

“The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?’

“The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you’ll have to pay large stud fees. There’s no way you could ever do it.’ Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’

“The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ “Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all.

He stated, “You can keep the F and I’ll keep my dream.”

Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.” He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week.” When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.”

- Author Unknown      http://academictips.org/blogs/keep-your-dream/

“Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.”

---

"The invariable mark of a dream is to see it come true."    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is the GIVE-AWAY day!

Who? What? When? Where? and Why?  I have been asked more than one time all of these questions about my blog. Who is it that reads your blog? That one I don't always know for sure, and that is why I am doing a Give Away Post today. Now, I know that your Mother's always told you that "NOTHING IS FREE IN LIFE". Well, I have said that one many times myself to my kids. So the Give Away isn't exactly FREE, here's the catch. I would like to get to know some of my readers or blog followers, I love when I get your comments but that isn't very often. Someone said that it is hard to leave a comment on my blog. Since I am not  great with the computers, I will need to ask for help in getting that fixed. But for now, I am going to give away a box of 6 photograph cards. This particular line of cards, my daughter did for me when I was battling Cancer for the second time. We have sold and sent quite a few of these cards to others, those who need just the perfect card to a loved one who is going through some really tough times in their lives. They are a 5X7, double matted photographed card, perfect for framing, and they are blank inside. You can see her cards at www.biggerthanmedays.blogspot.com .

So the 16th person to email me at www.learningfromlynn@gmail.com and tell me a little about yourself, or why you read my blog or any suggestions for me, I will send a box of these neat cards to you.

The next question I get asked is What keeps you motivated each day? I have to admit, by nature I am a positive person and usually it isn't hard for me to find something to be happy about. My family is a great motivator for me, my talents keep me motivated to learn more and create more. Other writers and their books motivate me. My friends keep me motivated and feeling needed. My faith is a huge motivator for me. And I guess, YOU...my readers, keep me motivated to try and find something good, uplifting and motivating each day, so you can read it in my blog.

Another question I get asked a lot is...Why did you start a motivational blog? Well, I have been doing volunteer Motivational Speaking for over 27 years now, and after I speak... people always ask me if I have a Web site or a book? So, I thought maybe there is a need for it.

The next question is Where do I get all my photos from? My youngest daughter Lauren has her own Photography Business and probably over 80 % of them are her's. You can see her work at www.adayinwashington.blogspot.com

The last question is ....When you are having a really bad day, what keeps you going? I do have really tough days, I call them my Bigger Than Me Days. I have struggled with my health for years, survived incest as a child, multiple surgeries, chronic pain, cancer ( two times ) and all the side effects of the surgeries and treatments for that. I am a full time mom and have been married for 28 years, have 4 kids and 2 granddaughters, that is a lot of life to experience!
I try to be honest in my blog, I try not to sugar coat everything. I try to share my thoughts and feelings, in hopes that someone else who may be going through the same thing, will not feel alone. I know that part of my mission here on earth is... to help motivate, inspire, teach, encourage and love others. If my blog even gives just one person hope and makes them smile, then it has been worth it.
Ok, start writing those emails to me, and I will announce the winner this weekend! Thanks again!

Be your companion's cheerleader!

I am still reading the book MARRIED FOR BETTER, NOT WORSE by Gary and Joy Lundberg .One section that really stood out to me was the chapter called ...Secret #9 Be your mate's favorite cheerleader.
I was discussing with a dear friend the other day, some problems that they were facing in their home. She said that she was struggling to watch her husband have so much stress and big decisions on him. He was even acting different, and both of them didn't seem to know which direction to go next. I know how that feels, Jeff and I have both been there before...it is a really tough, and scary place.

What I liked in the book was this part...
Picture yourself as a member of a basketball team. Your fellow teammate has been fouled and is at the free throw line. The game is tied with only 3 seconds left. He bounces the ball, takes a deep breath, and tosses it toward the basket. The crowd is dead silent. The ball hits the inside of the rim, rolls around, and bounces out of the basket. No score. So close, but no score. You step forward with other teammates and give him supportive fives and words of encouragement. He moves to the line for his second throw, feeling the support of his team while sweat rolls off his forehead. Another deep breath, the toss and ...it's nothing but net! The crowd goes wild. Your teammate is a hero. And the whole team is cheering, laughing, and hugging each other.

