Making Good Things Happen

Good things do happen. They are the opportunities that pop to mind or stare you in the face. For some reason they are there to be noticed. They are present more often than we think they are. Usually we are too consumed with other matters to see opportunities that stick out like a sore thumb if but we look.

By now you know I write this blog daily and often in advance of publishing. So the spark that gives birth to a blog posting is not in sync with the dates you see on this page.

As I write this blog it is a Friday morning. This evening I will meet with the youth AA group. I look forward to the challenges they will present and wonder how we all will handle them. My overriding concern, however, is how these meetings give each attendee the tools they need to make the most of life. They are already challenged by the negative. They have been charged with underage drinking, DUI, underage drug possession and/or use. Some of them have gone on to other illegal activities that have landed them in jail or prison. They do not generally trust adults, parents or the public at large. They are cynical. They are hurt. Wounded.

In this condition they do not think clearly enough to accept the good that surrounds them. To them everything looks spoiled or suspicious. Meanwhile we must face the facts that they do not have the life-experience-tools that will help them. Their wounded-ness has restricted their resources to think clearly about opportunities.

From the internet I found this quote the other day; it is from www.livelifehappy.com:

            “When you focus on problems, you’ll have more problems. When you focus

             On possibilities, you’ll have more opportunities.”

All of us tend to dwell on the problems we face. It is with great difficulty that we shove them aside momentarily to place our attention on possibilities. The potential, the future, the open opportunities that are literally everywhere – these are the things that give us hope and motivation to get past the problems. These are the things that fuel our imagination and secret talents.

When you are kid parents and authority figures tend to take over your life. They loom large and don’t seem available for listening. Even if they were, the kid wouldn't believe it. The surface transaction to them is: “Do as I say.” “Do as you are told.”

As long as this communication dynamic is present the kid will likely clam up but not be listening or learning what is wanted most. Instead he/she will be searching for another way; it may not be the most productive. Escape most likely!

Tony Gaskins has said:

“You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.”

And that works in the reverse, too. Problem is the parties to the communication are not listening to one another. No matter the level of caring or love, if we are not listening the message is not being processed or taken to heart. It is flitting around unheard.

I’m hoping I will be listening to what the kids say tonight. I want to hear what they have to say. Mostly I want them to turn their attention to what interests them the most so we can help them build a future that turns them on to life itself. I want them to have possibilities that nurture their happiness.

And I hope they are listening and trusting should I have something to share with them that will help them. So they can use it for their future.

I wonder if this will happen? I’ll keep you posted on developments.

February 19, 2013