2014 Ends

“For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." ― T.S. Eliot

What will the new year bring to you? More importantly, what will you do in the new year? What voice will you use to bring greatness into the life of others and to your own. Will you allow 2015 to be the start of something big?

With three days left in the year of 2014, if you look back at all of the great things accomplished, you know there is more to accomplish in 2015. And you will accomplish even more in the coming year as you turn from self to others. When you approach your goals thinking of others first, your level of success will surpass your needs.

The typical resolutions people make are to lose weight, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, get fit, eat healthy, manage debt, manage stress, take a trip, recycle, drink less and volunteer to help others. Only one of the thirteen resolutions has to do with others and not self. The others are about self.

Why not help someone lose weight, quit smoking or help them get a better education. You could also help someone find a better job or get fit or one of a number of things. Why not volunteer to help others and in turn help yourself?

The current year is quickly coming to an end and a new one is bearing down upon us. It does not take a lot of thinking, planning or discussion. You simply make the decision to do one, two or three things for another person. The rest will fall into place for you.

Stay inspired my friends.

Christmas Love of Others

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” - Unknown

What a wonderful gift to give another person.

A wish for others to fill their day, to fill their hearts.

We makes choices daily on either to pull people up or to put them down. Pulling someone up is a much better choice to make if you think about it. Each day we have a grand opportunity to brighten another person's day. Every day you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on another person's life.

Make life better for those around you, make life better for you.

Stay inspired my friends!

Friday is Good

“You will rise by lifting others.” - Robert G. Ingersoll

This day, Good Friday to Christians around the world, is a day in which one man gave his life for all of us. It was the ultimate sacrifice for others. I am not here to sway the religious or non-religious of this day or even Easter. I am writing to state that goodness can come from helping others. That a series or even single sacrifice can change the world.

Does that mean run out and die for all of mankind?

There is possibility in both the religious and philosophical view into why service to others is a good thing. From a religious perspective, we know that Jesus preached of love and the lifting of others. In the finite terms of our own human life, will not making life better for others make our own lives more fulfilling? Is there not something in that for both those whom believe and those that do not?

What then is the reason for our existence?

Whether you believe in creation, evolution or some combination of each; we have the ability to reason and wonder what purpose we are in being here. We can bring purpose to our existence, if only for the shortness of our natural existence. There are many that live a life of always taking, of never giving back, of constant hate or disregard for others. We can live of life of giving, of constant love and compassion for others. We can make life better. We can create purpose to our lives.

There can be purpose to your life.

For me, there is purpose to that man who died on a cross. For me, there is something beyond what exists here and now. But for me, I also believe that I can make a difference while I am here. That I can make life better for others and for those to come. That my children and their children will benefit from what I have done in this lifetime. I can create purpose for my life by helping others.

You can also have an impact on the lives of others, on your children, their children and humanity. It does not take being crucified, nor does it take the wealth of kings. All it takes is love and lifting others. You can create purpose to your life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Planting Seed

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -John Maxwell

In many of the books I have read and the speakers I have listened to, each speak of "sowing seeds for the future." And it occurs to me that the by-product of having a positive attitude is the planting of hope and goodness. What starts out as a 'me' adventure turns into a 'for others' epic.

John Maxwell says there is an essential part of your success journey and that is in helping others. Without this, your journey will be lonely and quite a shallow experience. The joy you will receive is hard to describe. Albert Schweitzer said, "...the purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others."

All of this means is that you begin right where you are; doing the little things. That can mean spending more time at home watching television with your kids, spending more quality time with your spouse, encouraging someone at work or volunteering to do something for your community or church. Every little thing you do is the planting of another seed.

And while you are pursuing what your own purpose is, you help others along the way. Danny Thomas (for those of us that go back far enough) would say that "...all of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others."

Continue the journey for me, for you and more importantly for others. Stay inspired my friends.