Windows of Opportunity

"If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade." ~Tom Peters

We can go through life being told that our window of opportunity is small. When that moment arrives, we need to be ready for it. The window might be tiny, it might be large, but the window will appear for us.

I can't disagree with the fact that we will each encounter a window of opportunity. But what I do believe is that the word window should be plural. The belief is that we are presented with 'windows' of opportunity as opposed to a single one.

The question becomes just how good are we at recognizing those windows and more importantly, taking on the opportunity. If we believe only a single window of opportunity exists for us and we don't recognize it, then we stop looking for more and lose hope of ever trying again.

In my belief, these windows of opportunity happen all of the time. We simply have to learn how to recognize them and then act upon them. But how do we learn to recognize them? You can only learn by trying, by 'trial and error', by being bold and going for them. Over time you will learn which ones work and which ones don't.

Do not mistake this for jumping in willy-nilly. What I'm saying is that you have to understand that opportunity passes us by each and everyday. Most of us fail to look for them, let alone act upon them.

If we are to advance our lives and have an impact, then we must know that there are many windows for us. Look for them and then boldly discover how these opportunities can lead you and others as we live the journey of our life.

Silence

By WickedNox

"Only silence perfects silence." ~A. R. Ammons

Today the silence begins until next Monday. As I have a Men's Conference to attend and help run, Friday will be a bust as far as writing goes.

As with anything, my silence is a chance for you to experience silence within to reflect. Enjoy your weekend, enjoy reflection, and prepare yourself for even greater things.

Advance

"Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood." ~Kahlil Gibran

There are varied definitions of what a hermit is. There are the religious hermits that seclude themselves in pursuit of the "forty years wandering in the desert", change of heart life. A life that seeks God. On the other end are those hermits characterized as "returning to nature" by living a life free from materialism. And as with anything, you can find different forms in between and outside of these descriptions.

One description you may not have thought of is how you live your own life. It may seem a bit radical to describe it this way, but many of us are hermits. As defined in dictionaries, a hermit is a person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary existence. Or in other words, a person who avoids the company or assistance of others.

As such, when we live a life that doesn't move forward and becomes mired in the sameness of everyday; what is the point of life? It simply becomes a pursuit of waiting for the 'end' to happen. While the rest of life is passing us by, this type of hermit life might as well be watching the clock tick away the minutes. Yes, living without advance can also be described as living the life of a hermit.

So what do I mean by advance your life?

• To raise; to elevate.
• To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.
• To raise to a higher point; to enhance.
• To move or go forward; to proceed.
• To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in years.
• The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.
• Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.
• The first step towards the attainment of a result; to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer.

What I mean is to advance with your life to its greatest potential. It means to advance your life in order to help others. It means to advance your life and actually engage in life around you.

Will you possibly get hurt or bloodied along the way? Very possibly, but you will be amazed how alive you will feel. You can sit and listen to the tic-toc of the clock as time melts away. Or you can advance your life by engaging in new and different ways. Advance, advance, and keep advancing.

~~~~~~~~~~

For those in the Atlanta area, SIGN UP for a Men's Conference being held September 30 - October 3. Come for one night, two nights or the whole thing, but come along and ADVANCE your life. This isn't a kumbaya event. You'll learn practical lessons to advance your life, your families lives and the lives of those around you.

Light of Life

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

All of life is actually pretty grand when you think about it. An amazing biological wonder is what happens from conception to death. Sometimes it is very difficult to comprehend the immensity of what must happen for life to exist.

And then I turn to my beliefs and know that anything is possible. The big bang theory, Adam and Eve, evolution, and how they get the peanut butter inside the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup; life gives us enormous possibility. Darkness can turn into light with the blink of an eye. That light becomes you and shines from within you as well.

So as we celebrate my brother Jim's birthday today, think about how amazing your own life is. Then consider all of the possibility life has to offer you. Enjoy life, live life to your greatest potential and allow the light of your life to shine.

Happy Birthday Jim.