My friends who are dedicated to yoga tell me that part of the importance of the meditation process is to be able to visualize yourself somewhere that brings you to a place to alleviate the pressures of the day. Today it is harder than ever to "turn off" those constant electronic and external stimulus or things going on in your own head.
A friend from church shared with me that her daughter was being bullied on Facebook by other girls. The things that we all know teenagers say, but when I was a kid, I went home and my parents could spend the time talking to me and helping me clear my head and reposition my thoughts. Now, the kids come home and get on line and all of the pressure of the day are there right where it was in school. Finding the way to turn off negative things in our life is a really important tool to give us perspective.
It is just as important to understand how your words here at work or online, can impact all who are around you, not just our kids or their folks, but also the people we work with each day. In our Culture of Caring, we stress the importance of using a caring, compassionate tone at all times. Because of this, we also have an official HR policy (HR-56) that explains in detail the use of social media on your own time off premises. The policy details our expectations and the importance of understanding the written word posted online has the same negative effect, if not more, as it does if it is spoken within our buildings.
Staying positive can have a profound effect on the people you interact with. Judy Potter recently approached a little boy waiting for an outpatient appointment and he said to her, "Tomorrow I am going to hit a home run!" Just out of the blue - Isn't it amazing how just one little sentence can set the tone for your attitude in how we live our day?
Judy's wondered what we could say to ourselves each day as an affirmative statement – here are a few of her suggestions, I think they’re great!
"Today I am going to comfort a parent”
“Today I am going to mentor a team mate”
“Today I am going to say something that makes someone feel appreciated.”
How might you answer that question?
Is there someone who has shared something with you that has changed your day or given you a new perspective?
“Today I am going to …"
