The older I get, the more I really grasp, “You can’t please everyone” .  Also, that it’s not important to care too much about what everyone thinks, just do what you know is right and makes you a better person . Naturally, I want those around me to be happy and content, but I have really had to come to terms with the fact that I cannot be responsible for how others react to choices that I thoughtfully make.

Becoming a mother, I have really learned the valued life lesson that  “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”,  this is vital to the happiness of my family. I recognize that my husband and I aren’t at all perfect, but we should do our best to try and do our very best. No one is asking for perfection, we all make mistakes. But, we all can change, if the desire is in us. We all can strive to show our kids love, affection, be their example, become their listening ear, and be their biggest fan, in return I know that by doing this, we will have kids that will do the same for us and others.

Do you want your kids to speak kindly to one another? Let them hear you speaking kindly to your spouse and to them.

Want good attitudes about chores? Maybe I should quit my muttering about dishes or having to organize the pantry…:)  I try my very best now to make it fun, we put on music, make them individual lists so they can cross them off, and in the end we all cheer when we are done. It’s all about attitude in everything we do.

Want kids who are service minded, that grasp the impact they can have on the world, in big and small way? Be intentional about modeling that habit in yourself and they will see that example. Include them in your service to others, give them a chance to come up with ways that they can serve. Encourage them and they will feel the happiness that you feel when you are kind.

Do I want my kids to go to school and not be bullied by other kids? Yes, that is what I would LOVE! I want my kids to be respectful, to have empathy for kids that are “different” from them. We teach our kids that we all are unique, we all are different, and that is why it’s so great! We all have individual talents that we bring. It needs to be a conversation in all of our homes. We as adults also need to respect this notion and not bully other adults or kids.  Why would we want to live in a world where everyone is the same? BORING! Teaching our kids to be KIND is vital to our family life and for them being out in the community. If we as parents/adults stood taller for this and had louder voice, we can band together to prevent the high percentage of kids being bullied at school. The solution that I am suggesting is “Kindness”, that’s all it takes. It’s that simple. Kids face enough hard challenges, let us all try our personal best to teach and show kindness.

The thing about service is, it’s not really a one time deal, like something to do around the holidays or when you join a walk-a-thon once a year.  Service is a lifestyle.   In fact, there are probably several ways you’re already modeling this lifestyle and may not even realize it. Holding the door for others – Service. Taking a meal to a friend in need – Service. Just listening to a friend and not listening to respond – Service. When your having a “Not so good Day” shrug it off when you come in the door – Service. Raising your family and caring for their needs – Service. Hands down I know parents work hard and want what is best for our kids, but think about it, sometimes we work way too much. We think we need to give them the world, when all they want is our TIME, ATTENTION, and LOVE. Sometimes, we as parents need to decide what we can live without, so we don’t have to spend all our time working for the things that don’t matter so much.

Most of the time we view service as one of those things that seems like it needs to be planned, put on the calendar, and shown up for wearing a special T-shirt(but yes, sometimes a special KINDNESS T-shirt is needed for a reminder and to bring unity to a community, especially a yellow kindness t-shirt..:)  I get it, I actually enjoy BIG productions sometimes, well alot of the times. Those things with planning and decorations, they’re fun and it’s exciting to be part of a group of people all working towards a goal for the greater good, but service is more about the state of mind. Why we do it and it will make the receiver feel and us. The best way that I can describe it is with Stephen R. Covey’s quote, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” Over the next 6 months, I am going to explore a few different ways we all can involve our kids to engage in a “service lifestyle”,  ways to be purposeful about serving, and how simple “Acts of Kindness (Service)” or family service projects can impact myself, my family, you, our families, and our community.

And Kindness is something I work on daily. I’m not perfect, but I make a sincere effort to try my best to be alot more cautious. And no one is asking for perfection, that is why FORGIVENESS and LOVE play an important role in Kindness attributes.

Mrs Pocatello 2015