Brenda’s Blog – November 18, 2014

The flashing roadside sign caught my attention. The rural route I chose gave me relief from the 18 wheelers and the non-stop interstate. The small towns on the “blue roads” still fascinate me. I think about the remote houses and the reasons they live there – the consolidated school districts which put children on buses for long rides outside their communities – the multitude of church steeples representing a variety of denominations and worship preferences. Mile after mile is the way to see America.

When the sign blinked on and off, it triggered a thought… how ready are we for harvest times in our lives? What are the implements and vehicles which give the world clues that we are in harvest mode?

At work it is easy to get trapped by the ongoing processes and the projects which move endlessly on. But we can’t continue to sow without stopping to reap. If the farmers left the crops alone they wouldn’t self-harvest, would they? No, they would wither and rot.

When we started the Breakfast With Fred Project, one of our board directors asked the question: “When will we know it is a success? When will we know to have the party?”

When do we know relationships have matured to a point of bearing fruit? When do we know we have developed those around us sufficiently to cut the ties and let them fly? How do we measure our spiritual maturity?

Some of us are sowers; others are reapers, but we are all part of the harvesting cycle. When fruition comes we need to stop and celebrate. Children give us great opportunities for their life stages are so evident. Walking, talking, going off to school – those are harvest moments reflecting natural development.

A healthy family, church, or business needs to establish “metrics and measurements” to let them know when it is party time. And we should be clear about those points with those around us. We all need to work for harvest time and then build a flashing light that tells the world our threshing machines are on the move.

Brenda’s Blog – October 28, 2014

Patient’s wife to nurse: “We’ve been married 71 years and we love each other very much.” Family member to nurse: “They would have been married 75 but he had to wait 4 years for her to get out of jail.” The goal was levity, but the result was a marked silence.

Sitting in the waiting room of the cardiac care unit provides ample material for thought and blogging. It also reminds me of the way human nature displays itself during crisis and tension.

Humor is the great social lubricant. We use it to share joys and to reduce stress. Art Linkletter made a fortune regaling the American public with his “Kids Say The Darndest Things!” Kids are not the only ones, are they? But just as my Mom said, “There is a time and place for everything.”

A local leader uses humor to spur others to action, but his sarcasm merely draws negative reactions. How we use this tool is an important element in successful interpersonal relationships. A study done of top executives listed “sense of humor” as one of the common attributes. A well-developed, well-honed appropriate use of stories and laughter can create a more favorable work environment just as a biting tongue can stifle creativity and collegiality.

Proverbs tells us, “A merry heart does good like a medicine.” Medical data shows patients with a congenial attitude and positive expectations recover more quickly. And, a warm smile and laughter create a friendly bond between staff and patient. But off-color or snide remarks certainly serve as negative warnings.

The dismayed young man who could not understand why his Mother-in-Law didn’t appreciate his bedside humor learned about the timing of witty comments. Hopefully, he has learned when and when not to joke!

The masterful use of humor aids in a winsome, winning personality.

Brenda’s Blog – October 14, 2014

“What a beautiful Colorado winter day – let’s go play!”

We moved to Pagosa Springs from Arizona. In the first year we joined the other “flatlanders” (the not-so-favorable phrase for Texans and Arizonans) who saw the clear blue skies and ran headfirst into playtime.

It took us an entire season to understand the correlation between gorgeous winter days and the storm which was surely coming behind. On those days when tourists from non-mountainous areas romped, the locals ran errands, loaded in food, filled vehicles with gas, and prepared. Prepared for what? BAD WEATHER!

They knew after years of experience that those beautiful, unseasonably warm days were precursors to heavy snows. By year two, we left the tourists behind and joined the lines at the grocery and gas station.

Years later during my own personal storm, I remembered this experience and saw great similarities. There were days when my mind was perfectly clear and the stress level seemed to disappear. My first reaction was to play. YAY! Then I thought back to Pagosa. Hmmmm.

Could these days of clarity be given for preparation? Could play take a back seat?

I began using those “sunny winter moments” to do paperwork, make phone calls, and organize my thoughts because I knew an emotional storm was coming when I wouldn’t be able to handle things as well. It made that time manageable and helped me mature.

Generations ago used to say, “Make hay while the sun shines!” There is certainly time for recreation, but in stormy times, the sun shine may be better used for hay-making.

“PERSONALITY AT ALL TIMES”

The plain card placed above the carry-out window caught my eye. It contained the rules for the employees who worked the drive through. The poster was non-descript without even a company logo or interesting typeface… just bold block letters.

The young woman who took my money did so with not even a hint of a smile. She disappeared and finally returned with the change. Then I waited for the food. It, too, was delivered without any emotion.

I had to laugh! How do you legislate a bright personality? And how does a boring sign engender enthusiasm?

A well-meaning manager lettered the sign thinking it would accomplish the purpose. But managing by example won the day – no positive personality in the message.

Have you ever tried to say “no,” but nod your head “yes?” Mixed messages create confusion and rarely achieve the goal.
How do we create excitement and energy in others? How do we engage those around us? What are the elements of environments that encourage associates to genuinely express a winning personality?

Perhaps the next time PERSONALITY is mandated, management will think of a more creative way to reflect its order. And perhaps the next time the woman at the window will add a smile and happy word as she passes the food to the customer. And just maybe that personality will be the result of a work environment produced by authentic cheerfulness.