Have you noticed that sometimes when kids receive something, they communicate that what they have received is somehow not good enough?
This is, as you can probably tell, a pet peeve of mine. With my own children, my favorite phrase is, "I rather you just said thank you."
I didn't engineer this particular phrase cognitively or with any kind of intention. I try to model responsible emotional communication with my kids, and this is how I was genuinely feeling at one point in the last several years. The phrase stuck.
And as I started using this phrase with my kids, like so many of life's lessons, it started to ring true for me.
I like to complain sometimes, and I have found it to be a downward spiral. When I feel myself starting to slide down it, I say to myself, "I rather you just said thank you," and then I start going down the list of what I'm thankful for, especially regarding whatever I'm complaining about at the time.
This doesn't mean I don't ever complain - I think it's healthy to express emotion in responsible ways. But I also think there's a stopping point, at least for my own sanity, especially because there's so much to be thankful for.
Today is my birthday, which for me is a time of reflection and, of course, cake. While I cannot share my lovely cake with you, I have provided a few quotes for birthday inspiration this Monday morning!
For me, Autumn is full of great joy. My son reminded me of that during a conversation we had while driving in the car. I decided to pass on this nugget of inspiration for your Monday morning!
In the two days since Halloween, I've probably eaten more chocolate than I have since...okay, the truth is, I don't really eat more during this time of year than others. But I have found a lovely quote that connects eating chocolate with great intelligence.
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
- Albert Camus
This week, I saw the first hint of color - besides green - along the tops of trees along a hillside. I felt a flutter in my stomach.
Autumn is my favorite season.
As I turn my attention away from Back to School and toward those activities I love to do with kids - involving pumpkins, leaves, the crispness of the air - I'm excited to share them, and to absorb some of your favorite Fall traditions!
(Quote courtesy of http://www.egreenway.com/months/autumn.htm)
As our thoughts and energies focus on the beginning of the school year, take a moment to reflect on the peace that comes from being organized through a quote by A.A. Milne.
A moment of inspiration in an otherwise busy day.
A few jokes to lighten our stressful travels!
A moment of inspiration in an otherwise busy day.
A little inspiration for an otherwise busy day!
