Jesus states that when smacked, we are to turn the other cheek.  It was a concept that was taken literally to the streets by the MLK trained, Bible based civil rights workers.  It was the children in Birmingham that left school and took to the streets resulting in the dog and firehoses that put the civil rights struggle on the American heart.  Yet,  what do we say to our child confronted by the playground bully?  Turn the other cheek?  For boys especially, does this run the risk of having them subjected to ridicule being ever labelled a weak or having his character, not to mention sexual orientation questioned.  So the question today? Do you believe in teaching your child to turn the other cheek?
Add Comment
 
Keep Smiling 03/29/2011
 
Ever notice how a smile can brighten your day? Even when your days seem dreary? When out of no where, a random person says hello with a smile, you can't help but feel a moment of radiance, a moment of peace, of happiness. At least for that moment, you feel like the world really isn't THAT bad. At least for a moment, you have that extra "umph" to take another step along life's pathway. That's what smiles are: Someone Making Intentional Living Enthusiasm!

Someone -- Who is that someone? Someone is anyone; your best friend, a neighbor, a child, or even a random stranger. Someone can be YOU if you choose.

Making -- What does making mean? One definition of making according to www.dictionary.com, making means "the cause of success or advancement."

Intentional -- And what about intentional, what does it bring to the party? To intentially do something means that you want to do it, it means that you are purposely doing something.

Living -- Alas, what is this about living? Living means something is alive, it is springing about. It is breathing.

Enthusiasm -- Last, but certainly not least, what about Enthusiasm? Enthusiasm is our passion, it is the zeal and zest for moving forward.

So, when we put it all together, a SMILE is something that brings about a purposeful zest for life causing advancement. Wow!!! Now doesn't that feel good?!?!? Doesn't it feel good to receive a purposeful living zest for life causing advancement? That's what you recieve when an individual gives you a smile. 

Now, about YOU??? When you give a smile, you are giving the same AND you receive the same. It's most often quite difficult to smile and still feel down. A smile is special because not only does it give the receiver a special treat, but it also gives the giver just the same.

At times, it seems as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders. I know it does. Smiling is NOT on the agenda for the day. Life gets that way for all of us. Just remember what a smile means. Even when your world is going crazy, Keep Smiling!
1 Comment