Inspirational


Inspirational Home Page | Faith411.com Home Page

Vital information and articles related to inspiration.


A Teller Of Tales


Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 10, 2002

I told my daughter I didn't think my daughter-in-law paid enough attention to her oldest son, 8. He has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is on Ritalin, and lately has been kicking and hitting little kids.

My daughter and I had a falling out, and she told my daughter-in-law what I said. My daughter-in-law was furious. I tried to explain that I did not call her a bad mother. Well, you can imagine what happened. We haven't spoken in a week. Do I let time take care of this, or do I send her the letter I wrote trying to explain myself?

I am very family oriented and, most of the time, pretty direct. Probably to a fault. My daughter and I are not speaking either, so at this point I am estranged from both girls, and my four grandsons. By the way, I am 57 and divorced.

Selma

Selma, you shouldn't be surprised by your daughter's actions. As she grew up, how many times did she watch you make statements about others when they were not around? This time the person not present happened to be you. You fashioned your own punishment.

The statement you made about your daughter-in-law accomplished nothing. It was nothing but criticism. It wasn't said to aid or assist. She is dealing with a difficult problem which medication helps but doesn't cure, and you offered no solution.

Now you are estranged from your daughter, daughter-in-law, their husbands, and your grandchildren. Is this what you want? Doesn't it indicate a need to look within yourself for a solution? Someday you may finally say something that an apology won't fix.

It is never too late to admit we have more to learn. If family is what you value, then redefine your role within the family. Your role is not to speak whatever thought crosses your mind. Your role is to love, care, and help. If what you are thinking doesn't do one of those three things, don't say it or do it.

It will be easier to get past this if the other family members believe you are going to make a true change. But if you apologize and don't change, that will make your apology worthless. The others will say, "She wasn't really sorry. She's at it again."

Revise the letter to your daughter-in-law, then send it. Strive to be the person admired by your family as the one they can trust to help them when possible, the one who maintains a confidence when she can't help, and the one who loves them always.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth said, "If you can't say anything good about someone, sit right here beside me." It's a clever line, and criticism makes us feel superior to others, but there is always a price to be paid.

Wayne & Tamara

Backlash

I'm 17 and have been going out with my girlfriend for five months. She has a lot of male friends, about eight close ones, and she is very outgoing. I completely trust her, but I get really mad when I see her talking to other guys.

My jealousy is tearing our relationship apart, and we're going to break up for a couple of days so she can think about things. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her, but I need help fast.

Steve

Steve, jealousy is about ownership and control, snooping and suspicion. It has nothing to do with love. You cannot get love by grasping too tightly. The only way you can get it is by giving another the opportunity and freedom to show they love you.

Jealousy puts a damper on a relationship from both directions. One grasps, the other wants to flee. Grasping accuses another of doing something wrong, and they will seek to escape. When someone loves you, a tight grasp is not required.

Wayne & Tamara

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Telegraph.co.uk

Inspirational Dorset tower saved from watery grave
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Aug 28, 2008
An historic cliff top tower that inspired the authors Thomas Hardy and PD James has reopened after being rebuilt 80ft further inland to stop it tumbling ...


Friday, August 29 - Teachers Hear Inspirational Messages
The Dispatch, MD - Aug 28, 2008
By Cara Dahl, Staff Writer BERLIN – At the annual Worcester County public schools opening teachers meeting this week, which usually resembles a pep rally, ...


Something inspirational from the mind of a geek guru
MyADSL, South Africa - 13 hours ago
It is easy to go through life I imagine without really meeting up with the truths of it. It is almost as if mankind’s collective memory is extremely limited ...


Fall Convocation offers break from classes, free inspirational book
Waltonian, PA - 14 hours ago
This Friday marks Eastern's annual Fall Convocation in the main gym from 10 to 11:30 am, causing the cancellation of all 11 am classes. ...


Voice of America

World Watches as Obama Makes History
Voice of America - 19 hours ago
One woman in China, who gives her name as Mrs. Zhao, tells VOA she thinks Obama is inspirational. He's young she says, and "when he speaks he's really able ...


Wall Street Journal

ERIN NEFF: The inspirational Michelle Obama
Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - Aug 28, 2008
Yet when you have a chance to talk with Michelle Obama in person, it isn't what makes her exceptional that stands out. Yes, she is the first black woman ...
Video: Michelle Obama Opens Democratic Convention AssociatedPress
Barack Obama: The Journey of a Confident Man KDBC
Graphic: Wordle.net Wired News
The South African Star - Christian Science Monitor
all 1,271 news articles


?Inspirational Moments to Cure Desperate Ones
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 29, 2008
by Theo McLanahan Inspiration can strike at odd times when you are driving the kids to school, standing in line at the grocery store, or even while you are ...


Utahn's inspirational story of survival impresses contest judges
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Aug 27, 2008
... an inspirational story contest that he won $10000 - and is now one of five finalists for a $100000 grand prize in an "American Idol"-style competition. ...


Inspirational fighter to the end
The Age, Australia - Aug 27, 2008
... for cystic fibrosis in 1991, the then 22-year-old defied the medical odds, something she did repeatedly throughout her short but inspirational life. ...


Another milestone for inspirational McCallan
Irish Times, Ireland - Aug 27, 2008
IRISH CRICKET DEDICATION, LOYALTY and commitment are words often bandied about in sport, yet more and more those terms seem to run hollow. ...

Inspirational - Google News



Inspirational Articles Home Page | Inspirational Articles Site Map | News | Faith411.com Home Page
EZmatic.com | IgoJo | UpBee | Blue Ryder | Health | ZippyGo | Ken J Wagner

Faith411.com - all Vital information and articles related to Inspirational.

© 2006