A Side Of Life

"When you're chewing on life's gristle. Don't grumble, give a whistle. And this'll help things turn out for the best. And always look on the bright side of life. Always look on the light side of life." - Monty Python's Life of Brian

Each of us have had one of those days. Things just did not go the way you had planned. Heck, some of us have had one of those weeks, months or years.

Unplanned times might even make you question life itself.

I wondered myself a couple of times although the thought of ending it was never a serious thought. But I do know a few people who did think seriously of it. I have also known people who actually carried it out; a sister in fact.

I am not bold enough to know what truly enters a persons mind to make them feel death is a better solution. But I do know much of it comes down to feelings of self worth, of value to anyone else and of ending the pain of whatever they are going through.

Only a couple of times have I been placed in a situation to try and talk someone back from the edge. And since I am not a professional counselor, it was nerve wracking to say the least. Yet in my mind I knew when speaking that "YOU" was important.

"YOU" do make a difference in the lives of others.

"YOU" will get through this and achieve great things.

Is it as simple as a Monty Python song, to always look on the bright side of life? In some ways it could be that simple and yes I have been accused of oversimplifying things in my writing. My response is that many times we do over complicate life.

Can looking "on the bright side" fix all of our problems? No, but it is a start.

What is important is the life of you.

Whatever thing you are going through, the existence of you has meaning. Be strong and push through. Search out the help of others. Put yourself among people who care for you. Remain enthralled by the beauty and wonder of life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Individual Choice

"The smallest gesture can mean so much to those who may need a little lift in their lives." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Early this morning I was on my way to the airport. This was to be the usual traffic congested drive of a Monday morning through downtown Atlanta. As you pass through this concrete labyrinth of on ramps, off ramps and fly over bridges, it can be a very bland drive of non-descriptive gray.

This particular morning I noticed something different.

Beneath one of the overpasses lay someone homeless, sleeping wrapped in a dirty bag on what appeared to be a bed of branches. What was the story, why in this place, how could one sleep through all of the noise. It caught me by surprise for reasons I can not understand, but it made me wonder.

How low can we sink in our own life to sleep by a freeway.

There are many reasons for the condition many find themselves in. Poor choices, mental health, drug abuse and sometimes we simply can not explain the condition. I can only guess what this person may have encountered to end up in a dirty bag along a busy stretch of freeway.

My hope would be this person finds a way to be lifted. That he or she allows themselves to be lifted by the grace and kindness of another person. Our lives can be used to lift others in need and when down ourselves, be lifted by others.

That is a lot of lifting.

But each of us are capable of doing more for others. We are capable of accepting the help. We are and we will be the people who make a difference in the lives of others. It will not be the politicians, the preachers or the pundits. Individuals making individual choices make a difference.

Stay inspired my friends!

An Awesome View

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ― Socrates

This was a whirlwind type of week with an unplanned trip out of the country for four days. A trip so quick that it seems like it may not have even occurred. But it did and I love these types of opportunity in life to meet and engage with new people.

Challenging but always learning.

Each and every time I am asked to engage in the last moment, the impossible, the challenging ... well that is the opportunity I take on because I always learn. These types of challenges force you to focus and dig deep inside to meet the challenge head on.

You might get hurt.

With each of these challenges, there is always risk of failure but there is also risk of complete success. The results are normally somewhere in-between but what is learned should always be the larger thing to come away with. Even from getting hurt we learn.

Meet each challenge with enthusiasm.

Nearly everyday you are going to be faced with a decision. Do I avoid all risk and remain stagnant in my career and in my life? Or do I take on the challenge of risk, hard work and learn something from it. Learn something new that can propel you to greater things?

You can aim for higher things in life and eventually find a view of the surrounding landscape in awe of what you have learned. Those skyscrapers are not simply there for you to always be looking up. They are also there for reaching the top and looking far and wide.

The view is pretty awesome.

Stay inspired my friends.

Friday Relaxation

“When all else fails, take a vacation.” ― Betty Williams

After a week full of traffic snarls, work deadlines and rushing to whatever the next appointment is ... you deserve a moment of relaxation.

So here is your chance to relax for a few minutes on the beach.



Enjoy and stay inspired my friends.