No Regrets

“Today, just take time to smell the roses, enjoy those little things about your life, your family, spouse, friends, job. Forget about the thorns -the pains and problems they cause you - and enjoy life” ―Bernard Kelvin Clive

In a Paul McGee's book, SUMO (Shut Up, Move On): The Straight-Talking Guide to Creating and Enjoying a Brilliant Life, there is a section asking what type of future do you want. He speaks of a sociologist and church leader, Anthony Campolo, who had asked a group of older folks what they would do differently if they had their lives to do all over again.

The top three responses were;

- Have Less Regrets -

- Take Time Out To Reflect More -

- Leave A Legacy -

What a great set of answers and very insightful to what many people end up feeling. But why should we wait until we're old to change those things. Why not do them now?

Having fewer regrets would mean not procrastinating and getting up and doing something. Maybe its volunteering your time, becoming more involved in church, actually learning to speak Spanish (reminder to self, get up and do it) or maybe being less intent on having to be ahead of everyone else on the highway.

Stop and smell the roses is an old cliché but I hear so many people state this. I started that process several years ago myself. It wasn't easy and isn't easy to maintain given our need to succeed and get ahead. Driving for success is a good thing, but you do need to take time to prioritize your life and not let it slip by. I have written in other articles about "riding the Merry Go Round." You can become so intent on trying to grab the brass ring that you don't even enjoy the ride.

Pretty soon the ride ends and you missed all of it.

And when your time is over and done, will others be able to say, "gee, that person really made my life a nicer." Or that you were a good person. Of course, some people say, "he who dies with the most toys wins." My take has always been, "sure, but he who dies with the most toys still dies." The material things will mean very little in comparison to the memories people have of you, so make them good memories.

Make something of your life while making something good for others and stay inspired my friends.

Flower Bed Of Color

“It matters not what goal you seek; its secret here reposes: You've got to dig from week to week, to get Results or Roses” -Edgar Guest

A new week is upon us and you have the opportunity to put a small 'dent in the universe' with your actions. To work hard and advance your life each and everyday is possible when we allow ourselves the effort.

Many will sit and wonder why there are no flowers to smell. They yearn for all that is good yet are unwilling to work for it. They want to swing from a tree branch yet will never plant the tree. It is said "when is the best time to plant a tree?" The answer is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.

To achieve anything, we must start now and begin the process. Waiting will never accomplish the goal. Waiting will forever keep your dreams at a distance. A young girl grows up to raise a wonderful family. Life complete, the years of nurturing results in a flower bed of wonderful colors.

Pick yourself up today, this week and tend to the rose bushes. Nurture your life until one day you can 'stop and smell the roses' of success.