Thought for the day on being a winner...

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/22/147186116/when-theres-more-to-winning-than-winning

I teach yoga, so sometimes you hear me call it Karma. I am also a parent, and at a 4H practice I once listened to a parent and leader discuss her expectations that any of her youth had better help out a fellow competitor who was having issues, with good sportsmanship and a smile on their face. And I was raised in a family where your work ethic and how you treat others, not your win-loss record are the measure of who you are.

This morning I managed to get out the door without my cell phone. So I got to make the long drive home. Turned out to be a good thing. Got a few moments in of catching up with Charlie as he was beginning his day, and helped him study for a board he has this afternoon. He told me a good friend had broken his leg earlier this week. The first thing I thought was ouch. To both of us, his is such a dear sweet guy with a smile and a hug for everyone, who manages to have all the dumb luck. But still a great guy.

Along the road home, I was listening to NPR, catching up on the goings on. There is a weekly commentator there, Frank Deford who has such wonderful perspective to his thoughts. He has logged in commentaries about people wanting to remove the national anthem from sporting events because people behave so poorly and his thoughts about athletes as heroes. Today was a wonderful piece about what makes them famous. And the role of the coach in making youth into good people.

Well, I hope you check it out, and leave your feedback. I hope that for you, like it did for me, it is one little lift in the step and reminder of who you want to be and how you want to be remembered. Have a great day everyone!

Quote to share...

I was listening to a show on NPR about bullying and heard this quote, wrote it down and it sort of stayed there.  On Saturday night, I was watching the news and they noted that within the city limits of Tucson, ten teen suicides in the past year have been attributed to bullying and/ or cyber bullying.  Wow.  I dug out the quote. 

"Gossip is like bursting a pillow on a hilltop.  Once the feathers are out, they cannot be gathered up again."

This quote makes me think.  When gossipping begins, I want to flee and yet I am not good at saying anything to effectively stop it.  Changing the subject hasn't been getting me anywhere, saying to each their own hasn't either.  And to be honest, it isn't enough.  I recently watched a mom stand up and say enough to talking about a family, and I was so impressed with her ability to do so.  I am better at sitting with others and directing my children to not hang out with gossippers than I am at making the "bittys" stop.

I also tried speaking to the parents of one of the youth who has targeted others, including my children, but the parents didn't seem to think it was a problem.  So today I ask for all of your input.  What would you say or do?

So many of the wonderful people around me have amazing insight, and I hope to learn from all of you.  This blog has some great followership, and I look forward to seeing the advice make a difference.  Thank you all for helping to make a difference.  Hugs to all!