While shopping recently I was within earshot of a supervisor openly admonishing an employee for what they considered an error in judgment. Her words were cutting and filled with sarcasm. Along with other innocent shoppers, I became witness to this bullying style of leadership and I shot sympathetic and supporting glances to the victim. I moved along quickly, sure the tirade would end once the audience had passed. As I did, I thought about the two women. I wondered what caused one to be so verbally brutal to others? Why didn’t the employee lash back? Was it out of respect, or possibly fear? Perhaps she was afraid she would her job.
Our words are powerful. Whether parenting, in business situations and even conversations with friends, our words can be pearls of wisdom or weapons of destruction. Choose them carefully.
A dear friend lost a dear friend this past week. Over the past several months, she had posted his turn-of-live events on Facebook and we all knew his life was coming to an end. We sent our get-well wishes and then our condolences. I honor Terri and her family for their love and dedication to their faithful friend, Bronson.
Another friend showed this to me today. The irony that it fell on the heels of Bronson’s passing compelled me to share it. I do not know its origin and thank the author for this great advice.
Ten Commandments for Pet Owners
My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience will teach me more effectively.
Please have me spayed or neutered.
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, and your entertainment. I have only you.
Speak to me often. Even if it don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it speaks to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiasm whenever I hear your footsteps.
Take me in when it’s cold and wet. I’m a domestic animal and am no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me. Keep my bowl filled with water. Freed me good food so that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding. By your side I stand ready, willing and able to share my life with you, for that is what I live for. I’ll never forget how well you have treated me.
Do not hit me. Remember, I have teeth that can easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not be bite you.
Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, or I’ve been in the sun too long; my hearing maybe getting weak.
Take care of me when I get old. For you will grow old too.
When I am old or when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say goodbye. Never say, “I just can’t bear to watch.” Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. I love you.
I was on a walk yesterday with a friend and she mentioned how vastly different she thought we were and that yet, we were friends. We talked about it and realized though on the surface we may seem like opposites, we have distinctly similar qualities, beliefs, standards, and characteristics. In the course of our conversation, it occurred to me that we could easily have never become friends.
After barely getting to know each other, someone made a comment that put a stake in the ground between us and though we each remained cordial toward the other, a line had been drawn and neither of us crossed it. Shortly after the incident, I relocated. Two years later my life brought me back to the same neighborhood.
I saw my neighbor through my window one day and stepped out to say hello. We chatted briefly, caught up on the news of the neighborhood, exchanged email addresses and returned to our separate homes. As I emptied box after box, I thought how much I enjoyed our conversation. I sent her an email and suggested we get together. We did. Our friendship has grown since that day and I believe we will be friends for a very long time to come. We have discovered how very much alike and how very different we are and learn much from eachother.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “opposites attract ” and yet it’s easy to allow differences to get in the way of opportunity. When we close our eyes and open our minds our world grows. When opposites attract, they discover similarities and when likes attract, they discover differences. Just ask these unlikely friends.
A dear friend lost a dear friend this past week. Over the past several months, she had posted his turn-of-live events on Facebook and we all knew his life was coming to an end. We sent our get-well wishes and then our condolences. I honor Terri and her family for their love and dedication to their faithful friend, Bronson. 
