It amazes me at times how quickly a year goes by! Just a couple of months ago I thought about some of my 2009 New Year’s resolutions and realized that I hadn’t even attempted them yet! Of course, I still haven’t…guess they’ll carry over into the new year.
Actually, I have mixed feelings about making resolutions. Statistically, less than 20% are able to keep their resolutions. I prefer to set goals/priorities throughout the year rather than just on New Year’s Eve. This season I’ve been thinking a lot about connecting with family and friends and realize that I need to do more of it in 2010. In regards to people, my priorities for the new year are:
• call my brother once a week
• call my aunt (who is like a mom) at least twice a week
• send birthday cards ON TIME to family and relatives
• communicate (phone or email) with my nieces at least once every two weeks
• monthly send cards to shut-ins
• invite friends over for a game night at least once a month
• do a search on this site for friends that I’ve lost contact with
• begin a family journal to someday give to my great niece and nephew
How about you? Have you thought about what you hope to accomplish in 2010? Is there someone whom you hope to connect with? If you haven’t done a search yet on this site, then I encourage you to give it a try. Life is too short for the “what if’s”–start your search today!
Listen to your heart…
Posts Tagged ‘friends’
Socrates and The Test Of Gossip
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Most of you will have heard about the great and wise man who was Socrates of Ancient Greece. Thinking about what I was going to say to day I was saddened by the thought that so many good friendships are ruined by idle gossip. A lot of people think that you are only guitly of gossiping if they are actually doing the talking. In his own wise way though Socrates showed people this was not true and his attitude to gossip about a friend is represented in this story.
One day a man approached Socrates and begged an audience with him, as he had something vital to tell him. Socrates asked the man what the thing of vital importance was about and the man replied “your friend”. Socrates contemplated this answer a moment and then said to the visitor. “ I may allow you to tell me this thing but first I need you to answer some questions. The man agreed so Socrates posed his first question “ Are you certain that the thing you are about to tell me about my friend is true.” The visitor thought about it and shook his head and said “I cannot be certain as it is something I over heard”.
Socrates took in the answer and said, “I may still allow you to tell me but first two more questions. Is the thing you are about to tell me about my friend something that casts them in a good light?” The vistor shook his head vigourously this time and said “On the contrary”.
Socrates had just one more question for the visitor “ Is the information you are about to give me something that is useful?”. The man’s reply was “ No not really”. Socrates held the visitors eye and said to him “I am not interested in what you have to say. Why would I want to listen to you tell me something that is neither true, good or useful about someone I consider a friend?
I think we can all learn a lot from Socrates. It is not just the uttering of hurtful gossip that is wrong. Even listening to it can seem like an act of betrayal. If someone is talking to you about a friend of yours you could do worse that to pass what they are saying through the triple filter test that Socrates outlined in order to decide if you want to listen to any more.
Walking away from gossip that does not pass this test is an act of true friendship.
International Hug Day!
Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Whoo ouuuu! Today is International Hug Day! So whether you’re reading this from Ireland, Canada, Australia, United States…happy hug day! Okay, I do admit that I wonder who creates all these silly holidays. I used to think Hallmark was the culprit, but I don’t think that even they could stay caught up with all the different special days! By the way, today is also “Cookie Day.”
So in the spirit of today, be sure to hug a family member and a friend. How about sending a hug ecard to a relative?
Here’s some thoughts about hugs…
• hug someone at least once a day and twice on a rainy day
• you can’t give a hug without getting one
• hug with a smile
• bedtime hugs help chase away bad dreams
• there are good hugs and great hugs
• a snuggle is a longish hug
• never hug tomorrow someone you could hug today
• hugs are free
• everyone could benefit from at least 3 hugs a day — up to 8 is even better!
• if you’re not comfortable with giving a hug, than consider “hugging” through a kind word, a touch, a thank you, a smile, a “may I help you?” or some kind gesture
.Happy hugs!
Listen to your heart…
