Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Simplify Your Life

From John McPherson, a talented and funny artist. The life each of us lives can be summed up this way. I do imagine you can go back in time a few years or even hundreds of years to see the same type of busy schedule people lead.

There are ways to simplify your life and it comes down to determining what is important to you. Each of us make choices everyday to commit to various things which fill our day. Not all commitments are bad and circumstance can yield the same harried and complicated life.

So enjoy life the best way you can. Look for ways to set priorities in your life and take time to (as the saying goes) "stop and smell the roses" once in a while.

Have a great day everyone.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Thankful For Apologies

Life doesn't go by without there being at least one moment in which you are wronged. The act of something happening to you, perceived or real is something that occurs. How you deal and react to this is very important. Do you allow yourself to be brought down, to ruin your day and effect all that you do, hopefully not.

Yet it is how we react the apology another gives us that can have a great impact. Many times, when someone tells you they are 'sorry' for what they have done, how do you respond? A great many people will respond with, 'not a problem, its okay.' And why we say that when many times it did effect us is an odd thing.

That person whom is wishing to extend an apology is attempting to 'right a wrong' and acknowledge that you were hurt or offended. If you respond as noted above is diminishing or making light of their attempt. In one way, it is returning a hurtful message that the apology is really meaningless to you.

You should respond with kindness and thankfulness to that person. A simple thank you to them acknowledges the apology and it begins a process of reconciliation of the relationship. All of this will allow you to let go of the 'wrong' and move on with life. Not doing so will allow the issue to linger, which will impact both your life and that of the other person. Apologies are like gifts, be thankful for them.

Monday, August 28, 2006

One Year Anniversary of Attitude

One full year today marks the anniversary of this blog. It is hard to gauge what impact the words may have on individuals around the world. I can see that people from all corners of the earth have read this blog at one time or another.

One of my visions is to impact people in whatever way I can. If the words bring a bit of brightness and hope into your day, then I feel privileged to have been a part of it. If the words have helped you to turn around your life towards a greater life, I feel just as privileged to have been a part of it.

For I know that I am only a small part in your life. The bigger part is you, the one that makes the decision to change your life. To create movement causes change as I am fond of saying. The change may not be exactly what you wanted, but it does force you to confront and move forward. To sit and do nothing means exactly that...nothing will happen.

So thank you for taking time to read my daily words and please pass my link along if you would, for it is better then 'chain email'. And remember, "Believe in your vision, act upon your vision and realize your vision." -Joseph Primm

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Friendship

The friends we have in life are varied in number. Some people have friends every place they go while others have one or two. Yet friendship is gauged not by the number but the quality of those friendships.

There are stories which abound telling of true friendship, acts by those that go beyond a mere acquaintance. From a bibilical story of four men lowering their paralyzed friend through a roof to meet with Jesus to those of friends giving an organ so that another could live. They range from the spectacular to common everyday interactions.

Each of us must count closely those whom we call friends for they are valuable in your life. To pick you up when you are down, to bring you back to reality when you stray from it and to be a stabilizing force in your life. These people give you a solid base from which to grow. You will be able to maintain a better attitude when your strength is built in part by good friendships.

In turn you need to be a good friend to others as well. Giving of yourself to others in kindness, in friendship, in many ways to lift that person is important to your own life.

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship." - Ralph Waldo Emerson