Happy Wednesday, Dear Peeps!
Did you know that our “hows” often influence (not dictate) our “whats?”
Solomon and SJ are on a different mission this morning. They asked permission to surprise Mr. Tom and put a smile on his face. They wanted me to carry them out to the family room so they could sit on his foot stool together and wait for him to come to his chair for a morning snooze.
Sometimes you just have to shake things up a bit to find new life and energy! “The boys” as Tom calls them, are good at that. And this morning they have to go to Tom in order to see him. He is recuperating from yesterday’s excursion.
You see, Solomon and SJ took turns looking at Tom through my lenses. (SJ copied him but did not get his picture taken.) So the little sheep of excitement and wonder who always wants to be the center of attention, is a bit pouty about not getting his picture taken too. But he has to learn to take turns. (hmm)
But together, they learned a simple lesson they asked me to write about while they wait for Tom!
The lesson? How you see things influences what you see!
For example, if you see people through the lens of love and compassion, what you see and what you do is influenced by those lenses! Another example . . how you see kids’ misbehaviors . . . also influences what you do. If you see them as “misguided” you are more inclined to look for “teachable moments” and find ways to lead, guide and influence them far more often than demand, punish, and control them.
But back to Solomon and SJ.
This morning they especially asked me to tell you how they see Mr. Tom (especially through my lenses).
They see a thoughtful and brave family/shepherd man who shows kindness and personal strength and is a positive influence on all who know him. So they want to give him what he gives them … encouragement, humor, playfulness, affection, creative energy, and just plain ol’ love.
He moves slowly these days so all three of us have to be patient.
While we wait, they want me to tell you about yesterday too.
Solomon and SJ went for a long ride yesterday. I had the privilege of giving a presentation to a group of wonderful young moms of preschoolers. It was a beautiful drive in the countryside. As you might imagine, “the boys” were happy.
First they watched how Mr. Tom bravely got up early and took his shower before we left. He did that so I would not worry about him. Yes, in some ways he is still stronger than he was and even able to go for short rides a couple of times a week, but his body is completely unpredictable so he knows I am cautious. His friend was coming later to spend a few hours with him, but he was intent on taking care of me by doing what he could for himself to reduce my concern.
Yes, that is how Tom rolls.
It is helpful to observe “how” you see, hear, do, or think about things and ask yourself, how that influences “what” you see, hear, do, or think.
Ask, “How do I do most things… ?”
“How do I see life, people, God…?”
“How do I feel about work, worship, parenting, meditation,relaxation, exercise…?”
“How do I hear people, God, nature…? etc.”
When we arrived “the boys” watched the tears come down my face when I texted Tom that I was safely there and he texted back, “Glad to hear of safe arrival, now go let your light shine!”
My topic of the morning was “Let You Light Shine!”
“The boys” sat on a bench beside me as I spoke and they listened.
Right then and there, they also learned that how we hear things influences what we hear. We did not speak directly about that but we read the simple statement, “Let your light shine” in a routine (dullish) way. Yawn. Then we read the same line four times emphasizing a different word each time. So how we heard those words influenced what we heard. Example: Let YOUR light shine!
Speaking of hearing….a large chuckle and delightful chatter is happening between the boys and Tom in the other room.
Perfect.
Each one of us has an inner light. Let’s LET it shine!
Playing in the pastures, jumping over the mud puddles.
Margie
