Happy Birthday to everyone that is having a birthday today. Most importantly, my wife - she is celebrating one and as with anyone you love, call that person, make it a point to wish them a healthy and love filled day.
Many of us attempt to minimize our own birth date, but as Ellen Glasgow said, "It is lovely, when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find that somebody remembers me." Remember someone and send them a card, a phone call or even a visit to remind them of how special they are.
So Happy Birthday to my wife and to everyone else on this the 30th of May, 2007. May there be many more for you and may there be many more for us.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
How To Achieve Success
"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful" -Mark Victor Hansen
Each day many people struggle to be successful in life. It might be in getting that promotion or just that right partner. It might be writing a book or building a new career. Always getting deterred by one thing or another that is preventing you from achieving what you want.
Age will tell you that the 'time' will never be correct. It also tells you that you will never be fully prepared for the change. Many people never realize this and grow old never grasping that which they want or succeed in accomplishing it.
Adlin Sinclair, a businessman and motivational speaker said, "you are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions." There's that word again, change. I've written of that many times, change your way of thinking.
And for goodness sake, just go for it...try something new, make movement in your life. Waiting for the perfect time will cause you to simply wait a long time. A long time that you could better use in accomplishing your goals. The type of attitude you present to your task will be an indicator of success or failure.
It will not be the result of poor timing because now is the time. Start moving with a positive attitude to your goal. "For success, attitude is equally as important as ability." is a quote I read somewhere but not sure whom to attribute it to. But the attitude that you bring to the table is just as important to the success you may have.
So start today, begin with one step, one email, one written page towards your goal and build upon it. The time will become right for your your success.
Each day many people struggle to be successful in life. It might be in getting that promotion or just that right partner. It might be writing a book or building a new career. Always getting deterred by one thing or another that is preventing you from achieving what you want.
Age will tell you that the 'time' will never be correct. It also tells you that you will never be fully prepared for the change. Many people never realize this and grow old never grasping that which they want or succeed in accomplishing it.
Adlin Sinclair, a businessman and motivational speaker said, "you are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions." There's that word again, change. I've written of that many times, change your way of thinking.
And for goodness sake, just go for it...try something new, make movement in your life. Waiting for the perfect time will cause you to simply wait a long time. A long time that you could better use in accomplishing your goals. The type of attitude you present to your task will be an indicator of success or failure.
It will not be the result of poor timing because now is the time. Start moving with a positive attitude to your goal. "For success, attitude is equally as important as ability." is a quote I read somewhere but not sure whom to attribute it to. But the attitude that you bring to the table is just as important to the success you may have.
So start today, begin with one step, one email, one written page towards your goal and build upon it. The time will become right for your your success.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Sowing Positive Seeds
Each day we have the possibility of taking the gifts given to us and sowing them in others. As the painting above called "Sowing Seed" by Louis Hébert shows, our lives are much like the one that sows seeds. The sowing of seed is done to replenish the landscape and provide nourishment once again where there was none
You have that ability to sow into others lives, both good and bad. By the bad, I mean there are those that can have a tremendously negative effect on others. This past weekend, a young couple was driving by my home in a van. The young girl was driving and saw me as they slowly drove by. Whether they were married or not, from half a block away I could hear the young man yelling obscenities and hurtful things. The look upon her face was one of despair and pain.
Like the withered plant which is lacking in water and is being choked out by the weeds, my guess is the young man was like that weed destroying the roots of her existence.
Yet to sow a positive wave upon others is much like the careful tending of a garden. Watering when appropriate, clearing the field of weeds and allowing the plant to grow. When this is done, we reap the fruit of having given of ourselves to another. In love, knowledge or money, the sowing of each will be returned to you tenfold.
Be a sower of the positive, plant the seed of knowledge or love or even money into the lives of others. Your life will be enriched by the process and life will grow in abundance.