Now consider the same scenario. your teammate is at the line ready to make his first shot. He misses. You move in close to him and say, " You should have made the basket! You knew how the team was depending on you. You had your big chance and you blew it. You don't have the talent to make the next shot, so why even try." What is the likelihood of your teammate making the next shot after a comment like that? What is the likelihood of anyone with your attitude remaining on the team?

On a successful team, that kind of belittling would never happen. Teammates work together--they are each other's most valuable cheerleader. When one succeeds, the whole team succeeds and everyone is happy. That needs to happen in marriage. As a spouse, you are a member of the most important team in the world--your "home" team.

"When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece."   ~ John Ruskin

"Even if marriages are made in heaven, man has to be responsible for the maintenance."  ~ James C. Dobson

"If there is forbearance, if there is forgiveness, if there is an anxious looking after the happiness of one's companion, then love will flourish and blossom. The prescription is simple and wonderfully effective. It is love. It is plain, simple, everyday love and respect."   ~ Gordon B. Hinckley

More appointments...

Well, the morning started off early with my pre-opt. appointment for my knee surgery. I was nervous and I had to keep telling myself... that I am just getting information and not going to have anything happen to me today. I came home and got to spend the day with Angie and Jenny and so that was fun, yet tiring. I will be glad when my knees don't hurt so much and I will be able to spend the days playing with the girls without being worn out.

So the appointment today was just to let me know exactly what Wednesday's surgery is going to be and what I need to expect. It doesn't sound like it is going to be too tough of a surgery, so I am grateful. Of course I would love to have my body stop needing surgeries each year but ...such is life!

I have to admit that I am so blessed to have so many friends and family that love and support me that I really can't complain. I have had so many loved ones call me this past week and tell me that they will keep me in there prayers and how can I say thanks enough for that, especially when they have to pray for me so often?  :)

So tonight someone sent me this sweet poem about sisters and even though I didn't have any sisters as I was growing up... I certainly have A LOT OF THEM now, and for that I am very grateful. Thanks to all of you for your friendship. Good night!

'Sisters' are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you.

A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much  we would need each other.

"TO THE WORLD YOU MAY BE JUST ONE PERSON, BUT TO ONE PERSON YOU MAY BE THE WORLD."  ~Brandi Synder

 

Encouragement

My mom told me that from the time I was real little, that all I wanted to do was draw! She would always told me how good I was and how much she loved each picture that I drew. I was grateful for her encouragement and it helped give me the desire to keep going at it. However my dad was just the opposite, he thought it was a waste of time and a distraction from my school work. I think it is interesting the power that parent's have over their kids, just through encouragement or criticism. This story was a good reminder for me to truly watch what I say to my kids about their talents and likes.

One never really knows the potential in a child, so it is vital to try and support and encourage every talent that they have or desire to have. I don't mean support by sending them to school's and classes that cost a lot, but a support through the encouragement you give them. Yes a kind word, positive thought, believing in them...all these things can go a long way and most important can help your child go a long way in life!

Good night dear friends and don't forget to encourage and appreciate your own talents and those of your family.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.

Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least  sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.

The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti's judgement. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti's time, but would he just look at a few more drawings- these done by a young art student?

Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These", he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."

Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?"

"No," said the old man sadly. "It is me-40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up--too soon."

Anonymous from Brian Cavanaugh's The Sower's Seeds

"THERE ARE NO SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD IN THE EYES OF A CHILD. THERE ARE SEVEN MILLION."  ~Walt Streightiff

"WE WORRY ABOUT WHAT A CHILD WILL BECOME TOMORROW, YET WE FORGET THAT HE ( SHE ) IS SOMEONE TODAY."  ~ Stacia Tauscher

 

our value

In February I was asked to give a motivational speech to a women's group. I was excited to have the opportunity once again to speak and yet when asked, I was just weeks away from starting radiation and I had no idea what I would be feeling like. Since speaking is one of my FAVORITE things to do, I said yes and prayed daily that I would have the strength to do it and for guidance on what to talk about. I was able to speak that night and I felt like it was a true blessing because just a week or so later my health declined and I don't think I would have been able to do it. I believe that I mentioned speaking back then in my blog, and many of you asked me to tell you what I spoke about. I kept saying that I would... but as the radiation progressed, I got weaker and in more pain and it never happened.

