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Raising Kids While On The Road
2009-02-27 09:15:00
Back in the 70’s, there was an animated TV show called “Wait till your Father Gets Home” which revolved around the Boyle family. The show’s theme song opened like this:
“I love my Mom and Dad and my brothers too
And the groovy way we get along
But every time the slightest little thing goes wrong
Mom starts to sing this familiar song:
Wait ‘til your father gets, until your father gets,
Wait ‘til your father gets home.”
Isn’t that a familiar concept with truck drivers and their families? The discipline of children is very difficult while out on the road. Don’t get me wrong. It still needs to take place. After all, who wants their kids to struggle with self-control, anger or a lack of respect for others when they grow up? We don’t want our kids to think there are no consequences in life or learn to be demanding and self-centered do we? No, we all want our children to grow up and be responsible. Who is going to discipline them? Is up to Dad or Mom? How can this get done in a trucker’s family? Comment here.
For more information on families check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: blog,archive,parenting,family
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The Burden of Debt
2009-02-26 08:33:00
Several financial concerns have arisen for truckers since the economy has worsened. Perhaps the biggest is the issue of debt. Will you be able to keep paying your bills? How can you reduce your mounting debt? Are mortgage, car and credit card bills piling up fast, threatening to bury you? Simply making ends meet can become a full-time job in and of itself. It’s a load that every trucker carries with him/her everywhere they go. Maybe 2009 is the year you need to become more disciplined in your spending habits. You can start with buying only what you need. Learn to live within your means. As you do, your load will get lighter. Comment here.
For more information on finance check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: finance,debt,archive,blog
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Your Words Can Affect Your Marriage
2009-02-25 09:37:00
How do you talk to your spouse? Do you focus on the negative or the positive? My dad used to tell me “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” When our marriages aren’t going well, our first response is often to be judgmental or disappointed towards our mate. This only adds to the problem. There is a time to question our spouses when the load of our marriage gets too heavy, but we must cautiously pick those times and do it in a loving manner (this might even require someone else’s help). Our words can do more damage than we know. We should only use words that build our spouse up, not tear them down. No one likes to be torn down. Start using only good words today. Comment here.
For more information on marriage check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: marriage,archive,blog
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You Are Not Alone
2009-02-24 08:54:00
Does it seem like your company has let you down? Did your spouse leave you all alone? Sometimes the hospitality of others is less than adequate. I wish I could wave my magic wand and make all of it disappear. But we both know I can’t do that. But I can tell you that you don’t have to be alone. There is someone willing to listen. Comment here.
For more information on loneliness check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: loneliness,archive,blog
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Does Anger or Love Drive Your Marriage?
2009-02-23 10:40:00
Are you experiencing anger in your marriage? It’s hard enough to maintain open communication in a marriage when you are home every day, not to mention while out on the road. Sometimes we say harsh words to our spouse. Sometimes our significant others get frustrated during our absence and take their anger out on us. Let me encourage you to love your mate more than yourself even during these difficult times. Don’t let the circumstance steer your anger. Let love do the driving. Comment here.
For more information on anger or marriage check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: anger,marriage,archive,blog
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Dialing 911
2009-02-20 07:59:00
We’re trained to dial 911 in an emergency. We take first aid, safety and emergency preparedness courses. All of them are designed to help us know what to do in an emergency. We prepare ahead of time because emergencies don’t give you time to think about how to react. If a crisis catches us off guard, it’s usually too late to figure out what to do. In fact, in the heat of the moment, a cool head has to be automatic and instinctive. It works the same way with personal crisis. The time to learn how to respond to one is before it strikes. Do you have a plan for how you’ll respond in a personal crisis? Do you know what to do? Who will you call? Comment here.
For more information on crisis check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Send an e-mail to join-driverwellness@pr4.netatlantic.com to subscribe to this blog for free. These messages are brought to you by Drivers Wellness, an initiative of Transport For Christ. If you would like to give a donation to help us reach drivers, click here.
Tags: crisis,archive,blog
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Something Old, Something New
2009-02-19 08:44:00
A crisis often brings two things: First and most obvious, a new problem is created. Second and usually overlooked, an old problem is revealed. When a crisis hits, we typically spend most of our energy taking care of the immediate problem that was created by it. After all, the new problem needs attention, right. But somewhere along the line, don’t forget to address the old problem too. Even if it’s been lingering in the shadows just below the surface for years going unnoticed and untreated. Once exposed, you will need to fix the old problems if you wish to avoid dealing with a future crisis. Comment here.
