FREE to be Me ...
Saturday, May 22, 2010
"It is better for the development of character and
contentment to do certain things badly yourself than
to have them done better for you by someone else."
contentment to do certain things badly yourself than
to have them done better for you by someone else."
Friday, May 21, 2010
Looking Inward
Thank you to my husband for making familiar the phrase "looking inward." I have come to understand it better this week. I have always had a similar principle skipping about in my heart, but it came into focus for me again just yesterday. I am reminded how important it is to me.
Because Jake is concise and decided he says it in two words "looking inward." Where as I need the full and equivalent definition to express myself - "To reflect upon what MY part was in a problem that has transpired (or that is now transpiring.) Not to place blame elsewhere or nitpick about what I do not know about the surrounding circumstances. To find within me the place for improvement. To step back and realize where I may have been part of the weakness. To take some responsibility for the occurrence - perhaps even more than is mine - because someone needs to in order for there to be a solution."
This trait he has developed inspires me to think before reacting (and let me tell you that reacting is not an easy habit to break.) But it is amazing to me how this principle carries into any kind of situation. To "look inward" before speaking a mind full of fast defensive conclusions. I watch as these simple words (whether in his mind or spoken out loud) can change the mood from selfishness to generosity... from gain-seeking to sincerity... laziness to motivation...and often changes my own pride to humility.
After several years of him setting this example for me (I know. I'm a little slow.) I am very appreciative that it now comes so often to my mind. In crisis, in confusion, in anger, in pain, in challenges - "Look Inward" softens the heart and puts me back in my place.
I sometimes see this truth twisted a bit and the idea becomes "beat yourself up inside" - but even then I find that it produces humility enough to yield effective problem solving with people.
Thank you my love for another lesson in character.
Because Jake is concise and decided he says it in two words "looking inward." Where as I need the full and equivalent definition to express myself - "To reflect upon what MY part was in a problem that has transpired (or that is now transpiring.) Not to place blame elsewhere or nitpick about what I do not know about the surrounding circumstances. To find within me the place for improvement. To step back and realize where I may have been part of the weakness. To take some responsibility for the occurrence - perhaps even more than is mine - because someone needs to in order for there to be a solution."
This trait he has developed inspires me to think before reacting (and let me tell you that reacting is not an easy habit to break.) But it is amazing to me how this principle carries into any kind of situation. To "look inward" before speaking a mind full of fast defensive conclusions. I watch as these simple words (whether in his mind or spoken out loud) can change the mood from selfishness to generosity... from gain-seeking to sincerity... laziness to motivation...and often changes my own pride to humility.
After several years of him setting this example for me (I know. I'm a little slow.) I am very appreciative that it now comes so often to my mind. In crisis, in confusion, in anger, in pain, in challenges - "Look Inward" softens the heart and puts me back in my place.
I sometimes see this truth twisted a bit and the idea becomes "beat yourself up inside" - but even then I find that it produces humility enough to yield effective problem solving with people.
Thank you my love for another lesson in character.
