Why must people be so rude?

I'm so tired of disrespect every which way I turn. It's on t.v., it's on the radio, it's in my workplace (and not just from the clients we serve!), sad to say, it's in my family and in church. Trying to clean up my own act is incredibly difficult when surrounded by such negative influences. Moving beyond the mundane profanity into the sacredness of holy living is a goal which I've yet to achieve. Yet, I must keep striving. I've seen the rewards of respect from me and towards me (though I know I can't control others, I can influence them by my choice of attitude.

I recently had a specialized training at work and was reminded of a concept I'd been introduced to years ago, but had long since forgotten...the FISH! Philosophy. The FISH! Philosophy and its four principles — Be There, Play, Make Their Day and Choose Your Attitude-- makes sense! Being able to be attentive to what matters and be present for people, physically AND mentally (be there) is crucial for me to practice. It's a sign of respect to give others the attention they deserve. And though I hate loving to lament about the problems of others (hey it's my job, give me a break!), I have to keep focussing back on myself. That sometimes their problem is ME...if I can practice being more real, more aware, more present and just BE THERE for them, it could make a difference. And if it doesn't make a difference for them, it most certainly will for me!

I usually have no problem remembering to play...or do I? It seems we all get so involved in our work that having fun is at the bottom of the totem pole. And sometimes the things we intend to have fun with end up turning into work. I'm often guilty of turning what's supposed to be a fun activity into a long, drawn out ordeal that leaves me feeling drained and used before I even get to start it. I know I'm not alone in that experience! Stopping to smell the flowers in front of the house, enjoying the rainbows on our couch from the sun shining through the prism that hangs in our front window, creating silly stories with and for my kids, playing the "cloud game" as we drive down the road, having a tickle war in the middle of tears...these are the stuff my kids will remember. They are the kinds of things I remember from my childhood. They are fun, they are PLAY!

So how do you make someone's day? When I think of the phrase "make my day, " I think of lines from old movies, cops and robbers shows, shows where bouncers tell the bad guys "go ahead, make my day." Yet, that's making a negative day. How about doing random acts of kindness? How about giving someone a phone call "just because?" How about leaving a $5 bill instead of a quarter for the tip for your morning coffee? What things make your day just a bit brighter? What makes your heart sing? What are we doing to make our day for God? Are you getting bogged down in a sea of discontent? Or are we trying to make our day for God? When I try to have my "Father's Eyes," as sung by Amy Grant a few moons ago, my day goes better. And those around me see the difference in me...and often that helps make their day good too.

Do you choose your attitude? Or do you say "that made me feel bad," giving the responsibility to someone or something else? I've been in a cynical funk lately. I haven't been stopping and conciously choosing to be positive, so by default, I've chosen to be quite negative. Have you ever heard "not choosing is a choice?" It's so true! What attitude will you choose today? Will you determine to be a blessing unto others? Will you reach out with love and compassion, the same love and compassion that Christ showed you and I? Once again, I'll choose love, respect, responsibility, compassion, and joy. Once again, I'm sure I'll stumble and fall on this path. So long as I don't blame anyone else, then it'll be easier to reach my hand out for God's support and get back up and keep going onward...toward the goal. To win the race isn't to come in first, it's to have the attitude of victory throughout, to choose an attitude of committment. How I go about my day is determined by the attitude I possess. What attitude will you choose today?

Blog-ginning...

Hello and welcome to my blog! I love to talk...sometimes I have no point, and jump from tangent to tangent, so be forwarned of that fact! Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to say, and can be very clear and to-the-point. I'm not quite sure where I want to go with this yet, but decided to jump on board the blog-wagon and at least get set up! So here I am! I have absolutely nothing profound to say at this moment, as I'm at work, it's going on 6am, and I'm fighting yet another headache while trying to stay alert and focussed to the task at hand...supervising 10 teenage boys w/ a myriad of diagnoses and limited info on the two new kids! I better meander my way back to the filing and nightlogs I have to do every overnight shift! --Karla