Courage Within

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

Some time ago I was reading a book called "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise" by Andrea Rains Waggener. The author described the book as fifty-two life changing lessons and is inspired by the writings of Benjamin Franklin. The idea behind the book is a 52-week plan to make great changes in your life. It is a great book to read if you have the time, but I thought I would share a few items from the book with you.

In some of my blog articles, I have written about being courageous in stepping forward to make changes in your life. It may sound trite to simply say "I must have courage."
But courage comes in many different forms.

Having courage is like getting into the swimming pool. There are those that would run and make a huge plunge. The idea being to get the wet and cold out of the way quickly, and then to get on with the swimming. Others would tend to be as I am, put a foot in and test the water. People like us will slowly ease into the water, adjusting in small increments but eventually getting fully submersed.

There are other ways, other analogies, I could use or even a methodical method such as described by Ms. Waggener. In her book she offers a seven-day plan;

Day 1. Ask to be courageous.

Day 2. Affirm your desire to become courageous.

Day 3. Act as if you are courageous.

Day 4. Write down the things you'd do if you knew you couldn't fail. What do you want to try that you haven't tried because of fear?

Day 5. Write "YES!" on several Post-It notes and place them all over your home. They will remind you to say yes to possibility and opportunity instead of saying no.

Day 6. Choose something you really want that you're afraid to go after, something from the list you made on day 4. Now imagine what it will be like to get that thing or do it, whatever it is. Really feel it. Get yourself out of feeling fear about it and feel triumph instead. This will help you get in a mind-set to take courageous action.

Day 7. Pick one of the things you want but are afraid to go after and take just one small step toward it today. Again, even making a list of action steps is a step. Or make a phone call to get information or buy a book about what you want. One step creates quiet courage.

Look at day seven again, "one step creates quiet courage." This isn't about showing courage to others but about creating courage within yourself. Others will eventually recognize the courage you have. But it is more important for you to develop it inside.

Take courage in yourself to do great things. And stay inspired my friends.

Your Nature

Henry Ward Beecher is quoted as saying that, “Good nature is worth more than knowledge, more than money, more than honor, to the persons who possess it.”

Having a good nature tends to open more doors, resolve more problems and make your life generally easier. As an example, during business trips, my days are very full keeping me quite busy. My focus has to be on the issues I have been sent to deal with. It can be frustrating because I am interacting with many times a wide variety of personalities and the "nature" of people.

People can be either full of rage and discontent while others calmly handle the conditions confronting them. They are the reason and purpose most every time for my visit. So the essence of my job is to deal with both kinds and several variations of each person described above.

I am not alone in any of what I have described. Everyone, including you, have to deal with people, at some level, with varying degrees of irritation, rage, or calamity. The various personalities are a common course of human interaction. They key becomes how do you react to each of those types?

You have of course the loud lunatic trying to break you down. I call them "screamers" as they talk or yell louder then those around them. There seems to be some belief that by doing so others will work harder, listen better and produce better results.

You will also encounter the quiet type that simply stare at you. I call these folks the "low talkers" for it is difficult to gauge their temperament. They hide any expression, trying to keep you guessing wondering if progress is being made. They exercise control by never engaging.

In dealing with any of these type of people, remember they are simply people being themselves. Never take it personally because you, not they, dictate your own attitude. Take a good nature, a good attitude, with you into your connections with other people. Doing so will generate more positive results for you, for the people involved and the situation.

You will learn more from the experience. You will be under better control of yourself and the situation. You will listen better, you will talk wiser and you will just feel better after the experience.

Be of good nature, be of good heart and enjoy the life experiences of your everyday life. Stay inspired my friends.

Its Okay To Come Home

"There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again." -Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

There are so many of us that strike out on our own. We demand our birth right, to be released early into the unfolding future of growth. There might be those that try to speak into our world and tell us it is too early. We then dismiss them, distance ourselves from them and try to start fresh in a world that is many times much too cruel.

As the new experience of freedom reaches the end of it's honeymoon, the reality of our world can come crashing down. The pain and heart break of life not fulfilling all of our needs and wants can be quite harsh. We also harbor shame for turning our back on those that were part of our past. How can we possibly come home again?

You can, to open arms.

Do not be afraid to return to the ones that loved you first. To the people that raised you and provided you with a home and shelter. The clothing on your back that kept you warm in those early days remains washed and neatly folded in wait for your return.

All of us return home to find what made us that bold adventure seeker. A home that built up the person you are, awaits your return. A home that keeps the hearth burning, a warm meal and place to rest your weary feet.

It is a home with open arms.

Never mind that you may have lost all hope or love. There are open arms filled with both, waiting to wrap you in all that you need. You can come home again and be filled with all of the love that you need, with open arms.



Stay inspired my friends!

Happy Birthday Greetings

"Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again." -Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Happy birthday to my son Joe.