NEW DAY NEW LESSON » Elderly, Featured, Kindness Club, Lesson of the Day » A Short Visit Is Better Than No Visit

A Short Visit Is Better Than No Visit

May 16th, 2010 | 8 Comments

I don’t know about everyone else, but I know that I have a problem with perfectionism. I have gotten much better over the years, but every once in a while the perfectionism streak will rear its ugly head.

It tries to prevent me from doing things by saying things like:

“No,  you shouldn’t start doing that. You need too much time to do it right.”

“If you don’t do it the way you envision, it’s not worth doing.”

“You have so much to do, you’ll never get it done, so don’t even bother starting.”

My luck was that I didn’t listen to the perfectionistic voice in my head when I started blogging. If I had, I would still be planning my blog.

What I have learned is that when that voice starts talking to me, I need to try and ignore it.

I need to talk back to that voice and remind myself that doing something not perfectly is better than not doing it at all.

I need to remember that a short visit, is better than no visit at all.

That’s what happened this past week. It was my grandmother’s birthday. She lives in an assisted living home about an hour from me. I was working an evening shift that day, but I  knew I wanted to go visit her, bring her a birthday cookie, a gift and wish her a happy birthday.

One thing turned into another and time got away from me. I needed to make a choice. I could either make that whole trip to see her for about 15 minutes, or I could go another day.

I decided to go and visit her anyways. I made the right decision. It was her birthday. She was happy to see me, even if it was only for 15 minutes.

So next time Mr. Perfectionism starts whispering in our ear, we need to remember that a short visit is better than no visit.

So how did you guys all do with this week’s Kindness Club Week 5 prompt of visiting someone elderly who needed the company? Did you find that a short visit was appreciated even as much a long visit?

Go on and write a post about your visiting the elderly experiences and then link up your post below. (Don’t forget to use the URL from your post not your site). The link will be open for a week. (Sunday-Sunday)
Make sure to come back on Tuesday for this week’s Kindness Club Prompt.

Can’t wait to hear your stories.

Written by Susie

I am me and also lots of other things like a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a daughter in law, a sister in law, a friend, an oncology nurse, a blogger, a life coach in training, an avid book reader, a chauffeur, a chef, a shopper, a maid and on some days a bit overwhelmed. On this blog I share my journey of striving to see the best in everyone and everything. Strive, because I don't always manage to. Yup, I am human. I would love to have you join me in learning lessons in positivity from life.

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Filed under: Elderly, Featured, Kindness Club, Lesson of the Day · Tags: , , ,

8 Responses to "A Short Visit Is Better Than No Visit"

  1. Old Tales « Allaboutus and such like says:
    May 16, 2010 at 9:34 am

    [...] Jump to Comments This week I had a bit of trouble with The Kindness Club suggestion of visiting the Elderly, not because I don’t actually know any one Elderly enough [...]

    Reply
  2. Jen says:
    May 16, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    I didn’t manage it at all, due to a tummy bug working it’s way through the house. To be fair, I couldn’t take the chance of sharing it, even though it passed off quickly for us. I will do a doubler next week:) Jen.

    Reply
    1. Susie says:
      May 17, 2010 at 9:08 am

      Feel better. But next week is another week. Kind of wanted the goal of the kindness club to be that each week you start one thing and keep carrying that over as you learn new habits.

      Reply
  3. Baby Genie says:
    May 16, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    Glad you made it there, is so hard fitting everything in.
    One thing though, Perfectionism so isn’t a Mr!!!!! Definitely a Mrs!
    Promise to take part v soon, love the idea so much xxx

    Reply
    1. Susie says:
      May 17, 2010 at 9:12 am

      Thanks so much. Even if you don’t write or link up, you should still take part. the point is to get as many people as possible doing acts of kindness. :-)

      Reply
  4. KLZ says:
    May 17, 2010 at 6:10 am

    Hey Cool Whip Queen -

    I too get overwhelmed by projects that are “bigger” than I have time for. Sadly this also sometimes includes laundry. By sometimes, I mean frequently.

    Reply
    1. Susie says:
      May 17, 2010 at 9:25 am

      LOL-am hearing you on the laundry thing. But as they say a load a day keeps the piles away.

      Reply
  5. Muddling Along Mummy says:
    May 17, 2010 at 11:53 am

    Totally true and one I need to remember

    My Gran is in a nursing home and is stone deaf so visits can be hard work but I have to remind myself of how much she has done to help me in the past and that it means more to her than I realise

    Reply

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