There is a great television show carried here in the U.S. called Extreme Makeover:Home Edition that simply does a good thing for a selected family each week. The basic idea of the show is to take a family that has had hardship in their life and do a good thing for them. This is done basically by tearing down their old house and building a new one. My short description does not do the show justice so I encourage you to read more about it.
I've always been fascinated by the goodness that springs from the different people that get involved each week. This past Sunday though, a relative of my wife had their home rebuilt. The story of the Farina Family (Season 4, Ep. 7) involves her dedication to the Relay for Life Walks in honor of her mother and becoming an active member of the American Cancer society. Then at age 25, developing and is now a one year survivor of breast cancer.
The stories of what people around us go through are wide and varied. Life is simply occurring and it is up to all of us to help and support each other the best way we can. If you see a need, try to fill it. If you see pain, try to soothe it. Most of all, do not ignore it. Sowing into other peoples lives will ultimately be rewarded in your life.
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” - Flora Edwards
Monday, November 13, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Think Big
"There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave, there are souls that are pure and true; then give the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you." - Madeline Bridges
A short article today but one that can make a big difference in your life. It is the idea of thinking big in everything that you do. When you dream, dream large. When you act on those dreams, act large.
Another way to 'think big' is to look at what Ben Carson writes in his book, "Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential For Excellence". Each letter has a meaning that you can adapt in to your own life.
T - Talents/time: recognize them as gifts.
H - Hope for goods things and be honest.
I - Insight from people and good books.
N - Be nice to all people.
K - Knowledge: Recognize it as the key to living.
B - Books: Read them actively.
I - In-depth learning skills: Develop them.
G - God: Never get too big for him.
"Big thinking precedes great achievement," is what Wilfred Peterson said. You can achieve more in life by believing in yourself in a "big" way.
A short article today but one that can make a big difference in your life. It is the idea of thinking big in everything that you do. When you dream, dream large. When you act on those dreams, act large.
Another way to 'think big' is to look at what Ben Carson writes in his book, "Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential For Excellence". Each letter has a meaning that you can adapt in to your own life.
T - Talents/time: recognize them as gifts.
H - Hope for goods things and be honest.
I - Insight from people and good books.
N - Be nice to all people.
K - Knowledge: Recognize it as the key to living.
B - Books: Read them actively.
I - In-depth learning skills: Develop them.
G - God: Never get too big for him.
"Big thinking precedes great achievement," is what Wilfred Peterson said. You can achieve more in life by believing in yourself in a "big" way.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Attitude In A New York Minute
There is so much in life to take in as we move through it. Even when busy, I have been learning over these years to try and take in the goodness of things around me. Making sure that I experience and recognize the events and people happening as I pass through it.
An example of this would be a recent day trip up to New York. Flying in late on a Sunday evening, a cab ride into lower Manhattan, checking in and preparing for an early Monday morning meeting. Then another cab ride back out to take a flight back to Atlanta, hitting Atlanta rush hour traffic at its peak. As the saying goes, it felt like a 'New York Minute'.
Yet I have always liked going to New York City. The madness of it all can be overwhelming if you can not put it into context. Sure, lots of traffic, lots of people, everyone and thing going at a fast pace. But you can ease into the pace when you need to but you can easily find ways to simply step to the side and observe. To stop and watch others, you will find that life is happening like it is in any city around the world.
People are rushing to work, to home, to a meeting, shopping or maybe working in some capacity. Doing those same things you do - at a different pace of course - living life the best way they know how. And a general 'bad' reputation is given New York some times as not being friendly. Myself, I have never found that to be true.
There are certainly folks that have a bad attitude and seem to have a mean streak in them. But a smile or kind word tends to have a positive effect on them. In general though, most New Yorkers are quite friendly...as I find people most everywhere I go. What I do find is that the typical New Yorker is rushing by so quickly, it takes 'quick hits of kindness' that get exchanged between people.
In a slower paced community, you may take additional time to stop, say hello and exchange a few words. In New York, it is the fast hello, the quick smile, the 'quick hit of kindness'. When you understand this, you begin to see a change in your own view of New York. It opens you to see a whole new city. You will see a whole lot more of all that happens in that "New York Minute".
An example of this would be a recent day trip up to New York. Flying in late on a Sunday evening, a cab ride into lower Manhattan, checking in and preparing for an early Monday morning meeting. Then another cab ride back out to take a flight back to Atlanta, hitting Atlanta rush hour traffic at its peak. As the saying goes, it felt like a 'New York Minute'.
Yet I have always liked going to New York City. The madness of it all can be overwhelming if you can not put it into context. Sure, lots of traffic, lots of people, everyone and thing going at a fast pace. But you can ease into the pace when you need to but you can easily find ways to simply step to the side and observe. To stop and watch others, you will find that life is happening like it is in any city around the world.
People are rushing to work, to home, to a meeting, shopping or maybe working in some capacity. Doing those same things you do - at a different pace of course - living life the best way they know how. And a general 'bad' reputation is given New York some times as not being friendly. Myself, I have never found that to be true.
There are certainly folks that have a bad attitude and seem to have a mean streak in them. But a smile or kind word tends to have a positive effect on them. In general though, most New Yorkers are quite friendly...as I find people most everywhere I go. What I do find is that the typical New Yorker is rushing by so quickly, it takes 'quick hits of kindness' that get exchanged between people.
In a slower paced community, you may take additional time to stop, say hello and exchange a few words. In New York, it is the fast hello, the quick smile, the 'quick hit of kindness'. When you understand this, you begin to see a change in your own view of New York. It opens you to see a whole new city. You will see a whole lot more of all that happens in that "New York Minute".
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Exercise Your Voice
Not only for any person here during U.S. elections - where ever you live in this world - where ever you have the opportunity to vote - exercise that right to shape the world around you.
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