Speak Up

Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.

Warning: May Cause Motion Sickness

My son Ryan has always had some troubles with traveling. The destinations are never his problem; getting to the destination is. You see, ever since he was a little boy, he gets incredibly anxious about travel and ends up with a serious case of motion sickness. On planes and in cars, he just doesn’t seem to have the stomach (or mind) to make it without getting a bit queasy. Sometimes it’s just a slight headache or tummy ache while other times it’s total eruption.

We’ve tried all of the over the counter motion sickness medications like Bonine and Dramamine. None of them worked. We’ve tried positive thinking and affirmations but that’s just hard to teach to a kid. We finally came upon these little patches that go behind his ear up to 12 hours before we leave that are supposed to eliminate any dizziness, motion sickness or nausea.

It’s not every time we travel. He enjoyed a successful bus ride to 6th grade camp last fall using one of the “magic patches.” He didn’t have any issues on Spring Break and he made it down to our summer vacation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina just fine last week using one of the patches. But on Saturday the poor little guy wasn’t up for the challenge. The patch might as well have been a temporary tattoo that said “Better Luck Next Time.” 10+ pit stops and 14 hours later, we finally made it home.

The frustrating part is Ryan wouldn’t speak up and tell us when he was going to get sick. I think he was partly embarrassed and partly nervous that we would get mad at him for slowing us down on our trip home. Anyone who is reading this as a parent (or grandparent) knows that you would never get angry at your child for something they can’t control and even his big sister, while anxious to get home like the rest of us, was supportive and helpful throughout the long day’s drive. (Callie the Puppy was indifferent and actually didn’t mind the extra stops to get out and  stretch her legs)

What Do You Do When You Need Help?

When you are confused about something, what’s your first instinct? Is it to seek help from someone or do you quietly try to figure it out on your so you don’t feel stupid? Would you ever just walk away, defeated or unfulfilled?

Ever been lost? Do you ask for help or just keep driving around hoping that your intended location will magically appear?

If you don’t think something is right, who will you look for? It’s like they say in the airport these days…”If you see something, say something”

Help is Only a Question Away

Raise your hand. Step forward. Speak Up. Say something.

There are plenty of people in this world who would do anything to help someone else but they usually can’t do that if people don’t speak up and say what they need help with. If you are having a problem with something (or someone), there are plenty of people willing to help…or listen. Friends, family, neighbors and even strangers will be there for you.

One of my mentors was a man named Paul Love*. For more than 50 years, he served the Central Ohio community as a Realtor and resident. He once told me that he loved to meet with his buyers for a “Prayer Session” before putting them in his car. When I asked what that meant, he smiled and replied “How can I answer anyone’s prayers unless I know what they are praying for?”

Sure, these days most people’s first reaction is to Google It. If not that, we turn to Siri. But even asking the robotic voice of the IOS operating system is better than feeling sick to your stomach.

Life isn’t easy so be sure to speak up when you get to a tough moment, unknown intersection or have one of those uneasy feelings creep into the pit of your stomach. Red flags are called that for a reason. They are warning you about something. When the hair on the back of your neck stands up, you usually know something isn’t right. When you feel your “6th Sense,” acknowledge it.

There are plenty of rest areas along the way and your final destination will still be there..whenever you arrive.

Have a great week building relationships, solving problems and having fun.

*One thing is certain, the world needs more men like Paul Love. Ask anyone who knew Paul and you see a twinkle fill their eyes and a smile come across their mouth.

Photo Credit: Derek Gavey

Photo Credit: GrayMalkn