Lessons from My Uncle George

My?Uncle?George passed away in March.?I had the fortune to share a few thoughts and remembrances during his funeral service.?I think these lessons might have application to a larger community, even if you didn't know my Uncle George.?

It's a blessing to live simple?

1.?Hard work is good for the soul, whether you are volunteering at a YMCA or emptying trash cans on a city street.

2. Always take the time to look your best, it will make you feel better.

3.?Never shy away from good feedback, there is always something to be learned from it.?

4.?Be generous to the people around you; with your time, resources and with your love.??Uncle?George?always asked if we needed anything.

5.?Speak clearly; you have important things to says.?Uncle George?sometimes seemed to "mumble" his words, so we often had to ask him to repeat himself, we wanted to hear what he had to say.

6.?Be open to acts of kindness and generosity towards you.?Sometimes we really do need the help and sometimes we just need to be an outlet for the kindness and blessings of others.

7.?Never pass up a good plate of food, because you do not know when another one might come along.?How?Uncle?George?could eat as much as he did will forever be a mystery to me.

8. Be well rounded and pay attention to what is happening in our world. You never know when any given topic may come up in conversation.

????????????Side Note: You don't have to comment on every conversation, even if you can.

9. Be open to God's guidance in your life.?You may not always know the doors you are being led through, but you can trust it’s for your good.?

10.?Don't wait too long to ask for help.?

This last lesson is the lesson that speaks the most to me now. We can wait until our need becomes a crisis or we can solicit help early on.?The sooner you ask for help, the better.? People are all around us, waiting and wanting to be of service.???

We have been reminded over the past two years that life is really about community and how we can stand in support of each other.?

Thank you, Uncle George,?for being a part of our lives and for teaching us how to live better.