Wow, with everything going on, it's amazing I got this written down! Hope you enjoy reading it!
Mom's Moment
March 7, 2010
This morning I went down to feed the horses and decided to take Buck and Hank with me. Of course they were bouncing off the walls of the truck, excited to get down to the gully where they could freely run to their hearts (and legs) content!
Since it was Sunday, and I was already dressed for Church, I didn't linger after feeding the horses. Instead, I called the dogs, got in the truck myself as Buck and Hank bounded in the back, and drove home.
As I pulled up to the house, both dogs jumped out of the truck and headed towards the backyard. However, as I started to get out of the truck I noticed both dogs turned around and started running across the front grass as if heading back for the gully. I let loose with a short piercing whistle, and both dogs stopped in their tracks. I whistled a second time and watched as two dogs made differing decisions. Hank took a quick look and then bolted for the gully in spite of being called. Buck quickly walked over to me with just a little look over his shoulder at the quickly disappearing Hank.
I rubbed Buck's ears and told him "good boy" for coming when called.
Perhaps, because it was Sunday, the Spirit decided to point something out to me. I was reminded right at that moment that the Lord, too, "calls" to each of us. And, like the dogs, we each make our own choices.
Do we stop for a moment, and then continue following "our own path" rather than heeding the Master's call.
Do we stop, look wistfully at the people around us who seem to be having "fun," and then follow the Savior's call to come to Him?
When I left for church Hank had not returned and I closed the gate to the backyard. When Dallin and Harrison started out to the car about 15 minutes later they noticed Hank laying on the cement outside the gate to. They took a few minutes and let Hank back in.
When told of the latest developments, I was reminded how it would feel to be "fenced out" of association with our loved ones because of our wanting to go and have fun rather than heed the Master's voice. Thankfully, Hank "returned to the fold" rather quickly. I hope WE will, too!
Love,
Mom
March 20, 2010
March 10, 2010
90-10 Principle
I recently received an email from a friend regarding this. Hope you find it as powerful as I have!
Stephen Covey’s 90/10 Principle
10% of life is made up of what happens to you.
90% of life is decided by how you react.
Here's an example . . .
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee
onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. But, what happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse.
You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears.
After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt.
Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.
Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.
After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school.
Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20
minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible.
As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.
When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? …. Because of how you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is “D”.
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, “Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same - - but ended differently.
Why? Because of YOUR CHOICE of how to react. You really can't control the 10% of what happens to you, but the other 90% is determined by your reaction.
Think about these situations:
Someone says something negative about you. You can choose to be a sponge, take it in, stew about it, allow it into every pore of your body; or you can let the attack roll off like water on glass. You CHOOSE how the negative comment affects you!
A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc. React properly and it will not ruin your day.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off!) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?
WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the other driver ruin your commute? Remember the 90/10 principle, and let it go. Do something productive with your thoughts and time. It takes practice, but it can be done!
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Pour your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.
Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out?
It will NOT improve the situation, but it might make it worse!
Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.
You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. TRY IT!!
It CAN change your life!!!
March 8, 2010
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