Leave some wiggle room in your days to help navigate life’s unexpected events

Leave some wiggle room in your days to help navigate life’s unexpected events.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Eric Rothermel

When was the last time you had a doctor’s appointment that occurred on time? It’s common to be told to arrive early for most visits and even more common to be welcomed into your appointed time late.

In the past few months our need for doctor visits increased and with the help of some very understanding medical staff we found some wiggle room in their back-to-back appointment world.

One doctor’s office even went on to tell us that they intentionally block off some extra time each day for such events to accommodate the expected unexpected needs of their patients.

EXERCISE:

Where and how could your life benefit if you added some extra wiggle room in your days?

How might this buffer time reduce stress and have others around you feel more at ease?

Friday Review: Judgement

Friday Review: Judgement

’Tis said: “Beware the Ides of March” — the judgement day for Julius Caesar. Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“By a small sample we may judge the whole piece.”

 

 

 

 

“Punishing others is punishing work.”

 

 

 

 

“Every now and then go away. For when you come back to your work your judgement will be surer.”

 

 

 

 

 

“The more I love my wife, the more I love my life.”

“The more I love my wife, the more I love my life.”

Jon Gordon, American author and speaker

Barry (Many Years Ago)

 

Who hasn’t heard the phrase Happy Wife, Happy Life?

If our lives are a reflection of the five people with whom we spend the most time, this idea is worth a bit more pondering for us married folk.

Wendy and I are coming up on our 45th anniversary. Like most marriages that stand the test of time, we’ve been through a lot.

if you were to look at our wedding album you would see me with a full head of hair! If you knew us well, you might also note that none of the other couples in our wedding party are still together.

Living our vows and prioritizing each other on a daily basis keeps our relationship solid.

Being each other’s “person” is a key to all the smiles that create the happy wrinkles that come along for the ride.

EXERCISE:

Where and how often do you make your significant other your top priority?

What can you do today to demonstrate your love and live happily ever after?

The wedding is an event, love is a practice. The Graduation is

“The wedding is an event, love is a practice. The graduation is an event, education is…”

James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Full Quote: “The wedding is an event, love is a practice. The graduation is an event, education is a practice. The race is an event, fitness is a practice. The heart, mind, and body are endless pursuits.”

Too many of us rest our hopes and expectations on the big days of our lives.

We are constantly looking to capture and highlight moments to post on social media, to proclaim to the world we’ve arrived, or that we are at the top of our games.

But life isn’t just about peak experiences.

It involves the ordinary and often mundane daily efforts of doing our best even when few people ever notice. It definitely includes the rituals, routines, and daily practices that give our lives purpose and meaning.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you sharpen the saws of your mind and body through your daily efforts?

What heart-based activities keep your life beating to the often-whispering tunes of your soul?

“Embrace time instead of racing it.”

“Embrace time instead of racing it.”

Seth Godin, American author and entrepreneur

Image from Unsplash by Balazc Busznyak

This year we broke our “snow bird” season into two trips.

Since we like to bring many of our creature comforts along for our extended stays, we take our SUV, which recently reached its 100,000-mile mark.

Our first trip involved over 1,100 challenging miles of exhaust-laden construction, and the ever-ambitious lead-footed drivers always looking to shave a minute or two off their journeys.

On our second trip we chose to take the auto train from Lorton VA to Sanford FL, which saved us around 17 hours behind the wheel.

With an average speed of just over 50 miles per hour, Wendy and I embraced our time together, and even got some shut-eye as we chugged our way south.

EXERCISE:

Where and how often do you find yourself racing the clock?

How would slowing down a bit and embracing more moments lead to a more fulfilling and happier life?

It is through collaboration not competition that we survive and thrive. We are better together.

It is through collaboration not competition that we survive and thrive. We are better together.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Duy Pham

Have you ever investigated the secrets of living a long and happy life?

Numerous factors lead to longevity, but only one stands at the top.

Beyond a healthy diet, regular exercise, a sense of purpose, and various spiritual pursuits, it’s our relationships that offer us a few more times around the sun.

It’s our families, friends, and other communities that are there in good times and bad.

When we sometimes fall, it’s a neighbor or other special person checking in on us to make sure we are OK that often saves the day.

EXERCISE:

How rich and rewarding are your relationships and community interactions?

What new and different approaches can you take — now and in the future — to have your life be better when you get together?

Friday Review: Integrity

Friday Review: Integrity

How do you define integrity in yourself and in others? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”

 

 

 

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

 

 

 

“You can lean over backwards so far that you can fall flat on your face.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reason you have a neck is so that your head can remain above it all

“The reason you have a neck is so that your head can remain above it all.”

Tzvi Freeman, Canadian Rabbit and Author

Image from Unsplash by Joe Woods

Over the years, I’ve frequently discussed the value of making important decisions with our head, heart, and gut.

Approaching the anatomy of this, we can note how the head is above the heart and gut with our all-important neck in-between.

Our necks give our heads the ability to be above it all and turn from one path to another when the ones we are on are leading us astray.

EXERCISE:

What areas of your life are filled with others trying to bring you down?

How are these people operating in ways that go against your values and beliefs?

In what ways can you remain above it all to clearly see where to turn and how to proceed?

I only start counting sit ups once it begins to hurt.

“I only start counting sit ups once it begins to hurt.”

Muhammad Ali, 20th Century American Boxer and activist

Image from Unsplash by Anastase Maragos

In the early years of my coaching career, I was fortunate to be selected for an amazing assignment — to coach the CEO of an exciting start-up tech company.

I was referred to this individual by another CEO I had been coaching for years, and who happened to be an angel investor in his organization.

Our relationship got off to a wobbly start and we needed a number of check-in sessions to sort out a few areas of misalignment.

The client, who was very direct, eventually told me that he wanted to “feel the burn” in our efforts, much like a personal trainer would do when working with their athletes.

EXERCISE:

In what area of your life would feeling the burn and some pain from your efforts lead you to the gains you seek?

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Marcel Proust, 20th Century French novelist

Image from Unsplash by CDC

A few weeks ago, Wendy and I watched our two terrific grandchildren so that my daughter and her husband could have a special night out for Valentine’s Day.

Following a logistically challenging dinner at a local restaurant, we began a bedtime routine in which it looked like things were never going to settle down! With teeth eventually brushed and matching Valentine PJs on, we began the ritual of a hopefully relaxing bedtime story, or two….

Instead of Pop Pop or Grandma reading the books, our 5 ½ year old grandson took the lead. His tender and loving approach with his petite 2 ½ year old sister settled things down and delighted everyone!

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life that make you happy?

How do they act as charming gardeners who make your soul blossom?

Feel free to reply to this post with an example of your own and let its memory brighten your day.