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Be Kind, Rewind

by Comeback Mom on December 13, 2007 7:19 AM

Remember rental VHS tapes! It wasn’t that long ago when that was our sole choice outside of the movie theatres from which to view first-run movies released for general consumer viewing consumption. They used to have a label on them, “Be Kind, Rewind.” For some reason this phrase came to me recently while watching a child in a local A&P grocery store who was having a melt-down while the Mother approached the encounter with similar immature zeal and gusto.

The only difference in their approach was the child was screaming and flailing arms and legs while lying on the floor while the Mother was screaming and flailing arms while standing several feet away from the child. Fellow shoppers threw furtive glances. Nobody ventured toward them, not even the store manager. We’ve all likely witnessed some similar type of experience where someone we’re dealing with has a melt-down; can’t quite hold back their anger, temper, choice colorful words or disappointment. We can be active participants as the Mother in the A&P or we can simply choose to rewind.

As the winter’s cold and holiday season is upon us, crowds looming about us, tensions rising and tempers short; remember the simple VHS admonishment, “Be Kind, Rewind!” When necessary I try to, hit pause, take a deep breath, then rewind and start over. We can only hope that others in the presence of strangers will be so kind to rewind.

Comments (3)

You are so clever to use that phrase to describe how to get hold of emotions when they simply get the better of you. Naturally none of us expects the child to be able to do that. But we Moms and Dads and whoever we happen to be during our meltdowns should be able to. "Be kind, rewind". I'll remember that. Thanks Janine

— Posted by betsy | December 15, 2007 5:03 PM | Comment Permalink

Love your blog theme of "Be kind - Rewind". You are so right about how we melt down this time of year with too many chores and too little time.

I actually wrote an article in 2001 after 9/11, which I have updated yearly, that is really about us getting some perspective this time of year.

Here is how that article ends: (Feel free to read the complete article for Day 21 in the 30-Day Makeover blog at http://bullseyeresumes.blogspot.com)

Identify what is important and plan your time to accomplish only those things - Our productivity will improve because of it.

-Ask for help and support from friends, family, co-workers, bosses and neighbors - Our relationships will grow from it.

-Stay flexible and open to all possibilities - Our sanity depends on it.

-Take walks with your families to admire the colors and decorations around you - Our bodies will thank us for it.

-Encourage communication in the workplace to resolve conflicts around time and projects - Our coworkers will support us for it.

-Managers should be flexible enough to support employees’ family commitments - Our organizations will be better for it.

-Employees should develop an appreciation and respect for company bottom lines - Our economy will grow from it.

-Focus on the pure simple truths of the holidays - Our communities will be better for it.

-Take time to be thankful we live in America - Our futures depend on it.


— Posted by Marcia Robinson | December 13, 2007 11:36 PM | Comment Permalink

Janine,

What a great analogy! Be kind, rewind! I want that as a bumper sticker!

Congratulations on your new job! I want all the low-down when I see you next!

Brenda

— Posted by brenda | December 13, 2007 9:46 PM | Comment Permalink

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