“Great persons are able to do great kindnesses.“
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
February 27, 2008
February 8, 2008
Inspirational Courage
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow’”
Mary Anne Radmacher (1957 -) American Artist
December 22, 2007
Inspirational – Kindness
More than 1,000 people share an act of Kindness.
One woman’s kindness to a fellow Starbucks patron resulted in more than a thousand others spreading the holiday-season generosity in the northwest Washington town of Marysville.
A regular patron at the chain had paid for the person in line behind her a few times before, according to the Everett Herald. But on Wednesday, her good deed set off a chain of 1,013 customers paying for the next person’s drink.
The spontaneous pay-it-forward run ended at 6:20 a.m. Friday, a store employee said. The name of the iced-tea drinker who started it remains unknown at the store.
- Associated Press
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. One never knows when a smile, an encouraging word, or a small act will touch someone…then to touch someone else…then to touch someone else…then to touch someone else…
December 16, 2007
What message is your clothing sending?
I am always amazed when I walk into a clothing store, and I see all kinds of sayings on kids’ and teenagers’ tshirts. Why in the world would I want my eight year old daughter or my five year old daughter wearing a tshirt that says, it’s all about me, or my brother is annoying, or spoiled rotten? I am trying to teach them the exact opposite. I want them to be givers not takers and to respect their brother. When all of this became tolerable, I don’t know. I finally got tired of it. I said enough is enough. Our family will wear clothing that sends a different message, one of hope, kindness, and courage. One that will change the way people think in a positive way. One that will make people want to be the difference. One that will make people think about reaching out and helping their neighbor. One that will make them think about the choices they make each day… That is when we started making our own shirts to wear. It is amazing how one’s attitude changes when wearing something that challenges you to be better. It is extraordinary how wearing a positive uplifting message on my shirt really makes me believe that I can and will make a difference!
October 8, 2007
Holidays are here
It is hard to believe, but it is that time of the year again…the hustle and bustle of October thru the first of the year. We all start the celebration of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We are putting up decorations and then taking them down, replacing them with the next set, we are doing lots of cooking and baking, we are going to lots of parties, and we are doing lots of shopping. However during this busy time, how much of the actual time do we spend with our families, how much of the time do we spend giving thanks, how much of the time do we stop and smell the turkey, how much of the time do we spend tasting the food we labored over, how much of the time do we actually enjoy during this time? I think for many of us, we get so caught up in the preparation and anticipation that we forget to take it all in and enjoy it. We forget that this is the time our families will treasure most.
Keep in mind, we will forget the decorations, the food, the presents, and the things, but we won’t forget the relationships, the love, the memories, the joy, the togetherness. Our children won’t remember the presents of the year or the food they ate or the money spent, but they will remember the time you spend with them, the hug you give them, the gift they give to another child whose parents can’t afford one, or the meal they serve to a homeless family. These are the things remembered during this time of year, these are the things this time of year is supposed to be about. So let’s try to remember to stop and appreciate those around us, to use this season as a time of giving, whether it be a smile, a word of encouragement, a gift, to use every moment as an opportunity to spread the joy of the season. Forget about the rest…you might surprise yourself, you may actually find some joy yourself.
August 5, 2007
Without love
I just finished reading an article titled, “What Remains The ‘Love Chapter’ for parents,” and it was awesome. In it, Cindy sigler Dagnan said, “If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we’ll survive life’s emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing. If I save all my box tops for school and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles, but have not love, I gain nothing.” These are all so true, aren’t they? We can appreciate these moments, though, really by…1. keeping things in perspective, 2. laughing (a lot), 3. focusing on God’s love and 4. giving back the same type of unconditional love.
Love is patient when someone spills his/her milk, love is encouraging when your husband has a hard day, love is okay with the fact that your best friend just bought a new house. Love is not impatient or angry or snapping at your loved ones because something did not go your way. Cindy Sigler Dagnan puts it best when she wrote, “ Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoeboxes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of babycare trends, discipline strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away. Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less-than-perfect moments. But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains…long after I am gone.”
It is truly amazing what God can do once you let go of all the “stuff” that doesn’t mean anything and focus on the “stuff” that means a great deal. Take every moment and make it the best moment ever, use it to be the best you can be, use it to encourage those around you, and thank God for it because it is a gift.
July 30, 2007
How will you be remembered?
Truly amazing and touching…We were watching the Dayton Air Show when one of the planes went down, and the pilot died. It was a grim reminder of the fragility of every day, but it also reminded me of what is important. We need to live every day like it is our last and ask ourselves how will I be remembered? Can you imagine what our world would be like if each one of us lived with this attitude? Remind yourself that people will not remember what kind of house you lived in, or the car you drove, or the things you accumulated. People will remember you for your words, your actions, and your character. People will remember you for your devotion to God, your dedication to your friends and family, and your commitment to serving others. How will people remember you?
Visit our store at www.ivegotcharacter.com
July 26, 2007
Inspirational Character
Our character – who we are when no one is looking – is what could help or hurt our ability to affect our world. Consider the impact you can make! What better way is there than pulling a shirt over your head and wearing it all day long to remind yourself of the things you need to think about, say, do and live out each and every day?
I’VE GOt CHARACtER™
Shop at www.ivegotcharacter.com
character in sports
I just finished reading an article written by Dan Wetzel posted on Yahoo Sports. As much as I love sports, it is extremely frustrating and disappointing to me to read about these athletes who are constantly getting in trouble with the law and who are role models to so many of our children. It is also extremely disturbing to me that it seems to be okay or tolerable? When are we going to step up as spectators to say that this is unacceptable behavior? What happened to the concept that one’s character matters? I think it is time to start a movement that one’s character still matters. Unfortunately, Dan wetzel is correct when he said, “People cheat in every walk of life…,” but that doesn’t mean that it has to be okay. Let’s take a stand and start with our own character. Challenge: try to use every moment as an opportunity to develop character that counts, that makes a difference. Remember: what you do matters, one person can make a difference.
Shop at www.ivegotcharacter.com
July 23, 2007
Character Education Clothing
Our line of I’ve Got Character clothing is perfect for schools, churches, or organizations who encourage and spend time on developing certain character traits. I’ve Got Character tees allow individuals and groups, children and adults, to advertise and reinforce the traits they are trying to develop and how important having character is. I’ve Got Character clothing is comfy and simple, yet stylish and meaningful. I’ve Got Character also offers other character related items and inspirational items such as mugs and jewelry.
Ask us about our group sales and fundraising opportunities, as well.
Go Shopping at www.ivegotcharacter.com
