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Monday
Jul262010

Take a Moment

From Thursday through Sunday my son was at a youth retreat with our church.

It was just for the high school aged kids and they went to Lake Mead to stay on a House boat. They spent each day having fun, growing closer together, and growing closer to God.

My son came home last night and besides looking 2 years older (why is it always like that when kids come home?) he was grinning from ear to ear. He told me all about his trip and how awesome it was as well as emotional. I think his official words were, “I think my tears ducts are pretty cleaned out after that trip.”

He talked about one thing they did as a group. It was called Affirmation Night and it involved all of the kids and the adult leaders. It started with one person holding the end of a rope and that person was not able to speak at all. Then while it was their “turn” the rest of the group would tell them all the good things they feel and see about that person. When everyone was done, that person handed the length of the rope to someone else, while still holding onto the beginning, and then that new person would be the one to receive the affirmations. They kept going on and on until everyone had a turn. When it was all said and done you had this rope going back and forth and in and out of the group and yet they are all holding a part of it. A small but important community that cared for and lifted one another up. It really was the final bonding of this group and an awesome exercise.

My son told me about it and how hard it was to hear all these nice things, especially to hear how much people loved him. Some people he didn’t even think thought much about him said some amazing things. He said he just let the tears flow and let all the love they were sending fill him up.

When I heard this it made me think of our community and the way we lift each other up. I am not the best commenter in the world since most of the time I cannot think of a response that differs from the responses already on the blog. But you know what, people don’t know they are loved and appreciated unless we let them know. We owe it to each other I think to raise one another up and continue to have a community that supports one another. So with that I think we should really do our best to comment on every blog we read. Even if it’s just to say, “good post,” or, “I understand.” Some way to show that we support one another.

It only takes a second and honestly, something as small as a “Good Post” makes people feel good and encourages them to continue to be an active member of the OC which is a very VERY good thing.

I am guilty of reading and not commenting and I am not going to do that any longer.

Who’s with me?

Reader Comments (22)

yep, I'm guilty of the same thing

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterScott

Good post. :)

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJacquie

Great idea. I think it's needed. It's a way to let them know their voice was heard. Because it's hard to pour your heart into a dblog post only to not receive a comment. Not that you want to be popular, but receiving them are sometimes the only way to know for yourself that someone cared enough to read what you wrote... to be your sounding board... your shoulder. The DOC is every diabetic's shoulder, and we need to let each other know when we've "been there" for them.

July 26, 2010 | Registered CommenterSarah

Guilty here as well. Good Post :)

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJillian

OK, so now I am commenting!!!! We are all so guilty of this, but no more. I have been trying to comment on all the blogs that I read and tell them that I do indeed, read them and they all, somehow, give me 'nuggets' of wisdom. I wanted to tell you George, that since I began reading you, as a mom to an 8 year old T!, you have emparted wisdom to me. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner.

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterPenny

I think it says a lot about your son to let his emotions free like that. I also think it's pretty cool that he was humbled by all the positive responses he recieved. Not too many teenagers out there like that! You and your wife must be very proud.

Amen on the comments. I try to write something on almost all of the blogs I read. Just to let them know I have been there and that it was me, not some blip on a google analytical report.

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterRenata Porter

I am guilty of not always commenting on blogs. However most of the time it's not because I don't want to. Or choose not to. I usually do most of my blog reading while on my office pc and a lot of the blogs do not let me comment. A blank box that you can't type in comes up or "page cannot be displayed", leaving me comment-less. I very rarely get on my macbook at home, giving me the freedom to comment away. I do however, agree with you that comments do promote positive feelings!

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterStacey D.

You're awesome. Proud to know you. :-)

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMolly

Comments are hugs. Great son. Awesome dad. :)

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterLorraine

Great post George!

Support for each other is the cornerstone of any community and you are so right that we have to do something to show that we are joined. I'm definitely guilty of being a passive member of the community lately, and I certainly get less from it as a result, so it works both ways.

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCaro

Great post, G! You are spot on, and I always appreciate visiting and reading your posts. Of course, will make more of a point to "Take a Moment" here and elswhere in the DOC from now on.

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMichael Hoskins

Yup! Ditto all of the above...

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered Commentercolleen

1. Great post! I totally agree. It is going to be hard for me this week because I can pretty easily read posts from my phone, but commenting is a whole other story! I will do my best!

2. I've done the affirmation thing before but without the rope. I like that part and will probably be stealing the idea for work! :)

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSara

I think there should be a "like" button on posts...like on FB. Even if people don't comment,its a way to show the author that you enjoyed their post...

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterHeidi

I love your family (our family?).

Your kids are incredible, and I've told you before that you inspire me as a father.

You also inspire me as a d-advocate and blogger. And commenter.

July 26, 2010 | Registered CommenterScott K. Johnson

You got this lurker to come out of the shadows and comment.

Thank you for all that you share about yourself. You always give me things to think about and often remind me of myself.

I really appreciate that you give so much of yourself and your heart. .

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterNikki

You are so right, George! I have been a "lurker" on your blog for a while now....and as a mom of a T1 8 year old boy, I thank you for honest words.
And by the way...we live in So Cal too and plan on walking for JDRF in Oct. Hope to meet you there...my son loves the idea of being Ninjabetic!

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterNicole S.

Excellent post! I need to more as well. Thank you, George...

July 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMarkMansheim

That's amazing. Thank you for sharing about your son and his time at camp. I am so glad I did not glance over it last night right before bed, but purposely clicked "keep unread" so I'd see what you wrote. Seriously, had to be the Holy Spirit telling me to do that, cause I needed to hear this today.

We did this yarn bonding exercise with my softball team in college. It was amazing to hear all the wonderful things that others had to say about each member of your team - weaving this web of yarn amongst the team. If I read it correctly, I really like the way that your son's group did - . It sounds like each person said something nice about one person, then passing it on - so each person gets to hold the rope. I would love to see our High School softball team do this... it'd be a great way to wrap up the season, or their camp-out before season starts.

Thanks for all your open and honest posts. It blesses way more people that you know.

Take care and be blessed,

Lindsey O.

July 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterLindsey O.

that made me cry.
thanks.
im also guilty of not always saying something.i think the world of you all and the hard work you put into doing what you do.i hate to make a promise i might not keep(and thats important to me) but i will strive to be better.

July 27, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterdeanusa

Great Post! I'm also guilty of not having anything different to say so don't bother posting.

Mel

July 29, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMellena

So...I've been reading and commenting on your blog for a while and I was wondering if you'd check out my blog and maybe leave a comment some time? My stats show 5,000 visitors per month but the only comments I get are from family lol...I feel like well...like a reject or an outsider? After reading this post of yours I felt like I could say it to someone out there. Or maybe I should just get rid of comments.

September 22, 2010 | Unregistered Commentersysy morales

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