The Simply Luxurious Life's Newsletter 42
Published: Fri, 04/01/11
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
-Abraham Lincoln
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ords are powerful things. While actions have their rightful place, so do the words that we send out into our daily lives to the people we work with, the people we love and the people who help us all make it through the day.
What I have come to realize is that what we praise by either our attention, our reactions, anything that is uttered, increases the chances that the same behavior will repeat itself. For example, if instead of expecting proper behavior from my students and saying nothing, I decide to praise the behavior I expect with compliments and appreciation, I am more likely to see the same action again if how I approach it is sincere and heartfelt.
Another example is one I have seen work without fail when followed consistently. Having raising three spaniels from the age of 8 weeks, if I praise the behaviors I want (coming when I call, going to the bathroom outside), psychologically the puppy begins to be realize that that particular behavior will reap the reward of a treat and endless love and attention, and so they want to repeat it.
So many of the people we see during our daily routine and have contact with are very much the same way. If we focus on something that is important to them, if we make them feel good with sincere compliments or statements, the likelihood of continued positive responses increases. The key word is to communicate sincerely. An observant person can quickly discern a brown-noser and nobody wants to be labeled as such. By taking the time to be observant, focused and fully engaged with the people we are involved with in any transaction, conversation or situation, we will be able to have an authentic connection if indeed that is our intention.
Another way this approach plays out is in the media we watch, in the activities that we spend our time enjoying and in the things we buy. Wherever we place our focus we are promoting, validating and justifying its occurrence and existence. In other words, if we want to live in a world of value, kindness and compassion, we must support shows, products and businesses that in turn do the same thing.
No matter how focused and determined we are with this goal in mind, sometimes we are presented with difficult situations with the ones we care about. In this particular post from the archives, it helps to identify key tips and talking points to aid a a conversation that allows each person to feel respected and heard. Take a look . . .
 Living a life with integrity, compassion and purpose takes forethought, and in these instances when I'm trying to find inspiration, I always think of Harper Lee's character Atticus in To Kill A Mockingbird. Such a character is something to dream to be as he held himself to his own much higher moral compass, being strong enough to rise above extreme adversity even when the society he lived in at the time would have looked the other way if he had choosen to lower the bar.
It is my hope that we all are able to find the strength to bypass those easy temptations that we know in hindsight will not be the best choices, to stand up and do the right thing especially when nobody is looking and to set an example for others that a life lived with dignity is a very rich life.
Have a beautiful weekend and until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
-Shannon
EXTRA FASHION & DESIGN POSTS
   Articles from Around the Web You Might Enjoy
 *Dress For Success - Style vs. Trends -Huffington Post
*Reaching Out In The Real World - Sarah Brokaw
  This Week's
Style Suggestion
With any weekend's arrival, the opportunity to get away, possibly a quiet trip to the country, the coast or maybe into your favorite city, is still in need of traveling in style and sleeping in luxury upon reaching your destination. Here is a look that covers both of these requirements.
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