Yellow lines and roadkill
a guide to living with purpose
“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them. “—Gail Grenier Sweet
What if someone asked you, “What do you believe in? What do you value in life?”
How would you respond?
Several years ago I came up with a list for my son Michael… a “top twelve” of what I believe are the most important life lessons. I urge you to read my list and compare it to your own:
1) Treat others as you would want to be treated. When you follow the “golden rule,” you can’t go wrong.
2) Don’t let other people determine your values. Look around at the situation you find yourself in, and look within yourself instead of following the crowd. If you are the only one you know who is willing to do what is right, then you need to be the one who will make a difference.
3) Know when to keep quiet and when to say something. This value is a challenging one. I have personally found that listening to others as they share their troubles or their joys is a wonderful gift. When someone wants your advice, they will ask.
4) Once in a while, step “outside the box” and try something new. When you find yourself relying on routines, life has become too predictable. Meeting new people and stepping out of your comfort zone opens you up to new adventures and creates new challenges that will help you grow as an individual.
5) Don’t judge a book by its cover. Even though our society tends to automatically set a value on individuals based on their appearance, their race, their religion, or their material possessions, you don’t have to do that. Please remember that what truly matters is the content of a person’s character. Avoid judging others. Remember, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” In the end, God is the only true judge of all of us.
6) Allow yourself quiet time. There are times in life that require stillness, and it is during such times that a person can really reflect on what makes a difference in his or her life. Find a special place that you can escape to. Turn off the computers and televisions. Many times when you “disconnect” from technology, you find yourself reconnecting to your inner self.
7) Remember to be thankful for all that you have. This includes being polite and always saying thank you when you receive something and please when you want something. Also, take time each day to thank God for all of your blessings. There will be times in your life when troubles may seem to overshadow all that is good. Don’t forget that no matter how difficult the situation you face, you are never alone. God is always there.
8) Each time someone criticizes you, make a positive affirmation about yourself instead. Statistics show that 10 percent of people will never like you no matter what you do to try to please them. So don’t worry about pleasing everyone. Your Grandpa Connors said it best when he told me years ago, “Be careful what you compromise on. The only things you find down the middle of the road are yellow lines and roadkill. Stick to your beliefs.”
9) Be balanced in all that you do. Moderation is the key to life. Any time you find yourself dedicating too much time to one specific area, you are out of balance.
10) Be honest but tactful. Remember you can be honest with your feelings and still use kind words to express them.
11) Be kind. Whenever you come upon a situation where you have a question of what to do, just ask yourself, what would Jesus do? He would be kind, help those who need it, and love everyone unconditionally.
12) Follow your dreams. You know in your heart what your passions are and what gifts God gave you. So use those gifts to help make this world a better place. Try to wake up each morning and seize the day. Life is so precious and so short. Make the most of it!
Dembowski, Sheila S. Leaning into the Light © 2011.
For information about why I started this newsletter, please go to the about section.
The word is…
In honor of my dear friend and mentor, Sister Agnes, I am choosing to focus each issue of my newsletter on one word.
This time our word is Values.
“Values are like lighthouses; they are signals giving us direction, meaning, and purpose.”
What do you value?
Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile video
Steve Hartman goes "On the Road" with a story of a teen battling for his life and the doctor who made him a promise.
#spreadkindness #smilevideos
What I am watching…
Song Sung Blue is based on the real-life love story of Mike and Claire Sardina. The couple were popular Midwest musicians who found fame as a Neil Diamond tribute duo called Lightning & Thunder. Their story is one of musical passion, surviving a horrific accident, battling mental health struggles, and the enduring power of love.
Stories from the Stage
Ruth Phipps and her intellectually disabled daughter challenge the norms and their neighbors’ ideas of unconditional love and inclusion. Her story is inspirational…
Mind/Body connections…
This 10 min practice is a simple meditation that will create the foundation for transformational practice. Enjoy!
Comedy Lift…
I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. Here’s Neil Diamond singing I’ve Been This Way Before….Enjoy!
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….
The Kindness Boomerang newsletter is a 2025 recipient of the Sunshine Blogger Award.