You have that ability to sow into others lives, both good and bad. By the bad, I mean there are those that can have a tremendously negative effect on others. This past weekend, a young couple was driving by my home in a van. The young girl was driving and saw me as they slowly drove by. Whether they were married or not, from half a block away I could hear the young man yelling obscenities and hurtful things. The look upon her face was one of despair and pain.
Like the withered plant which is lacking in water and is being choked out by the weeds, my guess is the young man was like that weed destroying the roots of her existence.
Yet to sow a positive wave upon others is much like the careful tending of a garden. Watering when appropriate, clearing the field of weeds and allowing the plant to grow. When this is done, we reap the fruit of having given of ourselves to another. In love, knowledge or money, the sowing of each will be returned to you tenfold.
Be a sower of the positive, plant the seed of knowledge or love or even money into the lives of others. Your life will be enriched by the process and life will grow in abundance.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Change Your Life
“Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.” -Unknown
When you live the same way and think the same way and believe the same way - your life will tend to remain the same. So if you are looking for change in your life, you will need to change the way you think. An example of how this can happen is given by Dawn Fields in an article titled Change the Way You Think and Change Your Life.
Ms. Fields provides the story of a man that wanted to become a writer and why he initially failed. She also provides four easy steps to follow. The steps are easy to remember, but it takes work to follow and stay with them. But if you do, chances are change will come your way and you will find yourself in a better place.
Over ten years ago, I made a change in the way I was thinking and doing things that set me on a course to where I am today. It effected family and friends but it also had an impact on new people we encountered along our path. Today I am looking to change once again, to change the way I think about my career. Those around me will be effected but like before, new people will be impacted by this change as well.
I look forward to this change and have learned to flow with change. Life will create change for you whether want it to or not. But you can also create change within your life by adopting a new way of thinking. Change the way you think about your life, adopt a new attitude and live a great life.
When you live the same way and think the same way and believe the same way - your life will tend to remain the same. So if you are looking for change in your life, you will need to change the way you think. An example of how this can happen is given by Dawn Fields in an article titled Change the Way You Think and Change Your Life.
Ms. Fields provides the story of a man that wanted to become a writer and why he initially failed. She also provides four easy steps to follow. The steps are easy to remember, but it takes work to follow and stay with them. But if you do, chances are change will come your way and you will find yourself in a better place.
Over ten years ago, I made a change in the way I was thinking and doing things that set me on a course to where I am today. It effected family and friends but it also had an impact on new people we encountered along our path. Today I am looking to change once again, to change the way I think about my career. Those around me will be effected but like before, new people will be impacted by this change as well.
I look forward to this change and have learned to flow with change. Life will create change for you whether want it to or not. But you can also create change within your life by adopting a new way of thinking. Change the way you think about your life, adopt a new attitude and live a great life.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mothers Day Revisited
I will start today asking each of you, "did you call your mother yesterday?" Or if she is no longer with us, did you stop and think of her? It is one of those things that as a child, you can never forget what she has done for or gone through for you.
Motherhood is one of those things in which one person (your mother) gives of herself to you. A serving attitude all in the course of raising her child. In return she will reap the benefit of undying love and adoration.
Mothers are as total as the sky;
Older than the earth, and more enduring.
They're rooted in our hearts like ancient trees,
Halfway down to seething lava seas;
Emblazoned on our sail, and on our mooring.
Returning home, we dwell within their sigh:
So maddening, so rich, so reassuring.
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and all of the moms out there. And yes, I did call her yesterday!
Motherhood is one of those things in which one person (your mother) gives of herself to you. A serving attitude all in the course of raising her child. In return she will reap the benefit of undying love and adoration.
Mothers are as total as the sky;
Older than the earth, and more enduring.
They're rooted in our hearts like ancient trees,
Halfway down to seething lava seas;
Emblazoned on our sail, and on our mooring.
Returning home, we dwell within their sigh:
So maddening, so rich, so reassuring.
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and all of the moms out there. And yes, I did call her yesterday!
Friday, May 11, 2007
To Serve Another
“The most infectiously joyous men and women are those who forget themselves in thinking about and serving others” -Robert J. McCracken
Within our life time, each of us will need to place our needs or wants to the side. It may be at a point when we have kids or some other obligation. This may be due to unforeseen circumstances or by choice, either way, you will be in a position requiring effort to help other first.
“Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.” -Thomas Kinkade
When this happens, you will have moved from a 'taking' environment into a 'serving' environment. This does not mean that you lose everything and nothing is gained. Far from that, you will reap benefits of having this serving attitude. It will impact you and those that you are serving.
“Happiness... consists in giving, and in serving others.” -Henry Drummond
Find a serving attitude in your heart and you will be rewarded with a fuller life. It is in the giving of yourself that your success will be measured.
Within our life time, each of us will need to place our needs or wants to the side. It may be at a point when we have kids or some other obligation. This may be due to unforeseen circumstances or by choice, either way, you will be in a position requiring effort to help other first.
“Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.” -Thomas Kinkade
When this happens, you will have moved from a 'taking' environment into a 'serving' environment. This does not mean that you lose everything and nothing is gained. Far from that, you will reap benefits of having this serving attitude. It will impact you and those that you are serving.
“Happiness... consists in giving, and in serving others.” -Henry Drummond
Find a serving attitude in your heart and you will be rewarded with a fuller life. It is in the giving of yourself that your success will be measured.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Take Time For Yourself
So many times we are 'running so fast' trying to accomplish all of our daily routines. From getting ready for work, the kids off to school, important tasks at work to the evening activities, it can a very full day. Mixed in with all of this ordinary ritual of your day are the 'problems' and the 'planning' that you encounter or need to think about.
These 'things' you need to think about are those that will help your life move forward. All of the other things going on are part of that but are mostly the routines of the day. To move your life forward, you have a need to clearly think about any problems in your life. You need to clearly think about the future of your life. This can be difficult in between getting a child on the bus and getting to the train station in time.
So what should you do? Plan to take time out each day to reflect. Take just seven minutes to do this from your busy schedule. Why seven minutes? It is an odd number that is easy to remember, it is a 'lucky' number in some beliefs. Seven corresponds to the seven days of the week, the seven planets, seven rungs of perfection, seven spheres of celestial stairs, the seven petals of the rose, the seven branches of the shaman's cosmic tree and so on.
Seven denotes the fullness of the planetary orders, the fullness of the energies and principles in spiritual order. Seven was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of eternal life, and symbolizes the dynamic perfection of a completed cycle. Seven conveys the fresh start after a cycle has been completed and of positive regeneration.
Okay, so I made my point about the number seven. There are many different reasons why I chose seven minutes, but mainly just to give you a time frame for thought and reflection. That's the only reason. As a person in this life, we do not have all of the answers. We can not fix everything on our own. But daily we need to stop and think about where we can find help.
Each of us need a few moments to see where we can find guidance and reflection. Whether this be spiritually, intellectually or even physically, it is okay to look to others for help if that is needed. It also allows you time to think about what the need might be.
Take seven minutes each day, reflect upon your life and start to move your life forward. You will begin to see things more clearly and your life will change.
These 'things' you need to think about are those that will help your life move forward. All of the other things going on are part of that but are mostly the routines of the day. To move your life forward, you have a need to clearly think about any problems in your life. You need to clearly think about the future of your life. This can be difficult in between getting a child on the bus and getting to the train station in time.
So what should you do? Plan to take time out each day to reflect. Take just seven minutes to do this from your busy schedule. Why seven minutes? It is an odd number that is easy to remember, it is a 'lucky' number in some beliefs. Seven corresponds to the seven days of the week, the seven planets, seven rungs of perfection, seven spheres of celestial stairs, the seven petals of the rose, the seven branches of the shaman's cosmic tree and so on.
Seven denotes the fullness of the planetary orders, the fullness of the energies and principles in spiritual order. Seven was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of eternal life, and symbolizes the dynamic perfection of a completed cycle. Seven conveys the fresh start after a cycle has been completed and of positive regeneration.
