Lucky Penny

By Diane Forrest

"Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day: you'll have good luck."

Today is Lucky Penny Day.  I used to have a huge penny that had lucky penny written on it.  It was a gift from relatives who picked it up during one of their travels.  I don't guess it was very lucky considering the fact that it disappeared, however that doesn't stop me from reciting the above line every time I see a penny on the ground.

This reminds me of a story I read about man who also picked up pennies.

Several years ago, a friend of her husband and mine were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s employer’s home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband’s employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so she as enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny?

Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man’s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before!

What was the point of this?

“Look at it.” He said. “Read what it says” She read the words “United States of America.”

“No, not that; read further.”

“One cent?” “No, keep reading.”

“In God we Trust?” “Yes!” “And?”

“And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with me. God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, “In God We Trust,” and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

So while you are out today, and if you see a penny on the ground, go ahead and pick it up.

(All images from Google) 

Improving our Ability to Communicate

By Terry Orr

Here at KISBYTO over the past two plus years have provided many communications related articles and links to help in becoming a better communicator.  There are three new links from experts in their field of communicating better and we encourage your to read these summaries and follow the links for more valuable information.

Mark Evans wrote an interesting article titled, “Communications 101: How to Communicate Better.” While this article was published in April 2007, I believe he has covered the basics quite well.  In order, he writes about In Person, Phone Calls, Video-Conferencing/video phones, E-mail, and Instant-Messaging.  (http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/04/29/communications-101-how-to-communicate-better/)

Keeping it Simple.

Another excellent article was written by Marielys Camacho titled, “10 effective tips for better communication skills” and are provided below.  (http://www.voxxi.com/communication-tips/)

Think before talking: Having a clear idea of the information you are transmitting will help you in presenting a well-structured and trustworthy message. It will also prevent you from saying something you are not supposed to say or from passing a confusing message to the receiver.

Be honest: Honesty is the most important factor when communicating with others. It helps you create a bond with the other person and at the same time will help you in gaining the respect and admiration of the receiver. Be honest all the time and you will never have to regret anything you have said.

Practice active listening: Effective communication is not only the way we communicate with others – it also includes the way we listen to them.

Ask questions: To have a better understanding of the topic of discussion, it is important for you to ask questions.

Watch your body language: Body language is as important as any other form of communication.

Try to see other people’s points of views: When you take in consideration other people’s points of views you will have a better chance in making them feel you care about their opinions and at the same time, it helps you in establishing a good connection between you and other people.

Don’t judge: Pretty simple – don’t do unto others what you don’t like done unto you.

Don’t overwhelm the other person: When communicating with others, it’s important for you to express your opinion without trying to manipulate the conversation.

Provide constructive criticism: If you feel like you need to criticize other people, make sure you use constructive criticism.

And lastly, but certainly as important as those above is WikiHow’s excellent article, “How to Develop Good Communication Skills” (http://www.wikihow.com/Develop-Good-Communication-Skills) in four important steps:

Step 1 - Understanding the Basics of Communication Skills

• Know what communication really is.
• Have courage to say what you think.
• Practice.

Step 2 - Engage Your Audience

• Make eye contact.
• Use gestures.
• Don’t send mixed messages.
• Be aware of what your body is saying.
• Manifest constructive attitudes and beliefs.
• Develop effective listening skills.

Step 3 - Use Your Words

• Enunciate your words.
• Pronounce your works correctly.
• Use the right words.
• Slow your speech down.

Step 4 - Use your Voice

• Develop your voice.
• Animate your voice
• Use appropriate volume.

By becoming a better listener we also improve our ability to communicate better and if we practice these fine tips about in our daily interactions with others.  Open and honest communications are essential in every aspect of your daily life. 

Do you have any Better Communicating tips to share?  We would love to see them.  Thanks!

(All images from Google) 

Make a Difference - Visit someone who is Shut-In

(Google Image)

By Nurse Diane

My husband was bedridden for nearly 3 years.  He became bedridden by the age of 49.  He wasn't the typical type of shut-in that one thinks about, but the only outside communication he had was from me, or by telephone, since he was not very computer savvy.   It was a very sad and lonely existence for him, for me as well, since I couldn't leave him for very long at a time.  He would have loved visits from friends or family, but those were few and far between.  I tried to explain to him that people had their own lives, and was busy and that explanation didn’t help his loneliness.

Well today is a day set aside to visit those who are shut-in.  Today is National Shut-In Visitation Day.  Shut-ins are not just the elderly; they can be any age, for any reason.  Those who are home recovering from an accident or surgery, those with small children and no transportation, and the elderly and cripple.  They can be found in hospitals, nursing homes, senior care facilities, other family member's homes, and even your own neighborhood.

