Movie Manners

FIRE8 "Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.” ~ Author Unknown

AIM8 My husband and I went to the movies recently. After enjoying the show and our over-priced but delicious buttery popcorn and refreshing soda, we picked up our belongings and trash and headed for the exit. As we shuffled to the end of our aisle, we noticed that there were several drink cups left in the cup holders and various sized popcorn bags left in seats or on the floor between the seats. By our simple observations, I’m sure there were empty boxes from candy treats and lots of leftover popcorn and candies littering the floor and hiding under the seats. It made us both stop and wonder “What kind of person just leaves their trash for someone else to pick up?”

Yes, I know the movie theater has employees who clean up the theater area inbetween shows so it’s clean and presentable for the next wave of guests. However, you don’t need to leave your trash or purposely throw napkins and your leftovers on the floor to create extra work for those people. The garbage cans are strategically placed near the exits so you can easily deposit your trash on the way out of the theater. It really doesn’t take much effort and it helps the employees work faster and more efficiently; not to mention it speaks volumes about your character. If you do those things in public, what would you do for your boss at work? How would you feel if people left messes for you to clean up or handle all the time – physical messes or even emotional messes? It makes you stop and realize that the two seconds it takes to grab your empty cups and bags in the theater really does make a big difference after all. Next time I bet you’ll appreciate the clean movie theater, clean restaurant or tidy parking lot even more. Don’t even get me started on shopping carts!

FIRE8 Be an example of good character to those around you: Take your shopping cart to the cart corral in the parking lot, throw away your movie trash and pick up after yourself at home and at the office. It will be appreciated, even if you don’t hear the verbal approval.

Be Excellent!
Lori

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

READY8 "Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.” ~ Author Unknown

AIM8 Oops, there you go again. You jumped to conclusions and said something you wish you hadn’t. Was your verbal mishap with a
friend, a customer, your spouse, or worse yet, your boss? Your momentary lapse of control has left you feeling embarrassed, upset or even frightened of their response. Now what?

At some point in life, we have all said something we wish we could take back. However, we must never underestimate the power of the spoken word. Words can build people up or tear them down in an instant. Unfortunately, once we’ve said something out loud, we can only try to mend the damage that may have been done as a result of our mistake.

Recovering from a spoken slip-up can be simple if you act quickly. First of all, be sincere! If you are insincere, it will be apparent and will only make matters worse. Next, and most importantly, apologize. If you were wrong or insensitive and admit your error, most people are willing to forgive you. Lastly, offer a hug or handshake as a gesture of trust. These small signs of acceptance will help bridge the gap between you and the offended party.

Should you choose to avoid acknowledging your blunder, you risk the consequences of losing your friends, valuable customers, trust with your spouse and potentially your job. (Not to mention how foolish you will look to those around you.) Be smart, gather your facts, be informed and use your feet for walking.

FIRE8 Don’t jump to conclusions! Take time to get to know someone or
his or her circumstances before you make judgments about situations or personalities.

Be Excellent!
Lori

Patience, Faith, Reward

READY8 "7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2Timothy 4:7-8 NLT

AIM8 Life comes at you fast. If you’re not careful, you’ll get blindsided by the next problem or the latest crisis. It’s easy to get caught up in the middle of all the petty details and crazy nuances that drive us bonkers...no matter how serious the situation. We have to remember that God does allow us to experience those problems to strengthen us, build our patience and draw us closer to Him.

It’s in the midst of these life trials that He also develops our faith. Some days, having faith in God’s plan for our lives and the patience to trust His will is difficult. That’s why, at the end of the day when our problems are resolved and the situations are over, God offers rewards. His rewards aren’t given just here on earth, but in heaven too. It’s His promise that keeps us going, pressing on through the tough times, knowing there will be better times and good results in the end.

So have patience, be faithful, and it’s true, you too will get your rewards from God at the end of this race called life.

FIRE8 Take time to breathe today. Step back, look at your circumstances and realize that all it takes is a few moments of patience and a little extra faith to keep your eyes on the prize.

Be Excellent!
Lori

Arrows of Integrity

READY8 "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence." ~ Author Unknown

AIM8 I encountered a situation recently that really shook me. It was a situation where I felt my personal integrity and motives for life were being questioned. I wasn’t sure how to approach it as I was angry on one end of the emotional spectrum and hurt and upset on the other end.

When you are personally attacked in life, you have two choices: surrender or fight back. In this case, I wasn’t sure which choice to make. I had a very hard time deciding which avenue would make a difference for me and the others around me.

Needless to say, my passion for life started burning and lit a fire inside me to fight back. However, you must be very careful when choosing to fight back. For me, I have a strong desire to prove that my integrity is something that speaks for itself. My actions of defense will be examples of excellence and my impact will be one that defeats any attack against my personal motives to make a difference.

Have you ever encountered a situation in life like mine? How did you respond…verbal outrage, silent stewing or the choice to do something positive?

FIRE8 Make it your personal decision every day to always choose the high road when faced with difficult choices in life. While your opponent may choose the low road, you will both eventually end up at your destination and YOU will always come out on top!

Be Excellent!
Lori