We do it as mothers, and even as fathers, when we focus on the
messy shelf in a child's bedroom, not the four that are tidy
and neat. We do it in the workplace when we leap to point
out what hasn't been finished, instead of commenting on progress
made. We do it to ourselves when we focus on goals not met,
instead of success achieved.
It's this negative point of view that will bring you down and
reduce your motivation. Not the best way to achieve new goals!
Starting today, resolve to be more positive! Look for what has been
done; not what is left undone. Praise your children, colleagues,
friends and family for efforts and progress. Concentrate on your own
achievements. The more you recognize and appreciate success, the
more success will follow!
LEARN TO SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE
A woman was explaining her theory of putting her children to bed: "I
never tell bedtime stories that begin with 'Once upon a time,'" she
said. "If I really want to put them to sleep, I start off with, 'Now,
when I was your age...'" It's nice to understand people so well that
we know just what to say! Here is a mother who could speak her
children's language.
The story is told of the most famous elephant in the world -- a huge,
beautiful and gentle beast named Bozo. Children extended open palms
filled with peanuts for the Indian elephant, who gently plucked them
from little hands and seemed to smile as he ate his treats.
But one day, for some inexplicable reason, Bozo changed. He almost
stampeded the man who cleaned his cage. He charged children at the
circus and became incorrigible. His owner knew he would have to
destroy the once-gentle giant.
In order to raise money for a new elephant, the circus owner held a
cruel exhibition. He sold tickets to witness Bozo's execution and, on
the appointed day, his arena was packed. Three men with high-powered
rifles rose to take aim at the great beast's head.
Just before the signal was given to shoot, a little, stubby man in a
brown hat stepped out of the crowd and said to the elephant's owner,
"Sir, this is not necessary. Bozo is not a bad elephant."
"But he is," the man argued. "We must kill him before he kills
someone."
"Sir, give me two minutes alone in his cage," the visitor pleaded,
"and I'll prove to you that you are wrong. He is not a bad elephant."
After a few more moments of discussion (and a written statement
absolving the circus of liability if the man should be injured), the
keeper finally agreed to allow the man inside Bozo's cage. The
man removed his brown derby and entered the cage of the bellowing and
trumpeting beast.
Before the elephant could charge, the man began to speak to him. Bozo
seemed to immediately quiet down upon hearing the man's words. Nearby
spectators could also hear the man, but they could not understand him,
for he spoke a foreign language. Soon the great animal began to
tremble, whine and throw his head about. Then the stranger walked up
to Bozo and stroked his trunk. The great elephant tenderly wrapped his
trunk around the man, lifted him up and carried him around his cage
before carefully depositing him back at the door. Everyone applauded.
As the cage door closed behind him, the man said to Bozo's keeper,
"You see, he is a good elephant. His problem is that he is an Indian
elephant and understands one language." He explained that Bozo was
frustrated and confused. He needed someone who could speak his
language. "I suggest, sir, that you find someone in London to come in
occasionally and talk to the elephant. If you do, you'll have no
problems."
The man picked up his brown derby and walked away. It was at that time
that the circus owner looked carefully at the signature on the paper
he held in his hand -- the note absolving the circus of responsibility
in the case he was injured inside the elephant's cage. The statement
was signed by Rudyard Kipling.
People also become frustrated and angry when they are not understood.
But great relationships are formed by parents who learn to speak their
children's language; lovers who speak each other's language;
professionals who speak the language of their staff and clients. When
people understand that YOU understand, that you empathize with their
heartaches and understand their problems, then you are speaking their
language! It is the beginning of true communication.
Steve Goodier
As time goes by, some things in life become faded, feeble and useless. Yet the things that truly matter just keep getting stronger and more meaningful. When you invest all your hope and love in the superficial things that will soon fade away, then you make time your enemy. You become engaged in a battle that you cannot win.
Yet when you cherish life's true, enduring values, your opportunities for joy grow more abundant with each passing moment. As life goes forward, it cannot help but get better.
When you find your fulfillment in truth, in virtue, and in integrity, you set yourself up to gain real value and benefit from every experience. Though life may not always go as you planned or desired, you will always have something real and meaningful to show for it.
For every situation is a situation in which your integrity can grow stronger. Every experience is an experience in which a new and valuable truth is revealed.
Life always has so very much to offer. Treasure those things that forever endure, and your store of treasure will be rich indeed.
Ralph Marston
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 