What would you do first?

I received an email last night from a friend in prison. (Yeah, I have a friend in prison) I was reminded of how much I have to be grateful for. His release date is coming up in April and he sent me an interesting question.

If you were gonna be FREE to do whatever (after being locked up for 20 months, or whatever) what would be your first meals? What would be ALL of your 'firsts"?

My friend's list came in a second email; it was surprisingly simple. He talked of going to Olive Garden, getting a frozen yogurt from Maverick, Eating a big Mac from McDonald's and a Whopper from Burger King, having a crispy chicken burrito from Taco Time, visiting Bryce Canyon and going camping and rappelling. He talked of going to plays, and attending any "event" that his nieces and nephews are in. He is even looking forward to attending his family reunions!This Thanksgiving, as you ponder on your blessings, remember the little things that we so often taken for granted. Right now, you could go and order anything you want from any restaurant in town. You may choose not to, but you could. You have the freedom to do it. You could take your lunch break and go meet your child, a friend or your spouse for a nice lunch together. You could go camping tonight, a little cold probably, but you could do it. You have the option. You could put up Christmas lights, bake a pie, watch a movie, work out at the gym, go for a run, visit a neighbor, buy a pet, call a friend, go out to eat. All of these are available to you right now. If you want to do any of this and more, no one is stopping you. You have the freedom and the option to do them.

"If you were gonna be free to do whatever [and the great thing is...YOU ARE!]...what would you do first?"

There is so much to do, so much to enjoy, and so much to be thankful for right now in your life. When we complain about what we don't have, we miss finding joy in what we do have. We are free to do so many things! This Thanksgiving I am grateful to be free; grateful to be free to do whatever. Hm-mm...now what to do first!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A thought on parenting...not that I do it right

I find a lot of truth in this quote. You may see this in your own life or the lives of your children

Publish Post

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

The Three P's

see my newest post on the BLVD Training blog.