Responsible Surprise

"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

There was news story a couple of years back from the Atlanta (Georgia, USA) area about a public official who 'took responsibility' after getting called on it. There was a certain appearance of favoritism by police in the handling of the matter. One could likely assume that a regular citizen would have been hauled into the police station without hesitation.

But it was not the handling of the elected officials police warrants that caught my attention. It was the failed personal responsibility of the elected official which resulted in there being outstanding warrants in the first place. This person had written roughly $1000 dollars worth of bad checks. As the story indicated, this person "wrote four bad checks - each for $300 to $400 - at the Costco in Duluth in January 2007."

To put this in context, that was three years prior to the warrants being revealed. The county in which the warrants were issued, were filed January 2008. It was now January 2010 and this commissioner was 'surprised' by the warrants. Do 'bad checks' just disappear in such a way that you would never have known you wrote them? Did the retailer never attempt to contact you or your bank about them? Nothing?

There were probably reasons behind this elected official's issue. Many of those reasons were deflections of it being their own fault. My point though is not to judge this person or ridicule them. My point is to let it serve as an example regarding personal responsibility.

This particular person was given a 'pass' to straighten out the issue. We all deserve a 'pass' to try and work things out as long as we truly take responsibility and correct those things we have done wrong.

Life can be difficult and I am hopeful for all people having a great life. But life also requires us to take personal responsibility for it.

Take responsibility for all you do. Even when the surprise comes along, stand up and take hold of it.

And stay inspired my friends.

Watch the Snow

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Sometimes it is better to turn off the television and go to sleep.

And sometimes it is best to stop talking and listen.

Our lives are full of so much noise, most of which we generate ourselves.

Our actions get out ahead of our thinking.

Slow down once in a while and stay inspired my friends!

Speaking Out Loud

“According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” - Jerry Seinfeld

Do you remember the first time you had to stand in front of your school class and read your poem or report assignment. The entire class sat their squirming and heckling under their breath as you approached the blackboard, crinkled paper in hand. The paper trembled slightly as you cleared your throat and looked closely at the first words before you.

A rush of nervous shivers came over you as those first words came out.

Each of us has been in some form of speaking before others at one point in our lives. Or we will have that opportunity eventually. Are you ready for it? Or are you fearful of the idea itself? You shouldn't be. You should easily take on the thought, the task, and have the temerity to speak in front of any sized group of people.

Those people really do want to hear what you have to say.

One can understand how others develop glossophobia or speech anxiety. It is a fear of public speaking and comes from the Greek word glōssa, meaning tongue, and phobos, fear or dread. We all tend to have this fear in one small or very large form. Most of this fear is due to the feeling of being alone in front of others. And with that "being alone" is the fear of people being critical; meaning disagreeing with what or how we are saying something.

You can get past the fear and be an excellent speaker.

In a Psychology Today article, they provide five tips for helping you with public speaking.

1. Don’t Expect Perfection from Yourself
    None of us are perfect, all of us know that.
    Why then kick ourselves over every little perceived mistake we make.
    Others will never know your mistakes; give yourself permission not to be perfect.

2. Avoid Equating Public Speaking to Your Self-Worth
    Being good at public speaking or not has nothing to do with your value as a person.
    It is simply a skill that you can learn and become better at with practice.

3. Avoid Being Nervous About Your Nervousness
    All of us get nervous and many times that can be a good sign.
    Channel that nervous energy into a high energy performance.
    Nervousness is our adrenaline flowing, that’s all, a form of energy.

4. Avoid Trying to Memorize Every Word
    Unless you’re reciting the Pledge of Allegiance or your marriage vows.
    There’s no need to memorize every word of any speech.
    Attempting to will simply increase stress and greater nervousness.

5. Avoid Reading Word for Word
    Avoid reading word for word from a script.
    There’s a big difference between reading and speaking.
    Speaking is creating an impact with your content and personality.

There are many other ways, methods and practice tips for better public speaking. The only one that I know of which is time proven is actually standing up time and time again to speak. If you never try, you will never get over the fear of public speaking.

Start your new year by giving a toast to those at the dinner table or to a group of co-workers at lunch. It will be a first step in easing the fear of public speaking. It is also a much better alternative to being the person of interest at a funeral.

Stay inspired my friends.

Happy New Year - 2014

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

On this the new day of a new year, I must ask if you took part in the five most bizzare New Year's Eve traditions.

1. Welcoming the new year in a graveyard - Talca, Chile.
    Being in the company of deceased friends and relatives in a candle-lit graveyard.
2. Attempting to understand animal speech. - Romania.
    If you can hear the animals talk, it's a bad omen.
    If you can't, the new year will be a good one.
3. Banging old bread on the walls - Ireland.
    Meant to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck.
4. Throwing items from the window - Johannesburg, South Africa.
    Mostly old microwaves and other unwanted furniture.
5. Cutting a hole in the surface of a frozen lake - Siberia, Russia.
    And then diving to the bottom while carrying a dead tree.

We surely have different customs and traditions to mark the beginning of the new year. But in all, I would like to give you this short Irish blessing. "Go mbeire muid beo ar an am seo arís,” or in English, "May we be alive this time next year!"

Happy 2014 everyone and stay inspired!