Okay, so I made my point about the number seven. There are many different reasons why I chose seven minutes, but mainly just to give you a time frame for thought and reflection. That's the only reason. As a person in this life, we do not have all of the answers. We can not fix everything on our own. But daily we need to stop and think about where we can find help.
Each of us need a few moments to see where we can find guidance and reflection. Whether this be spiritually, intellectually or even physically, it is okay to look to others for help if that is needed. It also allows you time to think about what the need might be.
Take seven minutes each day, reflect upon your life and start to move your life forward. You will begin to see things more clearly and your life will change.
Monday, May 07, 2007
How To Avoid Road Rage
“Anger is a momentary madness, so control your passion or it will control you.” Horace (Ancient Roman Poet. 65 BC-8 BC)
My recent article on road rage spurred several responses about how one can control themselves. So over the weekend I read a few articles and thought I would share them with each of you. Anger that develops from within your vehicle is oddly enough something we would normally never allow to surface in other social situations.
And yes, driving is a social situation. It is a gathering of people in vehicles using the same roadways, attempting to reach a particular destination. There are laws and rules to driving which vary slightly from one place to another. There are also unwritten laws of courtesy and willingness to 'let it go'.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied more than 10,000 incidents of violent aggressive driving committed between 1990 and 1996, it found that at least 218 people were killed and another 12,610 injured when drivers got angry. Many drivers involved in these incidents are men between the ages of 18 and 26, anyone can become aggressive if they let their anger take precedence over safe driving.
The AAA Foundation study found that men, women, and people of all ages can drive aggressively if they are in the wrong mood or circumstances. when drivers explained why they became violent the reasons are often incredibly trivial: “She would not let me pass,”“They kept tailgating me,” or, as this one driver accused of murder explained, “He practically ran me off the road — what was I supposed to do?”
(Source: ROAD RAGE - HOW TO AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING)
So what can you do to avoid allowing yourself to start or become involved in an incident?
1. Don't offend: you know what they are, the same things that irritate you. Cutting people off, driving slow in the left lane, tailgating or making gestures. If it irritates you, chances are pretty good you doing the same things irritates others.
2. Don't engage: the old saying that it "takes two to tango." Another driver may start it, but if you respond or retaliate, then your as much at fault. Just refuse to be drawn into it, be the bigger person. The other person may be fuming, but you remaining calm and steer clear of the situation. As the article says, would you want your pilot on the plane flying and acting this way?
3. Adjust your attitude: make the drive more pleasant, it isn't a contest. The first one there is not what its about. And maybe there is some reason that person nearly drove you off the road...a bee entered the window and startled them?! Put yourself in their shoes and even if no, it isn't worth doing something you will likely regret later.
If you think you need help, find it before you go too far and commit a much greater offense. Avoid being an aggressive driver and learn how to avoid becoming a victim. There is a lot more to life then stressing behind the wheel of a car. Be safe.
My recent article on road rage spurred several responses about how one can control themselves. So over the weekend I read a few articles and thought I would share them with each of you. Anger that develops from within your vehicle is oddly enough something we would normally never allow to surface in other social situations.
And yes, driving is a social situation. It is a gathering of people in vehicles using the same roadways, attempting to reach a particular destination. There are laws and rules to driving which vary slightly from one place to another. There are also unwritten laws of courtesy and willingness to 'let it go'.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied more than 10,000 incidents of violent aggressive driving committed between 1990 and 1996, it found that at least 218 people were killed and another 12,610 injured when drivers got angry. Many drivers involved in these incidents are men between the ages of 18 and 26, anyone can become aggressive if they let their anger take precedence over safe driving.
The AAA Foundation study found that men, women, and people of all ages can drive aggressively if they are in the wrong mood or circumstances. when drivers explained why they became violent the reasons are often incredibly trivial: “She would not let me pass,”“They kept tailgating me,” or, as this one driver accused of murder explained, “He practically ran me off the road — what was I supposed to do?”
(Source: ROAD RAGE - HOW TO AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING)
So what can you do to avoid allowing yourself to start or become involved in an incident?
