Even Big Kids Spill: Affirming People In An In Your Face World

Author: Lee Wise
Copyright Date: 2002
Word Count: 573 w/bio
Characters: 60/line

EVEN BIG KIDS "SPILL!"
Affirming People In An In Your Face World
© Lee Wise 2002 All rights reserved

It still happens -- even with adults. I know. I was the
culprit this time.

The glass "just appeared." My arm hit that crazy glass of
of water. Almost instantly the water was...

On the table.
On the floor.
"Messy."

But you know what? The rest of the family didn't think it
was a very big thing :)

"Water? What's a little water?"

AND I THOUGHT...

"That's kinda neat! Even big kids (like me) can feel okay
when they spill their drinks!"

Why did I feel this way? I'll tell you: because for about
thirty years we practiced saying something over and over
again.

A COMMON PHASE

We had a common phrase we used around our house when one of
the children spilled a drink at the table -- which, I'm
convinced, must be in the genes of *every* child: "You shall
spill liquids. It's not only your birth right, it is your
responsibility."

Back to the phrase.

The phrase was simple: "That's okay. Everyone spills."
Sometimes the child might also hear words to this effect:
"That's okay. Daddy help."

Then we'd just clean up and go on with the meal. No big
deal.

AND THE OPERATIVE WORDS WERE...

"That's okay!"

I mean, why make a "little person" feel bad because she made
a common mistake? It is a part of the growing up process!!

And besides...

*People are more important than "process" -- right?
*Everyone makes mistakes -- right?
*It is good for the family to help -- right?

RIGHT

Yes, I repeated the word "right" for a purpose. It is a
good practice to:

*Affirm people

*Keep the "minor" mistakes of people just that: minor

*Quickly help people instead of quickly criticizing or
condemning them

These simple "people affirming practices" are "right"...

At my home
In my office
On my assembly line
During my classes
As a part of my business
Anywhere

"THAT'S OKAY"

You could have an opportunity to use that phrase this week.

Try it.
The people who hear you say it may like it!

Why? Because...

*People need to be affirmed.
*People need to be assured that we all make mistakes.
*People need to be helped.

SAID IN ANOTHER WAY

If you...

Are determined to build people up instead of tearing
them down,

Place a high value on relationships with others,

Are realistic in the assessment of your own failures and
successes,

Work hard at being more helpful than you are demanding,

And continually strive to bring out the best in people,

You will be motivated to maintain a "That's okay" style of
of life when it comes to interacting with your family,
friends, co-workers and everyday acquaintances.

IT SURE AIN'T EASY

No, it's not. We fail. We don't always affirm, put things
in perspective or help.

But if we value the things I just mentioned, we remind
*ourselves* of the same two word philosophy, apply it to the
person we see in the mirror each day, and try to get it
right the next time!


Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

-------------------------------
Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business
at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful
Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission
is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be
included. Email: Lee@searichs.net
Link: http://www.motivation-for-daily-living.net