Things I've Learned Thursday

1) It's important to teach kids about human kindness in the midst of suffering in ways that they can understand. It's never too early to start. Recently, I began to talk to Baby Boo about kids that have mommies and daddies that can't always buy them shoes or clothes because it cost a lot of money. I explained to her that sometimes they need someone to help. With that came the lesson of donating money in the childhelp rescue fund.

2) When it feels like the rug is being pulled out from underneath me once again, I have the choice to curl up in a fetal position or get to a place of quiet and calm and pray and think things through. He does make a way out of what seems like the impossible...I just need to be still and hear His voice.

3) Peer pressure starts at even the age of two and three. Baby Boo was working on a coloring activity at the library preschool time when the kid next to her (3 1/2) tell his mommy, "That girl isn't doing it right. She's supposed to color like me." Baby Boo continued to work on her mitten project without being moved but I was moved instead. I wanted to tell the kid to mind his own business and let her create HER way. Instead, his mom attempted to defuse the situation by telling him that not everyone will do things his way. He continued to argue with her that Baby Boo's wasn't good because it wasn't like hers. I smiled at the mom because I recognized her attempts to explain the significance of individuality.

4) When I think my fishing line is "stuck on something" it really isn't stuck but has caught a big fish. I mean, really big fish!



5) I love Shel Silverstein for the short, creative ditties written in his books. Here is one from a Light in the Attic.

THE LITTLE BOY AND THE OLD MAN

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."
Said the little old man, "I do that too."
The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."
"I do that too," laughed the little old man.
Saaid the little boy, "I often cry."
The old man nodded, "So do I."
"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems
Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
"I know what you mean," said the little old man.

6) When you're trying to stay on a diet but have a taste for something sweet, a spoonful of frozen Cool Whip and a few chocolate chips will curb your appetite for ice cream.

7) You just never know what the boy in your class at school will become. One of my former high school classmates is now a world famous artist with paintings selling for $45,000.00 on up. He was always drawing even during class time. His yearbook note to me had a picture drawn by his signature. I wonder if it's worth something???

8) Road rage from the elderly is scary stuff! I had a man that looked to be in his 80's almost run me off the road, while yelling obscenities because he was anxious to make a right turn. We ended up at Trader Joe's, parked next to one another and for a quick second (just a quick second), I thought about keying his car. No, I didn't act on it and even that thought was horrible of me but it sure did make me feel good visualizing me doing it. Then, I thought to myself, "Maybe he's irregular or something," and let it go.

9) Men are definitely less indecisive when it comes to changing their looks. Boo shaved off his mustache within seconds of considering it. Me? It takes me hours to decide whether to switch my part in my hair to the other side.

10) I hate toilets that automatically flush. The other day, I wasn't even finished before it flushed and then when I wanted it to flush. It wouldn't. I waved my hand by the sensor. Wiggled and then sat back down. Then got back up. Then threw a piece of toilet paper in to trick it and still it didn't flush. So, I stood there for two minutes and then finally, it flushed again.

What have you learned?