How Full is Your Bucket?

I had a wonderful conversation with a friend that brought up something so powerful I asked her if I could share it. Blessings for you, she said yes!

She's a wife, a mother, and a school teacher and she mentioned her quiet time each morning with her 6 year old son. I was amazed that she got up in time to get herself and him ready to go and out the door (she takes him to school on her way) - and asked how she does that. She said that the consequences of not doing it - snapping at each other, rushing, less focus and calm during the day, and behavior problems - made it a high priority. She shared this, from one of their morning devotional quiet times.

"Sweetheart, I need you to come when I call, to do what I say, and to do what I ask with a cheerful heart. Because, if you come when I call but don't do what I say - it's as if you ignored me and didn't come at all. If you come when I call and do what I say, but you mumble and complain, or get angry - it doesn't count and everyone feels unhappy."

She told me about a picture book called How Full is Your Bucket? The visual is of everyone with a bucket over their head and our interactions with them either scoop out or fill up. Like an emotional tank, we are either building up or tearing down - we are either pouring in emotional fuel or sucking it out. Our words have tremendous power to create and to destroy. She said that their quiet time in the morning allowed for emotional reserves to draw on when the day-to-day things of life sucked energy and joy. Because her son has his bucket filled before he leaves the house, he has plenty of fuel and remains calm and focused and content during his days.

If you are a parent I hope you will consider building a few minutes into your morning to fill your child's bucket - and yours - as you begin the day.

This is a great exercise for all of us. Visualize the bucket over the head or heart of everyone you interact with. Consciously observe whether you are filling or emptying their bucket.. Even a small gesture or word can add a lot - or subtract a lot. Commit to be a bucket filler! Let us know how it goes.

Blessings,
Beth