Story Library

Moms and the Calamity

Backstory

This tribute to moms was first written in 2014. The enthusiastic response to this story made it a favorite, often featured in May. This year, the ode to motherly magic is more relevant and deserved than ever. Kudos to the biological moms, the grandmothers acting as moms and all the women accepting maternal duties and privileges, for whatever reason. This tribute is for you.

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Moms and the Calamity- #287

This show is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors . . . and for all the mom who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games so they could SHARE that magic moment with their kids.

This is for the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store, and for those who count to ten instead. It’s for the moms who go hungry, so their children can eat. For those who read “Goodnight, Moon” twice a night for a year . . . and then read it again, “Just one more time.”

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school . . . . and for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This show celebrates the moms who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot. This for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see . . . .and the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls “Mom” in a crowd, even though they know their own kids are at home …. or away at college . . . . or have their own families.

Mom is the one who provides a soft landing – no matter how old her children are. Thank goodness moms come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Thank goodness moms are there.

P.S.

By now, moms are tired. They have comforted, encouraged, entertained and sympathized with disappointment for weeks now. Your efforts are helping every family member to make it through, Mom. It may not seem appreciated now, but in the future, when they look back at this time, they will remember your courage, determination and resilience. Even when things get tense, you manage to regroup and endure. You are awesome.

[Show #287]

Job Hopping

Backstory

Seems that every time friends talk about their grown children, they have a new job. What is all this job hopping about? I decided to look into it.

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Job Hopping – #620

Millennials have a reputation for job hopping. Some say it’s because they don’t get an immediate fancy title or big promotion. The truth is, they usually move on when they have stopped growing or don’t feel appreciated.

Regardless of their responsibilities, everyone wants to feel that they count; that their work makes a difference. They want to feel significant.

The boss feels significant, looking out at the big picture. Most employees, however, do not have this overview. They only know the things they do daily, over and over.

Leaders who keep millennials thriving on the job help them connect the dots and see how their work contributes to the success of the organization. It must be presented in terms that employees can understand and appreciate.

People who don’t feel appreciated are often the first to burn out or jump ship. Successful leaders actively find ways to show others that their value is appreciated.

You see it happen on the TV show, “Under Cover Boss.” Posing as someone else, the boss goes on the line and hands-on discovers those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Even if you can’t go undercover, you can pay more attention to find out what’s really going on in your business and who deserves credit.

Remember – show appreciation, show how and why each person is significant and reward those who go the extra mile.

P.S.

At home too, words kindness and recognition are appreciated. Be sure grandma knows how much her true home cooking is treasured. Thank the kids for setting the table or discarding their phone before they sit down for dinner. Compliments and happy thoughts are easy to come by – and they are free

[Show #620]

One Word

Backstory

The words you choose define you. But what if you were only allowed one word to describe someone. How would you choose just one?

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One Word – #614

At my surprise birthday party, they did something you might want to consider if you are arranging a celebration. It’s appropriate for a birthday, wedding, any special occasion where dozens of people are gathered.

Guests were advised, in advance, that at the party, they would be asked to say one word that describes the honoree. No speeches; just one word.

With 70 people at my party, there were a lot of words. It was delightful, funny and sometimes slightly embarrassing to hear the word each person chose. It was also extremely personal, conjuring up a special connection with each person.

My daughter and her daughter jotted them all down. I thought that was nice because I’d have the words on paper too. But my granddaughter had something else in mind.

She input all the words to the computer and used her digital skills to create a graphic using each of the words that had been spoken by the guests.

What a precious memento Krista created. The framed graphic sits on my bookcase where I see it often and smile. And on a rainy day, or when I’m feeling inadequate, I read those words and feel lifted by the love they convey.

Thanks to every person who has ever spoken or written a kind or gentle word to someone else. You have given a gift far greater than you can imagine, especially when it’s remembered on a rainy day.

P.S.

Sharing a happy thought, giving a complement, gifting someone with a smile. It only takes a moment to execute and it can make someone else’s day. That would be nice.

