The DAILY SPARK Blog

Amy Dickinson reflects on lessons learned as she shows herself the door...Work hard not to be defined by the worst things that have happened to you.Recognize even the smallest blessing and express gratitude.Be kind to receptionists, restaurant servers, dental hygienists and anyone who needs to physically touch or serve you to do their job.Amy Dickinson - has offered advice on her syndicated column, ASK AMY  for more than two decades.  She is leaving this seven-day-a -week commitment - because she wants to.  This is one of several pieces of "final advice" she shares.REFLECTION:Do you let the "worst" thing that happened to you define you?  Can you explore what was the "gift" of that experience?What can you be grateful for today?Who can you show kindness towards today?  Thank others who are serving you.

Strawberry pastry from BETTY'S Tea Room in York, England Amy Dickinson reflects on lessons learned as she shows herself the door...Find creative ways to express your feelings.Admit to your faults and failings, and resolve to do better.  Ask for forgiveness.Amy Dickinson - has offered advice on her syndicated column, ASK AMY  for more than two decades.  She is leaving this seven-day-a -week commitment - because she wants to.  This is one of several pieces of "final advice" she shares.REFLECTION:Do you express your feelings or are you 'armored up?" How can you creatively express your feelings?Are you willing to admit when you are wrong?Can you ask for forgiveness?These are all tall orders.  Can you practice one or all of these today or over the weekend?

York, England Reserve your harshest judgment.  Sit on your worst thoughts about other people and consider the consequences before expressing them.Amy Dickinson - has offered advice on her syndicated column, ASK AMY for more than two decades. She is leaving this seven-day-a-week commitment - because she want to.  This is one of several pieces of "final advice" she shares. REFLECTION:As humans, we all hold judgments. Is there someone you have a harsh judgment towards now?Have you shared this harsh judgments with another (gossip/water cooler conversations)?Have you expressed harsh judgment toward that person directly?  Were they receptive or did it "put another brick in the wall?"With a judgment you are currently holding, can you think about the consequences of sharing your judgments and its impact on that person before speaking it?Can you bite your tongue and keep it to yourself?