Lessons learned

I have found myself getting on to the girls a lot lately (as a crying girl lays beside me right now refusing to take a nap). They are legitimate reasons, but sometimes I feel like I neglect to see the good the girls are doing and I just focus on the things they need to work on. So, I decided to take just a minute and think about some of the things the girls do good...actually, there are many lessons I could learn from the girls if I choose to. Here are some of the lessons:

1. Lesson from sister #1-M: Stand up for the weak and for the things you believe in. Let me tell you, there is very little that can stand in this girls' way when she is determined. Thankfully, she notices those who cannot stand up for themselves and helps them. If she believes something is right, she will stand up for it. Sometimes I give up too easily, but this girl doesn't give up. Yes, this quality can drive me crazy when she and I disagree on what is right, but sadly to say, she is ending up right more and more lately!


2. Lesson from sister #2-H: Listen to people. Now, this child does not listen to directions, or she just doesn't compute directions real well, but she does listen to people. I find myself daydreaming while people are talking to me. I start thinking about the things that need to be done, or I pay attention to everyone else around me except for who is talking to me. Not H, she listens when someone is telling her about themselves or telling a story. She listens and remembers and it makes people feel good. She makes people feel important by listening to them.


3. Lesson from sister #3-A: Give compliments to people. A is SO good at this. There are many, many times when A will give someone, anyone a compliment, and it totally changes their entire demeanor. The other day we were in a store, and the clerk was just a tad grumpy. She just didn't smile. I was checking out with the girls, and Autumn was off looking at something else. Later in the car, Autumn was telling me how interesting it was that the clerk suddenly seemed to change her mood and start smiling. I told her what made the difference...it was our little 6 year old A who looked up at her and said, "You are really good at this job." I guess we all need a little encouragement from time to time, and A notices the people who usually don't get compliments and she is not afraid to speak up.


4. Lesson from sister #4-S: Smile. I know this seems like a simple lesson...well, I guess it is, but I am telling you, we all forget to smile. S smiles...a LOT. If we all smiled more, I think we would feel better, and I think other people would respond better towards us. S smiles. People notice her smile and it brightens their day. I need to remember to smile more.


5. Lessons from all sisters: Give hugs. Now I know that it is different for little girls to give hugs to people than it is for a grow woman to give a hug, but I am telling you, these girls hug people and it makes them feel important and loved. The thing is, most people will treat people differently based on money, clothes, or whatever. These girls don't. I need to learn from them.

Now, I am by no means trying to make them sound perfect because I know they aren't. (remember, I am writing these things so I will remember to see the good and not just point out the bad.) But, there are many lessons to be learned and opportunities to be taken every day. Don't miss out!