Audio Tidbits

Doing the right things right, the first time, on time, every time may indeed be our theme song. It likely comes as no surprise we are now singing that old song in reference to serious relationships. "Relate the best you know how, every chance you get."

A truly serious relationship is not a now-and-then, if you feel like it or have time proposition. Neither is it a place where less than your best will do, unless you do not care about risking the relationship. Sure, that level of effort and commitment benefits your significant other. You do it for them; and that is certainly thoughtful of you. More to the point though, giving it your best shot every time is in your very personal self-interest. Do it for you.

"Nothing in excess - everything in moderation." This old saying certainly applies to being a parent. The challenge usually has more to do with "How much?" than it does with being correct or incorrect. This dilemma of child rearing is more easily understood than explained.

For example, whether your child should be praised is usually not an issue. The real issue is how much praise is just right. Too little praise and he receives insufficient encouragement or recognition. Too much praise gives him a false sense of accomplishment and achievement.

The same holds for discipline. Too much abuses and mistreats your child. Too little does not teach him to internalize the consequences of his actions. If there is too much emphasis on work and responsibility, your child does not learn how to relax and have fun. If there is too little emphasis in this area, he does not learn how to work and be responsible. …

"Nothing in excess - everything in moderation." This old saying certainly applies to being a parent. The challenge usually has more to do with "How much?" than it does with being correct or incorrect. This dilemma of child rearing is more easily understood than explained.

For example, whether your child should be praised is usually not an issue. The real issue is how much praise is just right. Too little praise and he receives insufficient encouragement or recognition. Too much praise gives him a false sense of accomplishment and achievement.

The same holds for discipline. Too much abuses and mistreats your child. Too little does not teach him to internalize the consequences of his actions. If there is too much emphasis on work and responsibility, your child does not learn how to relax and have fun. If there is too little emphasis in this area, he does not learn how to work and be responsible. …

As we saw for human services themselves, there is not unanimity about exactly what a human services agency is. There is consensus about the basics such as its being an organization providing human services for an identified group of people and about its providing those services at no cost or at least an affordable cost to the recipients. "Most human services agencies are entirely or partially funded through grants from local, state, or federal government. Many others are private nonprofit groups often sponsored by religious denominations that raise money from fees, public appeals, and from philanthropic foundations. A smaller but fast growing type of agency is the private profit making one." (Mandell & Schram, 2003, page 11) Our focus here is on the first two but not the third. We are interested in government or nonprofit funded human services agencies. The agency services may be provided by paid staff or volunteers, may include material items such as food and clothing, may include professional services such as medical or legal, may include resources such as housing or transportation, and may range from help with completing tax forms to child care, from a furniture bank to after school tutoring, from counseling to summer recreation. If the organization provides accessible services, resources, and opportunities to people who would otherwise not have access to them, it qualifies in the present context as a human services agency. A human services agency enables the delivery of human services, regardless of its governmental or non-governmental status, the specific services being provided not withstanding. The same holds for its particular affiliation or source of support. …

"Nothing in excess - everything in moderation." This old saying certainly applies to being a parent. The challenge usually has more to do with "How much?" than it does with being correct or incorrect. This dilemma of child rearing is more easily understood than explained.

For example, whether your child should be praised is usually not an issue. The real issue is how much praise is just right. Too little praise and he receives insufficient encouragement or recognition. Too much praise gives him a false sense of accomplishment and achievement.

The same holds for discipline. Too much abuses and mistreats your child. Too little does not teach him to internalize the consequences of his actions. If there is too much emphasis on work and responsibility, your child does not learn how to relax and have fun. If there is too little emphasis in this area, he does not learn how to work and be responsible. …

You may know that aliens have taken over AliensAmongstUs.com and are broadcasting there on a regular basis. I fear they may be trying to capture this feed as well. I have a transmission that I think may be a coded message of some sort from the aliens. Please listen and see what you think. If you will share your conclusion, please drop me an e-mail at [email protected]. I hope it is not from the aliens amongst us but I am worried.

"It would be helpful to provide an official or generally accepted definition, but there is no such thing." (Burger & Youkeles, 2008, page 8) Defining human services is not simple. The term has evolved over many years and has no specific meaning on which everyone would agree. In general though, services are things some people do to help other people. It is no more complicated than that. If you do something to help me, you are providing a service. The question is then, What is a human service? …

You undoubtedly know pretty is as pretty does and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do you suppose someone also once said, "A robin won't sit on an empty nest," or perhaps, "A moth isn't drawn to a dampened flame?" It's a simple point. "Attractiveness is a today thing." The egg has to be there today to tempt the robin; the flame must be burning brightly to attract the moth.

Inside this simple point are a couple of small but important nuggets. Just as the moth is not attracted to the nest, egg or no egg, the robin is not attracted to the flame, dampened or not. Like the moth and the robin, different people are attracted to different things. …

It’s important to consistently assure that you are Supporting and furthering your organization's mission. This starts with being sure you are responsive to the needs and interests of clients and customers.

Here's to you and a Merry Merry followed by a Happy Happy.