A Refresher Course in Pre-School

-
Sometimes, when folks are all grown up, they forget the valuable lessons they learned as youngsters.

I think it might be a good idea to send every adult back to pre-school for a refresher.

If we all went back to pre-school, here are a few important things we'd learn to say again:

1. Please.

So often, people make selfish demands of other people, forgetting that gentle requests are far more productive than dictates and ultimatums.

Just think how pleasant our world would be, if we all treated each other with courtesy and respect.

"Would you please. . ." goes much further than "You'd better. . . or else!"

2. Thank You.

Ingratitude is at the heart of most misery. Your emotional and spiritual health is directly linked to the level of thankfulness in your life.

If you go around thinking that "life owes you", you're unhappiness is guaranteed.

Gratiude as the root, produces joy as the fruit.

3. I'm Sorry.

A measure of maturity is how we own and admit our mistakes. Whenever we've hurt someone, intentionally or without realizing, we must go back and try to make amends.

Saying the actual words, "I'm sorry" is the first step towards healing in a fractured relationship.

A failure to admit failure is the greatest failure of all!

Generally speaking, an offended person will be reconclied with a humble, heartfelt, honest apology.

Of course, the mere words, "I'm sorry", don't mean too much if they are not followed with appropriate action.

I recall my mother saying, "Sorry is as sorry does."

4. I Forgive You.

Forgiveness is difficult, but essential.

It isn't "letting the other person off the hook", as much as it is "letting ourselves off the hook of bitterness."

Small children have a beautiful way of making up after a conflict. They can have a spat one minute, and then, get over it and be best buddies the next.

Wouldn't it be great if we grown ups could learn to let our offenses go like that?

Yes, I think every grown up ought to go back every few years for a continuing education course in Pre-School.

Comments

  1. Anonymous8:08 PM

    'Sorry is as sorry does' sounds a lot like my Dad's 'Your actions speak so loud, I cannot hear a word you are saying'. The words, 'I'm sorry' do not mean anything if the individual has no intention of changing his actions and continues to do the same offense. Sam and I call this a 'fly-by' apology. This kind of offender is just easing his own conscience.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mark O Wilson6:37 AM

    LOL -- Fly by Apologies! Excellent insight there Linda.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If This Is Not A Place. . .

-
If this is not a place where tears are understood, Then where shall I go to cry? And if this is not a place where my spirit can take wings, Then where shall I go to fly? I don't need another place for trying to impress you With just how good and virtuous I am. I don't need another place for always being on top of things; Everybody knows that it's a sham. I don't need another place for always wearing smiles, Even when it's not the way I feel. I don't need another place to mouth the same old platitudes; Everybody knows that it's not real. So if this is not a place where my questions can be asked, Then where shall I go to seek? And if this is not a place where my heart cry can be heard, Where, tell me where, shall I go to speak? So if this is not a place where tears are understood, Where shall I go, where shall I go to fly? -- Ken Medema
Read more

Apostles and Earrings

-
Image
I wonder if this belonged to one of the apostles? Simon the Zealot strikes me as the kind of guy who would wear an earring. I recall the time, when I was graduating from seminary, I received an invitation to start a new congregation in a college town. In the letter, they outlined the vision, the demographics of the community, and their expectations for the pastor. The letter ended with a p.s. -- "and of course, your wife will not be permitted to wear earrings." They forgot say anything about ME wearing earrings. For a while, I was tempted to go ahead, take the position, and get my ear pierced.
Read more