Watch your Tone

yesterday I had a meeting at my son's school regarding his absences due to illness.  that's not really the point of this post, but what IS the point is that one of the people that attended was not on the guest list.  Apparently she was a representative of the county school system's medical/nursing department.  We did not agree on much - I found her to be condescending and insensitive to my child's needs.  It made me realize that sometimes we should be aware of how we come across to people.  Sometimes you get caught up in your own persona to the point that you forget that another person's perception is their reality.  This lady,  on 2 occassions, said something like, "do you understand what I mean, does that make sense?".  saying in that way made me think, "what the hell?  does she think I am stupid or something?"  The second time she said that, I told her that I was well aware of what she was talking about, and that I did not understand her "tone".  She did not say it in that way again, so I guess that was an effective statement! 
It is important sometimes to understand how you come across to others.  Think of yourself as a radio tower that is sending out a constant signal.  Every person gives off a certain energy based on what they say, body language, mannerisms, etc.  Be mindful of these things.  My body language to her was probably that I was completely in disagreement and bored while waiting for her to stop telling me things I already knew.  Luckily for me, though, I have learned to wait and make my retort more effective by letting all the wind in their sails pass by before I make my statement. 
Be mindful of what you are putting out there.  remember the radio station signal analogy.  do people want to tune in and stay locked in, or do they keep looking around for another station?

Being patient is hard

I can speak on this subject because I am very impatient.  If it was not for my methodical approach to dealing with things, I would probably go crazy.  Patience is not something that is taught, but something that is endured and leads to the strenghtening of an individual (in my opinion).  I have many things right now in my life that I want solved, completed, and crossed off the list, but sometimes life just does not work that way.  All you can do is keep plugging away and chipping little by little until you get what you want.  I typically approach these things at different angles. I try to do little things to get to the goal, and try different approaches.  Mixing it up like that makes it better for me because if not, it gets very mundane and even more frustrating. 
They say patience is a virtue.  Virtues is defined as:  "a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being."  wow, that sounds like fun!  like eating brussell sprouts (if you ask me) - but we all have to do it sometimes.  frustration is just negative energy that serves no purpose.  Motivate yourself to DO SOMETHING and use your energy for a result.  I have had to make phone calls, send emails, do menial tasks that I did not enjoy and not get results that I wanted.  One of my pet peeves is when I make a phone call and leave a message, only to get no reply!  I call again and again, and I finally get someone on the phone.  By this time, I am frustrated (of course).  I do keep trying though - that way I feel self-assured that I am doing all I can. 
Hang in there, try to be patient, and keep working - it will pay off!