[Show #614]

Measuring Success

Backstory

I recently read, “Happiness is the new rich. Inner peace is the new success. Health is the new wealth. Kindness is the new cool.” Here is my take on that.

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Measuring Success – #610

Success – It’s a very ethereal thing. The question today is – How do YOU measure success?

Some measure it by the material proof – big house, lots of money, executive position or one of authority.

Another metric is how much you helped to make the world a better place. Some folks find success on the job, some by raising a family, some try to have the best of both worlds.

Many folks today measure success by your level of contentment; whether you are doing what you love to do.

A grandmother celebrating more than seven decades on earth told me,

“Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.” Let me add that she had a wide grin on her face as she spoke.

Has your idea of success changed over time? What’s your definition today? Have our times and culture changed your idea of success?

Are you there? If not, how do you plan to get there? Can we really lay a plan to reach success or are we at the mercy of the Universe and the time and place into which we are dropped upon birth? Is it all dumb luck?

Come and share your concept of success, and how you’ll know when you found it. You should enjoy the exploration.

P.S.

If you woke up this morning in a warm bed, and you have someone to love today, that may just be all the success you need. It sure is for me.

[Show #610]

Give It Away

Backstory

My friend opened her closet to reveal hundreds of T shirts in every color imaginable, collected over 30 years of travel, concerts and music festivals. She now needed to down-size and this was the challenge she faced.

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Give It Away – #609

“If you have not worn it for two years, give it away.” When you see your closet bursting at the seams, it’s a theme worth remembering.

Lots of people can benefit by the clothes you give away. Families on limited budgets really appreciate thrift shops. Young people love trolling through the racks and creating wardrobes from vintage finds or interesting combinations they can afford.

A friend of mine donates clothing often to thrift shops, and just as often makes purchases herself while she is there. One day, she showed up at my door with a beautiful designer blouse. She explained she had found this in a local shop, it was my size and she just HAD to get it for me. Turns out it was the blouse I had donated the day before.

A caution though, as you begin choosing clothing giveaways. Take a good look and make sure the item you are sending off is worth the wearing by someone else.

We tend to treasure things we’ve enjoyed over the years; comfortable outfits worn often. They may have been worn TOO often to give away though. If the clothing is worn, give in and toss it, rather than have it become a thrift shop reject.

Look for the things that have had little wear. Anything that does not quite fit right, does not feel right on you. It may be the wrong color or something that makes you look fat or is a gift you would never have chosen. Send it on its way into grateful new hands.

P.S.

Local thrift shop went an extra step. As cold weather began, they set up racks for coats and jackets outside the store – available free to anyone who needed one. Our local Rotary Club provides new coats and jackets to school age children who need one, before Christmas each year.

[Show #609]

Advice From My Mentor

Backstory

The biggest gift a mentor can give is to provide you with words to live by; advice that serves you well for a lifetime. This is the treasure received from mine.

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Advice From My Mentor – #309

I once had a mentor when I appeared frequently as a guest speaker. We were talking about leaving lasting impressions; something every speaker hopes to do. He said, “People may not remember what you look like, or what you wore, or even what you said. But they will always remember how you made them feel.” How true.

What a gift is given by the person who makes you feel good. It can happen in front of a large audience or with a silent touch of a hand smoothing a child’s hair. Grasping the fingers of a loved one, giving private comfort or nurturing to someone in pain.

Treasure each time you have the opportunity to make another person feel good. Not only does it help the recipient, it’s good for the giver as well. That ethereal feeling that today, even in a minuscule way, you have made the world a better place for the way you made someone feel.

The rose is lovely, the cloudless blue sky is a delight. But the best and most beautiful things of this world can’t be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart.

You can be the person who feels such a touch, or one who gives such a touch. Better still, be a giver and a receiver both.

P.S.

Here’s how to start out, making people feel better – Smile. Smile at people first. Smile at strangers. Smile in elevators. Then – generously give compliments. Sincere ones, but don’t be shy about admiring a lovely necklace, beautiful hair, a friendly dog. Like smiles, compliments work wonders – and they’re free.

[Show #309]

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