My Mom the Motivator
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Visiting on the phone with my parents yesterday just cathing up and Mom slipped this one into the conversation. “Some people have attitudes like flat tires, and if they don’t change them they are not going to get very far.” ~ Wanda Weisler
When I was little she motivated me to make my bed, wash behind my ears(sometimes), be nice, bathe and even share my cookies. Now nearly 46 years later she’s still bringing the heat! Thanks MOM!
Kirk
March 9th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Kurt,
That made me laugh, reminds me of my mom. Judy Schmaltz is 6 feet tall, 67 years old and can still ‘bring the heat’ and “motivate†her 6’3†and 6’8†sons, often to the delight of her grandchildren. She is very loving, but doesn’t suffer fools nor foolish behavior gladly, and often has pearls of wisdom (a la Wanda Weisler) to dole out.
Something to show your daughters: www.rattlersgirlshockey.org Our girls won their league tournament, with 3 girls that had NEVER sk ated before last season. One of them is now the #4 scorer on the team. Anything can be done if you put your mind and effort to it.
Be well, my friend.
Kevin
March 9th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
“When I was little she motivated me to …. even share my cookies.”
Hmm…is it coincidence that you ended up writing a book called “The Cookie Thief”?
March 9th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
What a ripper!!! Straight into my favourites! Finding a way to make it clear to people that an attitude change ‘may help’ is sometimes one of the hardest things to verbalise - with the use of an upper cut with a wet fish. This goes tot he heart of the matter with absolute clarity.
Thanks Kirk, and Wanda.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Kirk,
Your note reminds us how true it is that we’ll travel a lot farther with a positive attitude. I consider it a gem of wisdom!
I’ll add:
• When we inflate our positive attitude, we’re best when we also deflate our opinions of ourselves and our behaviors
o The folks I admire most have demonstrated this combination consistently
o With humility, and looking for the best in one another, we ‘meet one another where we are’
• Each of us is human, showing strengths and weaknesses
• If I’m honest, I acknowledge that I’m ‘a work in progress’ - on a bad day I show less than my best, but I try to show my better side more often
I reminded myself to internalize these disciplines:
o Inflate my positive outlook;
o Deflate my opinions of myself; and
o Use humility to manage my interactions