Let's Talk About Words

   "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."                                                     -George Washington  Carver    I have written in my blog about youth and my children as well as  about having compassion. On the nineteenth, I will communicate my thoughts on sympathy. From today's quote I want to focus on tolerance which is, in my words, the willingness to put up with someone or some situation. I do believe that being tolerant is a willingness or a choice . I am not saying that you allow others to abuse you or even be rude; it is just accepting other people's differences. We all come to earth with our own lessons and ou...

    Joseph Addison said, "Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up it's empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors ." Even though Joseph was an author that died in 1719, his words still ring true today. As I write these words , I hope to entertain as well as to be useful. When I read other peoples words , I love to get lost in the book and be entertained, but I also want the book to make me think about my place in this world. As you read my words and ideas, my wish is that thoughts about your own life will come to the forefront, that my words will spur self discovery and understanding of yourself. I believe that the words I write come from the very best part of who I am, from my soul .  I hope that you can see the truth of your life through the truth of mine. Read my words and see my quotes at http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds." -Anton Chekov      I am not sure what Anton what referencing with this passage, but to me it sounds as if he is describing once we die with the angels and the peace . I do hope that once my life here on earth is done that I do see the sky sparkling like diamonds, hear angels and find peace, however I would like all of that while I am alive as well. One of my favorite songs at church has always been "Let There Be Peace On Earth". I would sing along loud and strong somehow hoping that just wishing for peace  could make it happen. Although I would want peace in all of the world, I have been a little selfish in my life, wishing for that peace for myself. Even during an argumentative marriage, raising children and living in the busy northwest suburbs of Chicago,  I have continually searched for peace for myself in my outward life, yet everything...

   "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."                                                                       -Steve Jobs    In researching for today's post, I read quotes by many famous leaders, but this one by Steve Jobs resounded with me. Often people, including myself, have ideas for inventions , creations and designs in life or in their career . What separates those who dream and those who pursue? What differentiates the ones that try and the ones that achieve? It is simple to see the difference between the dreamers versus the pursuers; it is action, and probably repeated and continual action. I can't think of anyone who achieved their dreams simply by wishing, however what about the people who attempt to make their dreams a reality, yet the final achievement k...

" Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere."                                                                         -Chinese Proverb     Even though I intended to go on to Graduate School or Law School after I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, I wanted a break. Fast forward 27 years later and I still wish that I had not taken that break since I never went back. I did not love doing homework or taking tests, but I have always appreciated learning . There is something magical in understanding something new that I previously didn't know. I read magazines and books that entertain me as well as educate me. Psychology Today and Self magazines still intrigue me as I read through the different studies quoted. When my daughters received suggested books to read ...

      Thomas Szasz was quoted as saying, "A child becomes an adult when he realizes that he has a right not only to be right but to be wrong ." I am not sure if a child becomes an adult by this realization, but I agree that everyone should learn this truth . We live in a society that expects perfection in school, in our looks, in our work and in our families. The list could continue. We desire this need to always make the right choice from ourselves and from others. I don't want to be wrong , but it is okay if I sometimes am. The world does not end when I am wrong, nor does it when my children and loved ones are. I want to take chances and try to make educated choices, but if I choose wrong, I want to feel that it is alright to choose again. I do not need to punish myself or even be disappointed. Being wrong reminds me of the corn maze at the pumpkin farm. I hate going in them because often the choice you make leads to a dead end or circles back to where you start...

      Buddha offered the advice, "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." This advice could not be more appropriate for me today. As my two older daughters are away at college and my youngest is finishing her college applications, I have been missing the past and nervous about the future. As I saw all of the children trick or treating at Deer Park Mall yesterday, I was overcome with feelings of nostalgia and thoughts of how quickly those years went by. As an infant teacher at a Bright Horizons Family Solutions, I often advice mothers of infants and young children to enjoy this time, that it flies by. I tell them to not worry about doing everything "right" and just enjoy it. I am sure that they don't believe me just as I would not have either, but I hope that they heed my advice anyway. At the same moment th...

    " Humanity is just a work in progress."                                                    -Tennessee Williams    I read the newspaper; I see the news on TV, and I hear what is happening in the world around me. I am often shocked and disheartened by much of what I hear and see, but I am an optimist by nature. I believe in the best from others; I believe that the world is a great place to live; I believe in mankind . Although I have experienced and witnessed sadness as well as evil, in my own life as well as the lives of others firsthand, I am still full of hope. For every story I read or hear, I notice one of people helping. There are so many organizations and people working to make this a better world to live in, to help others and to make a difference.  We can each improve ourselves individually, but what a...

   "What if you woke up today with only the things that you thanked God for yesterday?" When I googled this quote I found numerous discussions about it as well as various plaques and items to purchase with this quote. I am disappointed in myself to admit that when think about what I would have woke up with today, it would have been nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. I have read that a parent or teacher should notice and comment when children are getting along and to refrain from only interceding when they fight, to diminish the attention given to the negative behavior. Expressing gratitude is similar to that for me. I talk and pray to God when negative situations occur, but what about when my life is going smoothly?  I do remember to s ay thank you when something really fabulous happens,   but what about the every day people and situations? Thank you God for the  crisp fall air. Thank you God for a good day at work. Thank you God for a smile from my daug...