I was going through some old VHS tapes the other day hoping to be able to part with some. I have so many and although I still have the player for them I don't use them very often.
One was from an old video store; I'd apparently racked up so many late fees, I bought it and it had a sticker on it that said "Be KIND -- REWIND." It made me recall that often when I rented tapes, I'd have to rewind them as the person who had rented it before hadn't bothered.
It's sad to me they had to put a sticker on it to ask their clients to be thoughtful. I flashed back to what seemed only a few years ago when there was no road rage (New York now leads the country in the number of Road Rage "incidents), no ‘home invasions' no gangs (at least that we were aware of) on Long Island, no drive by shootings and wondered what had happened in the last 10 years or less that completely changed this lovely Island around?
Which leads to the point of this post (yes, I have one : ) If you are stuck on a decision or unsure of exactly what to do in a particular situation do you take a few minutes to REWIND? I go back through the entire Feng Shui Consultation to see if I may have missed something.....anything that might help a client.
More often then not, I don't find anything but there are those rare occasions when I will think of another thing to try. In doing a REWIND, we just might find a small oversight or error that might change circumstances around completely.
In your relationships, both business AND personal, Be Kind and REWIND.
http://www.LongIslandFengShui.com
New York Feng Shui Consultant Carole Provenzale is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & New York providing personalized, affordable on site Feng Shui Consultations for all of Long Island, New York City, Brooklyn and Queens; distance consultations are also available. Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997.
That's a great perspective. I know a lot of success is mindset and ability to communicate. Win-win is also way up on the list for successful strategies.
I like that idea. In addition to rewind, I play bounce off a colleague. Sometimes, we get stuck in a certain way of seeing things... bouncing things off someone else often give me a new perspective.
Carole, This is a great perspective. It is all about the relationships. But then, I am very conscious to rewind my DVD's before I return them too...
That's such a good idea. I'm trying to do a bit of that tonight. I worked with three different clients today starting at 9:30 AM. It drained all my energy.
CAROLE, I always call myself a stewer so I often rewind and you just never know what you are going to find.
Sometimes I get so busy and caught up in the busyness - I need to force myself to stop and be kind - especially to myself and family! By rewinding, we can not only learn but refocus for the rest of the day!
Hi Carol!
You made me think of a conversation I had with a client today. He accused me of something that simply wasn't true and I started to argue. He got angrier and told me to quit arguing if I wanted him to tell me what was bothering him. I did a "rewind"...and shut up. It was amazing to listen to him slowly calm down and then, and only then, did we have a normal conversation. In the end, I validated his perception of events and we ended on a good note. Rewind is vital!
so simple but so powerful. Thanks for the reminder!
So true Carole. I recently have had two occaisions where reveiw and rethink have helped out in a seemingly hopeless situation. Now if I could find a recall button when I email something I should have deleted that would be good!
Hi Carole-I love the analogy. We should always do our best to be kind. Unlike a VHS tape if we aren't we can't go back and undo what was said that wasn't kind. Have a great week. <SMILE>
Vickie, Thank you....a quick "rewind" can make a huge difference just in case we happened to miss something along the way.
Joan, That is SO helpful, it's exactly what Laura and I do....two perspectives are better then one :)
Michael, Very cute! It did make me think of all the "little" things we used to do without being asked....
Lizette, I'm sure you need some sleep....to recharge and get ready for yet another day in a busy schedule.
Marchel, It's true and it could be something small....that somehow got past us and could make all the difference.
Margaret, I agree the balance can be difficult but I do put my family and friends first...I won't regret that and don't want to miss anything with them. Time is so short...
Paula, That's a wonderful story, especially when things are "heated." It's sometimes difficult to see things from another perspective but always worthwhile to try. Thank you!
HI Crystal, It never hurts to take a few minutes to do a look back...just in case :)
Paddy, I am frightened by the number of emails I have to get back to...taking a few at a time so I can answer them all in depth.
Sharon, I hope you are feeling well. It takes almost nothing to be kind and I'm always amazed we have to be reminded.
Hi Carole,
I like the idea of "rewinding"---you are so right, treating people in a respectful and kind way does not cost anything and means everything.
My problem is rewinding too much! I sometimes "need" to analyze, (rehash) until the topic is mush! I know this about myself, but have difficulty stopping it...=o(
Good Morning Carole,
Excellent advice and a good practice to take up....in fact I see how it can apply to everything in life. I often think of those 'turning points' in my life that led me to where I am now and then think what would have happened if I had of taken a different road...like they say 'the road not taken'.....
Jo
Cynthia, It does mean everything. i just had a wonderful experience with a landscaper. It may not sound like a lot but believe me, it's hard to find people so dedicated and knowledgeable....he's going to get many referrals!
Cheryl, I've done that as well....when I can't "get" something or have to create something with many boundaries. And suddenly, something will come to me, usually after I manage to "let it go."
Jo, I want to make sure I didn't miss anything. People say don't look back but there is value in it...to know where we're going and try to take a different path if we find we need to.
Carole, I've been rewinding (on a few things), and analyzing and trying to move on, and somehow, I end up rewinding way too much, I think. Or someone does or says something, to take me right back there - and 'there' is not always a pleasant place to be.
I do try to be kind always, and sometimes go overboard, and I think I'm letting people take advantage of my kindness (therefore I'm rewinding, to see what I could do to avoid/prevent being taken advantage of) ... (sigh)...
I have to learn to be kind, but not be taken advantage of. I'm having a hard time with this one (again).
Sylvie, It's always good to look back but you're right, don't stay there. I think being over kind is just part of who you are and don't believe that's a bad thing but it does leave us open to getting taken advantage of. It's happened to me before and will no doubt happen again and I don't think there's a way to stop it unless we change our personalities (which I'm not willing to do). Neither should you, you are wonderful the way you are!