In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Nice Is as Nice Does.”

It’s so much easier to write about others than my self. I was brought up in the fifties and it was completely unacceptable to brag about anything. And good for that too. I remember loving to read Laura Ingalls’ books about her life in the great woods and on the prairie. Somewhere it is described how a grocer’s daughter behaved egoistically and haughtily towards the other children. It made a huge impression on me.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder

The result of having this fear is to never dare to see that I am good at anything.

In my childhood, I don’t remember being asked about anything at family parties. Children should be seen, but not heard.

I remember somebody asked for the direction in my hometown. It was nearly impossible for me to help the person because I was not used to be asked and needed the practice to explain the road from A to Z.

When I stopped working as a health visitor visiting families with new-born babies after many years I only wished to get some words from my former colleagues. These good words are now gathered in an envelope and are very precious to me. Should I dare to open it?

Typical situation. “Together”

I have an online coach called Frank Smoot. He is helping people on overweight problems. I am not overweight, but his teaching is amazingly good as he forces his followers to focus on what you are good at and what you want to do. He says that it is your negative thoughts also called “self-aborting thoughts” that keep you down in overweight or addiction or whatever bad situation. Willpower will not do the job for you, but when you change your thoughts about your self your goals will be achieved.

Some of the words from my colleagues :

Engaged in your work, emphatic, works long hours, enduring, listening, helpful, a good mentor for the students and the newly educated, caring and sharing your experience.

You wanted the best for “your families”, we shared our professional knowledge.

You are a role model for me, a special kind of person. You wished the best for our profession. Your colleagues and “families” miss you. You made an imprint at our workplace.

This was indeed very difficult for me to write and I will not show what my beloved “families” wrote to me on text messages. Just know that I have them printed out as a treasure.

You can spend the life striving to become better in communication and to keep promises, to be as fair as possible and to forgive others and yourself. But I think it’s perfectly okay to stop at look at your qualities. They are developed over a long time and don’t just come overnight.