Can't We All Just Get Along?

With the Thanksgiving Holiday here, the kids are home from school. I am also taking some vacation. My wife just loves having us all in the house! Wouldn't you? The noise of play and the intermittent fighting make for a lovely time.

Usually, the kids act better with me around. They have a little more fear to keep them in line. However, with this much time even that looses it hold on them. I talk to them about how there actions make their mother dread having them home for extended periods. Boys will be boys, but they might not make it to manhood unless they straighten up!

The question is, are they really all that different from us adults? They are driven by their own wants and they fight when that conflicts with what is happening. "Play my way!" could just as easily be heard at the office. It's just that adults don't say it out loud. "Stop bugging me!" could come from our closest friends at times, but they hold their tongue and think it instead.

So really, can't we all just get along could be the theme for many of our lives.

Recognize It and Let It Go

My son hates to make a mistake. Who doesn't. He gets down on himself, thinking that he has let everyone down in some way. He says he is stupid, because that's how he feels. I must admit that I am probably the same way, I just don't verbalize it. I am a man. I bury it.

Last night I found myself asking him why he can't admit when he makes a mistake. He says the words get caught in his throat. True enough. I told him that he has to be able to recognize his mistakes, admit them, see how he could avoid them in the future and then let it go. Sounds simple, but we all know how hard that is. Lord knows I can't always follow my own advice on this subject.

I told Jonah it is what he has to do if he wants to be happier. That's true for all of us. We have to forgive ourselves and try better next time. Most of all, we have to let it go.

You can't approach everything the same way

Sometimes, teaching your children is really about teaching yourself. Jake, my 9 year old, is having problems at school. Social Studies is eating his lunch. He does fine with every other subject, but not Social Studies. He says he is trying, and I think he is, but it isn't paying off. He just isn't making any headway.

I just got finished telling him that he has to try different ways of studying so that he can find the right answer. What works in one subject just isn't working with this one. He has to keep trying until he finds the right answer. That means more work and more focus. There isn't really any other way.

How many times in life is this true? What is working for us in other areas just isn't getting it done in another area. But many times we just keep trying the same methods and we don't understand that these methods have to change. We have to try other things, new ways of finding success. We have to work harder, and smarter, until we find the right approach.

Do Your Best and Things Work Out

How many of us have heard this in the past? If we do our best, things will work out for us. Work hard, pay attention, give it 100%. These are the things that we control. Take care of our business and "what will be, will be".

Other factors, outside of our control, may affect the situation. Sometime things won't work out the way we WANT them because of these factors. However, since we can't control them there is no sense worrying about them. Focus on what we control and "leave the rest to God".

I agree with all of these points. I share them with my family and friends when the situation calls for it. I truly believe that what is outside of my control is not worth the worry. I TRY to leave it to God. I'll do my part and He will do His.

Right now, my company is downsizing. After nearly 19 years, I may loose my job. The economy, our particular business environment and many other valid issues are driving this change. I have given my best to the company through the years and they have rewarded me. My career has progressed nicely. However...

The thought of being without a job scares the hell out me. I rationalize the situation with all of the logic above, but deep inside I shake like child. I've done all I can and it is out of my hands now. I pray and I wait. I was suppose to find out next week. now they have moved it to January. That's something.

I've done what I can. Now I have to sit back and hope things work out.