‘We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are’ – Anais Nin

Has anyone ever said to you: “Oh, did you get your hair cut?” And, then they don’t follow it up with any other comment? How did that make you feel? Did you all of a sudden start thinking that your hair cut wasn’t a good one? Were you expecting the other person to complete the statement by telling you how WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL your new hair cut made you look?

On this week’s podcast, Jen and Leah explore the Art of Communication. They discuss how we, as individuals, create our own *story* to support what others tell us. They will also talk about how the new technologies that are out there today (Facebook, texting, twitter, e-mail) have played a role in diminishing the art of communication.

Definitions and meanings can get lost in translation! For examle, when someone sends you an e-mail and IT IS TYPED IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, what is your first impression? That the person who sent it to you is yelling or angry?

The social media outlets that are available today are extraordinary! They allow you to reconnect with people, and share aspects of your life in a very simple way. However, if over-used, they can be detrimental to your personal growth. Parents and children texting each other when they are in the same room is just not acceptable!

They conclude the podcast by Challenging their listeners to do a ‘48 hour unplug’. For 48 hours, do not use your computer or cell phone (except for emergencies), or television. This means the only type of communication you can have with others is face to face real time conversations! Try it, you might be surpised at how much easier this is to do than you think! Send your feedback to info@creatingyourmasterpiece.com

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“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you were a child, did you parents ever say to you: “Do as I say, not as I do“? What type of message did this send to you? In this week’s podcast, Jen and Leah talk about the importance of actually Practicing What You Preach. As parents, it is so very important to lead my example. You must be willing to ‘walk the walk’ if you ‘talk the talk’. Your children are always watching, and more importantly, learning by your example. They look up to you! By holding yourself to a high set of standards you are instilling those same standards in your children!

In coaching, we refer to this as your INTEGRITY. Your integrity is who you are when no one is looking. It is the set of standards that you abide by. In essence, it is your Personal Code of Ethics.

When we raise our standards and live within our integrity, believe it or not your life becomes less complex. Decisions become easier to make and you are doing what is right for you, and your children.

Another important aspect of living in integrity is that you know when you are wrong, and you are able to accept full responsibility for your actions. No more pointing fingers and placing blame on others. We are all humans, it is OK (and expected) when we occasionally err! By teaching this to your children, you are preparing them for a better future.

When we teach our children to live in integrity, we are also giving them powerful tools to guard against peer pressure. They have learned that it is OK to not *go along with the crowd*. When my mother wouldn’t let me do something (or go somewhere) with my friends, I would always ask her “Why can’t I go? Wendy is going!”

Her response to me would be something like:  “Well, if Wendy’s Mom let’s her jump off a bridge, does that mean I have to let you?”

Anyway, the point here is that your children need to learn that they are unique individuals, and not part of some mass herd. They are free to grow and evolve into unique, strong adults. And, if they have a good example to follow, your task becomes easier.

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Have you ever marveled at the size and beauty of an oak tree? That powerful oak tree started out as just a little seed! Have you ever bitten into a juicy cucumber and thought – WOW, this is good stuff! Remember, that cucumber started out as a just a little seed. Have you ever been brought to tears by the perfection and beauty of a bouquet of red roses? Remember, those lovely flowers started out as seeds…

On this week’s podcast, Jen and Leah talk about the importance of planting seeds in YOUR life! These *life seeds* are the little things you do or say to someone that help them grow to be the best person they can be. The words of encouragement that parents says to their children; the acts of kindness that one spouse shows for another; the should to lean on that one friend shares with another; the smile that you pass on to a stranger….these are all life seeds that we have the power to plant in other individuals! And, just as the oak tree didn’t go from a small seedling to a powerful tree over night, the seeds that we plant with others also do not always blossom over night.

Seedlings take time to mature. Once the seedlings are planted, they require water, sunshine and clean air to blossom and grow into their full beauty. The same is true with individuals! However, unless the seed is planted, there will be no tree, cucumber, or rose.

Think about your life. Are you a seed planter? Jen and Leah share three ways that you can start planting seeds in other’s lives.

1. Proactive Actions – Encourage others to do and be there best! Believe in yourself and be proactive in all that you do.

2. Kind Words – You have more power with your words than you can imagine! Choose them carefully!

3. Set Examples – Raise your standards, do the right thing always. You may not think anyone is watching….but they are. The old adage of ‘Do As I Say Not As I Do’ is wrong! Children learn by example.

Remember, To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world!

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