When we rely upon laws to enforce decent behavior, we end up spending our hard-earned money on attorneys. Rather than legal recourse, I’m on a mission to amp up my personal charm and collaborative kindness. Good manners are contagious.
Let’s get viral together.
Whenever I leave my cozy little burg in off-the-beaten-path Idaho and hit the “seasoned” streets of a mega metropolis, I get a wake up call. People drive like they’re gunning for redemption! San Francisco was a wild ride, lemme tell ya – and then there’s New York, Seattle, and, heck, even Spokane can get me all shook up. If you see a car puttering along in the emergency lane, give me a country wave.
West St. Overpass,Chatswood, Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Peter Hardy
Musician Carlos Santana once remarked, “You become gracious when you realize that you have something the world needs, and people are happy to see you when you come into the room.”
It’s that time of year and our Stella couldn’t have been more excited for her very first first day of school! She just couldn’t wait to get out the door. I, on the other hand, was a bit of wreck. Our baby’s first day of school … she is getting all grown up … what if she skins her knee? Will Mrs. Nichols understand her when she asks to use the bathroom? Will she make friends? And those are just the little worries. What I’m learning from other seasoned parents is that I will have a list of new worries every year on the first day of school.
Cheri B says: My own daughter- now an old SENIOR- continues to have a rep as a HUGGER. She gives great hugs and has given them for years. THankfully, her teachers and school staff appreciated her hugs too.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
I love this post~ I moved from Seattle 5 years ago from the busy hustle and bustle of city life to a quiet town where I live on my happy 5 acres! I too find that even now, I fall back into my own ways when the person infront of me at the ONE light in town doesn’t go fast enough and I miss the light!
What is my hurry? If I was in such a hurry, I should have allowed for more time to get to my destination! I see that when I get frustrated that my 9 year old sittng in the car with me starts to pick up on my bad habits and that is something that I want to nip in the bud now!
I love reading your awakining blogs and hope that I remember this one the next time I am in the car~ Mary Jane….you enspire me!
It’s good to see someone else thinks that traffic is way too fast besides me. Makes me feel like an old fuddy duddy to get all shook up driving in it – but now I know it’s not just my perception. I too live in a smaller town and life is slower, but my goodness, take time to glance around and be considerate to others. It just might make your day a little brighter and bring a smile to your lips.
Like this post. I live in a small rural town, but on a fairly busy corner. Throughout the day, honking, swearing and screeching brakes. Not that we should misbehave in a city, but certainly not in a small town…it seems like it should be that way, anyway.