Now when I speak, it is usually for an hour and the whole speech would be too long to write in a blog any way. But I felt tonight impressed to tell you the basis of what my talk was on. It was on understanding our value, our true worth. Online I read a story of a motivational speaker and it goes on to tell how he began his speech. I (as a compliment to him or her?) did the same thing and that is how my speech began. Here is the story...

Value

Source Unknown

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.  

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

“The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are special - Don’t EVER forget it.”

I won't be able to tell much more of my speech, maybe some day I will be able to speak where you can hear me? I can tell you  however, unlike the story, I just showed the $20.00 bill and talked about it but...did not give it away! That is the difference between a speaker who speaks for money and one who doesn't ! :)

I do love this subject and it is one that is very close to my heart and although this sounds contrary to what I am saying, it is the very subject that I still have the most struggles with in my life. How can that be? Well, I was a child of incest and self worth is a very hard concept for survivors. It is hard to believe that you could possibly have much value if someone would do something like that to you. 

Maybe the reason I like to talk about it so much, is because it constantly reminds me of what I need to remember and work on. I was reading an article today on a teenager who since the age of one was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. The article talks about how her kindness and determination has changed her life and the lives of those around her.

Two things in the article stood out to me the most, one is the sign that she has over her bed which reads, "SEE YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU". Wouldn't we all feel better about ourselves if we remembered that daily?  The second thing was how positive she remains even though this terrible disease has taken away so many things in her life. She just continues to look for the ways that she can make a difference and then she does them.

Great wisdom for all of  us. To remember our value, our great worth! I daily am trying to remember that and when I do...LIFE IS BETTER! I AM HAPPIER and MUCH MORE WILLING TO ENJOY EACH MOMENT AND LOVE AND SERVE THOSE AROUND ME. It doesn't take long to see so many good people in the world, making a difference.

I hope this article will inspire you to feel and do the same!

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."  ~Anne Frank

"Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does."  ~William James

Dad, are you awake?

Today is Father's Day. I am grateful that we have a day to honor our fathers. My dad and I weren't very close most of my life, but still I am grateful for the principles that he taught me and for love he tried to show. Dad has been gone for over a year now, and I catch myself wishing at times that our relationship could have been different. There was a definite void in my life and I suppose every child that wasn't very close to one of their parents, has it. When I start to feel bad about it, I remind myself that he did the best that he could and I try to just focus on the good things that he taught me.

But the main reason that I love celebrating Father's Day is because of Jeff. Jeff basically grew up without a father during most of his life, but I have to tell you that he is the BEST FATHER to our kids! He some how learned to be a good dad and to break that FATHERLESS generation that was before him. The kids adore him and he is constantly teaching them important values by example. I guess what I love the most about Jeff is... his dedication to the Lord. He strives daily to to do HIS will and the kids see that. Yes, Fatherhood is important, so I feel blessed that my kids have that type of dad for them.

I have to share a talk that I heard about Fathers that really  touched me. First of all I need to explain that this talk is about a father and his son but it applies just the same to father's and their daughters. It's by F. Melvin Hammond

“Dad, Are You Awake?"

Do your sons( or daughters ) ever wonder if you are asleep when it comes to the things that are most important to them?

 

Many years ago I took our only son on his first camping, fishing trip. He was just a boy. The canyon was steep, and the descent was difficult. But the fishing was good. Every time I hooked a fish I would give the pole to the eager boy, and with shouts of joy he would reel in a beautiful trout. In the shadows and coolness of the late afternoon, we began our climb back up to the rim high above us. He scrambled rapidly up the mountain ahead of me with a challenging, “Come on, Dad. I’ll bet I can beat you to the top.” The challenge was heard but wisely ignored. His small frame seemed literally to fly over, under, and around every obstacle, and when every step that I took seemed ridiculously like my last, he had reached the top and stood cheering me on. After supper we knelt in prayer. His small voice rose sweetly heavenward in benediction to our day. Then we climbed into our large double sleeping bag, and after a bit of pushing and pulling I felt his little body snuggle and settle tightly against mine for warmth and security against the night. As I looked at my son beside me, suddenly I felt a surge of love pass through my body with such force that it pushed tears to my eyes. And, at that precise moment, he put his little arms around me and said, “Dad.”

“Yes, son.”

“Are you awake?”

“Yes, my son, I am awake.”

“Dad, I love you a million, trillion times!”

And immediately he was asleep. But I was awake far into the night, expressing my great thanks for such wonderful blessings clothed with a little boy’s body.

