Good morning everyone J I have it in my mind that today’s Motivational Monday piece is going to be less about motivation and more about awareness. In particular, awareness of how we treat our loved ones and those close to our hearts. I came across this particular writing that I think puts my thoughts into words very well:
Family
I ran into a stranger as he passed by, “Oh, excuse me please” was my reply.
He said “please excuse me too, I wasn’t watching for you”.
We were very polite, this stranger and I, we went on our way and said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told, of how we treat our loved ones, young and old.
He said “please excuse me too, I wasn’t watching for you”.
We were very polite, this stranger and I, we went on our way and said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told, of how we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal, my son stood beside me very still.
When I turned I nearly knocked him down, “Move out of the way” I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken, I didn’t realise how harshly I’d spoken.
When I turned I nearly knocked him down, “Move out of the way” I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken, I didn’t realise how harshly I’d spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God’s still small voice came to me and said,
“While you were dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor, you’ll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you, he picked them himself, pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes”.
“While you were dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor, you’ll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you, he picked them himself, pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes”.
By this time I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed, “Wake up little one, wake up” I said.
“Are these the flowers you picked for me?” He smiled “I found them, out by the tree.
I picked them because they’re pretty like you. I knew you’d like them, especially the blue”.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed, “Wake up little one, wake up” I said.
“Are these the flowers you picked for me?” He smiled “I found them, out by the tree.
I picked them because they’re pretty like you. I knew you’d like them, especially the blue”.
I said “Son, I’m very sorry for the way I acted today, I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way”.
He said “Oh Mum, that’s OK. I love you anyway”.
I said “Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue”.
He said “Oh Mum, that’s OK. I love you anyway”.
I said “Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue”.
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I know when I read this piece it really got me thinking about the way I talk to and treat my beautiful family. All too often I see the kids as being in the way or somehow being a bother, but when I read this poem, it made me stop and think. I thought about the damage I am doing and the hurt I am causing when I am concerned only with my own agenda (eg – getting dinner cooked like in the scenario above). So this week I am going to make a concerted effort to be less focused on the task at hand and more focused on the reason the kids are under my feet or demanding my attention. Are they feeling tired, sad, lonely or do they have something exciting they want to share, or do they need some praise for a job well done? Whatever the reason, I am going to enrich their lives this week by focusing on their needs…well that’s the plan anyway, my tune will likely change when I am trying to get dinner sorted this evening so I can be out the door by 6:30 to go to Circle!
I hope you got a lot out of this piece and it gives you the chance to think about the way you react to your loved ones and their actions. It was a real eye opener for me! Happy Monday J
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