Life Happens

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of." -Jim Rohn

I am like everyone else out there, working each day towards achieving my dreams. I work to plan and execute the steps that will take me closer to the realization of them. I sit back and evaluate what is working and what isn't working. And I try to stay focused and upbeat about every step along the way.

Then life happens to me. Circumstance and happenstance stroll by and get in the way of what I thought was a perfect plan. It could be any number of things and in all cases we want to find blame for our misfortune. All along, it is just life happening around us.

It isn't that anyone or any one thing is trying to get in our way. Life is not a well planned soap opera, with a script dictating your next downfall. Life is simply going on and crossed paths with you.

Think of how you cross paths with opportunity. Opportunity is not searching you out. You are out there in life, doing the things you do which places you in position to cross paths with opportunity. The same will happen with circumstance, it just happens.

What determines your outcome from circumstance is how you respond to it. If you choose to blame others and take on the burdensome rocks of complaint in your wagon, it will only slow you down. If you choose to become a "woe is me" kind of person, than all you are doing is carrying more stuff in your life that you really don't need.

Circumstance is going to happen and how you choose to respond will dictate the level of burden it causes in your life. Choose to rise above it and beyond it. Choose to carry on with the things that matter.

Adult Lesson

"If you do good things, good things will happen to you." -Ian McMillan

I'm not sure how much better I can say it. All you need to do is watch the video and learn an adult lesson from a young boy.

ABC News "Person of the Week" - Young Baseball Fan's Act of Generosity

Enjoy More

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." -Dr. Seuss

The office area in which I work has a pretty open floor plan. Low cubicle walls grace our desks enabling interaction among people. It allows for easy communication and collaboration while building great connection between these same people.

At times, the conversations can get lively with a lot of jocularity. The laughing and general good nature relieves the stress of the work. I normally take the opportunity during these times to jump into the fun. I will pronounce that everyone should quit laughing...work is supposed to be serious. They will stop, realize its me and then gleefully continue.

The point to be taken is that everything we do should have some level of fun attached to it. The same holds true for school-work, our work-work, along with our non-work, and just about any type of work. Life is work and it should be interrupted with moments of fun.

There is enough stress and seriousness in life, so take some time to relax a bit with laughter. Enjoy everything you do just a little more. Enjoy your life a little more.

Feet First

"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down." -Ray Bradbury

A man was spotlighted recently in the Atlanta area for simply doing what was on his heart. Twenty years ago, he and his wife had it in them to see a need. So they began adopting special-needs kids.

Today he raises six of these children ranging in age from 12 to 19. The illnesses of the children include nonverbal mental retardation, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome.

In addition, there are three biological children whom are all adults at this point in time. But the sadness is that his wife Cheryl passed away on July 21, 2011 from a stroke. So battling a job loss of 18 months and the passing of his wife, Will Stark just keeps plugging along doing what is in his heart, feet first, no regrets.

Others heard of the story, the needs and a local radio talk-show host, Bert Weiss on Q100 (Atlanta). Listeners heard the story and nearly $200,000 in donations along with a donated handicapped-accessible van cam rolling in. The generosity was heart-filled as people jumped in, feet first.

There are so many examples from this one story that can teach us lessons. The story of two people simply taking on the responsibility where they saw a need. Perseverance despite the odds and difficulties of doing what is right. And other people, hearing of the story and not hesitating to take action. Those fine people not waiting for the government, the church or anyone else to act...they acted and made a difference.

There are many opportunities each day, week, month and year to become involved. We can each make a difference, we can each impact the lives of others and make lives greater. All it takes is jumping in, feet first.