“Bright Eyes, Bright Minds, Bright Futures”

1. By Kelly Guevara “Bright Eyes, Bright Minds, Bright Futures” March 2012 How Full Is Your Bucket? • Our relationships with others are what enrich our lives. Take time to show the people who make your life better how much they matter and how much you appreciate them. • Here are some really simple ways to show your appreciation for those who impact your life in a positive way: • A heart felt thank-you note/card. • Gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop. • Invite your friend or co-worker out for a cup of coffee after work. • Lend a hand when a friend or family member is painting or remodeling their home. • Cook a meal so they don’t have to after a long day at work. • Frame one of their favorite pictures. • Return a favor. If your neighbor always shovels your walk way or mows your grass get out there before him or her and do theirs for a change. • Make reservations at their favorite restaurant. • Make a candle light dinner at home for your spouse. • Give a hug. Yes it can be that simple. • Tell them what you think they are particularly great at. • Write notes to leave on a pillow, a computer keyboard, or in a lunch box. • Make a special day just for them. Plan a day for them around what they enjoy. Go with them if it’s appropriate. The Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it’s empty, we feel awful. Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill other people’s buckets (by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions) we also fill our own bucket. But when we use that dipper to dip from others’ buckets (by saying or doing things that decrease positive emotions) we diminish ourselves. Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy . Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic. But an empty bucket poisons our outlook, zaps our energy, and undermines our will. That’s why every time someone dips from our bucket, it hurts us. So we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill one another’s buckets, or we can dip from them. It’s an important choice – one that profoundly influences our relationships, productivity, health, and happiness. WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?