Hello Everyone
Well, I promised you last week that I would be at the GPS Cross Country on Tuesday to cheer our grandson Will in his last run for his school.
Shock, horror was the news that we may not be able to see the event. The event held in Ipswich had the GPS committee decide to run the event without spectators. John and I quickly turned to Plan B, which was to drive to Limestone Park, park on the road and watch from the car. We found an ideal spot up on a hill where we could see the Start and the Finish line, so we were not disappointed. I cheered extra loud as the runners passed on each circuit, but I'm not sure anyone could hear me.
John tells me the car was shaking with excitement as the Grammar team had their first six runners in the top 20, which ensured victory for them in the Senior Division. Will was their fourth runner and ran his personal best time proving how important he felt about running this race for Grammar this last time.
Still, I must say there was a disappointment not to have family and friends there cheering. All you could see were barricades and witches hats and a public address announcer trying to spur all the runners on. Not the greatest atmosphere especially for the year 12 boys in their final run for their respective schools but I guess it is what it is and we must stay safe.
At the moment in these uncertain times, everyone has to make adjustments, and it affects us all in different ways depending on what is happening in our personal lives. The next story regardless of where we are does affect and apply to us all, particularly in these uncertain times.
"Let's look beyond appearances."
Stephen Covey tells the story of what happened on a New York subway train. A man got on the train with two young children who were, to say the least, rowdy. Their father seemed to make no attempt to control or discipline them.
Finally, a fellow passenger spoke up and politely asked the man to do something about his children who were running riot in the carriage. "Oh, I am so sorry" he replied. "I just can't seem to do anything about them. You see, we have just come back from the hospital where their mother has just died."
All changed. What appeared to be uncontrollable children with an uncaring parent became a family tragedy. Of course, the father was distracted. Of course, the children were ill-behaved. Behind the apparently poor family behaviour was a family who was grieving and not sure about how to express it.
Which leads to the subject of kindness.
We are urged to be kind and understanding, and the two go together. Once we understand the situation in front of us, we are more inclined to be kind. There may well be another story behind the grumpy facade, the sullen expressions, and the angry outbursts.
A kindness mindset tilts us towards seeking to understand what is going on rather than merely judging by what is literally confronting us. Kindness allows us to go beyond appearances.
“Which also leads to the subject of kindness."
As I am typing this newsletter re kindness, I take a phone call from one of the kind staff at the company trying to rectify an order for sample bags to be delivered to our ESL Annie Spinks for her markets on Saturday and Sunday. Kindness and teamwork spring into action with our gorgeous Manager Kristie See in Toowoomba taking company logo stickers to my sister in Toowoomba who is bringing Mum to Brisbane to have lunch with me tomorrow and then John and I will arrange to take the labels to Annie who lives two hours away tomorrow night, so she can have them ready for her markets on Saturday and Sunday.
Kristie is a good 40 minutes’ drive from my sister, and it is the first time she will be driving after major surgery. Questioning Kristie are you sure you are ok to do this, a quick and direct reply – "Well that is what we do in a team isn't it"? When I explained to Annie, the plan was in action her response – "Oh wow we have an amazing team, don't we? I am really feeling the love, so special."
A perfect example of care and kindness in action – I am so proud of our beautiful team.
I say to our grandchildren often – "Do you want to be right or do you want to be kind"? Mind you, the youngest, in her cheeky years, to get a response from me, would always reply - I will be right thanks, Granny. Of course, as she has grown older, she is one of the kindness and caring young ladies.
I guess both these examples are good questions to pose to ourselves daily.
"Do we want to be right, or do we want to be kind?"
Until next week we send our love and blessing for you to take care and stay safe.
Annette xx
