Generosity
When you think of a generous person, who first comes to mind?
Generosity – “a willingness to give help or support, especially more than is usual or expected.”
Who has inspired you the most to greater generosity?
I hope that it won’t be some famous celebrities or philanthropists, rather it’ll be a family member, a friend, someone in the community, or a co-worker perhaps.
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” said Debbie Macomber.
One by One.
Act by Act.
Service by Service.
Little by Little.
Each of us can make a difference.
I am encouraged by the words of the Dalai Lama who said – “Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.”
We simply don’t talk about generosity enough.
We desperately need more men and women in society at large to look around, to look beyond themselves and consider the needs of others. To become more selfless, outward looking, to give more, to be more compassionate and much, much more generous. Some will think it airy-fairy. Yet, it is a powerful, personal, potent, peace giving potion.
What can you do, who will you help today?
Tips!
The problem with the word “tip” is that it has many definitions.
At a recent CIPD event, we had a few moments of miscommunication and hilarity, as we tried to contextualise a three-letter word into a definitive description!
For example, consider the following…..
– Leaving a tip for the waiter is good practice.
– Fly tipping is a problem around the country.
– It was on the tip of my tongue to say exactly what I thought.
– Tipping the glass of water over wasn’t what I’d planned.
– The tip of the pencil needs to be sharpened.
– The goalkeeper tipped the ball over the crossbar.
– A good tip for the Grand National is Tiger Roll.
We were trying to get to a succinct definition of the word “tip”! In our case it was about a good idea or more specifically a “helpful hint”.
And so, my tip (oops) helpful hint for today is simply this one life saving daily habit – have a talk with yourself and don’t take life so seriously! “In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured” said Gordon B. Hinckley.
A little craziness once in a while perpetuates sanity! Learn to laugh at the little things, and life will be easier. Laughter is the best form of therapy.
Remember, life isn’t all business, it can be mixed with fun & laughter too.
Look out for some laughter today!
Perfect Pizza!
“It’s the centrifugal force” I said, as my daughter Cristi gave me a bit of a strange look!
In attempting to make home made pizza at the weekend for the first time ever, I learned a lot about the key ingredients and the due process of making the dough. Both are essential for perfect pizza.
The Ingredients
Strong plain flour, yeast, salt, olive oil, warm water and a little warm milk mixed together create a perfect dough.
Then the fun begins.
Kneading the dough on a well floured surface for 5 minutes creates a smooth and slightly tacky texture. Then, you pop the ball of dough into a bowl, cover it with a wet cloth, leave it for 90 minutes, allowing it to rise to perfection.
Time to knock back the dough.
Gently lifting the dough out from the bowl, kneading it again, then leaving it for another 45 minutes to rest a while. The passage of time is key.
Now, roller in hand, it was time to roll out the dough.
The first two bases were impressive and I determined not to toss the dough, frightened that I’d make a mess of my perfect creation! However, on the third base, after watching a “how to throw dough” video, I incorporated the toss into my routine. Gently balancing the rolled dough on my fingertips, I tossed it into the air, with a gentle rotating spin action at the same time and capturing it again on the back of my hand. Performing this action three times, allowed centrifugal force to stretch out the pizza base to perfection!
Adding on the toppings, making sure the oven was on full blast, pizza trays were already hot and getting the oven timings right were crucial finishing touches.
The result. Perfect Pizza’s!
However, it has to be said, although Pizza’s 1 & 2 were good, adding in the toss for Pizza 3, made the difference between good and great!
In my allegory filled mind, there are dozens of pictures forming about this due process. There are multiple comparisons to be made and lessons to be learned. Time, ingredients, process, heat, practice, that little extra toss.
What allegories come to mind for you?
To move from good to great, sometimes you just have to throw in that little extra…. (toss!)
Now to do it all again, this time Gluten Free!
Mind the Gap
Who am I?
Family Values Awards
Swimming Lessons
Yesterday, I returned to the swimming pool. It’s been a while! Today, getting out of bed, I’ve learned another lesson…..pacing myself!
This morning, I’m aching all over. In my enthusiasm of being back in the water, it feels that I have simply stretched myself just a little too far.
Have you felt that way before?
I certainly enjoyed myself in the pool. One length after the other. There were quite a few new social distance guidelines and restrictions also in play. That said, I’ll be back again soon enough for sure.
I am a firm believer in learning, growth and development, it certainly is important to push yourself a little. However, its also important to pace yourself too. That is my lesson this morning. The aches and pains are none too pleasant. I am certainly tuning into my body today. Now I know I should have listened a little more yesterday.
Pacing means finding the right balance of activity and rest for your unique situation. In hindsight, I wished that I’d taken it just a little slower yesterday and paced myself better.
Its time today to give myself another good talking to and remind myself (again), to find the right pace for myself. Less really is more!
How do you pace yourself when it comes to life?
Relevance
Profanity
Walking through the town centre on my way home yesterday, I certainly had a rude awakening to one part of society I haven’t missed at all, profanity.
It was just awful and I found it so very, very sad.
Over the course of less than 100 metres or so, my ears were filled with several expletives from young and old as they caught up face to face for the first time in a while. I actually found it depressing, and felt assaulted by it. As a Christian, I cannot understand why any human being chooses to use the name of deity with such disrespect.
Is it ever okay to swear?
Worryingly – blasphemy, cursing, the use of obscenities and vulgar talk is everywhere, the use of foul and abusive language has reached epidemic proportions.
Recently I stumbled across a quote that summed it up for me perfectly – “Profanity is the effort of a feeble mind trying to express itself forcefully.” Spencer W. Kimball.
We expose ourselves with our speech.
You will recall that Shakespeare urged in King Lear, “Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortunes.” (act 1, sc.1,line 96.) Some may disagree and argue its only words.
My invitation – lets use self mastery and self control in our language to build, to edify, to uplift, to enlighten, to appreciate and to motivate.