We live in a global community that seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Once I thought India was a foreign land on the other side of the world from me. Today, my husband picks up the phone and conducts business with people in faraway lands in a way he never imagined when he was in high school.
It’s easy to have conversations when everyone knows your own language. But what about speaking with people who haven’t learned your language?
My mother joined a choir that was scheduled to sing in France. In preparation for her trip she not only practiced her songs, she also practiced her French. She was able to order food in restaurants and ask brief questions in shops with confidence. On a side trip to a place off the beaten path, she encountered a waitress who didn’t know English, and my mother’s beginner French wasn’t enough to communicate with her – so they spoke in Spanish to each other.
Today’s goal is: Begin to learn a new language.
Learning more than one language can be a challenge for some. But think how you can brighten someone’s day by sharing conversation in their language. If they’re a foreigner in your country, you may be a great help to them.
It takes a lot of time and effort, but if you’re determined, you can do it.
Be A Mentor
For a few years, I’ve been attending a writers’ critique group at my mentor’s house. She is an awesome encourager. I really listen to her suggestions to see how I can improve my skills in general, not just correct the errors.
From her I’ve learned that in order to be a mentor, you don’t have to know everything, you just have to know a lot and dare to share. She certainly knows a lot. She’s sold over a million copies of her books. But there are questions she admits to making a good guess at.
Today’s goal is: Offer to mentor someone who is learning a skill you have achieved some success at.
Teaching someone to do something you do well can be a challenge, but one with great reward. My son is learning how to do the grocery shopping. This is a skill he’ll need when he gets old enough to live on his own. I’ve shown him the Nutrition Facts label and how to prioritize the various facts. He has asked to buy a product and proven that it’s nutritious enough by comparing it to another similar product with less nutrition.
I don’t know everything about shopping and cooking, but what I do know, I share. Mentoring my son in this skill allows him to make choices that help the family. I’m sure he’ll make good decisions when he’s on his own. Learning how to shop wisely now gives him plenty of time to practice before that day comes.
From her I’ve learned that in order to be a mentor, you don’t have to know everything, you just have to know a lot and dare to share. She certainly knows a lot. She’s sold over a million copies of her books. But there are questions she admits to making a good guess at.
Today’s goal is: Offer to mentor someone who is learning a skill you have achieved some success at.
Teaching someone to do something you do well can be a challenge, but one with great reward. My son is learning how to do the grocery shopping. This is a skill he’ll need when he gets old enough to live on his own. I’ve shown him the Nutrition Facts label and how to prioritize the various facts. He has asked to buy a product and proven that it’s nutritious enough by comparing it to another similar product with less nutrition.
I don’t know everything about shopping and cooking, but what I do know, I share. Mentoring my son in this skill allows him to make choices that help the family. I’m sure he’ll make good decisions when he’s on his own. Learning how to shop wisely now gives him plenty of time to practice before that day comes.
Listen to the Lonely
Being a caring person means seeing a need and meeting it. Sometimes it is a simple task. As easy as listening to the lonely.
At a homeless shelter, volunteers showed up to be a part of the Christmas excitement. One of the residents had to explain to her daughters that the presents really were for them. They had never been given Christmas presents before. When those caring volunteers saw the joy on the faces of the children, I think they enjoyed the day almost as much as the little ones. If those people hadn’t heeded the call for volunteers and showed up to help at the shelter, they would’ve missed out on some memorable moments.
We often connect the word lonely with the elderly. Yes, they are the ones whose children have all grown up and don’t come around as much as they used to. They are the ones who still have to perform home maintenance tasks even though they’re not as spry as they use to be. They need people around them for company on quiet days. But they aren’t the only ones who sit at home by themselves.
These days, there are too many families whose adults are working far into the evening or are in traffic so much that their children never eat dinner with them on weekdays. Children sit in front of the TV and eat dinner by themselves in some homes.
Today’s goal is: Take the time to listen.
Many churches offer afterschool programs for these families. The volunteers in these church programs help with homework and provide sports equipment for the kids. But more importantly, they listen to the kids. They provide a place for discussion where the children can voice an opinion and be heard.
Some churches have a ministry to help in nursing homes. A group meets together for prayer and then visits with nursing home residents every week. There are also groups that meets every week to give food to the poor.
Find an organization that needs volunteers and ask about what you can do to help. Or find an elderly neighbor who needs help with a few odd jobs.
Whatever you do to help others, don't forget to stop and listen.
At a homeless shelter, volunteers showed up to be a part of the Christmas excitement. One of the residents had to explain to her daughters that the presents really were for them. They had never been given Christmas presents before. When those caring volunteers saw the joy on the faces of the children, I think they enjoyed the day almost as much as the little ones. If those people hadn’t heeded the call for volunteers and showed up to help at the shelter, they would’ve missed out on some memorable moments.
We often connect the word lonely with the elderly. Yes, they are the ones whose children have all grown up and don’t come around as much as they used to. They are the ones who still have to perform home maintenance tasks even though they’re not as spry as they use to be. They need people around them for company on quiet days. But they aren’t the only ones who sit at home by themselves.
These days, there are too many families whose adults are working far into the evening or are in traffic so much that their children never eat dinner with them on weekdays. Children sit in front of the TV and eat dinner by themselves in some homes.
Today’s goal is: Take the time to listen.
Many churches offer afterschool programs for these families. The volunteers in these church programs help with homework and provide sports equipment for the kids. But more importantly, they listen to the kids. They provide a place for discussion where the children can voice an opinion and be heard.
Some churches have a ministry to help in nursing homes. A group meets together for prayer and then visits with nursing home residents every week. There are also groups that meets every week to give food to the poor.
Find an organization that needs volunteers and ask about what you can do to help. Or find an elderly neighbor who needs help with a few odd jobs.
Whatever you do to help others, don't forget to stop and listen.
Help Others Relax
I found Scott (Hello, My Name Is Scott) Ginsberg’s blog and I love it. He’s brought me some new ideas that I already knew! Funny how that happens.
Reading his blog made me review how I’ve been doing things. Then, I had one of those moments. It’s that head-slap moment when you recognize that you haven’t put into action everything you know. You ask yourself, “Why haven’t I been doing that?”
Read one of his blog posts about a fresh look at friendliness – and then come back here for the rest of this post.
Thanks for coming back!
There are too many people who live in daily stress. You see them everywhere. Some of them will shed the crease between their eyebrows if given the opportunity.
Today’s goal is: Help someone near you relax.
When you relax, you are able to think more clearly and have more fun being yourself. If you try to help someone else relax, they will also be able to think more clearly.
If you see someone who looks tense, speak to them instead of leaving them alone. Maybe they need directions to an office or they’re late for a meeting. Take a moment and help them.
The surprise will change their attitude. They won’t be able to hold back the smile.
Reading his blog made me review how I’ve been doing things. Then, I had one of those moments. It’s that head-slap moment when you recognize that you haven’t put into action everything you know. You ask yourself, “Why haven’t I been doing that?”
Read one of his blog posts about a fresh look at friendliness – and then come back here for the rest of this post.
Thanks for coming back!
There are too many people who live in daily stress. You see them everywhere. Some of them will shed the crease between their eyebrows if given the opportunity.
Today’s goal is: Help someone near you relax.
When you relax, you are able to think more clearly and have more fun being yourself. If you try to help someone else relax, they will also be able to think more clearly.
If you see someone who looks tense, speak to them instead of leaving them alone. Maybe they need directions to an office or they’re late for a meeting. Take a moment and help them.
The surprise will change their attitude. They won’t be able to hold back the smile.
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