If someone is committed to something, such as school, a sport, their job, doing the right thing, a friendship, or a marriage between a husband and a wife, it means that no matter what, they’ve decided to stick with it and make it work, even when it’s hard and they don’t feel like it. Feelings can come and go, but as Red and his wife point out to Herby, commitment is what lasts.
How would you feel if someone was committed to being your friend no matter what? What are you committed to? Are there people or pursuits in your life that you can be better committed to?
When we are committed, we can do remarkable things, like be able to play a musical instrument, or we can help other people and enjoy positive, long-lasting relationships with them. We can’t commit to everything, but once you are committed to something or someone, stick with it and don’t quit. It may be hard work, but the results are worth it. It’s the secret to making it “through thick and thin.”
When people say something happened that actually didn’t, or do something wrong and do not admit it, they are being dishonest. Sometimes we may not feel like telling the truth because we may not like the possible outcome. Herby doesn’t seem very happy to tell Jeremy the truth about eating his fish because he’s afraid he might get in trouble.
Do you find it difficult at times to be honest with others? Why is it important for people to tell the truth? If you found out someone lied to you, would you wonder if you could trust them the next time?
Being honest makes it possible for other people to believe and trust you, plus it feels good to not have to ever worry about being caught telling a lie. Most importantly, though, telling others what actually happened or what you’ve done wrong is the right thing to do. So be a person that tells the truth, even if “the truth hurts.”
With family, work, chores, errands, hobbies, entertainment, and other pursuits, our lives can easily become full of activity. Before long we can become quite busy, going from one activity to the next, never taking time to rest and do what Herby suggests: stop and simply enjoy the pleasures in life we often take for granted.
Do you find your life so busy sometimes you forget to enjoy it? What in your life would you like to take time to enjoy and appreciate more?
Like roses, there are wonderful things in life that we can miss out on if we’re not spending time enjoying them. Only filling your life with productive activity is missing the point. Take time to not just plant, water, fertilize, prune and maintain a garden of roses, but also to “stop and smell them every now and then.”
Our experience in life depends a good deal on how we view things. It can be easy to see things in a negative way. Maybe you are sad you don’t have something you want, you are unhappy that you aren’t able to do the things you want to do, or you find yourself discouraged and worried things won’t work out. Red sees the birdfeeder and is concerned that half of the bird food is gone, but Herby looks at the same birdfeeder and reminds him that there’s still quite a lot of food left.
Are there things in your life that seem bad or depressing? What are some positive things in your life? Do you feel better when you think about the negative things or the positive things?
It’s okay to feel bad sometimes, but only thinking about what’s wrong and failing to see what’s good saps our joy and energy. If we focus on the positive side of life instead, we become appreciative and encouraged. Even if things don’t work out the way we want them to, we can view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. So when you feel half empty, look again, because you may actually be “half full.”
We all have things that we own and value. From food and clothes to toys and games and even cars and houses, there are many things that people are given as gifts or that they work hard and save up money to buy. Perhaps Jeremy saved up his allowance to buy himself a pet fish, only to discover one day to his dismay that his fish has disappeared, and it suspiciously looks as though a certain fish-eating parrot helped himself to a snack of Jeremy’s prized possession.
What are some things that you own and value? How would you feel if someone took something that belonged to you without your permission and either broke it, lost it, or never gave it back? Do you think others would feel the same way if you took the things that belonged to them without getting their permission?
It’s wrong when we steal and take things that don’t belong to us when the person who owns them doesn’t want to give them away. If you want something that belongs to someone else, whether it’s your brother’s toy, your friend’s video game, someone else’s money, or a candy bar you see in a store, ask them for it and pay for it if you have to. You’ll be doing the right thing, respecting other people, and staying out of trouble instead of doing “something awfully fishy.”
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