Search Results for: gifts

Courtesy Close In

Backstory – Courtesy

In our adult, two-person family, kind words are natural and spoken often. I wondered how good we were about being kind to each other as the kids were growing up. I remember one request for politeness that worked. I asked one day that everyone ask, “May I be excused?” before leaving the dinner table. It stuck, and from then on, they did. Go figure!

Consider This Show – Courtesy

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I was coming around the corner in the grocery store. So was he. Whew . . . close call with our carts. “Excuse me,” he smiled. “No problem,” I replied with a smile as generous as his. We were so kind and polite to each other, we two strangers. I was proud of us both.

But sometimes we forget to be equally polite to the people we love and who mean something to us. A child approaching while you’re fixing dinner may hear, “Watch out; get out of the way.” A wife reaching for a kiss during the football game may be waved off. A teenager arriving home with the groceries may be greeted with, “It’s about time you got back” Instead of “Thanks for making that trip.”

We expect that those close to us will accept this kind of behavior. After all, we can’t go around the house muttering “Please, thank you, excuse me” – all day long. Can we? Why not?

Why treat strangers in a kinder and more polite way than those we love?
Practice thinking and saying those special words around the house. Practice courtesy towards those you love!

Please . . . thank you . . . excuse me. It will be such a joy when the new kinder gentler you takes hold.

And when you find the words being used by children and grandchildren too . . . well, that’s when you know you’ve made your corner of the world a slightly little better place.

[Show #336]

Twas the Night

Backstory – ‘Twas the Night

Surely you know the traditional Christmas poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. My version acknowledges the tens of thousands of grandparents who find themselves raising grandchildren. Safe to say that few expected to spend retirement years caring for young’uns. This poem is a loving Christmas salute to them all.

Consider This Show – ‘Twas the Night

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‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
The sound of kids laughing reached the wife and her spouse.

These folks, in their sixties, that is apparent,
Did not expect filling their days as a parent.

But fate somehow chose them, to do it again,
One child or more, badly needing a friend.

They didn’t expect, at retirement age,
To be moms and dads, and not turning the page.

But children need love and attention galore,
And there they were standing, right at their front door.

So, here’s to the grandmas still braiding young hair,
And learning of Sponge Bob with pants that are square.

And grandpas at soccer and football and such,
Your love and devotion are meaning so much.

The kids keep you whirling around and about,
By day’s end, you’re sometimes completely worn out.

You’ve learned about iPods and lap tops and cell phones,
American Idol, the GaGa and ring tones.

You’ve put in your time at the pool and the park,
And soothed little people afraid of the dark.

Here’s wishing you strength in these rushed, busy days,
When hours rush by in a holiday haze.

Santa may bring you some sleep as your gift,
Along with the toys that you sort, wrap and lift.

He’s seen all your efforts through these many days,
He said God has seen too and sends you His praise.

And I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
Granny and Papa, now have a good night.

[Show #255]

Describing Your Job

Backstory – Describing Your Job

What a unique opportunity we have, when someone asks how you are employed. You can just give the standard answer – I am a nurse, a housewife, an architect, etc. Or you tell the RESULT of what you do. Thinking about the possibilities resulted in this week’s show.

Consider This Show – Describing Your Job

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What do you respond when someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” If you sell cars, you might say – “I sell cars for a living.” Or you might dress it up a bit and say – “I provide transportation.” Or “I put people in shiny new vehicles that make them happy and safe.” It’s all in how you think about yourself.

Earlier in my career, I overheard someone ask my children what kind of work their mother does. They were completely transparent and replied, “She types!” Well, that’s all they had ever seen me do. They had no idea that the words being typed were my own; that keystrokes on the page were actually influence or encouragement or humor or lessons to be learned. It never occurred to me that I should explain to my kids what I was doing when I typed.

One of our listeners recently gave me a new take on what I do as the writer and presenter of Consider This shows. She said I am “a happiness aficionado.” I like it! OK. That’s what I am.

Now, what are you?

