Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Intro by Jim Haisler
Hi, This is Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, where good things are flooding your way in small pieces and you may not even recognize it! I am your host Linda Gullo. This broadcast comes from the town of Crystal Lake, IL which is near the Wisconsin border and it comes to you on a weekly basis. It is usually a short 10-15 minute episode to brighten your day and to spark a few thoughts.
As I woke up this morning, the glimmer of the snow told me the sun was up and shining. Wow, what a beautiful look. The patio and sidewalk had been shoveled; already the snow was melting, but the cover over the grass and trees was clean and still had a fresh look – like a smoothly laid out blanket. We all needed a touch of sunshine for our dispositions in the middle of this winter and I began soaking it up. It is a gift from God that elevates our spirits and pushes us to stay on task–whatever that is for each of us.
As I got into the car and saw a pile of gloves on the front seat, I had a flash back to a family night’s activities. It was at a new grammar school when my daughter was in 2nd grade. It was her first year in this school because the boundaries of our community had changed and she was now being bused across town. I was not a happy camper as we tried to keep our kids together as much as possible. We had moved into our home thinking our family would be settled her for years and not moved from school to school. Ha-that would be far from the truth. We have been here for years, but staying in the same schools was not in the forecast. Certain things are not in our control. I remember going to a meeting to voice an opinion about the boundary changes and was told that there was nothing more to be said and that was how it was going to be. I remember thinking either I could be grumpy about it or make the best of it. I went with the second option.
A few weeks later there was a parent night for families to gather at the new school. We were encouraged to attend, so my husband and the kids all rallied there after dinner for the open house and meeting. The evening turned out to be a fun one. As we walked around the building there were announcements. One was to check the lost and found for items our children may have lost in the last quarter. We were so busy looking at her locker and finding her room that we continued on our pathway to a larger room for information.
Big brother had appointed himself as the person to go check the lost and found. I remember seeing him approach us with an armful of winter clothing. Yes, it was all his sisters. Our little girl was always losing mittens and scarves. He had claimed all of her stuff while we were touring the school. I realized how often he looked after her in subtle ways. As I think of this story I also think of her now. She has a memory that is sharper than sharp and with 7 children I guess one needs to be on top of things.
Who gives you permission to do things? Our son had commissioned himself to take responsibility for getting his sisters possessions back. That was a good thing and an insight for me. We don’t always need for someone to tell us what to do.
I think too about how different each of us are when it comes to habits. Habits that add up to give us different results. Whether it comes to saving a certain amount out of each paycheck, going to the get gas on the same day or same place each week, or attending the yearly Auto Show, helps us become the person we are.
Which, by the way, I digress here. I heard on the radio this morning was Auto Show is coming to Chicago at Mc Cormick Place from February 11th to the 20th. (www.chicagoautoshow.com) .
That same brother who claimed his sisters possessions from the lost and found, was the boy who would fold and return his brown bag from lunch each day to me. He was tidy and organized and held onto his possessions. He always saved the directions and boxes from his things and knew where to find his stuff. He still has that ability to organize and follow through. I think he learned early on that lending out his stuff to the wrong people or taking something special to school wasn’t the best idea.
We all learn from our own experiences along the way. We learn to prioritize. That takes years–well into our 20’s before we get our act together. Our daily routines provide a script for us of what we are to do to make ourselves feel good. We check our mail, fill the car with gas, pay our bills, go to store for groceries, and return phones calls. Not all in that order, but you understand. We are called to follow through and no one hands us the list of to-do’s as we get older. No one says, “you have to go to the dentist”. The garbage needs to be taken out. It’s so and so’s birthday and II had better get that card in the mail. Whatever you do, you know is what is expected of you.
I was with a long time friend for breakfast this past week. We try to get together every few weeks to compare notes and inspire each other. She is always dressed to perfection; classy and up-to-date and yet so sensible about things. Our children are in the same age range, our professions although different seem to compliment one another. She is in sales in the printing industry and an entrepreneur.
In our most recent conversation she was telling me of a man who decided he was not going to shower each day. He just didn’t want or see the need to do that. I am not sure those around him agreed, but it made me think that often we let ourselves off the hook when we don’t want to do something that takes energy. Maybe it is more than just prioritizing. We may find ourselves with poor self talk. Or sliding into a depression. 
When people retire, they need to replace the work day with something that gives them purpose and keeps them in the circle of other people. Perhaps it is getting up each morning and meeting friends for breakfast or to get to church. Maybe it is setting up a schedule to play chess or meet at the local YMCA? People still need people and they don’t have to be like-minded, but they need to be able to stay connected.
So just a quick wrap up here. Stay connected with your friends, learn along with others about the status of things, grow with your children and their interests. Become a catalyst, which is my goal in helping people as a coach to become their very best. Be diligent in following through with habits that work well for you. Continue to keep motivated and being an positive influence; not a downer for others. Check in with yourself about that–are you putting on the brakes to stop learning? Are you willing to just complain and vocalize to anyone who’ll listen? What are you contributing to the next generation?
Contact Linda at www.lindagullo.com or linda@delightinliving.com If you like our weekly podcasts, please subscribe and give us a good review at I-tunes! Thanks and have a good week. Remember: “One single step may put you on the escalator of success!”