ANTS!

We have had so many ant problems this summer.  I know today is the FIRST day of autumn but the ants are still alive and well.  I’ve gone as far as hiring a PEST Control company, but the ants are relentless.  I don’t handle it well either.  I woke up this morning and the kitchen sink was crawling with them.  I instantly started to shout and moan about it.  Meanwhile my 21 month old son is watching my REACTION from a distance.  I suddenly become overwhelmed with frustration seeing the mess that crawled before me.  I broke down and began weeping. 

After the ants were all cleaned up, sink emptied and dried off I heard my toddler getting frustrated.  I walked into the living room and I saw him getting upset because the car he had in hand would not fit into this box that was sitting in front of him.  I kindly leaned over and turn the car onto its side and gently slid it into the box.  He looked up at me and smiled!  I turned around and began to walk away and suddenly heard him start up again BUT this time he’s was fired up!   He just couldn’t figure out how to get that car into the box.  He began to cry and threw the car and kicked the box.  I’m beside myself because I had never seen him do that before! 

Then the light went on in my head!  Mommy taught him how to deal with the ANTS!  She taught him that kicking, shouting and crying were A WAY to deal with frustration.  The car and the box were his ANTS! 

What are you teaching through your actions?  What are your ANTS?  This weekend as you’re with friends and family remember the ANTS and choose wisely!

Stephanie Lainez

Author-Rachel and the Lion

Is CHANGE on your LIKE list?

CHANGE is funny.  Sometimes when the CHANGE is in our favor we’re ALL about it.  We LIKE it!  We post about it on our FB page.  In our conversations around town we boast about how we enjoy CHANGE and how it’s good for us.  BUT…when it’s not in our favor we suddenly despise it.  We complain about it, we post, “CHANGE SUCKS”! 

But why does CHANGE affect us so adversely?  CHANGE rewrites our plans.  Our schedules and direction get knocked off its kilter.  So CHANGE means WE have to CHANGE, ADAPT and SHIFT!!   Sometimes having to CHANGE ourselves, rocks our world. 

CHANGE in life means we have to CHANGE! 

When CHANGE comes ADAPT, MODIFY, REFINE yourself because in the end it will only make you a better, more complete version of you!

Stephanie Lainez

Author-Rachel and the Lion

AOK Acts of Kindness

This morning while still half asleep I decided to open my email.  I received an email from my elderly neighbor.  He said that the other day he fell in the middle of the night and broke his foot in multiple places.  Since the fall his wife has had her hands full regarding house work and caring for him.  I was beside myself that he waited almost a week to tell me.  I popped up out of bed and started cooking pancakes, eggs, sausage and brewing coffee.  My husband and I quickly got dressed, platted the food and walked over with a piping hot breakfast for two.  His wife opened the door and was so surprised. 

How many times do we purposely do ‘Acts of Kindness’?  Are our lives so busy and jam packed with work, meetings, doctor’s appointments, errands, ballet classes, t-ball games, bible studies, church, etc… that we have lost sight of KINDNESS?  I am notorious for getting bothered with the driver who cuts me off or the lady in the 10 items or less line with a cart full of groceries.  Yet how much more energy do we expend when we CHOOSE KINDNESS over frustration, my guess is, not much more… if any. 

When was the last time someone extended ‘Acts of Kindness’ to you?  How did it make you feel?  Maybe it’s time for more of us to extend KINDNESS.  What will you do next?

Stephanie Lainez
Author-Rachel and The Lion

Coach or Referee?

Not so long ago I was having a conversation with my brother.  And he was sharing with me a situation he was having at work.  And in the midst of the situation he said, “A still small voice said…ARE YOU A COACH OR A REFEREE?”  He said he was dumbfounded.  We soon finished our conversation and that stayed with me all day!  Am I a coach or a referee?  Do I see things and encourage on how to make things better as a coach would or do I like a referee keep my eyes peeled to find the errors and faults.

So it is to you…are you a coach or a referee?

Stephanie Lainez