Kindness and The Power of Words

October 17, 2016October 15, 2016 / jrmilson / 6 Comments

My Mother, who I consider to quite possibly be the wisest person I have ever known, raised me on the adage of — “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Her intent was to both support me when on the receiving end of hurtful barbs sent my way, and to make sure that I learned not to launch any in the direction of others myself.

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With all due love and respect to Mom, that’s plain hogwash. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but Words can be truly hurtful. We need to be especially careful, supportive and encouraging with our chosen words for children, whose self-images and psyches can be so fragile. And with everyone, really. Words have the power to hurt or heal. Support or discourage. Build up or tear down. Words can serve to create or to devastate and crush a young and loving spirit. Broken bones and wounds tend to heal well over time, but poorly chosen, hurtful words can leave lasting impressions and scars that stay with us forever.

An unkind word is like toothpaste. Once out, it is impossible to put back. Hurtful and demeaning words may be forgiven, but likely never forgotten.

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A kind word can mean the world to someone who may be going thru a rough stretch of road. And we never really know what someone may be going thru from outward appearances. Oftentimes, all a struggling person may need to turn a life in turmoil around is a kind word to know someone else cares. On how many occasions after someone has passed, have we heard the sentiment — “If only I had told them . . . . “?

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We should never let pass the opportunity to lend a hand, help someone, or as William Makepeace Thackeray put it — “Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.”

Thanks as always for stopping in to visit. Share a kind word, and make someone’s day a little brighter. — Jim (and Red!)

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Sunday Family Day — Putting “Family” Back Into Sundays!

October 16, 2016October 16, 2016 / jrmilson / 5 Comments

Things tend to change over time. Oftentimes for the better. Sometimes not.

Sundays were family days a while ago. Back in the days before over-hyped sporting events and media distractions began to dominate the scene and steal away quality time. Sundays were spent relaxing from the weekly routine, the hustle and bustle, from the work grind and stress. Reconnecting. Spending time together. Going for Sunday afternoon drives thru the countryside. Looking forward all day to Sunday dinner. Sundays were for staying in touch, returning to our center and to what is truly important — Family.

This is the first in a series of weekly Sunday posts dedicated to returning Sundays to Family Days. Spending quality time with loved ones. Each of us only gets so much time in our life and no one knows how much. We can choose to invest the time given to us wisely, into what is most important to us and to the future of our children, or to fritter it away in frivolous pursuits which yield nothing but empty minutes passed and a longing for something more substantial and connecting in our lives. So many feel disconnected today. Be and stay connected — with your family.

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It is easier to withstand the storms of life, not being blown over by the random winds of misfortune, when we are grounded, anchored and held secure by family and loving roots. Sundays are made for grounding and staying connected. Our society, with so many challenges confronting families today, ranging from rampant drug use to negative social media influences and divisiveness, perhaps now more than ever, needs to rekindle that spirit of family togetherness and bonding.

The autumn season, with its refreshing and crisp air, is a perfect time to get the family together for a picnic. Take a trip to the park and kick around a soccer ball. Launch a Frisbee thru the air. Play hide and seek. Or even spread a blanket on the ground in the backyard and just have a fun time together tossing leaves about and grilling up some hot dogs or marshmallows. If inclement weather, take that same blanket and make a tent in the family room. Spend the time together, and have Fun! Experience, share and enjoy the Peace, Joy, and Love. They aren’t just words on a page. Give them true life in your family, making lasting loving memories while forming the connections which strengthen and hold us together.

(Image Credit: Tori Watson Photography, The Haggards Family, blog.tori-watson.com)

Family time. Together time. Fun time. Quality time. The best time! To be in our children’s memories tomorrow, we must be in their lives today.

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Thank You for stopping by to visit! I hope you enjoy this new Sunday feature, and follow along each week as we work together to bring Family back into Sundays. Spread the word to family, friends and neighbors. What does your family do to stay connected? Please feel free to share in the comments! We are all in this together, after all.

Happy Sunday! Happy Family Day! Wishing everyone a beautiful autumn and family Sunday — together! – – – Jim (and Red!)

(Image via CanberraYourFuture.com)

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!

About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

“Empathy — Walking a Mile in Their Moccasins”

August 11, 2016August 12, 2016 / jrmilson / 1 Comment

As a kid growing up, to me my Mother was a suburban housewife, no different from all the other kids’ moms. Getting me off to school in the morning, keeping up the house while dad worked, having dinner ready when he got home. Doing the shopping and all the other household tasks of a 1950’s and 60’s housewife.

Only now, can I look back to realize and appreciate the rich Southern, Country and Native American background and traditions that my mother also brought to my upbringing. She had familiar and time-worn phrases that she would repeat over and over again which have stayed with me all my life. In retrospect, she was probably the wisest person I have ever known. One of her favorite admonitions was — “Never judge someone until you have walked a mile in their moccasins,” from the 1895 poem by Mary T. Lathrap.

