Stand up straight. No matter how tall or vertically challenged you are, stand up straight. Our pasture speaks volumes to the world.
In order to get the best posture remember to roll your shoulders back, drop them and slightly lift your head. To engage your spine, tighten your gluteal muscles. For those who don't know, your gluteal muscles make up your BE-hind! (Hee! Hee) Next engage your abdominal muscles. (Engage by tightening them) Then roll back your shoulders, drop them and lift your head!
I was reminded recently of the GASH acronym. Gluts-Abs-Shoulders-Head Gluts- Abs-Shoulders-Head
Standing up straight communicates to the world that you are ready, confident and going places. Is your body speaking truth about you? Is it speaking what you desire?
Come on everybody! Glutes-Abs-Shoulders-Head! Glutes-Abs-Shoulders-Head! Glutes-Abs-Shoulders-Head! Louder...more confidant...you can do it!
And remember to help those around you. Try something like this: "Your height is amazing! Did you know we look more confidant and attractive when we embrace our height?...Ya it's true, when we roll our shoulders back and lift our head ever so slightly we convey confidence and look more attractive. Try it with me!" (If you know them well enough and have enough time do the whole GASH deal.)
Nice job! Glutes-Abs-Shoulders-Head!

Passive, assertive, and aggressive are the three primary communication styles. Only One style of communication is good. It is the One that is in the middle- assertive. Which type of communicator are you? Before you answer that ask a few family members what they think your primary style of communication is.

Let this be your next topic of communication with your cup of time partner.

Here are the definitions of each:
Passive- ineffective, rarely getting out what you really mean
Assertive - effective and respectful Aggressive- harsh, not respectful of others, bull headed.

Knowing these definitions...now how do you categorize yourself?

Passive- Assertive - Aggressive. The best style is in the middle. Let's all work to be more assertive in our communications, not just with God and our family members, but with everyone we encounter in our lives. Amen!?!

Communication is essential for every relationship. The more we listen to each other, the more we understand each other. Electronic voices are not human. Remember to use the wonderful mouth God gave you. Do you speak more frequently the electronics (the unnatural voice) or verbally (our God given natural voice)?

Positve People

What was your success today? If you do Cup Od Time weekly, what was your success of the week? Sharing each other's successes brings on more of the same.

Remember all Cup Of Time gatherings do not have to be serious conversations. In fact sometimes we need to ask silly questions in order to go deeper or break the ice. This weeks question - What would you do if...? You fill in the blank and ask it in as many variations as each of you wish. Like what would you do if somebody surprised you with a smashed pie in the face? What would you do if you earned the biggest bonus at your job? What would you do if you woke up one day and your car was a different color? What would you do if God were "standing" right in front of you? What would you do if your best friend from grade school called you after years of separation? What would you do if a bird dookied on your head? What would you do if...?

​As part of this movement, we encourage Cup Of Timers to bring their drinking vessels to coffee shops and have a special moment in one of your favorite spots while saving that coffee cup waste. Strong families create strong communities that unify to make their environment great. If being in public creates too many distractions, avoid making this the norm.

What was your happiest moment moment last week? Your most joyful moment in life? Joy is different than happiness. Happiness lasts for a brief time. Joy lasts forever and we find in the Lord. Husbands and wives answer those questions for your marriage. No matter what your answers are make a strategy, a plan together to have more moments that are happy which will lead to JOY.

Listening is required in order for communication to be complete. Our rediculous business has created a culture of half listeners. Complete attention tells your loved one that you care. This is why we at Cup Of Time recommend removing all distractions. Every time you share a Cup Of Time with your other half will not be an earth moving emotional experience. We do hope your conversations will be deep. In order for this to happen your people need to know they are important. Be sure you are listening! (Eye contact, engaged in conversation, avoid interruptions...If you are afraid you will forget your point, like me, have a notebook close by and jot it down.)