Care Packages

Care packages are often sent to college students and military personnel.  They contain items to let the recipients know that you miss them and are thinking of them.  It is important to reach out to people to show that you care.  You may think you don't need to let someone know how you feel about them because you assume that they already know.  Everyone likes to be reminded occasionally that they are special.  You don't always have to put food, magazines, pictures, and gifts in a box to be mailed.  Sometimes the people that need a care package from you are the ones you interact with regularly and may take for granted.  Care is made up of credibility, availability, recognition, and expression.

• Credibility means that people can believe what you say.  When you care about someone, they should be able to trust you.  

• Availability means that you make time for others.  When you show up, you show that you care.

• Recognition means that you acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of others.  When you care, you pay attention and offer the appropriate sentiment (encouragement, congratulations, or compassion).

• Expression means that you let people know how you feel.  It can be done with words or actions.  The important thing is to do something meaningful to an individual to let them know how much you care.

Leave a comment and share what element of caring you will demonstrate this week.

Eye Drops

Do you have a vision statement?  In other words, can you see where you want to go and how you will get there?  For example, you may want to become a great chef so you plan to go to culinary school.  It is good to have a clear and concise vision.  However, there might be times when you lose sight of your goals.  There are things that can cloud your vision or obstruct your view.  When that happens, eye drops may be helpful.  They can provide relief and help you see clearly.  Common vision problems include red eyes, dry eyes, and itchy eyes.

Red eyes might be caused by tiredness.  Sometimes when you pursue something at a frantic pace, you do not take time to rest, recharge, and remind yourself why you are working so hard.  Objectivity is essential for clear vision.  It is important to recognize when your focus shifts due to a lack of energy.  The eye drops to help this problem include flexibility and balance.   Be flexible enough to consider alternative routes and methods to reach your goal.  Make sure there is balance between family, work, education, and fun.  All of these variables contribute to your vision.

Dry eyes need drops frequently to ease discomfort.  Decisions and resilience will be needed on a regular basis to support your vision.  Sometimes you may make the wrong decision.  That is when you will need to have the resilience to bounce back and keep going.

Itchy eyes are a symptom of allergies.  Identify those people or things that irritate your vision.  You may not be able to avoid them, but you can use the correct drops to lessen their impact.  Assertiveness and expectations can soothe the anxiety generated by the unknown.  Be assertive regarding what you need and let others know what you expect from them as well as what they can expect from you.

Leave a comment and share which eye drops you will use this week. 

Blind Date

Have you ever been on a blind date?  Maybe you were set up by well meaning friends or met someone online.  The word "blind" indicates that you haven't seen the person.  You have no idea what they look like.  If you consider the other definition of the word "date", then the phrase blind date could refer to a specific day and time that are unknown to you.  There are certain milestones that you acknowledge as being significant to you.  It may be your birthday, anniversary, graduation date, or another event that you mark on the calendar.  Other people may remember the same dates for different reasons that are important to them.  Have you ever wondered if there were historical events linked to dates that are special to you?  Do you know what notable people share your birthday?  You might find some interesting connections to your key dates. 

On the day that you read this post, use this link, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history, to see what else happened on this day in history.  You can also enter other meaningful dates to see if they have historical reference.
You can go to this site, http://www.famousbirthdays.com/welcome.html, to find out who celebrates a birthday on the same day as you.

Leave a comment and share what you found out when you visited the recommended sites.

Musical Chairs

As a child, did you play the game musical chairs?  It was fun to go around in circles and race to the empty seats when the music stopped.  For adults, the phrase musical chairs may be used to describe situations where you are constantly shifting positions.  Think of the chairs as being symbolic of your point of view as you evaluate options and make decisions about what you need to do.  Three common chairs that are used over the course of your life are high chairs, armchairs, and rocking chairs.


High chairs are for toddlers.  There is a tray to keep them within the boundaries of the chair and place their food in easy reach.  A figurative high chair for you might be your job.  You may feel confined to your daily duties with no room for growth.  Frustration can build if you are able to see something you want that is beyond your reach.  Perspective and willingness to try a new approach are the counters to frustration.  Realize that you will not always be limited to your current circumstance and consider how you will proceed once you are able to move in the direction that you want.

Armchairs are often accent pieces that coordinate with larger furniture items.  They provide comfort without taking up a lot of space.   Simple gestures can serve a similar purpose.  A supportive smile, understanding nod, or encouraging thumbs up signal can make someone feel better.  Something that seems relatively small can sometimes make a big difference.

Rocking chairs represent relaxation.  The back and forth motion soothes crying babies or restless adults.   Your tone of voice and choice of words can do the same thing when you interact with others.  Speak with the intent to ease distress and promote cooperation when you sense the need for an objective opinion in an ongoing discussion.

Leave a comment and share which chair you will use this week.