1. Don't offend: you know what they are, the same things that irritate you. Cutting people off, driving slow in the left lane, tailgating or making gestures. If it irritates you, chances are pretty good you doing the same things irritates others.
2. Don't engage: the old saying that it "takes two to tango." Another driver may start it, but if you respond or retaliate, then your as much at fault. Just refuse to be drawn into it, be the bigger person. The other person may be fuming, but you remaining calm and steer clear of the situation. As the article says, would you want your pilot on the plane flying and acting this way?
3. Adjust your attitude: make the drive more pleasant, it isn't a contest. The first one there is not what its about. And maybe there is some reason that person nearly drove you off the road...a bee entered the window and startled them?! Put yourself in their shoes and even if no, it isn't worth doing something you will likely regret later.
If you think you need help, find it before you go too far and commit a much greater offense. Avoid being an aggressive driver and learn how to avoid becoming a victim. There is a lot more to life then stressing behind the wheel of a car. Be safe.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Road Rage - Why?
A recent news item in the Atlanta area told of a tragic death. A death that could have happened in any populated area, any city or country. Another death that happens in our society whether from illness, murder, drugs among all of the deaths that happen.
This type of death though tends to mystify me, road rage. A strange event that seems to develop from our inability to control our emotions or attitude while driving. Matthew Joint says, "in its broadest sense it can refer to any display of aggression by a driver. However, the term is often used to refer to the more extreme acts of aggression, such as a physical assault, that occur as a direct result of a disagreement between drivers."
A young father driving with his wife and young child is involved in a road rage incident with another man - he ends up dead of stab wounds. I'm not passing judgement on either person for that is the job of the court system. I do know from all accounts that 'road rage' involves two people. In most cases, each person has a part they played in a situation escalating.
Each of us have been involved most likely in some form of driving 'lapse of mental control'. It is some sense of 'territorial' behavior when we get within a car that causes us to loose a certain amount of reason. We are a better driver then everyone else, or we take offense at another's driving habits. Most incidents never grow beyond your own thoughts. Many times the other driver is unaware of your irritation.
Once the other driver is made aware though, by either a look or gesture from you. It may even be you becoming aggressive by deciding to 'retaliate' in some form with your own driving skill. It is this point which you have crossed and now the chances of this escalating into road rage have increased.
This increase can result in possible car damage, yelling at each other or possibly physical altercations. The ultimate ending being someone dead from the senseless actions. Stop and think for a minute, does it really make sense to let it get this far? If someone cut you off in traffic, tailgated too much...whatever the case may be, is it worth the potential pain. A young wife and daughter living in pain, another person now changing their own life forever.
To read more about this and what you can do to change your habits and avoid these types of incidents, see the following article Aggressive Driving: Three Studies. Stay alive, stay stress free and change your way of driving...there's a lot more to life.
This type of death though tends to mystify me, road rage. A strange event that seems to develop from our inability to control our emotions or attitude while driving. Matthew Joint says, "in its broadest sense it can refer to any display of aggression by a driver. However, the term is often used to refer to the more extreme acts of aggression, such as a physical assault, that occur as a direct result of a disagreement between drivers."
A young father driving with his wife and young child is involved in a road rage incident with another man - he ends up dead of stab wounds. I'm not passing judgement on either person for that is the job of the court system. I do know from all accounts that 'road rage' involves two people. In most cases, each person has a part they played in a situation escalating.
Each of us have been involved most likely in some form of driving 'lapse of mental control'. It is some sense of 'territorial' behavior when we get within a car that causes us to loose a certain amount of reason. We are a better driver then everyone else, or we take offense at another's driving habits. Most incidents never grow beyond your own thoughts. Many times the other driver is unaware of your irritation.
Once the other driver is made aware though, by either a look or gesture from you. It may even be you becoming aggressive by deciding to 'retaliate' in some form with your own driving skill. It is this point which you have crossed and now the chances of this escalating into road rage have increased.