For more information on crisis check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: crisis,archive,blog
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The Crisis School
2009-02-18 13:10:00
There are basically two ways to view a crisis. Either it’s a problem from which to run or an opportunity from which to learn. We can choose to fear it, allowing it to immobilize us. Or we can stare it down and force it to educate us. You’ve heard the expression, “What doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.” Perhaps we should say, what doesn’t kill us only makes us smarter. Develop the habit of learning from each crisis you face. Don’t run or cower from them. Instead, determine to take a valuable lesson away from every disaster or catastrophe you experience in life. Few things can teach us more than a difficult and even painful crisis. Comment here.
For more information on crisis check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: crisis,archive,blog
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The Strength of a Tea Bag
2009-02-17 09:34:00
Someone once said, “People are like tea bags. You don’t know how strong they are until they’re in hot water.” It’s true. A crisis doesn’t necessarily make or break you; it merely reveals you. It shows how strong (or weak) you are. In that sense then, a crisis can be a good thing – relatively speaking. While a weak person crumbles and falls apart in a crisis, a strong person recoups in the face of one and becomes stronger as a result. How do you respond to a crisis? Has some weakness been revealed by the hot water you’re currently in? What do you have to do to become stronger? Comment here.
For more information on crisis check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: crisis,archive,blog
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Hitting Black Ice
2009-02-16 07:36:00
We’ve all experienced the terror of hitting a patch of black ice. You were cruising along just fine, when all of the sudden, your wheels lost traction and your whole rig began to slide. It’s a scary feeling on the road. But it’s even worse in life. Have you felt that shocking sense of helplessness when you were blinded-sided by a crisis? It hit you without warning, and your life began sliding out of control. If you had seen it coming, you could’ve better prepared yourself. But you didn’t. You couldn’t have. So you try not to panic when you hit the black ice of a crisis. You just grip the wheel tightly, steer into the slide and hold on for dear life. But believe it or not, nothing in life happens by chance. Even a crisis. Comment here.
For more information on conflict check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Send an e-mail to join-driverwellness@pr4.netatlantic.com to subscribe to this blog for free. These messages are brought to you by Drivers Wellness, an initiative of Transport For Christ. If you would like to give a donation to help us reach drivers, click here.
Tags: crisis,archive,blog
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Immediate Action
2009-02-13 09:02:00
There’s nothing worse than dragging a conflict out. It wears on our emotions. It consumes our thoughts. It gnaws at our stomach. It robs us of sleep. In the meantime, we rehearse what happened, replaying it in our mind’s eye time and time again. We fantasize about what we’d say if we got the chance to defend ourselves or justify our actions. We mentally practice rebuking the person we’re in conflict with so that we win the argument. But all of it only drags the solution out even longer, taking things to an absurd level. How can all this be avoided? Deal with it ASAP. Don’t wait. Make that call. As soon as you’re home, go to them and fix the problem. Quit dragging it out. Your nerves will thank you. Comment here.
For more information on conflict check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: conflict,archive,blog
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Preventive Maintenance
2009-02-12 08:36:00
Most conflicts start over little things. However, small annoyances quickly snowball into big problems if left unchecked. Isn’t that true with our trucks? If we ignore that little grinding noise under the hood, it may end up costing us a lot of money to fix and time off the road in the end. It’s even truer in our relationships. Many conflicts can be avoided. Relationships, just like our trucks, need a little preventive maintenance. Are there acts of patience, kindness or unselfishness that you can do today to help prevent conflicts from starting in the first place? Comment here.
For more information on conflict check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: conflict,archive,blog
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Sweeping Conflict Under the Rug
2009-02-11 14:02:00
Let’s face it. When a conflict arises, it’s easier to do nothing. After all, we’re not home that often. Who wants to deal with conflict during the few hours that we are home? Plus, conflict gets complicated, it’s emotional, it requires communication and it takes too much work to fix it. How tempting it is to just ignore it and sweep it under the rug? Leave it alone, and maybe it’ll go away, right? Would you do that if you had an infection? Of course not! It’d only spread and get worse if you did. So ask yourself: in the long run, is avoiding conflict really easier? Nope. So shake the rug and deal with it. Comment here.
For more information on conflict check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: blog,archive,conflict
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The Value of Compromise
2009-02-10 11:21:00
When two people are in conflict, there are three possible positions to be adopted: Person A, Person B or a hybrid of both also called a compromise. Frankly, oftentimes the best answer isn’t A or B. The conflict grows more intense the harder we fight to get the other person to adopt our position. It’s like pouring gasoline on a fire – it makes the fire burn longer. On the other hand, choosing to compromise will help the conflict die down. A lot like pouring water on a fire. So put away your gas can. Stop trying to force the other person to adopt your view. Compromise isn’t a weakness. It’s effective. Comment here.
