Category Teaching

An Elephant on Your Fence and other Elephantine Problems

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An Elephant on Your Fence and other Elephantine Problems

Q: What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?

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Photo credit: data.amirite.net

A: Time to get a new fence

This is a popular joke at my house that actually teaches a terrific lesson.

The biggest problems can sometimes have the simplest solutions.

Yes, those solutions may take a lot of time and effort, but they are simple none-the-less.

If you are facing a big problem, try to look at the big picture and find what it will take to alleviate the issue. What do you have to do to get rid of the problem?

There is not a problem we can’t solve one way or another. Okay, I know you are thinking, “What about world hunger, or war, or racism?”

Well, this brings me to my second elephantine problem. Continue reading “An Elephant on Your Fence and other Elephantine Problems” →

Dilemma – What Should I Wear?

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via Daily Prompt: Dilemma

Dilemma – What Should I Wear?

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Last Saturday I stared at the rack of clothes in my closet saying, “What Should I Wear?” After a long day of cooking, cleaning, and birthday partying for my daughter, I had to get everyone ready for an annual family gathering. I didn’t want to get dressed. The kids were ready. The husband was putting on the clothes I had already picked out for him, but what was I going to wear?

My 3 year-old came into my room and wanted to know if I was ready to go yet. I asked him to pick out a shirt for me. He smiled really big and chose a teal sleeveless top. Well, it was  a bit chilly last Saturday so I grabbed one of my favorite cardigans to put on top and headed out the door. I looked alright and my kiddo felt important because he helped make a decision.

How often do you stand in your room and wonder, “What should I wear?”  Continue reading “Dilemma – What Should I Wear?” →

The Word is Near You – Wise Words Wednesday

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The Word is Near You – Wise Words Wednesday

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Kids say the darndest things. They make these comments out of honesty and innocence (in most cases). While we usually disregard their observations as off-the-wall, we need to remember what our children say is a reflection of what they hear.

Recently some very angry words have come from the mouths of children in my life. Those angry words were directed at candidates of political races. It saddened me to hear them speak of any human being in such a manner, but it was particularly troubling because they spoke those words with complete honesty and comfort.

They were comfortable calling grown-ups, whom they don’t even know, names and accusing those adults of horrible things. The kids at school were verbally and emotionally angry with anyone who differed in their views about who should be elected. Their passion was admirable, but their hatred and distaste was unnerving. Continue reading “The Word is Near You – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Irksome

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Irksome via Daily Prompt: Irksome

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I love my children. I love when my children play nicely together. I love when my children play outside. Getting my children to play nicely together or to play outside can be a challenge.

The challenge of getting my kids to play is irksome.

Isn’t play what kids are supposed to do? Aren’t they supposed to build forts and play “house” and tell silly jokes? Why is it to hard to get my 5 year-old to ride a bike? Just ride the bike, right?!?

Well, here’s the irksome part. Most of the time my kids don’t get along or want to play outside because they want me to be a part of what they are doing.

Going outside is only fun if Mom or Dad are there to help with the heavy lifting and the bike balancing. Building forts and playing “house” is only exciting if Dad or Mom offer their expertise in the field of sustainable blanket roofs and the perfect temperature for imaginary hot tea. It really irks my kids when I don’t help build their forts or drink their imaginary hot tea.

It is important for us to teach our kids to play. Most of the time they are ok with me leaving them to their play, once the ground rules or foundation have been set. Make sure you are taking time to set ground rules and build foundations with those you love today. Someday they may not be there to bother you.

Put your energy into being active in the lives of those you love. The irksome feelings will wear off and the joy will form memories. Those memories will make you forget what they were ever fighting about in the first place.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I am sorry to my sisters for all the times I wouldn’t play the games you wanted to play when we were kids. I know I really irked you then. 🙂

 

Feed the Machine and other Voluntary Acts

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Feed the Machine and other Voluntary Acts via Daily Prompt: Volunteer

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Seriously, how long does it take to put paper in a copier? How hard is it to hold open a door for someone? Does picking up a piece of trash cost you anything but calories?

This may seem like a sassy start for an Intentergy post, but I was really just trying to grab your attention on this fine Tuesday morning.

The fuel, behind my intent-powered program, is energy that burns because of kindness and consideration. Voluntary acts of kindness should not always be random or rare. They should be intentional and blatant. Let others know you care enough to do nice things for them and your surroundings.

As often as possible, I make it to the workroom on my plan time and feed the copy machine. Why? Because it stinks when you are running copies right before class and the dumb machine is starving. When people see me feeding the machine, they usually join me and help unwrap the reams. We share conversation and an intentional act of kindness. It is a very fulfilling act (not just for the poor, hungry copier).

Make these intentional acts frequently. Your frequency of kindness will result in greater consideration from those around you and that leads to even more intentional kindness and before we know it, people could actually have a good day. Smiles might actually appear without provocation. Thoughtful actions might occur without having to think about them. Who knows, maybe we might get a little bit closer to that whole world peace thing and start to put an end to starvation (not just the kind that happens to copiers).

