Listening
I will be talking about relationships in the next several “Blessings”. My definition of a relationship is broad, it can be husband/wife, parent/child, brother/sister, co-workers, friends, and the list goes on.
An important elements in a good relationship is the ability to truly listen to each other. One of webster’s definations of listening is to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration. Often in relationships, we as human beings are so focused on what we are going to say that we forget to listen to what is being said. Listed below are some barriers to listening.
Beware of the following things that may get in the way of listening.
· bias or prejudice (I know what you are going to say)
· language differences or accents
· noise (kids, TV, radio, etc)
· worry (thinking about how you will respond)
· fear (I do not want to hear what he/she is telling me.)
· anger (Too upset to listen)
· lack of attention span (thoughts of other things you think you need to do.)
Focus on removing these barriers when you are listening.
Blessings
Robin
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 7 - Test day
Test Day
Today, Morgan, our oldest child, will take her first ACT test. I say first ACT test, because she is going into the test with the attitude that she will be retaking it to get a better score. As most of you know ACT’s are a key tool in college placement and scholarships awards. So you could say a lot is dependant on the ACT score.
What if we had to take and entrance test to be in relationships? Instead of Math, English, Reading and Science, the test was on Listening, Giving, Loving, and Caring. I wonder how many times I would have to retake the test to get a good score and be placed into a relationship with a scholarship award? How do you think you would do on a relationship entrance test? How would you prepare for the test? I have found that the key to a good score on any test is to study, practice and have a good study partner.
The next several days I will focus on Listening, Giving, Loving and Caring, so we are all prepared for our relationship tests.
Blessings
Robin
Today, Morgan, our oldest child, will take her first ACT test. I say first ACT test, because she is going into the test with the attitude that she will be retaking it to get a better score. As most of you know ACT’s are a key tool in college placement and scholarships awards. So you could say a lot is dependant on the ACT score.
What if we had to take and entrance test to be in relationships? Instead of Math, English, Reading and Science, the test was on Listening, Giving, Loving, and Caring. I wonder how many times I would have to retake the test to get a good score and be placed into a relationship with a scholarship award? How do you think you would do on a relationship entrance test? How would you prepare for the test? I have found that the key to a good score on any test is to study, practice and have a good study partner.
The next several days I will focus on Listening, Giving, Loving and Caring, so we are all prepared for our relationship tests.
Blessings
Robin
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 5 - Friends
"A friend is one who walks in
when others walk out"
-Walter Winchell
Take time to count the blessings, of the friends, you have in your life.
when others walk out"
-Walter Winchell
Take time to count the blessings, of the friends, you have in your life.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
February 4 - Dreams do come true
Dreams do come true!
My Uncle Denny and Aunt Kathy are coming home from their 3 week trip to Holland today. I am so excited to hear about their experience of a lifetime.
My Aunt Kathy has been battling ovarian cancer for five years. She has fought her battle with the help of numerous chemo therapies and medications, but the cancer is currently winning the battle.
Around Thanksgiving a couple asked my Aunt, “What do you dream of doing in your life time?” She told them that she was born in Holland and has always wanted to go back to Holland and meet/visit her relatives there. A short time later, the couple came to my Aunt and Uncle’s home and told them that they would like to fulfill Kathy’s dream by purchasing round trip airline tickets for them to Holland.
Uncle Denny and Aunt Kathy accepted the gift and are experiencing a dream come true. This was all possible because of the generosity of a couple that wanted to bless the lives of others.
What do you dream of doing “sometime” in your life time? What is holding you back from doing it?
Blessings
Robin
My Uncle Denny and Aunt Kathy are coming home from their 3 week trip to Holland today. I am so excited to hear about their experience of a lifetime.
My Aunt Kathy has been battling ovarian cancer for five years. She has fought her battle with the help of numerous chemo therapies and medications, but the cancer is currently winning the battle.
Around Thanksgiving a couple asked my Aunt, “What do you dream of doing in your life time?” She told them that she was born in Holland and has always wanted to go back to Holland and meet/visit her relatives there. A short time later, the couple came to my Aunt and Uncle’s home and told them that they would like to fulfill Kathy’s dream by purchasing round trip airline tickets for them to Holland.
Uncle Denny and Aunt Kathy accepted the gift and are experiencing a dream come true. This was all possible because of the generosity of a couple that wanted to bless the lives of others.
What do you dream of doing “sometime” in your life time? What is holding you back from doing it?
Blessings
Robin
Monday, February 2, 2009
February 3 - Nice Matters
Because Nice Matters
A co-worker in my office has a sign over her desk that says “Because Nice Matters”. I walk by this sign several times a day and it always makes me smile. Remember that nice does really matter in business, in families, in communities, in organizations, in EVERYTHING!
Have a NICE day!
Blessings
Robin
A co-worker in my office has a sign over her desk that says “Because Nice Matters”. I walk by this sign several times a day and it always makes me smile. Remember that nice does really matter in business, in families, in communities, in organizations, in EVERYTHING!
Have a NICE day!
Blessings
Robin
Sunday, February 1, 2009
February 2 - Groundhog's Day
Happy Ground Hogs Day
On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob to predict the weather for the rest of winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
The reality is February 2nd is the middle way point of the winter season. Groundhogs day was created to give hope that spring is coming.
· Shadow -- it is a beautiful day, the sun is shining, enjoy the day and spring will be here in six weeks.
· No Shadow – no sunshine today, but spring will come early this year.
What do you want in your life?
· A day full of sunshine with the knowledge of cold days ahead that lead to Spring?
· Clouds today, but the hope of a season of sunshine?
Blessings
Robin
On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob to predict the weather for the rest of winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
The reality is February 2nd is the middle way point of the winter season. Groundhogs day was created to give hope that spring is coming.
· Shadow -- it is a beautiful day, the sun is shining, enjoy the day and spring will be here in six weeks.
· No Shadow – no sunshine today, but spring will come early this year.
What do you want in your life?
· A day full of sunshine with the knowledge of cold days ahead that lead to Spring?
· Clouds today, but the hope of a season of sunshine?
Blessings
Robin
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