A Quick Thought

I know that most people think that I'm not capable of a "quick" thought - but here's my best attempt... I'm not saying that I'm going to succeed.

I went to an extended "Cahoon Family Reunion" this weekend.  My Father-in-law's Mother and all her descendents that could make it were there.  She had ELEVEN children - can you imagine?  She also had many of the cousins over quite a bit.  Now, all of her children have turned out to be quite successful, good people.   So, I took the opportunity this weekend to ask her "What advice would you give young mothers?"  Her answer was two words, "Don't Yell".  I asked if her and her husband ever yelled and she almost gasped at the question.  "Absolutely not.  We never talked like that."

At Lake Louise with Mullens

Now, I'm not saying that I'm a yelling kind of girl that just screams at anyone in her path, but I have taken this advice to heart.  I really think that, at times, I can be quite guilty of having a sharp tone, and become impatient much too quickly for these sweet little kids.  I love them to pieces.... why should they be the recipients of my weaker moments?  Shouldn't I be the BEST woman I can be to those I have been given to take care of?  I mean, after all:

"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
-Margaret D. Nadauld



So this is now my goal.  I really want to be that rare kind of woman.  I'm sure that I will have a sharp tongue from time to time, but I hope that I can hold it faster.  I love this quote from President Hinckley too:

 "There is a sad tendency in our world today for persons to cut one another down. Did you ever realize that it does not take very much in the way of brainpower to make remarks that may wound another? Try the opposite of that. Try handing out compliments."
Gordon B Hinckley

At Ashley Lake with the Cahoons

 I hope that each day we can all try to be as kind as possible to those we love.  Say kind words instead of hurtful sarcastic remarks.  I want to take that step and become that little bit better.  Care to join in on the challenge?