How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.     ~ George Washington Carver

Has there been someone that has made a difference in your life without you knowing it at the time?

As I remember these words spoken to me as a child, "You're not good enough" and "You'll never amount to anything," I'm thankful that I had the strength and commitment to say, "I'll prove you wrong." My journey was littered with major obstacles as a child, and it would have been easy to give up and believe the adult naysayers that created the dysfunction in my life. These adults were my parents, relatives, teachers, and school counselors.

And little did I know then, but they helped me get on a path to teaching others and wanting to have a positive impact on other people's lives.

Then, there were others. There were some of my friends' parents...there were a couple of teachers that knew my backstory...there was my youth minister...they taught me lessons of kindness above all else when I didn't have anywhere else to turn.

I learned that we must be tolerant, compassionate, and patient with others, especially with the young. By taking the time to pay attention and listen, we teach appropriate communication skills to young children. And no matter the age, teaching appropriate communication skills is essential.

For years, I've believed that we are both teachers and students at the same time, and as such, we must be mindful of what we say and what we do. There are reminders of this lesson everywhere.

 I remember the yellowed page with curled edges that was plastered on my fridge while my own children were growing up, and it said, "Your actions speak so loudly, I can't hear what you say." It has always been a reminder...and still is as I work with others and teach communication and relationship skills.

Lessons come to us in many ways, and quotes have inspired me for years...such as this one:  "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

How do YOU make people feel? Make sure to be mindful of your choice of words, the tone, and connotation...let love ripple with each word and action you are responsible for.

We truly are teachers and students at the same time...be open to the lessons and share freely.

Until next time...

Lisa