A Habit Of Kindness

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” ― Jackie Robinson

In our daily life, spreading a bit of cheer and support to to other people can make a big difference in their lives. Whether it be a simple act of encouragement or a smile to brighten the day is an event which can set off a wave of great things.

Not long ago a lady where I work was tasked with giving a presentation in front of senior managers. Being nervous is an understatement for many people who do not normally do this for a living.

I remember my first public presentation many years ago. I had a dry mouth while wondering how it would all turn out. I was mostly hoping to just make it through.

As I spoke to the woman mentioned above prior to the presentation, all I could offer was encouragement and support. I am certain there were others who did the same thing. Her presentation occurred and of course, dry mouth and nerves still existed but she did a great job.

All were happy.

Could she have done this without all of the support and encouragement? Probably, but the act of others believing in her provided another level of confidence. The result was a better presentation as others made an impact and change happened for her.

Change (large or small) occurs in every kind gesture you provide to someone. A door opened for another improves their day and unconsciously the gesture gets passed along through to others. As Scott Adams wrote, "...there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

Make it a habit each day.

Try to perform seven acts of kindness or good will and encouragement each day. Eventually you will do these things by habit every day in your daily walk through life. As the water ripples, let your own kindness carry forth for eternity.

Stay inspired my friends!

Can You Hear

Acoustic listening devices developed for the Dutch army
as part of air defense systems research between World Wars 1 and 2.

"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk." - Doug Larson

There is a young man at a place of business I know who is very talented. So talented that he lets many of those around him know just how talented he is. I give him credit for being quite smart because he is certainly not an unschooled person.

All that schooling can deprive you of one technique - listening.

The importance of listening seems to have evaded him. Many of us know how to hear others but we fail to learn how to listen. Each day this young man would bring his lunch to the table of old men. Their tales and fables fill the noon hour with stories built upon life times of learning.

Learning from life experiences can be gleaned from the most mundane comments.

Some may say it is only old men talking of past glories and failures. Yet the young man competes for the air space of conversation. His 'aged wisdom' tripping over what could be lessons learned. The momentary silence between the talk has to be filled. The loss of what he could learn is immense by not listening.

Is his knowledge not relevant nor important.

Absolutely not as even the young can have insight which defies years of experience. But what one can learn by listening is lost on some. Whether it be the young or the old, we all can learn by ending our talking and by listening. Even at my age, I learn and absorb all that is around me.

The wise old owl sits in a tree at night. You can hear his hoot as he communicates with others. But if you listen carefully, his silence is greater then the sounds he makes. He is listening more than sounding a call.

The way we listen varies from intent absorption to engaged questioning. But anyway you can, listen and learn. You will find out so much more by doing so. In turn, you will find more that can improve life from what you hear.

Stay inspired my friends!

Never Give Up

"Never, never, never give in." - Winston Churchill

The above quotation is often mis-quoted as "...never, never give up." Winston Churchill said this during a speech given at his old school called Harrow School on October 29, 1941.

In the speech he said, "This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

England had been suffering through the German Blitz from September 1940 to May of 1941. The German military had tried to break the will of the British people and a massive amount of destruction and terror had rained down upon England.

By October 1941, the British were weary but not defeated.

Winston Churchill gave his speech in the dawning light of what some refer to as survival from Germany's attempt to defeat the will of the British people. Britain struggled greatly to maintain a sense of will throughout the bombings.

Germany's blitz bombings did not work and Churchill's speech was an affirmation to all that regardless of how tough things are, "never give in" to the destructive forces you are up against.

Looking forward.

One could say that when the British looked down they saw only rubble and destruction. By looking up all they could see was smoke and the falling bombs of German war planes. Neither was very inviting.

But we can see through the smoldering flames. We can find a blue sky piercing the blackened air. At night, one can search to see twinkling stars peering back at us.

Find solace in the beauty of the universe giving us hope and strength.

If your life is being pulled down into the dirt by forces unknown.
If life is blackening your sky with clouds of doubt and worry.

Remember you can push through by looking for even the smallest bits of hope. A bright star in the night sky which catches your eye, a brilliant sunrise, or the smile from a stranger. Even when it seems all might be lost, "never give in - never give up."

Stay inpsired my friends!

Trunk or Treat - Spooky

“I got a rock.” ― Charlie Brown

Tis the season for handing out treats lest we be tricked. Enjoy the fund and silliness but also be careful and mindful of children passing in the darkened night. Try out a safer way to trick or treat tonight at the "C3 Party On The Pavement - Trunk or Treat" spectacular. Loads of games, loads of costumes, loads of food and most important loads of candy.

Check it out at Party On The Pavement", tonight 10/30 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Located at C3 Fitness, 1065 Walther Blvd. Lawrenceville, GA 30043.

And to get you ready for the fun, here is a little spooky music to get you movin.

Stay inspired my friends.