yoga with grace
  • Home
  • About
  • Pam's Blog
  • Essential Oils
  • Mission & Vision Statements
  • Organize a Class/Workshop
  • Biography
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Chair Yoga Teacher Training

Making Compliments = building bonds!

5/27/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
  From Woman's World 2/18/13:
"A kind word goes a long way! In fact, one study found that dishing out a compliment to friends or family boosts your likeability by nearly 40% and builds on the bonds you already share!  The key is to make sure your words are heartfelt, as your likability can lessen if the person detects insincerity."
   This is part of ahimsa and living a life of grace and compassion as Jesus calls us to live.  What do you think?

2 Comments

Welcoming Others

2/26/2013

4 Comments

 
This Friday is the "World Day of Prayer".  The theme is "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
(www.wdp_usa.org) I particularly like that theme as I make it my theme, whether it is teaching water aerobics or yoga or lifeguard at the pool.  My goal is to make an atmosphere in which everyone entering my class will feel at home, comfortable, wanted and part of the community.  One of my growing edges is remembering names.  I don't do it well.  But, I do remember faces and conversations and  expressed needs. 
     I was a pastor for 8 years.  My first church was small and in a city.  I so enjoyed welcoming people.  One warm Sunday morning, the front doors to the church and sanctuary were open.  As I stood u front, I saw a man standing outside the door.  I welcomed him to join us.  Bobby did come in.  He was a quiet, unassuming man.  From looking at his exterior and speech you might wonder what Bobby was capable of.  We discovered he could read, slowly, so Bobby would read the Bible some Sunday's.  Bobby gained in  confidence. Bobby's favorite activity was running the overhead projector. (Although he did nod off occasionally between slides!) Bobby joined our Bible study.  He did not say much, but we soon realized he new the Bible inside and out.  You see, Bobby listened to the Bible on tape each night before bed.  One night at Bible Study, Bobby told us in all his years going to church, no one had ever invited him to attend a Bible Study!  Bobby had been given the gift of compassion, acceptance and belonging.  We had been given the gift of his presence.  Soon, Bobby's sister who attended a church across the city began to attend our Bible study. 
     I have to admit there ar people that challenge my "welcoming."  If I am patient, pray and persist, I will find a way.  This is another growing edge for me - seeing through my initial impression and being able to extend out my hand in welcoming, even when my initial impression challenges me to do so. 
     I would love to see this them of welcoming a stranger become a daily them for the world.  I believe, especially in the electronic world of western cultures, we are moving ever farther apart from each other, becoming isolated and less welcoming.
      May prayers this Friday will be for God's guidance to seek out those who need welcoming and that the world becomes more welcoming.
     Have you welcomed a stranger lately?  How did it feel?  Pease share.



    
4 Comments

    Author

    I enjoy yoga as it brings peace to my life.  Teaching yoga has brought joy to my life and given me a chance to encourage others in learning yoga.

    Archives

    July 2020
    March 2020
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    November 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All
    Adaptive Yoga
    Ahimsa
    Arthritis
    Asana
    Breathing
    Cartoon
    Chair Yoga
    Challenges
    Christian
    Cognitions
    Compassion
    Feet
    Focus
    Food
    Fun
    Giving Thanks
    Goddess Pose
    Hands
    Healing Pain With Yoga
    Helping Others
    Jesus
    Light
    Massage
    Meditation
    Memory
    Mountain Pose
    Mudra
    Mudras
    Music
    Postures
    Prana
    Pregnancy
    Presences
    Reflection
    Seniors
    Shoulders
    Ski Yoga
    Stories
    Sutras
    Undoing
    Video
    Welcoming
    Welcoming Others
    Yoga Class
    Yoga For Seniors
    Yoga In Schools
    Yoga Mats
    Yoga Practice
    Youth

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Pam's Blog
  • Essential Oils
  • Mission & Vision Statements
  • Organize a Class/Workshop
  • Biography
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Chair Yoga Teacher Training