By Jeanette M. Pintar - with inspiration from Misty

Misty was very good at discovering the things she liked and what made her happy. And claiming them! My pillow, my favorite blankets, my part of the bed, my place on the wooden bench swing, my shoe strings and other various items somehow always managed to transfer ownership to Misty! In all honesty, I didn't mind; seeing her so happy, content, and purring out oodles of love made it worthwhile.

I've heard several motivational speakers and "success experts" say you've got to name it, then claim it. They weren't just talking about goals, either. They suggest claiming everything to do with your life as yours - including your neighborhood, community, work, school, country, and the world! Why? Because when you claim something as yours, you become passionate about it. You take care of it, nurture it, transform it into something positive.

Does "Claiming it" work? You bet! When I was a lifeguard at a small community pool, I made a minor adjustment to the rules. Instead of enforcing the standard "3 strikes and your out" rule, I offered the "problem children" a choice… they could get kicked out for the appropriate time frame, or they could spend the equivalent amount of time performing a task that would help me with the upkeep of the pool. Of course they chose to stay and help and in so doing, began to claim the pool as their own. By the end of the summer, these "problem children" had become my best assistants of their own free will. They enforced the rules with one another, picked up trash, and made sure their pool was a great place for everyone!

--- © Jeanette M. Pintar, Inspired by Misty