(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in “you”
(C)alls you just to say “HI”
(D)oesn’t give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust “be” with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffer support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains thing you don’t understand
(Y)ells when you won’t listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality

You have heard of the cup that overflowed. This is a story of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it is an invisible bucket. Everyone has one. It determines how we feel about ourselves, about others, and how we get along with people. Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things which made you want to be good to people for a week? At that time, your bucket was full.

A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen. When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher. There must be a million ways to raise the level in another’s bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him, knowing the names of his children, expressing sympathy for his loss, giving him a hand when his work is heavy, taking time for conversation, or, perhaps more important, listing to him.

When one’s bucket is full of this emotional support, one can express warmth and friendliness to people. But, remember, this is a theory about a bucket and a dipper. Other people have dippers and they can get their dippers in your bucket. This, too, can be done in a million ways.

Lets say I am at a dinner and inadvertently upset a glass of thick, sticky chocolate milk that spills over the table cloth, on a lady’s skirt, down onto the carpet. I am embarrassed. “Bright Eyes” across the table says, “You upset that glass of chocolate milk.” I made a mistake, I know I did, and then he told me about it! He got his dipper in my bucket! Think of the times a person makes a mistake, feels terrible about it, only to have someone tell him about the known mistake (“Red pencil” mentality!) Read the rest of this entry »

It’s midnight and Nancy couldn’t sleep; her eyes had become so red because of crying. Nancy felt so bad. Really can’t believe that his relationship with Johnny has ended. They had good relationship for 5 years now and they are so deeply in love, thinking that it would last forever… then suddenly Johnny has changed, she feels alone even though she’s with Johnny. Everything didn’t go so fine as time passes by. She feels like Johnny didn’t love her anymore. Until everything became clear when they had a talk in the restaurant that afternoon. She set up a one on one talk with Johnny in a restaurant.

Nancy: “I really want to settle this up; I really don’t understand why you are doing this to me. You suddenly became a different person and I didn’t know you at all. Do you want to say anything??? Any explanation? Do you still love me?

Johnny: “I’m sorry”

It’s all what Johnny replied.

Nancy: What sorry??? You’re making my life miserable! And what’s that sorry for???

Johnny: “I think we should end this. You deserve much better Nancy. I am sorry to say this but my feeling for you has changed, I don’t love you anymore but I would be happy if you find a great guy. We should end this now Nancy. Goodbye”

And Johnny stood up, never touched his food and walk away.

After that they never saw each other, Read the rest of this entry »