Love and Kindness

When Something Goes Wrong: How Do You Handle Mistakes?

What’s the first thing that comes to mind, when something goes wrong . . . when mistakes have been made? In leadership training, I was taught to look inward first. Others argue with me on that, but I find it to be pretty accurate.

Rather than immediately seeking a target for finger-pointing, I will check what part I played. Were my instructions detailed enough? Did I allow enough time? Did I inform everyone who needed to know?

Even if the error itself was that of someone else, I want to check how I could help prevent it, next time around. I can’t control what others will do. But I can always control what I do. When I meet with others to discuss the error, I admit what I would have done differently and ask what they would have changed.

The result is so much more fruitful than make accusations and putting everyone on the defensive. It’s a technique I believe in and have taught. It especially holds well if you are practicing servant leadership.

How do YOU react when things go wrong…when you make mistakes? Think about what you do . . . what you say . . . and how It affects those around you. Does it help prevent future errors?

If your technique has worked, keep it – And let me know what it is. If not, give it some new thought.

Show #421

Autism

I’ve been reading up on autism lately; a subject that is of more interest today than ever before. Too many kids are autistic and we don’t know why.

Parents are frightened by the possibility that it’s from vaccinations. One father has one child who is autistic and two who have not yet been vaccinated. He wondered, “Will I wind up with three of them like this?”

Children with high-functioning autism look like any other children their age. They learn, they are often very bright. Yet their behavioral responses may be bizarre.

They lack social interaction skills that come naturally to most of us. Other kids won’t play with them. They have no friends. They are constantly being punishing for their disruptive behavior.

Yet we are finding that actually their brains are wired differently. Social interactions that are natural to most, are foreign to them. One mom of an Asperger child cautioned that her son is not less; he is different.

He does not comprehend that other people have other thoughts. He thinks that everyone’s thoughts are the same as his. So his interaction is totally self-centered. He seems rude. Actually, it’s how his brain is wired.

Parents have to unlearn parenting skills and start all over on a whole new page.

So much for us all to learn to treat or prevent autism.

[#433]

Still Asking Questions

As a child, it seems I always had questions about the way things are and why we do what we do. So much of it didn’t seem to make sense.

Now that I am grown up, more or less, it seems I still have questions. For instance, why do you have to ‘put your two cents in’ but it’s only a ‘penny for your thoughts’? Why aren’t thoughts worth two cents too?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box? Why is it desirable to “sleep like a baby” when babies wake up like every two hours?

And speaking of babies, tell me this – If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

Then I wonder why it took us so long to figure certain things out.

Do you realize, we put a man on the moon before we figured out that it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? Yes, youngsters, we dragged heavy suitcases around for years Instead of having them wheel themselves.

Why are you IN a movie, but you’re ON TV? Why do people believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check it out when you say the paint is wet?

When I’d get impatient with life, as a child, Mama used to say I’d have to wait and some day, all the secrets of the world would be known to me.

Mama, I’m still waiting . . .

[Show #442]

Mother’s Day Magic

What magic is given to mothers that they have such an ability to soothe? Antibiotics may cure the illness, but it’s a mother’s hands that soothe the pain, calm the fears and provide the reassurance.

Your hand in your mom’s can fix things, at any age. She always seems to know how you feel, what you need and what might be worrying you. She’s someone you can talk to, turn to, confess to.

What a wonderful gift she is. Her smile can remind you of the best in yourself. Her encouragement can convince you that you CAN get it done. When she doesn’t agree with you, she just may give you the cause to pause that results in making a better decision.

On Mother’s Day and year-round, give thanks that God made mothers. Something to consider.

[Show #137]

Spring: The Chance To Start Over

This is a guest post about one of our Consider This episodes written by my friend, Elizabeth Cottrell, as it originally appeared on her blog at Heartspoken.com. If you want to read the full transcript of the show, CLICK HERE.

“What a gift spring is!”

Thus begins Annette Petrick in one of her wonderful “Consider This” radio spots. She zeroed in on what is most precious and powerful about the season of Spring: it is a time for awakening, for new growth, for renewal.

“Springs seems to be God’s way of assuring us that we can all start over,” she suggests.

And my heart whispers, “Yes!”

Yes to all the possibilities of new ideas to explore, new connections to make, new lives to touch.

Use the audio player above to listen to this 90-second radio spot and then answer this question: What’s waiting for a new start in your life?

Happily Annette has created a collection of these wonderful shows on her Consider This CD – Vol. I : A Heartwarming Collection About Life and Love. We’ve made it available at Heartspoken, either from this page or among our “Gifts That Inspire.”

The CD contains more than two dozen tracks with messages and lessons in short (less than two minutes long), easy-listening format. Track themes include Mothers, Friends, Coping with Life, Women, Spectrums of Love, Opportunity, and Lessons from Life. Whether you purchase the CD in its beautiful booklet case or in a deluxe boxed gift set, you’ll get the code to download a free 28-page bonus book with expanded writings on themes on the CD, photos, and the author’s personal story of life and love.

The CONSIDER THIS CD – VOL. 1 is the Perfect Gift:

to celebrate
to encourage
to comfort
to enjoy
to reward yourself
to show SOMEONE SPECIAL how much you care

0007 Consider This CD – Vol. I – $14.95 ($3.00 shipping for up to five.)

Call 540-436-3969 or email Elizabeth at e…@heartspoken.com if you need more than five)

CD in lovely booklet-style jacket and enclosed secret code to download free Bonus PDF Book

Consider This CD in gift box — Consider This CD Vol. I in Deluxe Boxed Gift Set

0008 Consider This CD – Vol. I in Deluxe Gift Box – $16.95 ($3.00 shipping for up to five)

Call 540-436-3969 or email Elizabeth at e…@heartspoken.com if you need more than five)

CD and its jacket nestled inside a deluxe red gift box, ribbon tie, with a personalized gift card and enclosed secret code to download the free Bonus PDF Book

This wonderful CD is the perfect stocking stuffer, teacher gift and gift swap gift. Order today and order in quantity.

If you have any ordering issues, email Elizabeth at e…@heartspoken.com or call her at 540-436-3969. Ask about special quantity pricing.

Surprise Party

How do you get 90 people to keep from giving away the secret, when you plan a surprise birthday party? That’s what I’m still trying to figure out.

My fiancé Bill and I entered a catering hall where I expected to attend a local fund raiser. SURPRISE – came the ear-shattering greeting, as we entered. Everyone was so excited . . . . and I was so confused. What were all these people doing here? It took moments for me to realize, it was a birthday party – for me! Good heavens!

My sister Karyn had worked on plans for months, in cahoots with my kids and her kids and local friends. Sixty-two people filled the hall and were suddenly all pressing forward for a hug or at least recognition of their presence. I was in a daze!

My kids were all there – from New Jersey and Michigan, most of the grand-kids and my precious great grandson. Seems that nearly a hundred people were in on the surprise. And not a single one gave it away. Not deliberately or by mistake. I was just amazed.

Also amazed by the love and affection it represented. It was humbling and heartwarming. Friends came to Virginia from as far away as Texas. I was so moved and excited and just wished we all had more hours, or even days, to spend together.

I don’t know how YOU feel about surprise parties, but this one was delightful, entertaining and memorable. Thank you so much.

[Show #602]

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