Nut, Crazy, Psyco, Racist, Nazi, etc....

So if I disagree with your political position you can call me names? I guess I'm starting to get a little bothered that some of my "friends" think that they can call anyone who doesn't agree with them politically or socially little "names".  Truthfully I do not currently affiliate myself with a particular party.  They are all starting to get under my skin.  I'm a social and political conservative so most people assume I'm a Republican or a Tea Party member.  I usually have voted on the Republican side but am willing to look at any candidate whom I believe would stand up for my values and principals.  That also means that I am more than willing to get rid of ALL of the politicians on the hill right now that have made a long career of being a politician.  They've screwed things up and frankly I'm done! 

What bothers me most is that I am not finding liberals who believe as I do.  I would like to. We might be able to actually get somewhere if there was true "tolerance".   Do they really believe that "someone else" caused all this chaos? 

Here are a few names being called out this week both from left and right that I can remember:  psyco,nut, racist, nazi, intolerant, unintelligent, irresponsible, stupid....
I'll let you decided what side these names were coming from but it was largely one side and I don't know how you can call out those names and expect to be able to have a conversation with the other side.  Come on people....

Rewards

I was listening to Dr. Laura today discuss a study that show how extrinsic rewards change intrinsic rewards. The theory is that external rewards can replace your internal values to the point that you'll no longer do what you valued without external payment or reward of some type.

 

This study showed that unexpected rewards are better than expected rewards. They took children who liked to draw and put them in three groups. The groups were as follows:

Group 1 were told they'd get a reward for drawing

Group 2 were not told they'd get a reward but got a surprise reward when they were done

Group 3 were not given anything

 

Then they watched the children over the next few days and discovered that those who had received the expected reward drew the least while those who had received the unexpected reward drew the most. (Even though there were now no rewards promised nor given.)

This would mean that unexpected rewards after the work has been done would be the most motivational. I need to think about this since I have been trying to motivate the kidlet by offering her a reward for a good grade in a class she has been struggling with….hmmmm

Rules For Life

It seems I am a "black and white" kind of girl. I have rules for making it through life. I'm always trying to impart my "wisdom" on Sarah but I'm not sure it's "sticking"...at least not yet :) I thought I might share some of the lessons I have come up with...they are ever evolving.

1. Live an honorable life even when it is the most difficult thing to do
Morals and values do seem to be "hard wired" into my head. I try to do the right things even when it's difficult to do.
2. Speak up for what you believe in
There is no point of living a life of ambiguity in order to be friends with everyone. You don't need to shove your beliefs down peoples throats but you should just sit back and let life happen either
3. Put your immediate family before everyone else
My husband and my daughter will always be my first priority. If I think about what is best for us as a family that's the important stuff!
4. Learn how to apologize and accept apologies when they are given sincerely
This is a pet peeve...I hate when someone apologizes by turning it back on me and explaining why they are still right and I'm still wrong but they apologize anyway. If you don't mean it but just want to continue making your point and smooth things...I don't deal. On the other hand, if you truly apologize and own your issue, apology accepted!
5. Give to your husband as you would like to be given to
Goes without explanation, don't you think?
6. When you make a mistake, correct it and move on
I hate when I make a mistake. It bothers me for ever. This has been difficult but I'm trying to learn to let go and learn from it
7. Work is good but it's not the most important thing
I do not define myself by the work I do. I define myself by the important people in my life. At the end of my time on this earth, no one is going to say I did good work...I hope they remember that I loved them well
8. Don't live your life worrying about what other people think
Too many people I've know live their lives trying to please other people....I love you all but I think I need to do things that are for our family not for anyone else even if that means we don't have the fancy cars, house, etc. :)
9. Remember to say thank you and be thankful for what you have
So easy to forget the simple act of saying thank you. I try to thank people for the things they do. So thank you if you have bothered to read this!
10. Ask God to guide you, He always knows the way
I'm trying to learn how to turn things over to God...he really already knows what is best for us. We just need to listen...and I'm not always good at listening