Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Making Excuses

I have learned that, as long as I make excuses for my behavior, I'll continue that behavior.

Years ago, I showed up for the second day of the EST training five minutes late. The monitor at the door stopped me and asked, "Peggy, are you late?"
"Well, yes,I said,"but I was with my friend, Anne, and she..."
The monitor interrupted, "Peggy, are you late?"
"Well, yes, and that's what I'm working on..."
She stopped me again: "Peggy, are you late?"
Finally, I got the point. "Yes," I said, "I am late."
"Go right in."

Understand, that rather than facing the truth, I was dodging it. And, once I acknowledged the truth, stopped leaning on the reason I was late, I could finally take responsibility.

Love and blessings,
PSG

Friday, April 25, 2008

Say the Right Thing

For several years after my divorce, I bothered a lot of people by complaining about my ex-husband, telling tales of my difficulties and unhappiness. They were more patient than I deserved, but I’m sure they dreaded hearing it and wished I would get off it.

It was not until my therapist responded to my pain that I began to heal. He simply said, “I’m so sorry.”

I’ve noticed that, when some people think they need to say something and don’t know what to say, they open their mouths and say the wrong thing. This is especially true when someone has died. It doesn’t help to say, “Well, he’s in a better place,” “Look, you had your Daddy a long time,” or worse, yet, “It’s God will.” It’s better to say, simply, “I’m so sorry” or “What can I do to help?” Even better, go to the kitchen and wash dishes, bring food and sweep the porch.

Very often, when we don’t know what to say, it’s better to keep quiet than to say the wrong thing.

Love and blessings,
Peggy Grose

Goodness Is its Own Reward"

Greetings,

I have been thinking about goodness. Why should we be good? Perhaps goodness is its own reward. It feels wonderful to receive praise and appreciation for good deeds and we all need encouragement in our work and relationships. But praise coming from others can be conditional and unpredictable. Perhaps the very best reward results from the satisfaction of simply knowing we have done the right thing. If we do something kind or thoughful for someone-- anonymously--we will see just how pure our motives are and will receive the greater reward.

Someone has said that character is how we act when no one is looking.Just for fun,you may want to do something thoughtful for someone-anonymously.

Love and Blessings
psg