Are you a bucket filler?  Did you know that the way you relate to others impacts your life and the lives of those around you?

Working with little children in Pre-K 3 teaches me much about life.  You see, 3 and 4 year old children tend to think the world revolves around them.  I guess some never grow out of this.  :)

Heidi and I began to teach the children about filling each other's bucket.  There are several books that help.  We used "How Full is Your Bucket?" by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer.  It encourages positive behavior as children learn to express kindness to one another.

When they share toys, use kind words or use good manners, we tell them they are filling other's buckets. And the best part of it is at the same time they also fill their own.
They're in the process of learning so continual reinforcement is required. When we go out to the playground, we always remind them to fill each other's buckets.

I have an after school class and many of the four year old children were in our class last year.  So they know all about filling buckets.  Occasionally they will say "I love you Miss Debbie" adding that they are filling my bucket and ...theirs.  I tell them I love them too.  But I also add that my bucket will really be filled if they listen. :)

I found this bucket song on YouTube. It's really a cute song and not too long.


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Since I choose to be a bucket filler and not a bucket dipper, I continue to count my every day blessings.

#974 Confirmation of the importance of having an attitude of gratitude in our Sunday sermon
#975 The reminder that peace is found in a person (Jesus) and not in pleasant circumstances.
#976 Laughing with the children every day
#977 The cutest photos of my after school class of four year old children
#978 Hearing my dad's voice on the phone
#979 My husband surprised me with breakfast in bed two times this past week
#980 My husband rubs Bengay on my back each morning and evening since I pulled my back
#981 A four day work week coming up this week and next
#982 Cooler weather in Phoenix ...at last
#983 A long phone conversation with my good friend Jean who lives in Florida
#984 My outside flowers in the entry are doing so much better with cooler weather

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.



Blessings and love,

It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with The Gypsy Mama. We receive a one word writing prompt and get to write for five minutes flat. Our word for this week is WRITE.

GO

I love to write.  I can trace it all the way back to elementary school.  I loved to read so writing just seemed to be the natural extension.  I had the opportunity to go to a creative writing class during the summer after fifth grade.  Each day we wrote stories and shared them in front of the class.  Mr. Yocum would critique us.  I discovered that I loved it ...

I began to journal on a consistent basis on January 1, 1994.  That was the day my Nana died.  I wrote about her homecoming.  As I look back over my many journals, I read true stories of joy, heartache, and pain.  I recorded my thoughts and feelings over the years.

But the pattern I see over and over is the God who loves me.  You see, He was there when I was hurt and I held it in and refused to cry.  He was there when I rebelled and did my own thing.  He was there when I was burdened.  He was there to bring joy to my heart no matter what was going on in my life.

I continue to write in my journals.  But for years now I've been blogging. I get to write and share with many people I've never met.  My writing has opened up new relationships with other bloggers.  I'm discovering my voice.  So I continue to write.

STOP

Blessings and love,

Life is a journey.  But much too often I find myself on autopilot.  I'm checking off items on my to-do list but not taking the time to stop and enjoy the moments.

To-do list:

• Exercise on treadmill
• Drink lots of water
• Stretch
• Free weights
• Morning quiet time
• Writing
• Get ready for work and get there on time

I want to get back in great shape. You see, I know what it feels like:

• to have lots of energy
• to have clothes that fit well 
• to get dressed once and not have to go back to the closet and change after catching a glimpse in the mirror
• to not focus so much on food and exercise

I want a healthy lifestyle to simply be a part of my every day life.  

I have a lot of living to do.  And I don't want to miss out.  I want to stop and smell the roses.
I used to teach heart patients ways to stay healthy and prevent future problems. Diet, exercise, keeping track of their cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. But I wanted to know what pushed their buttons.  What would motivate them to start to take better care of themselves and live a healthier lifestyle.

So I conducted a research project in the Cardiology practice where I was working.  I had the patients fill out a form to find out what they were most afraid of. Many had been close to death after all.  The results were a little bit surprising to me.

They were afraid of losing their independence.  

They wanted to be able to do the things that were important to them whether that was golfing, working in their career or simply playing and keeping up with their grandchildren.

So for today, I make the choice to exercise and eat healthy.  As time goes on, I discover that it has become a habit.  So I don't have to think about it and focus so much on it.  It's simply a part of my every day life.  I want to be able to do the things that are important to me too.  How about you?


I'm linking up with Kim of Just for Clicks for Weigh-In Wednesday.

Blessings and love,