Improving our Morale...

​After years of writing the monthly Pluma Snippets, I found myself this month, out of words. Which is unusual for me. Those of you who know me, would never describe me as running out of words. Inspiration usually comes from clients, friends and family, current events, books and articles. But no matter how much I saw, read, or heard, nothing would stick with me and call, "here take me…. I want to be the next article."

Until this evening when my friend Michelle Mills, after giving me a restful massage, jokingly said, “Beatings will continue until morale improves.” This statement had nothing to do with the massage or our earlier conversation, but it was funny and a great ending to a very pleasant experience. LOL!

Oh, my goodness…. even writing the words makes me still laugh. The irony of this phrase and its implications for getting what we want by doing what we don’t want made me ponder the deeper meaning of the statement and the words began to flow.
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‘The ‘beatings’ are the worry and doubt we participate in trying to change what isn’t working in our lives. Client Kelsey Brown, a pastor at a local church embellished during her appointment the next day, "Until you feel better about yourself and the life around you, you will continue to have a half empty glass instead of half full. We will not improve the ‘morale’ of our lives, our culture or our country until we consciously decide to fill our glass with gratitude for what we know is growing us, expanding our views and possibly preparing us for a future we can’t even imagine at this time. And we must begin with ourselves."

This is not just about positive thinking. It’s a conscious declaration to see where we can make a difference starting with our own lives and growing ourselves into a society which desperately needs each hand on deck. Each one of us is being called to give of ourselves and help fill the glass of those around us.

When my son Ron was a young boy, I would suggest he give of himself and bring value to others. He would ask, "how can I give if I don’t have anything to give?"
I would always remind him, "with a smile like yours, you can give your smile and be kind and respectful. It’s a start."

Thanksgiving began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings for the harvest of the preceding year. We can worry and doubt and talk about how tough it’s been for the past year or we can give thanks for where we are standing; another year ahead of us to decide, grow and make a difference by simply beginning with a smile.

Today and everyday I am grateful for those in my life who walk through the doors of Pluma with a smile as it certainly improves our morale!

Thank you from our full hearts at Pluma. 
Happy Thanksgiving, 
Hilda, Samantha and Mary