InspirEmail No 108 - May 7, 2007

There is no such thing as can’t; only varying degrees of don't want to
Tony Donohue

InspirEmail No 108 - May 7, 2007
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Has it been helping, Mummy?

My eight year old daughter did what all kids do, she asked for things every single time she saw something cute at a friends, on TV or in stores. We were young parents struggling to make our mortgage payments so when she asked, 'Can you buy me that mummy . . . please?'

My standard answer was always, 'I'm sorry, we simply can't afford it.'

Finally she stopped asking.

One day I heard my 10 year old daughter shout for me to come quickly. I was sure I heard her say that Shanna was stealing money from my purse! I raced to the kitchen where I found my purse on the floor with Shanna's hand still in it . . . frozen in a moment of dread.

I was utterly shocked and feeling horribly disappointed. I wondered where she had learned to steal? Did she really think she could get away with it?

By now Shanna was crying much harder and looking as traumatized as me. I managed to remain calm while I gently but firmly asked her, 'How could you take something that isn't yours?'

Through her sobs she managed to say, 'I didn't . . . honest. Iā€™m not taking anything.'

'Well then,' I asked accusingly, 'what are you doing?'

I was stunned when she explained through her tears, 'You always say you can't buy stuff cuz you can't afford it. I was putting $5.00 in your purse so you'd have some money.'

That remarkably sweet gesture became even more heartfelt when she confessed she had been making a monthly deposit of $5.00 into my purse for over a year. She then asked, 'Has it been helping, Mummy? Does it make you smile?'

I dropped to the floor with her where I squeezed my eyes shut because I was crying harder than anyone. I held and rocked my adorable, thoughtful daughter hoping I could squeeze the moment to a halt and make it last.

Shanna stayed cuddled in my arms for as long as she could before announcing she needed to go because she had 'things to do.'

Over the next decade or so, Shanna carried out more covert missions. She has continued to inspire me as a mum and in my job as a self-esteem youth motivator.

Am I smiling? Absolutely beaming!

Written by Monique Howat

Monique Howat is a youth motivator and the founder of Confident Girls and Guys. She presents self-esteem and character building workshops at elementary and high schools in and around the Toronto area. Monique offers training on the principles of self-esteem, public speaking, coaching for parents or teens, leadership for women and consultation services for at-risk youth programming. You can send Monique an e-mail of appreciation for her story to . . . confident@look.ca or visit her website at . . . confident girls and guys >>>

Inspiring Image

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May's Featured Inspiration

Living a life that matters

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Touch My Heart

Touch my heart and I'll touch yours with a gentle word or two.
For kindness bears the sweetest fruit that makes our dreams come true.

Touch my life with tenderness and fill my cup with love.
Share my dreams as I share yours beyond the stars above.

Take my hand as I grow old and lead me when I'm blind.
Show me that you really care . . . pure love is hard to find.

Touch my heart and I'll touch yours a little more each day.
Then we shall both find happiness somewhere along the way.

Author Unknown