Think of a really creative way of describing what you do for a living and write your comment below. Think about how you make the world a better place, every day. And let me know. I’ll be here waiting for you . . . typing away.

[Show #437]

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Country Life

Backstory – Country Life

This story was written after my last shopping trip to our small town in the Shenandoah Valley. I was really impressed by what I saw and heard. Thought I’d write about it to share the benefits of shopping locally.

Consider This Show – Country Life

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Out here in the country, we can certainly enjoy life. We’re insulated from all the traffic furies of the cities. We have lovely landscapes, the mountains and the rivers. Used to be the one thing we bemoaned was the lack of interesting shopping. Our streets are not lined with boutiques and shoe stores like the cities are.

When we’re looking for some special item, we may turn to the Internet, rather than try to find it in a local shop. It’s fast and easy.

But if you have not tried to shop locally lately, you may be pleasantly surprised. Local stores can access that international market too. And there is a big advantage to actually seeing and feeling the merchandise before you buy, rather than just looking at a picture. You may find interesting clothing and giftware – from the next state or from across the globe.

Markets often have ethnic sections now. You can find wonderfully aromatic Indian and Asian foods, even out here in the country. Spice up in the Mexican aisle or go kosher in the Jewish aisle.

Another local source is the home business. People are designing jewelry, creating wardrobes, making furniture from real wood, providing decorating service. Of course, you have to know someone who knows someone to find these home businesses, but hey, that’s part of the mystique. And if nothing else works, there’s always the week-end yard sale, where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

[Show #498]

Time to Hide?

Backstory – A Time to Hide

This story came from concern about the daily news in our country. While we await progress and decision making and leadership, what we receive is foot dragging, finger pointing and blame. We would not put up with it in our own life, why do we allow it in our government? Hear where we might look for guidance.

Consider This Show – A Time to Hide

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Americans are worried. You can see it in our words and hear it in the emails we exchange with each other. The questionable practices that brought us to this state of the economy have long been in place. It’s impossible to revise things over night. Our good days have suddenly become the good old days.

There will be no easy out or fast cure. So what do we do? Shall we hide until it all goes away? Shall we ignore it all or turn the other cheek, or just hope for the best?

But this is not the first time that America has faced economic challenges. It’s not the first time that others have stolen away what is rightfully ours. Whether it be our savings, our home, or a loved one. Life isn’t fair, but we sometimes lose what out to have been ours to keep.

It’s time for families to turn inward. Discuss what the hard times mean for you and for others. Acknowledge the stress created by not knowing what can happen next. Ask your parents and grand-parents how they survived previous downturns. Just talking out in the open can really help.

Remember that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. Something to consider.

[Show #601]

Collector

Backstory – Collector

This story was part of a recording that did not get edited for the radio. There is no music intro and you won’t hear Alan Arehart introduce me. I wanted to share it with the special listeners who receive our Sunday stories. Those of you who collect any kind of themed treasure will relate, I believe. Let me know what you think.

Consider This Show – Collector

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I am known to be a collector. How about you? Does everyone know you are enamored of frogs or cute little mice? Does your head turn for giraffes or red poppies? Do they shower you with towels, scarves, cups and toilet seats – all emblazed with grapes?

If you are a collector, how did that come about? Why did you buy the first item in your collection? Your second?

I seem to be a volunteer collector – like those flowers in your garden that sprout up without your planting them. Something comes into my possession. Someone sees that I have that thing, so I must like that, So, they buy me another version – for my birthday, for Christmas, for Kwanzaa, to help me get well. Soon I have a dozen things with the same theme.

By now, any observer can see that I am obsessed with this collection with which I have been showered.

I do admit to deliberately collecting teapots. I look for unusual designs at auctions and yard sales and have some real finds. There are over 30 of them in the kitchen now.

But how about the butterflies? And the miniature shoes? Those just kind of fell into my lap.

And there they are – official collections, ready or not. I enjoy them every day and give thanks for friends and family who gifted me with so many of them that I became their collector.

[Show #341]

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