"Mama's On Maternity Leave" Guest Post: Featuring COBI

I'm so blessed in my life to have "Mama Leisha" as my friend.  "Mama Leisha" is the most sincere woman and is such a light in my life as I know she is in yours.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.  Thank you from the bottom of my bosom, cause we're bosom buddies, just like in Anne of Green Gables.  Haha, ok off topic now, let's get back to my deep thoughts.

So!  I'm wondering if people ("you, me and the entire human race"-MJ) were just a little bit (and sometimes a LOT) nicer to one another, the world might be a better place?  It's the little things, right?

What if...

...we gave each other the benefit of the doubt?

...we thought the best of one another instead of the worst?

...we loved EVERYONE for their uniqueness?

...we prayed for someone instead of judging them?

...we jumped in and helped instead of watching?

...we realized we don't know everything?

...we sought first to understand than to be understood?

...we taught acceptance instead of differences?

...we lifted instead of put down?

This is just a few of a whole lot of behaviors I know I could be better at.  I've learned a lot in my short life time and know that I will continue to learn these things over and over until I don't ever do them again. 

I've learned that when I say "I'll never...", I'm then given the opportunity to prove it (I usually do the same thing).  I've learned that when I judge a situation, I'm then put in that situation and am judged. 

I've learned that when I gossip there are 10 times the amount of rumors or stories being told about me.  I've realized that when I'm quick to draw a conclusion about someone, I'm usually wrong and wish I would have spent more time with that person than pushing them away.  I've learned that it's better to pray for those that are mean to you than to hate them. 

For some reason the opposite of these lessons is what comes natural for me, anyone else?  (Please don't say I'm alone!)  For those of you who do not understand what I'm talking about, BLESS YOU!  (And please be my friend you lucky duck.)  I used to excuse by bad behavior with all the other good things I did.  However the good doesn't cancel out the bad.  The good fosters more good and the bad fosters more bad.  From these experiences I've come to truly believe that what goes around, comes around and if this is the case then I should only be doing good.  I realize I'm human and will fall short and when I do, you better believe I'm watching my back for what's coming. 

Here's something I've come up with, my own SWAPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE that I've been working on (not perfected).  These are just a few behaviors, but a good place to start.

How, Why, When did I come up with this challenge?

Years ago (4 to be exact) I was having a difficult time adjusting to my life being turned upside down; moving somewhere I didn't want to be, my husband rarely home, broke with 4 kids, my daughters struggling with school finally diagnosed with learning disabilities and my baby, nineteen months old, diagnosed with Autism.  The life I imagined was over and I felt all alone and lost with no way out.  I've been the recipient of all of these bad behaviors and know what it's like to be judged at the store with the child that can't cope, labeled and not given the opportunity to be someone's friend before I became their enemy, for I don't know what reason.  I've been told how to raise my kids and then ignored when I explain my child's situation.  I know the heartache and pain of hearing the whisperings of others about me that are so hurtful.  From these experiences I hope and pray I learn and change my behaviors for the good.   I'm NOT perfect, but why not give it your all.

Join Me!!! Maybe, just maybe we can change the world......

and hopefully spread a little PEACE.

**Follow my amazing, redheaded friend at peacefrom6pieces.blogspot.com.