Everyone has a story and a chapter they are living today in that story, and we are all part of the whole. What happens to one of us happens to all of us. The world needs more Empathy. So often we toss out the well-intentioned “Hey, how ya doin’?” without pause while we keep on walking. What if we stopped our own pursuits for a minute and meaningfully asked — “Really, how are you doing?” And cared.

The following is a wonderful, heartfelt video produced by the Cleveland Clinic which can be extended beyond the hospital walls to the world outside. When you look at someone, do you observe the outward appearance of the person in front of you, or do you feel and see the story of the individual?

“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” — Henry David Thoreau

Everyone is living their own story, facing their own struggles and battles, most of which we are not aware, and it gets lonely in the trenches sometimes. We need to take the time and make the effort to learn the stories to let someone know they are not alone.

Thanks as always for visiting! Help make the world a more caring and better place today. — Jim (and Red!)

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!

About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

The Best Day of Your Life? — The Day Your Life Begins!

March 22, 2016March 21, 2016 / jrmilson / Leave a comment

This positive motivational message brought to you today by “The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Story Collections, the “Margaret Monarch Plant Wildflowers for Wildlife Association”, and by the “Irresponsible Actions and Happiness Institute” — proud sponsors of independent thought and happy living everywhere.

Partial funding provided by “The Bobo and Lily Bears Foundation for Higher Nature Awareness and Appreciation”, by the “Expose Kids to Dirt and Nature Movement” located in Good Hope, and by the “‘One Day Just Ain’t Enough Recognition’ Grumpy Groundhog Group.”

Funding to support this site provided by “Old Glory Bears & Raggedy Dolls,” maker of collector teddy bears, dolls and fine quality accessories worldwide.

And by dedicated home readers like you. Thanks as always for visiting and reading along! — Jim (and Red!)

Quote- Bob Moawad

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories about an Uncommonly Special Bear and his Friends. Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!

Take A Walk For Exercise, Come Home With A Story Idea– a ‘Two-fer’!

March 16, 2016March 15, 2016 / jrmilson / 2 Comments

A beautiful day here yesterday with the temperature reaching 70F. A grey, overcast morning gave way to brilliant sunshine in the afternoon, with daffodils everywhere stretching to bask in the warmth. You could almost hear the tree buds popping open to welcome spring. So I took an afternoon walk for fresh air and exercise. Always a good thing. And, as so frequently happens on walks, a fun new story idea presented itself along the way.

Walking along, I caught sight of a man getting out of his pickup truck and walking around to the back door of his home. A while later, I observed a young lady pull into a driveway, exit the car, proceed up the walk and knock on the front door. That’s all. Simple as that. BAMM! The inspiration for a fun conversation in the next set of Little Red Bear stories came to mind. I completed the walk, came in and wrote out a new scene and character conversation, right out of the blue. A small sequence in a large collection of stories, but isn’t that what creativity is — little bits all stitched together to form a whole? Kind of like an old-fashioned quilt in that way.

I read a selection recently about taking the time and making the effort to be more mindful to fully appreciate the everyday, mundane tasks that we go thru by rote each and every day, half awake in a hypnotic and robotic state without even being aware of what we are doing. How does the shower water feel? What does the shampoo smell like? How does the toothpaste taste and smell? The true aromas of breakfast. Flower scents in the air when heading outside. The feel on our face of a morning mist or breeze. Being aware and alive to consciously witness and take pleasure in everyday experiences and occurrences going on all around us all thru the day. Living and Being in the moment.

And when we are in ‘aware mode’, fully cognizant of and appreciating our life and all around us, then creative and story ideas are everywhere. It’s as simple as watching someone get out of their car. Next time you find yourself stuck for a creative idea or inspiration, the answer may be waiting right outside the door. Why not go outside and see?

Thanks for stopping by to visit. It’s even more beautiful this morning. I feel another walk coming on. — Jim (and Red!)

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“The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” on Amazon

Short Stories About An Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends

The Importance of Play!

February 3, 2016 / jrmilson / Leave a comment

Nature programs and the internet are full of videos showing cute baby animals at play. Young animals learn critical life skills thru their play, and human children are no different. The old saying — “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” — certainly applies to children and the learning process.

Thru active play children learn to use their imaginations as well as developing critical interactive social skills and creativity. Outdoor play is even better, combining activity with fresh air and exercise. Children not only deserve, but need a healthy dose of playtime.

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” ~ Fred (Mr.) Rogers

It is important to remember also, that playtime is not restricted to the young. We all need to step away from the routine now and then to refresh and recharge, in order to remain healthy, alert and active; both living and enjoying life to the fullest.

Thanks as always for visiting. Now, go outside and play! — Jim (and Red!)