For more information on conflict check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Send an e-mail to join-driverwellness@pr4.netatlantic.com to subscribe to this blog for free. These messages are brought to you by Drivers Wellness, an initiative of Transport For Christ. If you would like to give a donation to help us reach drivers, click here.
Tags: conflict,archive,blog
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Let Go of Road Rage
2009-02-09 09:14:00
Most conflicts occur with people we know: a family member, neighbor, friend or co-worker. But the fact that we know the person we’re upset with at least gives us a context in which we can work it out. Conflicts on the road, however, don’t work the same way. We’ll never meet the sports car driving maniac. He’ll remain a stranger. So there won’t be mutual discussion, much less a mutual resolution. Instead, you’ll have to solve the conflict on your own. How do you solve this kind of conflict? By letting it go. No matter what a stranger does to you on the road, let go of your road rage and move on. Comment here.
For more information on conflict check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: blog,archive,conflict
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What about the 90%?
2009-02-06 09:34:00
Have you ever been wronged by someone? Has anyone ever accused you of something you didn’t do? Have you received ridicule you didn’t deserve? Now let me ask you have you ever experienced these wrongs from a member of your family? Were you the one doing the accusing? Sometimes our families are the toughest places to keep the peace. Family members know each other’s shortcomings and weaknesses. They see the best and worst of us. That’s all part of being in a family. I once heard someone say ‘10 % of life is what happens to us and 90 % is how we react to what happened.’ There is a right and a wrong way to handle what happens to you within your family. How will you react? Comment here.
For more information on families check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: families,archive,blog
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It’s Never Too Late to Rebuild
2009-02-05 10:56:00
Are you carrying the heavy load of a broken family? Is your family on the verge of breaking? Have you been married more than once? Unfortunately, this is not that uncommon among truck drivers. No one likes the situation and most people wish it could be different. There is a lot of pain and sleepless nights for everyone during a divorce. Let me share with you three things: First of all, we all make mistakes. No one is perfect. Number two, it’s never too late to start rebuilding your family, and number three, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can help you start rebuilding you family life today. Comment here.
For more information on families check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: family,archive,blog
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Don’t Let Your Family Be Disposable
2009-02-04 09:38:00
Have you ever thought about how many things come and go in your life? I mean when something doesn’t work anymore, we dispose of it, right? If we don’t like our job or where we work, we can find a new company. If our truck wears out, we can trade it in for a new one. If our house doesn’t meet our needs anymore, we can buy a new one. In society today, it seems that all too often we treat our families the same way. This should not be. Jobs, trucks and houses come and go, but a family should remain forever. Doing that is not always easy. It will take real work on your part. Let’s make the effort to invest in our family relationships. Our overall lives will become more content when our families are well taken care of. Let’s start today. Comment here.
For more information on families check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: blog,archive,family
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Can’t Give Quantity? Focus on Quality
2009-02-03 07:52:00
Have you ever noticed that even though you run a twenty-four hour log and keep track of every hour of every day that there never is enough time to do all the things that are important to you? Spending time with family is a real issue when you work in the trucking industry. If the wheels aren’t rolling, you aren’t making any money. Being gone all the time is nearly unavoidable. So what can you do? How about making the most of the time you do have with your family. Did you know that effective time with family is not always about the quantity you spend, it’s more about quality you experience? As yourself these questions: What can you do to make time with your family at home great, restful, and happy? What should you avoid doing when you’re home so you don’t leave more frustrated than when you arrived? These are very good questions that have very good answers. If you’re not sure what those answers are, we’d like to help you find out. Comment here.
For more information on families check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: blog,archive,family
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Is Your Absence Hurting Your Family?
2009-02-02 08:51:00
You’ve heard the old saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I’m not so sure the person that said that was a truck driver. As a driver, absence poses many difficulties that other people simply don’t have to face when it comes to their family. For a driver, time with the family is usually the first and foremost problem. You don’t have the luxury of attending all the concerts, plays, teacher conferences, bumps and bruises-let alone spending quality time with your spouse. Mix in the difficulties of communication, child rearing and household repairs such as broken water pipes, tires that need changing or the lawn that needs mowing and you’ve created a lifestyle that would break most people. If you then consider how high the divorce rate is among drivers, there’s no way you can tell me that absence is a good thing. However, there are many good ways of dealing with being gone all the time. Let us help you make your heart grow fonder towards the ones you love. Comment here.
For more information on families check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Tags: blog,archive,family
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