It is incredibly hard for someone who was once independent and free to travel as they desired, to give up that freedom, and be stuck at home and dependent on the help of others.  So today, take some time out and spread a little joy and happiness to someone you know who is shut in.  If you don't know of anyone, check with your church or local hospital, nursing home, or adult living facility, and ask about their visiting hours, and who would benefit from a visit.  It will be only a few minutes of your time and will really brighten a home bound person's whole day!

Celebrating National Braille Literacy Month

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By Diane Forrest

Yesterday I wrote about the seeing eye dogs.  Today, I want to let you know about another tool used by the vision impaired to assist them with their daily lives.  In 1809 Louis Braille was born.  43 years and 2 days later, he died, but not before he created a reading system so that blind people would be able to place their fingers over raised dots and read. When Louis was 3 years old, an accident in his father's shop cause  an object to be tossed into his eye.  His wound became infected, and the infection spread to his other eye.  By the time he was 5 years old, he was blind.  His parents took great pains to raise him as a sighted child, teaching him how to navigate around the town alone.  He was "at peace" with his disability.  His bright and creative mind impressed the local teachers and priests, and he was encouraged to seek higher education.

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When he was of age, he went to school and learned to read by tracing letters on heavily embossed pages.  These books were very heavy and hard to handle.  According to Wikipedia.com, Braille was determined to fashion a system of reading and writing that could bridge the critical gap in communication between the sighted and the blind. In his own words: "Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge, and that is vitally important for us if we [the blind] are not to go on being despised or patronized by condescending sighted people. We do not need pity, nor do we need to be reminded we are vulnerable. We must be treated as equals – and communication is the way this can be brought about."

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In 1821 he learned of a type of communication used by the French army called night writing.  It was made of dots and dashes that could be read by soldiers tracing their fingers over the pages.  This method was too complicated to learn and understand, so Louis devised his own method.  When he was just 15 years old he began working on his own system by using the same tool that cause his blindness.  His work was published in 1839, and the rest...is history.  He contracted tuberculosis and died, 2 days after his 43rd birthday at home with his family.

(Google Image)

This is National Braille Literacy Month.  ehow.com has some suggestions on how to participate in this great achievement.  They include:

1.    Celebrate the birthday of Louis Braille- see if you can learn to spell his name in Braille on the birthday cake.

2.    Talk to your children about blindness.

3.    Blindfold yourself and see how well you can manage to move through your own home with someone guiding you. Keep it up and see how much you improve.

4.    Check out a book in Braille in the library and study it. Show it to your kids.

5.    Learn to write your own name in the Braille alphabet.

Effective Communications Month (June) 2012

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By Terry Orr

What is effective communications?

Communication is the process of sharing information, thoughts and feelings between people through speaking, writing or body language. Effective communication extends the concept to require that transmitted content is received and understood by someone in the way it was intended. The goals of effective communication include creating a common perception, changing behaviors and acquiring information.

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Tip 1: You aren't a computer! (Stop Multitasking)

• When you are having a conversation, don't do something else at the same time.
• Take care to minimize distracters (TV, computer, cell phone, etc.) in the environment.
• If you find your attention drifting, consciously bring it back to the conversation.
• Make a mental note of key points that you hear during the conversation.
• Listen, don't just 'wait to talk'.

Tip 2: Set the stage (Tell your audience what's coming)

• What's the subject you wish to discuss?
• What's the timeframe for the conversation (schedule and length)?
• What's required of the listener?
• If it's a negative message, prepare the listener ("This is difficult for me to say, and may be difficult for you to hear...")

Tip 3: Think before you speak - and while you are speaking (Be more conscious to be more effective)

• What's the message you are hoping to get across?
• Determine associated information that's needed to support your message.
• Consider anticipated response of the listener, including possible concerns or objections.
• Word choice, tone and body language shape your message.
• Being more conscious helps you to be a better listener, too.

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Tip 4: I can see clearly now ... (Clarification is critical for effective communication)

As a speaker:

• 'Check in' with your listener to make sure that your message is being conveyed as intended.
• Don't make assumptions of your listener's knowledge of or interest in the subject.
• Allow for and respond to questions.
• Use analogies or common examples to help facilitate understanding.

As a listener:

• Use 'active listening' ("What I hear you saying is ...)
• Ask clarifying questions ("Do you mean...")
• Reflect observed body language and tone to confirm impressions.

Tip 5: Take the high road (Break the cycle of negative interaction patterns)

• Responding to an attack with an attack contributes to a downward spiral of negative interactions.
• Take a couple of deep breaths or count to ten before responding.
• Look for common ground to get back on track.
• Watch for emotional 'flooding' and take a time-out if needed.
• If what you are doing isn't working, do something different.

Communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior.

(Google Image)