Giving Tuesday

“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful then a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Many people ask, what more can I do that embodies the spirit of the holiday season. We sometimes struggle with the question as we set about searching for the greatest or coolest Christmas gift for our loved ones. The question gets lost in our busy plans of making our Christmas perfect.

The knowledge of others in need lay on the edge of our thoughts, likely to be forgotten in our search for the "spirit" of the season. In fact it can be completely lost in the trappings of cyber-sales and holiday parties. We try to do what is right for others since the true meaning of the season weighs upon our hearts.

We can fall short short but here is an idea and it is called #GivingTuesday.

Giving Tuesday is referred to as the Tuesday after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It is meant to create an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. A simple and easy way for you to get into the giving spirit.

A great idea, giving to a charity.

You can make food donations, give money to organizations that help others. You can buy/give clothing, gifts and a whole range of other things needed by families not as fortunate as us. Many times it is the simple doll or toy truck that can mean all the world to a young child. A gift that will fill the heart of the one receiving it and it will fill your heart as well.

This time of year and throughout the year as well, consider giving to a charity, to others, to your brothers and sisters in your community.

Stay inspired my friends.

Unicorns Are Real

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." -Henry David Thoreau

Recently I was introduced again to unicorns. Yes, those white horse-like animals with a long horn. A creature described in folklore and Bible as an animal with an un-tamable nature, an extremely wild woodland creature that is a symbol of purity and grace.

It is through my grand-daughters I have been reminded of this creature. I have been reminded of beautiful innocence in which anything is possible. Of not being bound by cruelty or conformity. That yes, we can dream big and pursue that which we want in life.

We go through life where we are told as children to have an imagination that should never cease. We then become adults and are told to conform to the rules of everyday life. Our imaginations are said to get in the way of our work, of raising our families and of living life.

But the power of imagination, of our dreams, remains a force in on our life that can be harnessed to achieve things normally thought impossible.

Dreaming of big and greater things in your life requires change. It requires work. It requires doing the things necessary to place you in a position to achieve. It also requires ridding your mind of negativity. It requires taking a chance at failure, at ridicule and at rejection.

And as you continue to persevere through the toil of this work, you will find your dream just on the other side. It is there waiting for you. It is in a place many people will never venture.

All it takes is your imagination.

All it takes is believing in unicorns.

Stay inspired my friends!

You Can Choose

"Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." – Robert Louis Stevenson

So this coming week is a national election here in the United States on November 6th. By now you have probably seen all of the political commercials and decided one way or another how you will vote. And I would encourage you to exercise your right to vote.

After seeing those political advertisements, you are likely in a state of believing everything is in a state of upheaval and selecting either candidate will bring our world to an end. Things are bad, the other person will make it worse and yes, we are all drawn to train wrecks.

These feelings that get pumped up can also bleed out into our everyday lives. We can start to feel everything is bad. The traffic is always bad, our boss is always bad, the cashier at the grocery is always bad, bad, bad, bad and it can even start to permeate into our homes.

And maybe today was just a bad day. We all have them but the better days always out number the days. Life is not an eternal train wreck unless you have decided to make it that way. But you can be a change agent in how each day ends.

You can choose to help others.
You can choose to comfort people.
You can choose to help feed, cloth or lift up those in need.
You can choose to merciful by giving forgiveness unconditionally.
You can choose to stand up for those mocked for having different beliefs.
You can choose to be the peacemaker, to let it go and not to stoke anger.
You can choose to stand up for someone being bullied, teased, or tormented.
You can choose to do these things without expectation of anything in return.

Yes, you too can choose to make the world a better place. And in doing so the world will be a better place for you as well.

Stay inspired my friends!

Where To Begin

“Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your dreams and take risks. Life is happening now.” — Paulo Coelho

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why did I wait so long to make a decision?" Or are you still in the middle of trying to make that decision, waiting for the perfect time or the perfect moment to begin?

I once read a story of a young man who had asked the philosopher Socrates how one could acquire wisdom and knowledge. "Follow me," Socrates said and led the man down to the sea. As they waded into the water, first shallow and then much deeper, Socrates grabbed the young man and held him under the water.

The young man struggled quite mightily and in due time Socrates pulled him up. The man was furious and yelled, "What are you doing?! Trying to kill me?" To which Socrates calmly said, "Absolutely not. If that was my intention, I would not have pulled you up."

"Then why did you just do that?" the young man asked.

"When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you desired that breath of air, then you shall have it," Socrates replied before turning and walking to the shore.

If we want something, of course we plan and prepare but the time must come to take action. To wait and wait and wait even further normally is the result of excuses. Excuses caused by either fear, not wanting it badly enough or a false sense of perfection.

Regardless of what is causing it, you must move forward. Start now, do not wait any further, get moving, one foot in front of the other and every other cliche you can think of. Just start moving.

So to answer the question of where to begin, is to start here and now.

Stay inspired my friends!