Changing Traditions and Habits

“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” ― John Maynard Keynes

Staying the course in life is not always the correct and right thing to do. Tradition can have a powerful and meaningful effect when properly applied. But if tradition is maintained only for the sake of tradition, it then makes no sense to continue on with it.

The same can be said regarding our own lives. Those things we tend to do the same way, over and over again. We repeat the same mistake or try using the same methods which have failed five times before. Maybe it is going into the same job, day after day that does not pay enough and lacks any joy.

Break daily tradition and find a different type of job.

Each day you drive the same route to work. And each day, on that same route, the same traffic aggravates you. The slow movement of cars, the honking of irritation and all those stop lights. The stress simply depresses you well before the day really gets started.

Find a new way by driving a different route to work.

There are many small, medium or big things you could do. Alter your diet which affects your physical state, or a new radio or television station to affect your mental state. Getting up from bed in the morning earlier or going to bed earlier in the evening.

You can do things to shake up the tradition of your life.

Sometimes doing the same thing over and over just isn't very smart. Shaking up your world does not mean you will get it right the first or second time. What it will do is give you a different perspective. And it is this new perspective which will give you opportunity to see how your life can be different.

Try shaking up those traditions in your life that are not working.

Move away from the comfortable chains of doing things the same way. Away from those same habits which are not working for you in life. Take a bold step into a new way of living your life. See how much greater things can be.

Stay inspired my friends!

Floodwaters in Life

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ― Kahlil Gibran

There have been quite a few reports of heavy rain in many parts of the country lately. Gully washers, deluge, monsoon, torrent, sheets and drencher kinds of rain. So much rain you would think Noah is building another boat.

It could be easy for one to get depressed over the amount of wet and destructive results when it rains so much. And to be sure, there have been deaths and property loss. The news reports are overwhelming at times in the misery and pain that ...

... we run and hide our heads.

Life can be full of rain such as unexpected bills, relationship misunderstandings, illness or a multitude of other possibilities. There can be so many negative things going on in life it becomes all believe in.

... yet the sun shines behind those clouds.

We can look for the things in life which do shine brightly. The smile of a child, the warm handshake of a friend, a cup of coffee or any one of many things. And in those moments of sunshine ...

... we can slip into the shade and sip our lemonade.

So let it rain, for the sun remains behind the clouds and will once again shine. There are days of happiness in store for you. The rain comes and the rain goes in our life. The flowers will bloom, the grass will grow and your wet clothes will dry.

... that when it rains and shines, it's just a state of mind?



Stay inspired my friends!

Let The Vacations Begin

"Spend some time this weekend on home improvement; improve your attitude toward your family." - Bo Bennett

A three-day weekend has come and gone here in the United States. It is a weekend that celebrates Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those fallen in service to our country. It is marked with patriotic parades, flags, salutes and solemn ceremonies.

This weekend is also the official start of summer vacations, the end of school and the madness of celebration with picnics, swimming, boating, fishing, family trips and all forms of fun. It can actually be quite hectic in all of its madness.

This rite of passage into summertime living is also a time we can use to refocus upon our relationships. Families are gathering, spending countless hours in the car traveling, kids out of school creating adventures and parents reconnecting watching them in the summer heat.

And what of the trip to see relatives for picnics, beach sand castles and amusement park rides. The flurry of activity, planning, driving, packing, unpacking, checking in, checking out, fast food, sit down, stand up...

Take a moment and breathe.

Do not allow the summer madness get in the way of your spouse, your kids, relatives and friends. Find time to "just be" with them. There will be other firework shows, other opportunities to catch a show or ride "THE" amusement park ride.

It can be very easy to miss seeing your kids growing up, enjoying their happiness and innocence. It can be very easy to miss the thrill of your spouse holding your hand while driving to the next summer event. It can be easy to forget how much you miss your friends and relatives.

It is also easy to slow down and allow summer to envelope you in the warmth of connection. To dig your toes into the sand and watch the kids in the surf will allow the connections to seep in. Holding your spouse's hand strolling in the park on a hot and sultry evening. Drinking a cold ice tea on the back porch with relatives reminiscing of gone by days.

Yes, summer is a time to work on our attitude. A time to work on our connections. A time to enjoy.

Stay inspired my friends.

Its A Small World After All

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
- Mother Teresa

Just how big is our earth? Watch this video to put it into perspective.



Do we still feel small? Of course not because even the smallest can have a large impact upon that which surrounds it.

Our sun is small in comparison to the larger objects in our universe but it has a tremendous impact upon our lives. The moon is small in comparison to the Earth, but it impacts the tides of our oceans. And the stars in the night sky seem small in our eyes, but they inspire great artists and the dreams of many a child.

We might feel small, but our ability to impact others on a large scale does not require a large object.

It requires a large desire.

Stay inspired my friends!