All from a Bracelet...

With the first day of December upon us I have slowly started to think about Christmas gifts.  I typically like to be creative with the kids' teachers but this year is a bit different.  a) we don't really know the teachers being here only 4 weeks; b) each child has 2 main teachers plus gym, swimming, computer and chess instructors plus each has 2 coordinators (English and Spanish), and c) all but 3 speak strictly Spanish!

I've decided to limit the gifts to the 4 main teachers: Miss Rocio, Miss Marisol, Miss Cristy and Miss Landi and I've decided to give a gift that I was given for my 40th birthday...a humanity leather bracelet.   I absolutely LOVE mine and hope they will as well.  For the non-English speaking teachers I will translate each word/saying into Spanish and hope the meanings come across as prevalent as they do in English.

Here are the words written on each bracelet and my own personal reflections...

Plant Peace ~ today we hear so much about war, bullying and corruption.  I know I can't control these globally or even nationally but I can start by talking to my kids about peace, perhaps why war happens, and how to get along with others; I can explain the harming infliction that bullying brings and how to deal with it if it affects them, and I can live the most peaceful life I possibly can.

Live in Unity ~ our relationships need to be strong!  Stress and chaos and pressure can be so prevalent in our lives and its so easy for one or more of these to take over.  We have to be loyal to, open and honest with not only our loved ones but to ourselves.  Be a team member with your spouse, a leader for your children and a true friend to your friends.

Freedom ~ I am so proud to be from a country that promotes and displays nothing but freedom.  We are so lucky to have not experienced anything but.  It breaks my heart and opens my eyes listening to our employee Phou and how he escaped from Lao swimming during the night with only a straw.  He survived different camps and eventually got on a boat, with nothing and no one else but himself, and arrived in a foreign but safe country.  I can't even imagine and I'm assuming most of you can't either.

Being in Mexico, I am getting the sense that they are also extremely proud to be a free nation.  2010 marks the 200th year of independence and 100 years since the revolution.  I can't understand the words said around these historical marks, but I can see the strong importance in both.

Make a Difference ~ Wow, this phrase is plentiful!  Where does one start?  How do I or how can I make a difference?  Waking up in a good mood and greeting my kids and husband with a loving good morning can make a difference to the start of their day!?  Phoning a friend just to say hi, I miss you can perhaps make a difference in her hectic afternoon!?  Smiling at our security guard might make a difference to his morning!?  Tipping the pool/yard guys for helping move some furniture might make a difference at their dinner table?!  Raising money through our store's sales for the Red Cross Anti-Bullying program can make a difference in a child's life!?  The ways in which I can make a difference are simple and endless.

Accept Diversity ~ The last 4 weeks we have been provided ample opportunity to accept just this!  Whether its accepting the different behaviours our kids have displayed during this transition, accepting the waiting for a maintenance man, internet, returned calls from the landlady or car insurance or accepting the language barrier .... its all diversity!

Speak Kindness ~ Good morning sunshine, I love you, I am so proud of you, you look nice today, I miss your smile and giggles....simple, yet kind words go a long way.

Pave the Path ~ Make something a little easier for someone else.  Whether its making my spouse coffee in the morning, packing a healthy lunch for my children, hiring someone who will work diligently to earn extra money, shovelling our neighbor's driveway or providing a listening ear for someone who requires it I try to help as many people as I can.

Lead the Way ~ I encourage my husband, my friends and my kids to do the best they can.  I try to lead by example (although this is a constant challenge!) and live a healthy life, be positive and get the most out of each day. I like to take charge and organize get togethers, groups or traditions.

Humanity ~ Treat everyone the way you'd like to be treated.  Treat everyone with respect.  Treat everyone the same.

Give Back ~ We donate either money or gifts to those less fortunate every year during this time.  We thank our staff on a consistant basis and give recognition to those that deserve it.  We volunteer.  We work closely with the Anti-Bullying program.

Seak Wisdom ~ I love to learn and as such I gain wisdom through observation, listening to others, asking questions, reading but I want to learn more; Spanish, about Mexican history, about Mexico's social system.....its endless and a life long journey.

Come Together ~ Spending time with my family, meeting new people, establishing new relationships, rekindling old ones and being with people ... always good for the soul.

Truth ~ I like to tell the truth and hope in return I am being told nothing but the truth back.

Forgive ~  I make mistakes, my kids make mistakes, my husband makes mistakes, my friends and family make mistakes.  I have learned that forgiveness is not only important but crucially necessary to move on.  I have also learned that when I forgive, those that I am forgiving don't always need to know they're being forgiven.  Sometimes those that have hurt us don't even know that they have done so.     

Believe ~ I am not sure why or how, but I truly believe things happen for a reason.  I also like to believe that out of all bad will come something good.  Our families have been through a lot:  deaths of several loved grandparents, cancer survival, drug and alcohol addiction, business partner severances, heart surgeries, chronic pain, separations ... and I am confident we will go through more during our lives.  But, in life there is so much we can't control ~ we can only control how we respond to the uncontrolables.

Faith ~ I am not an overly religious person and as a family we are not heavily involved in the church but I do have faith.  I believe, and I am faithful to myself, those I love and to the world in which I live.

Sow Love ~ Obviously we have done this by having two children but we also do this by putting our all into the relationships we're involved in.  It is so much easier and less stressful to love than to hate.



Check out these bracelets ... they are great to have and to give to those around you.  http://www.humanityforall.com/

I got ours at Thr3e in Lumsden but check the website for stores near you!!