In person interactions

 A couple weeks ago, I realized… I have become very busy on my computer.  I post to three different Facebook pages, I have my blog, newsletter, and am taking a couple classes.  That says nothing of the personal Facebook checking I do.  I’m not loaded down with “friends”, but I have enough so that someone is always posting something that I need to read and/or respond to.  Come on, admit it – you know what I’m talkin’ about.

 So, I’ve thought,” OK, I’m fine with this.  I’m keeping myself pretty busy.”  HA!  For various reasons (friends being away on vacation, family members starting new jobs/school) I hadn’t really spoken with anyone – other than my husband - in about two weeks!  I played pickleball the other day  and I was downright GIDDY.  Can’t you just see me, giggling and jumping for joy?  Yes, I was glad to be playing pickleball – it had been about two weeks since we had played, but I was ecstatic to be conversing with someone in person!  

 I can be witty on Facebook (at least I try – grin) and ya’ll respond accordingly with an “lol” or a “HOOAH!”   But there is nothing like the feedback of face to face conversation!!  I honestly didn’t realize this until that day.  Wow.  To see other people’s facial expressions when you engage in conversation, to hear their tone of voice, to hear a good hearty belly laugh, it is just so much more fulfilling in person! 

 If you are busy, but you are often alone – phone a friend and make plans to meet somewhere.  Get out and do something, join a club, volunteer somewhere.  Maybe you already do these things but the work involved keeps you busy at home.  Put the mouse down.  Stand up and back away slowly from the computer. Turn around and keep walking.  Yes, you.  Get out of the house and find some people to interact with.  You’ll be surprised how much you’ve missed it.  Enjoy!

10 tips for stress free school mornings

Everybody's busy this time of year, so I'll keep this one short and sweet...

It’s almost time for the kids to go back to school.  Indeed, some schools have already started.  As everyone adjusts back into the school routine, I thought I’d share some quick tips to make the mornings go a little more smoothly…

1. Have a routine.  Most kids thrive when they know what to expect and what is expected of them.

2. Get organized.  It’s much easier to find things if they have a spot.  Put them there, find them there.

3. Check the weather forecast and pick out clothes before going to bed.

4. Pack backpack before going to bed.  Save room to add the lunchbox in the morning.

5. Plan meals ahead of time. Make a weekly menu so you’re not asking “What do you want for breakfast, or lunch, today?”

6. Complete homework the day it is given. Trying to do homework in the morning can be chaotic.

7. Get plenty of rest.  The proper amount of sleep helps reduce stress.

8. Try to keep morning conversation pleasant.  The morning sets the tone for the whole day.

9. Be patient, be flexible, be available.

10.  Tell your kids you love them, every day, as you say goodbye.  They may know it, but it’s important that they hear it.

Side note:  This actually posted in our monthly eZine, but I think the blog and the eZine have different audiences.  Typically they have different information.  So, if you'd like to sign up for the NewDirection Life Coaching monthly eZine, simply click the link and look in the right side column of the webpage.  It's there!

Have a wonderful weekend!

*Pam Horton is a certified Stress Management Coach and Parenting Coach.*

Night time conversations

Jim and I were having a conversation, shortly before bed time, about him thinking I have too many things on my plate.

 I found it very interesting to wake up the next morning after having this dream…

Having left some place to head to the USO, and passing barns with hanging beef, I realized I must have turned the wrong way, as that is not a scene I typically see.  I stopped to ask which direction Raleigh was and was informed I was headed to Jacksonville, Raleigh was the opposite direction.

I’m trying to call the USO, to tell them I’ll be late.  After reaching the Center and being disconnected, the next three calls were wrong numbers. The next thing I know, I’m walking through a large mansion looking for anyone I could ask for assistance.  I start to get frustrated because I can’t even find my way out of the house, when I come across a woman, on her knees.  She say to me, “Isn’t it great?  We can go anywhere we want to!”  I had no clue what she was talking about and continued looking for an exit.

                Once outside, I find a group of people who are also lost, but they have a leader helping them get back to somewhere.  I go across a field to join them when I am attacked by jackals and three other animals. They are not hurting me, just jumping at me.  The group stands there and watches.

                I finally make it to the protective dirt pile, where the group is, and see that the leader has a gun filled with the dirt.  As we all proceed cautiously, she keeps shooting the protective dirt around us to keep us safe.

                And then… the alarm goes off!

 I don’t dream very often, so when I do I write them down and ponder what it could have meant.  The only thing I could come up with was the conversation Jim and I had, and the novel I was reading about Russia.  Very strange combination, for sure.

 I can say that it might be wise not to have any weighty conversations shortly before bed.  Have them earlier in the day so your mind has time to process it before you try to have a peaceful night’s sleep.

*Pam Horton is a stress management coach in the Raleigh area.

Preserving Family History

 While volunteering at the USO yesterday, I was chatting with a fellow who was sharing some stories of his antics as a teenager.  This was back in the 40’s and 50’s.  There were some very cool stories!

 I asked him if he had written any of this down somewhere and he responded that he had told his kids the stories.  If his kids are anything like me, they might very possibly forget those old stories that their dad told them.  I suggested he record the stories in some fashion.

 The reality is, as older generations pass on, many of the stories of days gone by go with them.  Being a big history buff, I am all about remembering the past.  Of course, being a life coach I totally believe you can’t live in the past, you must move positively forward.  However, remember this quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana)

 I happen to think those old stories are cool.  We had my father-in-law dictate into a “voice-to-text” program many of the stories of his childhood.  My grandmother recorded, in a cassette tape, stories of her youth.  My mother is working on typing up some of her memories.  I’m not sure if my dad has done it yet, but he’s got some great stories about growing up on a farm, and about being in the Army.

 If you haven’t managed to find a way to preserve the family stories of your past, it might be a good time to consider it.

There are numerous ways you can record things…

Write them down with pen and paper
Type them
Audio record
Video record
Dictate to text
Dictate to a person who types or writes
Write a book

 There are all kinds of options for getting those old family stories ready to pass down to the younger generations.  If you don’t do it, how will they know the truth of our history?

 Yes, that’s a whole different topic, but when people start saying they don’t believe the things that are recorded in history, we have a problem (in my opinion).  If each family has documented history of the past, you would (mostly likely) believe your family.  Remember “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

 It’s easy… and fun… go get some memories and make them forever!