Now my son is a man with a son of his own. Once in a while the three of us go fishing. I look at my little red-headed grandson beside his father, and I see in my mind’s eye the image of that wonderful moment long ago. The question so innocently asked, “Dad, are you awake?” still rings in my heart.

To every father, I pose the same penetrating question, “Dad, are you awake?” Do your sons ever wonder if you are asleep when it comes to the things that are most important to them? I would suggest that there are several areas that would indicate whether we are “awake” or “asleep” in the eyes of our sons.

First, our love for God and accepting our role as the family leader in keeping His commandments.

Dads, it is imperative that the challenges I have mentioned be mastered in our lives if our sons are to be spiritually and emotionally mature. If we do, then they will not be ashamed of us, nor will they ever be ashamed of themselves. They will become men of honor, respect, full of love, willing to serve the Savior and submit their will to Him.

If Dad is a true disciple of Jesus Christ, then the sons will follow him as the night the day. “Dad, are you awake?”

Second, the relationship we have with our wives—their mothers.

Considering everything else that we do, the way we treat our wives could well have the greatest impact on the character of our sons. If a father is guilty of inflicting verbal or physical abuse in any degree on his companion, his sons will resent him for it, perhaps even despise him for it. But interestingly enough, when they are grown and marry, they are likely to follow the same pattern of abuse with their wives. There is an urgent need in our society for fathers who respect their wives and treat them with sweet, tender love.

Recently I heard of a father who foolishly called his beautiful, intelligent wife “stupid” and “dumb” in a most degrading manner for some small mistake that she had innocently made. The children listened, embarrassed and frightened for their mother. She was belittled in front of those that she loved most. Although an apology and forgiveness were expressed, there still remained the hurt and shame of a senseless moment.

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother” ~ David O. McKay      

Third, to provide discipline that is just and administered with love.

Too often out of our own frustration and weakness we raise our hands to strike our children, usually in an attempt to protect our own selfish pride. Every child needs to be disciplined. Not only do they need it; they expect it; they want it. Discipline gives direction and teaches self-control, but in all discipline there should be a sense of righteous judgment and pure love.

When it comes to discipline, “Dad, are you awake?”

Then we will rejoice in the fact that they are ours forever. They will say, “Dad, are you awake?”

And we will respond, “Yes, my son, I am awake.”

What a wonderful reminder to all of us Mothers and Fathers to realize how very important we are in the lives of our children and grandchildren.

Happy Father's Day to all !

Words!

When Jeff and I began our family, we decided that we wanted our home filled with words that encouraged, uplifted, praised and inspired. We didn't want the kids to get used to saying words that put down or tore down each other. Of course as parenthood goes when it is forbidden, then it is much more tempting to say. So after a few ups and downs with words slipping out, we decided to tell the kids that they could say those bad words, but only if they were in the garage or after 10:00pm. For some reason I think that made them feel better because they felt like they had a choice. The nice thing for Jeff and I was...the garage was always so full or dirty that no one ever went in there and the kids went to bed between 8:30 and 9:00pm, so it worked like a charm! :)

I can remember being called an idiot, being told I was dumb and stupid and for soooooooooooooooo many years I really believed I was. Words are very powerful (for good and bad).

I love the words Thank You and we try to remember to use it ourselves just as much as we ask the kids to use it. It makes me feel that we love and respect each other more when we do. I will be the first to admit, that we are far from perfect in our home.... but we do really try to make it a place that is happy and safe for each of us and hopefully those who come to visit.

So tonight, with that in mind I found this cute story that reminds us to speak kind words to others and be very aware of unkind words and the damage that they cause. Good night and thank you for all of your encouraging words for me.

The 2 Frogs

- By unknown Author

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.
Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in
difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

"WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS, FOR THEY BECOME WORDS.

WATCH YOUR WORDS, FOR THEY BECOME ACTIONS.

WATCH YOUR ACTIONS, FOR THEY BECOME HABITS.

WATCH YOUR HABITS, FOR THEY BECOME CHARACTER.

WATCH YOUR CHARACTER, FOR IT BECOMES YOUR DESTINY"

"BY SWALLOWING EVIL WORDS UNSAID, NO ONE HAS EVER HARMED HIS STOMACH" ~Winston Churchill

"TIME AND WORDS CAN'T BE RECALLED, EVEN IF IT WAS ONLY YESTERDAY" ~ Yiddish Proverb