Learning wisdom

Hello wonderful family!

I love you all and hope your day was terrific.

Love,

Dad

Tuesday, October 20, 2020
8:54 pm

I got lots done today in preparation for my strategic planning meeting this weekend.  I feel good that I accomplished several of the priorities I identified this morning.  I hope to do the same tomorrow.

I also had an experience that left me feeling frustrated.  Without going into details (they aren't important and just sound whiney), I felt like I was taken advantage of.  As I've thought about this, I am learning two lessons:

1.       Don't complain about something if I haven't been clear in my communication.  Looking back, I did not do a very good job communicating expectations.  I assumed one thing, while the other person thought something different.

2.       I want to be very careful not to do the same thing to other people.  I know this situation was not intentional, but I feel frustrated anyway.  Do I ever behave in a way that is insensitive or that takes advantage of another person's generosity inappropriately?

Instead of being irritated, I am going to choose to make this a positive experience.  Not only will this help me as I implement the two lessons listed above, I can also help the other person become better by communicating clearly and with kindness, challenging them to elevate their sights and become a better person.  (And getting enough sleep would probably also be a positive development!)

Tonight we trimmed the wings of the three chickens that continually fly out of the chicken yard, then had dinner.  I read several books to the little girls, then Wild Robot at bedtime.

Thankful: I am thankful that I am becoming more even keeled.  In the past I would have reacted differently to the frustrating experience I had today, and it would not have been productive.  I would have vented and rehashed all the details to many people, replaying the situation over and over in my mind.  That's a bad use of emotional energy and doesn't help anyone.

Ministering: I am going to minister to my family by folding a load of laundry before going to sleep on time tonight.

More later…

Jessie and Abbie both left me notes years ago when they came to work with me as part of job shadow day.  I've left those notes where they posted them, and I smile every time I see them.