Happy Friday, RISERS! This is a holiday weekend, so I hope you’ll find a bit of rest from your labors. I have been very blessed to be able to do work that I enjoy. It still gets challenging from time to time, but that’s okay, because if we never had any challenges with our jobs, we wouldn’t grow.
Quote of the week: “Don’t listen to the person who has the answers; listen to the person who has the questions.” –Albert Einstein
Movie of the week: My husband has the uncanny ability to take a movie that I begrudgingly agree to watch and turn it into a wonderful experience. This week, he introduced me to Blue Miracle with Dennis Quaid. It is a story about a washed-up tournament fisherman and how he teams up with a cash-strapped orphanage to win a blue marlin fishing tournament. I don’t want to spoil the movie, but it will hit you right in the feels. It makes you realize that family is more than your flesh and blood and that what we believe about ourselves can be different from what others believe about us. And sometimes, you must be true to yourself and do what you know is right, even when under pressure to do it the “wrong” way. I hope you’ll enjoy this movie as much as I did.
Joke of the week: What has many keys but can’t open a single lock? A piano
Nugget of Wisdom for the week: This week, I want to encourage you to be intentional with your time. Time is finite. You cannot get back the time that you waste or spend on the wrong things. If you’re a person like me, who constantly has so many things going on, you’ll need to learn that sometimes you need to say “No” in order to also be able to say “Yes.” Sometimes, when I’m asked to help with a project or volunteer for a cause, I say “Yes” without taking into account the other commitments I already have in place. Then I feel like I’m spinning plates in a circus, just waiting for one to come crashing down. When you have too many obligations on your shoulders, it becomes difficult to say “Yes” to the more important opportunities that would give you both satisfaction and maybe a little recognition. We all need to hear “Well done!” and “Great job.”
If you are someone who has learned how to say “No” and therefore has a lot of free time, think about what types of opportunities might prompt you to say “Yes.” Consider getting involved when asked to help with a project or volunteer for a worthy cause. Learn a new skill and make a new acquaintance. If you don’t enjoy the spotlight, there are often lots of ways to work behind the scenes and make an important contribution without drawing attention to yourself. To make your time and labor count for something is one of the best ways to find new energy and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.
We can’t help everyone who asks for it, but if we can learn when to say “No” and when to say “Yes,” then we’ll find each experience more meaningful when we do get involved.
FYI: I need to wait a bit longer before I can reveal the special something I mentioned last week…but it will be worth it!
Have a fun, safe Labor Day weekend and a great week. Remember, you are most awesome and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
