Lillian Lincoln Lambert

I found this reading and thought it was a great one to share. The author is anonymous but the message is powerful.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.’

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

My husband and I just returned from an exciting week in Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO.  My primary purpose for the trip was to be a keynote speaker at the Economic Empowerment Summit at Harvest Church where the graduating class from its Joseph Business School was honored.  The school selects and trains entrepreneurs in practical aspects of starting and running a business. Based on principles taught in the church. It was a great experience where I met many new friends and entrepreneurs.

Why travel so far and not take advantage of other things in the area by adding a few extra days to the trip? Fortunately my sister-in-law lives in KC and she is very involved in the community.  We arrived in time to attend a reception and book signing for Terry McMillan who is promoting her new book “Getting to Happy’. What an interesting person!

It is amazing how we go to college with people and seem to not have much in common and years later can connect and share so much!  My husband and I had dinner with two classmates who were in my section at Harvard Business School and their spouses.  One I had seen a year ago at the 40^th class reunion, saw again when I was in KC in April and again on this trip – three times in one year after 40 years of no contact. The other one I had not seen since graduation in 1969. After all these years there was so much to talk about that there was not a quiet moment. We promised to stay in touch.

The trip ended with my sister-in-law entertaining friends at her home on Sunday afternoon. This gave me the opportunity to get to know some new friends in greater depth.  My sister-in-law likes any excuse to entertain and I promised to give her more excuses in the future.

We all have our bad days. It could be because of something that happened or did not happen. Or, we may just wake up in a bad mood.  Sometimes there are situations when things are just not going well.  I admit it is easy to begin feeling sorry for yourself and wanting others to share that feeling. In life we have to play the hand we are dealt but find ways to make the best play. Whining and fretting does not help the situation.  We may be inclined to wallow in pity and decide to throw a pity party to which we invite any and everyone.  Well, forget it!  You may find that you are the only one attending your pity party.  Feeling sorry for yourself accomplishes nothing and people don’t enjoy being around someone who is crying the blues.

            When you are feeling sorry for yourself remember the serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

The last couple of years have been tough times for many people – lost jobs, reduced pay, inability to maintain a standard of living – the list goes on. Some have weathered the storm and others have succumbed to the challenges they faced.

I offer some points to get through difficult times but they are also applicable in good times.

1. Be flexible with your plan. Planning is a tool to serve as a roadmap to get to your destination. It’s good to have a short term as well as a long term plan. However, your plans should not be set in concrete. They should serve as guides to give you direction. As you mature, face challenges, or have a change in the idea of where you want to go there may be the need to alter your plan. It is important to have that option as things change or new opportunities present themselves. Have enough leeway to make those changes and still arrive at your destination.

2. Don’t be afraid to move outside of your comfort zone. If what you have always done is not working, be willing to take calculated risks and try something new. Most people are reluctant to change because of uncertainty or the unfamiliar. While it is much easier to stay with the familiar there may become a time when change is indicated. Your field of expertise may be in a downturn and that may be just the time to look at a new area. Do the necessary research to get information you need to make you more comfortable then make your move.

3. Use your network. When I finished graduate school I was so anxious to get out and leave that environment, I never wanted to look back. Years later, I realized what a mistake that was. Many of my classmates could have been a real resource to me had I made the effort. Maintaining relationships from school, previous employment and even social contacts may pay off in ways you never expect, but you must feed your network.

4. Look on the bright side. Losing that job or not getting that promotion may be the impetus you need to explore other possible opportunities. Occasionally something that seems to be a disaster may actually be a blessing in disguise. I was able to convert my part-time business into a full-time one after I was fired from my full time job. Challenges frequently offer an opportunities and opportunities are likely to have challenges. Uncover them.  Don’t throw a pity party or you may find you are the only one attending.

Dream big, act bold!