Put your energy and intent into committing acts of charity and compassion and you will never starve for kindness or consideration. You will be filled with love and gratitude and that is what having Intentergy is all about.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. This post was not intended to make you hungry, but if it did, be sure to share your snack with someone. It will taste even better.

Saturday Morning Coffee

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Saturday Morning Coffee

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Parenthood, elections, and gratitude seem to be the three themes that have ruled my thoughts this week.

Parenthood: Worrying if I am a “good-enough” mom swarms my brain almost hourly. My munchkins know just how to push my buttons and I often find myself saying brash or sarcastic comments. Neither brashness or sarcasm are qualities that I want to dominate my children’s personalities, so I fret and worry over how damaging my words have been and I work hard to heal any emotional bruises made my by short temper.

My very good friend Kim assures me that I am doing just fine.

Kim says, “Do you know how I know you are a good mom? Because you actually worry about being a good mom. Moms that don’t care about their kids, don’t worry about being a good parent.” She is so right! In answer to my fears Wednesday, I shared “You are Enough,” I think all “good parents” should know they are enough.

Elections: The best quote applicable to many of the upcoming elections was stated by Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Continue reading “Saturday Morning Coffee” →

Who is bawling?

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Who is bawling?

via Daily Prompt: Panic

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Even though humans have a hard time telling which calf belongs to what cow, those mama cows know their babies. Their cries are distinctive.

This mama had been grazing calmly and slowly, making her way across the pasture, when the first cry of a calf near the woods rang out. She stopped, lifted her head, and gazed in the direction of the cry.

After a few more pleading sounds were heard, she put her head back down and went back to foraging for the best grass. Off in the distance, you could hear the desperate call of another mama. That call was no different to me from any other cow, but I guarantee that crying calf knew who was making that racket.

A short time later both moos stopped, and I was assured that the lost calf had found its mother.

We, human parents, are no different. When our child laughs or cries on the playground, we know who it is that made those sounds. I can tell exactly which of my children is in the snack cabinet by the noises that come from the kitchen. I know which of my kiddos has just come into the house by the sound of their steps and how the door shuts (or slams in some cases). Our ears are trained to know when our loved ones are calling out for us. It is a very sensitive thing. Continue reading “Who is bawling?” →

Band-aids Only Cover Up the Hurt

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Band-aids Only Cover Up the Hurt

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We have a “No Blood = No Band-aid” rule at my house. I know this sounds kind of mean but my kids would go through a box of band-aids every day, if I didn’t enforce this.

There is something about covering up a boo-boo that seems to make it feel better but does the cover-up really help?

I am as guilty as anyone about covering up my hurts with busy work or eating chocolate. Sometimes I feel the need to lash out because of my shortcomings or put up a front when I just don’t know what to do in a situation. These are my behavior band-aids.

Think about the ways you cover up hurt in your life. Is it food? Alcohol? Shopping? Unhealthy relationships? What do you do to fill the empty spaces in your heart?  Continue reading “Band-aids Only Cover Up the Hurt” →

Providing Feedback – Do you do it?

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Providing Feedback – Do you do it?

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Surveys, questionnaires, feedback forms are all ways that stores, doctors, businesses, and schools try to get your opinion on their services. Do you respond to these?

I personally get a kick out of completing surveys.

Yes, some ask the same question over and over. Yes, I complete some surveys because I was unhappy with service I received. Yes, I know giving feedback is a way for businesses and advertisers to “track” me so that they can send me more emails and ads, but I’m ok with it.

Giving feedback is a terrific tool for sharing your voice. It is a way to help businesses provide better service for their clients. It is a way to get free stuff (sometimes).

When I worked in retail, I LOVED getting a nice comment card. It really made my day to hear that I helped someone in some way. It frustrated me (probably more than most), when we received a negative card. It was like a personal hit to my work ethic and efforts, even thought I probably could not have done anything to stop or improve the situation, I always took their words to heart.

Keeping my own experience in mind, I do take the time to complete surveys for customer service associates who help or provide great service. I also take time to complete surveys when service is poor. That negative associate may be costing the company money or alienating people who need the services provided by that business.

Let me give you an example. Continue reading “Providing Feedback – Do you do it?” →

Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday

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Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday

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Being the person who makes others feel special is a wonderful way to live your life. Finding ways to make each person you encounter feel like they matter is what makes life worth living.

Greeting strangers, holding doors, carrying groceries, and giving compliments are all free and easy ways to make someone feel like they are somebody.

Going out of your way to help someone makes that effort much more valuable in your heart and theirs. Do good for others. Show them they are worth care and consideration. They are somebody to someone.

When my children arrive home each afternoon, I ask them a personalized question about their day. “What was the grossest thing that happened today?” “What did you see that was funny today?” “Who did you play with? What did you play?” Continue reading “Be Someone – Wise Words Wednesday” →