Self-Improvement Archives - Page 43 of 48

My Hat’s Off to You

July 29, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

To show honor, respect, or admiration, I might say, “My hat’s off to you.” Years ago, men would often remove their hats and bow in a lady’s presence. They would also remove their hats before people in authority.

These ladies were part of a volunteer team that worked in our church’s recent Vacation Bible School.

The work was tiring.
The children were active.
The workers could have spent their week doing much easier tasks.

Yet, they love children and understand the value of that time.

The children sang, played games, made crafts, ate snacks, heard stories, and more. In the process, they learned eternal life lessons.

After their week’s work, this group selected a day for fun. Their destination: Martha’s Tearoom at Emerald Acres in Glendale, Kentucky.

Martha told everyone to choose a hat before the tea. Once seated, the workers feasted. They laughed. They told stories. They shared concerns.

We need more people like these wonderful women who make our world a better place. Ladies, my hat’s off to you.

How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God? (1 Thessalonians 3:9 NET).

Who has influenced your life? Please comment.

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Out on a Limb

July 22, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

Have you seen the cartoon of a man sitting out on a limb? He’s sawing off the limb between himself and the tree. We laugh because we know that when the limb falls, so will he. Yet, he remains unaware.

The bear cub in this photo may not be out on a limb yet. However, we know if he tries to crawl out any of those tiny limbs, he too will fall.

We often fail to see the dangers around us.

Like the man and the bear cub, we cause many of those dangers ourselves.

Marriages fall apart because of harmless flirting.
Addictions result from trying just one drink or drug.
Bankruptcies occur when we can no longer pay all those little charges.

If we never take that first dangerous step, we don’t have to worry about falling.

Let’s take preventive steps instead.

Weigh the good and bad.
Make well-informed decisions.
Set reasonable limits in every part of our lives.

Let’s not put ourselves at risk. Let’s choose not to go out on a limb.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Bottom Line

July 15, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

The bottom line on a financial statement shows the net profit or loss.

Therefore, when we ask, “What’s the bottom line?” we want to know the final cost or gain.

Businesses often advertise a low cost per month rather than the total cost. Two good questions to ask:

What will this cost if we pay the total now?
How much extra will this cost if we make payments?

Most of us like to buy items on sale. However, if we use our credit card, we need to pay the total bill when it arrives. If not, we may pay more than the item’s original price. Our bargain suddenly becomes a burden.

The bottom line applies to more than finances.

What are the costs and gains in our:

Behavior
Relationships
Jobs
Education
Spiritual life

Many choices are not worth the cost. Others are worth any cost.

In some countries, a decision to follow Jesus may involve great loss:

Rejection by family and friends
Denial of educational opportunities
Job loss
Imprisonment
Death

Yet, many people choose to follow Jesus anyway. They refuse to deny their faith. For them, eternity with God outweighs any temporary problems during this short life.

In every decision, count the cost. What’s the bottom line?

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for suggesting this expression.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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What a Hoot

July 8, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

Isn’t that funny? “How amusing.” “That makes me laugh.” All these are nice, polite ways to say, “What a hoot!”

In my mind, what a hoot implies extra energy and fun.

Can’t you imagine the following?

Deep belly laughs
Body doubled over
Hands thrown in the air
Tears rolling
Embarrassing snorts

This group of ladies did not create the expression what a hoot. However, they certainly know how to live it. They understand that fun and laughter are not luxuries. Everyone needs them for a healthy and happy life.

Because their work involved a constant flow of problems, they took occasional breaks.

Sometimes they talked.
Sometimes they cried.
Sometimes they laughed to keep from crying.

They learned to look for those funny moments that happen every day. I know, because I worked with them.

We all need to laugh more.

Consider the benefits.

Laughing at ourselves and with others helps us through difficult situations.
Remembering fun times provides comfort in our sorrow.
Laughter gives us energy to finish a tiring job.
Playing harmless jokes on one another makes friendships stronger.
Laughter is contagious. If another person laughs, we usually laugh too.

Just thinking about this makes us smile, doesn’t it? Now, that’s a hoot!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps

June 10, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 3 comments

To pull yourself up by your bootstraps (bootlaces) sounds impossible. With your boots on your feet, how can you lift yourself by the straps?

You can’t. Yet many people lift themselves from what appear to be impossible circumstances every day.

My parents and many of their generation:

Grew up poor
Had parents die young
Received little formal education

That sounds like the perfect formula for failure. Nevertheless, most of them live happy, productive lives. They pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and:

Did what they had to do to make a living
Loved and provided for their spouses and children
Returned to school as adults or became self-taught
Spent what they had, not what they hoped to earn

They never whined about their losses. Instead, they did their best each day and helped others do the same. No one picked them up and carried them. They did it themselves, as they said, “with the good Lord’s help.”

Life’s not always fair. They accepted that reality. They made the best of their circumstances.

