Search Results for: gifts

Need a 90-second dose of happy juice?

Subscribe to Our Mailing List

(Your information is safe with me. I use MailChimp to send weekly emails that link to my most recent podcast episode and blog post. I never sell or share your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.)

Hundreds of listeners have joined this list to receive an email every Sunday with links to a new, downloadable 90-second inspirational episode of the Consider This Radio Show. It will start your week off on just the right note! You can listen from the audio player or just read the transcript.

Your name and email will never be divulged or sold, and there will be an easy Unsubscribe link in each email if you decide you don’t want to receive them any longer.

Won’t you take moment to join us now? Once you click the SUBSCRIBE button, you’ll be sent a confirmation email. When you confirm you’ll be taken to a welcome page with a FREE GIFT: a downloadable pdf containing the story of how Consider This got started, a wonderful list of Annette’s life lessons learned, and a warm, picture-filled journey through her life and loves.

When Things Go Wrong

A few shows ago, we talked about what to do when something goes wrong.

Regina shared how she handles righting a wrong. She said, “I get silent and listen. I take in as much data as I can. I consider all the consequences of my actions and those of others. I consider all the different ways I can react to it.”

“I try each reaction on like a coat. Does it feel right in my gut? If not, I try another coat and another.”

“I don’t rush it. It may take days. I may ask for advice. I may journal. I may sleep on it or dwell on it for days. I consider whether I can go on without resentment over what was done wrong. I come to the best conclusion and I act.”

“But I have trouble swallowing the resentment. That takes much longer. It does ease, with time. I mature . . . I grow and eventually, I let it go and forgive.”

She points out that – “Forgiveness is like ocean waves. At first you try to forgive and move on, but the waves are so big they take you down with them. You struggle to stand up and forgive again, again you fall.”

“Over the years, the waves get smaller and you learn to step over them. In time they are but a ripple tickling your toes and you enjoy the peace of the ocean once again and you forgive and are at peace.”

[Show #432]

Staying Cool

Say it’s summertime. You have the choice of being outside in the sun, hot and heavy, or inside in the cool comfort of an air conditioned domicile.

Which would you choose?

I remember a time, not long ago, when that choice did not exist. It would be as hot in the house as it was outside. My grandmother had her summer routine down pat. When to open the door and windows. When to pull the shades and drapes. When to turn on the big fan that did little more than moving around the hot air. When to hurry and get the day’s work done while the heat was still bearable. When to sit as still as possible with a big cloth for wiping the sweat.

City kids remember how they’d open the fire hydrant and everyone would get wet to cool down. In recent power outages, we’ve been reminded of how that felt.

Young folks may never before have had to go days in intense heat with no cooling. How did you and your family handle it? Did you cry and whine, cursing the power company to hurry up and get us back to normal? Did you give prayers of thanks for all the days when we do not have to go without the cooling comfort of our conditioned air? Did you just ride around in your air conditioned vehicle until it was all over?

Air conditioning in hot weather. Yet another thing for which to give thanks here in America.

[Show #431]

Benefits of Age

I was thinking about the benefits of growing old. There’s wisdom and experience, and being able to take it easy. But there are also benefits you might not think of right off hand.

Take kidnapping for instance. Well, kidnappers don’t seem to be very interested in old people. That’s a plus. And if you ever get in a hostage situation, chances are you’ll be released first.

When you get old, no one expects you to run; anywhere. Of course, older person’s stereotypes can be annoying too. People call at 9:00 pm or 9:00 am and ask, “Did I wake you?” Come on…

On the other hand, there’s nothing left to learn the hard way. You can eat supper at 4:00 pm if you want. And pay less too! You can live without sex, but not without your glasses.

You get into heated arguments about pension plans. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.

Your investment in your health insurance is finally paying off. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service. And your secrets are safe with your friends, because they can’t remember them either.

And that’s the way it goes…

[Show #459]

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

What You Say Matters

My guy and I were just reminiscing about childhood. We were sharing incidents we still remember, half a century later. Why do certain things stick out so?

He recalled a 7^th grade teacher who showed him how to study and the benefits of learning. OK. That was a game changer.

But we also each recalled tiny incidents that should have been long forgotten, but were not.

My mom was rushed to finish a frock she was sewing for me. I was 8 years old. She put the dress on me to sew the final stitches, decided she didn’t have time and said she was going to hold the last stitch together with a safety pin. In her hurry, she stuck the pin right into me. It hurt – but not THAT much. Why do I still remember that silly incident?

I’ve mentioned before – the green imitation leather shoulder bag given to me by my aunt. It was an absolute treasure because it was woman size, when I had to grow quite a bit to get to that stage. I identified her as the first person in the world who realized that I was growing up and no longer a kid – even if the shoulder bag did hang down to my knees when I wore it.

Realize that YOU are making impressions like that on the young people in your life. You are saying things, and sharing experiences that people will remember a half century later. Yes, what you say matters. Be sure that what they remember is something good – or at least something funny.

[Show #497]

« Previous Page