This increase can result in possible car damage, yelling at each other or possibly physical altercations. The ultimate ending being someone dead from the senseless actions. Stop and think for a minute, does it really make sense to let it get this far? If someone cut you off in traffic, tailgated too much...whatever the case may be, is it worth the potential pain. A young wife and daughter living in pain, another person now changing their own life forever.
To read more about this and what you can do to change your habits and avoid these types of incidents, see the following article Aggressive Driving: Three Studies. Stay alive, stay stress free and change your way of driving...there's a lot more to life.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Life Will Change
A recent quote from actor Tim Allen said, "change is all we really have so why do I let it get to me? Because something in me wants stability, but it is never stable, is it?" All of us look for consistency in our lives. We like the idea of things getting to a likable level and want it to just remain there.
Think of it as driving down the freeway in your car, a vacation trip long overdue. You have set the cruise control at 75 miles per hour, the sky is blue and spring has blossomed with flowers and the green of a new summer all around you. The love of your life is riding with you, maybe the kids or friends are there. Even your music is just right, things are all well. Your biggest wish is that the entire trip continues in this manner.
But then traffic begins to build, the cruise control no longer is an option. Road construction ahead and someone needs to use the rest room as well. What about something to eat, we're all getting hungry and tired. Things change, life changes things, it just happens...that is life.
How we deal with change is the determining factor in how we succeed or fail. By understanding that change will occur on a very unexpected schedule, you will be able to adapt and move on. Not all change is bad remember, but it shakes things up and makes you adjust your life. You can fight change, try to hold things the same. Doing so can be like building sand castles in the surf of a beach. A losing battle that frustrates and fails to accomplish your fight to keep life the same.
Some of the change is predictable or at least foreseeable. Good friends of ours have great change in front of them for their son. The son will have to live the major change and adapt to living in a completely different way. Their story could be any kind, you could plug most any story line into it and the simple fact of change remains. Their lives will have pain and sorrow but then attitude will take hold.
They will have to be strong and positive for the son, for themselves. It will be necessary to find the good things and the long term possibilities that this change brings upon them. Fighting against the tide will only weaken them and not give that support the son will greatly need. With family and friends in support, our friends will change themselves through this experience. They will let go of past hurts that prevented them from taking the positive approach to life and change.
Movement is occurring for them at this time, movement is occurring for you as well. Change will happen as sure as the sun will rise in the morning. Embrace change and find stability for yourself within it.
Think of it as driving down the freeway in your car, a vacation trip long overdue. You have set the cruise control at 75 miles per hour, the sky is blue and spring has blossomed with flowers and the green of a new summer all around you. The love of your life is riding with you, maybe the kids or friends are there. Even your music is just right, things are all well. Your biggest wish is that the entire trip continues in this manner.
But then traffic begins to build, the cruise control no longer is an option. Road construction ahead and someone needs to use the rest room as well. What about something to eat, we're all getting hungry and tired. Things change, life changes things, it just happens...that is life.
How we deal with change is the determining factor in how we succeed or fail. By understanding that change will occur on a very unexpected schedule, you will be able to adapt and move on. Not all change is bad remember, but it shakes things up and makes you adjust your life. You can fight change, try to hold things the same. Doing so can be like building sand castles in the surf of a beach. A losing battle that frustrates and fails to accomplish your fight to keep life the same.
Some of the change is predictable or at least foreseeable. Good friends of ours have great change in front of them for their son. The son will have to live the major change and adapt to living in a completely different way. Their story could be any kind, you could plug most any story line into it and the simple fact of change remains. Their lives will have pain and sorrow but then attitude will take hold.
They will have to be strong and positive for the son, for themselves. It will be necessary to find the good things and the long term possibilities that this change brings upon them. Fighting against the tide will only weaken them and not give that support the son will greatly need. With family and friends in support, our friends will change themselves through this experience. They will let go of past hurts that prevented them from taking the positive approach to life and change.
Movement is occurring for them at this time, movement is occurring for you as well. Change will happen as sure as the sun will rise in the morning. Embrace change and find stability for yourself within it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)