I salute them, one and all.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

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Straighten Up and Fly Right

June 3, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

When my parents told me to straighten up and fly right, they were not telling me I had poor posture. Neither were they saying I should suddenly sprout wings or buy a plane ticket. Instead, they were ordering me to improve my behavior … now!

If they were extremely upset, the full sentence was usually, “Young lady, you’d better straighten up and fly right … and I don’t mean maybe!” I knew I was in trouble as soon as I heard, “Young lady.”

I had pushed all the wrong buttons or become too big for my britches. My parents would tolerate no further misbehavior.

I knew what rule had been broken.
They knew my actions were no accident.
Humor, hugs, kisses, and innocent looks would not help.

I needed to obey, the sooner the better.

Their warning usually achieved its goal. I tried to straighten up and fly right. If I succeeded, I avoided their wrath. If I ignored them, I suffered. What I failed to understand at that time was that my parents were trying to teach me:

How to succeed in life
How to avoid difficulties and danger
How to get along with others.
How to be my best

As adults, we may not have anyone telling us to straighten up and fly right. That does not mean we don’t need to do so.

It’s never too late. Listen and learn.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. (1 Peter 1:14 NIV)

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Push All the Wrong Buttons

May 27, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 3 comments

As a person challenged by any kind of electronics, I often push all the wrong buttons. Regardless of the gadget, I can mess it up.

Cell phones
Laptops
Notebooks
Personal computers
Televisions remotes
Cameras
Microwaves

If it has buttons, I have problems. Nevertheless, I’m learning. I know I need help.

I seek guidance from people with more knowledge.
I review online tutorials.
I read my instruction book.
If all else fails, I seek help from the manufacturer – I go to the source.

Sadly, we have the same problem in relationships. We often push all the wrong buttons of other people.

We disobey rules.
We anger or upset one another.
We seek our own pleasure, regardless of who we hurt.

Let’s learn in relationships. Let’s recognize we need help.

Listen to wiser, more mature people.
Study ways to improve.
Read the Bible, the greatest instruction book in the world.
Go to our Creator – the source of all wisdom.

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Don’t Toot Your Own Horn

May 20, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

We want children to develop good self-esteem. At the same time, we don’t want them to boast—to toot their own horn.. Finding the right balance between the two takes work.

Children naturally desire attention. That’s okay up to a point. However, they should not seek recognition every time they do well. They need to share attention just like they need to share toys.

Telling children (or anyone), “Don’t toot your own horn,” or “Don’t blow your own trumpet,” means they should not praise themselves. In other words, don’t brag.

No one wants to hear their endless boasting:

“I’m the fastest.”
“I’m the smartest.”
“I’m the prettiest.”
“I’m the best.”

If those statements are true, let people see it for themselves. If untrue, bragging only makes them look sad or silly.

We hurt children if we allow them to grow up with an inflated sense of their importance. Instead, let’s teach them that we all have strengths, and we all have needs. By supporting one another instead of focusing on ourselves, everyone wins.

“Don’t praise yourself; let others do it!” (Proverbs 27:2 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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A Hard Row to Hoe

May 6, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

A long line of plants can be a hard row to hoe.

Gazing from one end to the other, we want to give up before we start.

My parents always believed in the value of hard work. Therefore, my sister and I began gardening at an early age. I thought those garden rows would never end. Plus, Kentucky summer temperatures often reach the 90s with humidity near 100 percent.

I recall standing in the hot sun, fuming at the cruelty of it all. I pledged that once I had a home of my own, I would never plant a garden. Famous last words!

After a few years, I realized vegetables taste better when I grow my own. Not even a farmer’s market can compete.

I also learned that if I focus on the plant of the moment, I reach the end faster. It keeps me from looking ahead with dread.

That holds true for most tasks.

Focus on what needs to be done now.

Then move to the next task. Any assignment becomes more manageable and less intimidating. With steady pacing, we soon complete our work. We can then enjoy the fruit of our labor, whether it is a:

Fresh ear of corn
Good test grade
Clean house
Completed work detail

Remember: When facing any difficult task, any hard row to hoe, don’t try to tackle everything at once. Take one step at a time.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Don’t Get Too Big for Your Britches

April 29, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Don’t get too big for your britches has nothing to do with our height, weight, or the size of our pants. Rather, it warns us against having too much pride. Similar expressions tell us not to put on a high hat or act high and mighty.

When life goes well, we should certainly enjoy it. However, we don’t want to grow arrogant over our good fortune. Circumstances can quickly change.

Let’s maintain balance in our lives.

Celebrate success, but give credit to those who helped us succeed.
Enjoy financial gain but share that wealth with those in need.
Seek the occupation of our dreams but express appreciation for the work of others.
Strive for self-improvement but never at anyone else’s expense.

We all put our britches on one leg at a time.

No one deserves to be viewed as less worthy than anyone else. Likewise, no one deserves to be viewed as more worthy than others. Let’s treat everyone with the same respect we desire.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 NET).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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