Author: Jennifred Jones

This Memorial Day

Jennifred Jones

We are free today because of another’s loss on this Memorial Day.

Let’s not let our veterans’ loss, who willingly gave their lives so we could be free, go in vain.

Yes, we mourn the loss of those lives, they were our own flesh and blood, brother, sister, father, mother, aunt and uncle, neighbor and friend.

Yet I don’t believe they want us stuck in a state of mourning over them, they would want us living daily in the victory they fought and gave their lives for us to have.

Today and always let us remember to keep the hard fought-for freedoms our ancestors died so we could have.

They were looking ahead toward future generations and their well-being of life, of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

What is one thing I can be thankful today because of their loss for my gain?

What is one thing I can do going forward to continue this freedom for my family and future generations?

Your Confidence

Jennifred Jones

Across the street from where I work, a young single dad is building a beautiful stone wall for a family living in the big brick house.

Last month he came in all excited to be selected for the job, and just happened to share with me… since I was standing at the counter. Over the last few weeks he began to dig the footing, order the stone and get started, but he seemed to take a lot of breaks and had a hard time really moving into the project….like he wasn’t sure of himself. He’d told me he’d worked for another landscape company doing the exact projects, he had his schooling and degrees, but this was his first time working solo. (and he wasn’t sure about himself. He seemed to have a lot of self doubt about his abilities)

Yet people would frequently stop by and compliment him on his work.

Today, things were really taking shape, he was laying the steps in the wall leading to the walk and porch, and the lady of the house came to tell him how nice it looked.

He came over to my side of the street to get a look at things from the distance and said it brought tears to his eyes that he actually had done that good work. He had always wanted to go on his own, but couldn’t while working for the other employer, and his mother discouraged him from going on his own. Yet in the meantime, several neighbors had come by asking him to come look at their place and help with stonework they needed done.

He already had the skill, the experience, the motivation, but lacked confidence to put it forth and begin.

I felt I needed to root him on, help propel him forward every chance I got.

It is a big ‘first project’ he tackled. It will entail a back patio too, but his ability and capability are showing and his confidence is growing.

I hope he gets lots of other good paying jobs. He is particular, does it right and has a young son to provide for.

Who do you know that needs your vote of confidence cast their way?

Cast it! The rewards will be great!!!

Does it Really Matter?

Jennifred Jones

Does it really matter what I think?

Does it really matter what I say?

Does it really matter what I do?

Someone once told me, “Whatever I do has no effect on you.”

Is that really true?

When the kids were small, I read them a story about the boy and his dog… this is my recollection of it.

One morning, a father woke up and spoke sharply to his wife while the kids were getting ready for school, she then spoke unkindly to the daughter, who then yelled at her brother. The boy in turn kicked the dog. It was a long hard day for that family.

The next morning, father woke up and told his wife he loved her, she spoke kindly to their daughter, who was kind to her little brother. The boy in turned hugged the dog. It was a better day for their family.

What thoughts are we allowing to repeat inside ourselves even though no one else can hear them?

What words are we choosing to speak, whether out-loud or online for others to hear and see?

What am I doing because of what I choose to think or speak about?

Is another person lifted higher because of me?

Or pushed down because of me?

I want to encourage others to go higher, be better, do better.

I believe inside everyone of us is the desire to help others do their best.

Other people need our help….there’s work to be done.

I’ll go first!

I will think about my thoughts.