“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you least expect it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Barry

“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you least expect it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

—Charles F. Kettering, 20th Century American inventor and engineer

Image from Unsplash by Jose Aljovin

The average inventor produces about three patents in their lifetime. A prolific inventor produces around 15. Charles Kettering, who founded Delco and worked for General Motors from 1920 to 1947, was the holder of 186 patents.

He was clearly a person of action, not one to sit things out on the sidelines.

Another one of my favorite quotes from Kettering is:

“My Interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.”

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently stopped in your life?

Where are you sitting it out, hoping that things will miraculously improve on their own?

Where is it time to stand up and get going again so that you can stumble on something that will add greater meaning and satisfaction to your life?

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Barry

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

—Aesop — Ancient Greek storyteller

Image from Unsplash by Mei-Ling Mirow

The grand gesture, the multi million-dollar donation, and the heroic act always get a lot of attention. The idea of going big or going home seems to be woven into our society. If something isn’t big enough and loud enough it almost always goes unnoticed.

Over the past year, many of us have given more attention to our inner work, and listening closely to the often-quiet whispers of our faith and values. These lower decibel messages are beginning to loom much larger in our days due to their resonant truths and influences on living a more meaningful life.

We are all capable of kindnesses of all sizes. What would happen if we didn’t wait or hesitate, thinking our intended efforts were not big enough?

EXERCISE:

Where would putting in your two cents of kindness today make the biggest difference? Imagine the compounding impact if everyone made these small generous deposits daily.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Barry

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

—Vincent Van Gogh, 19th Century Dutch Painter

Image from vangoghmuseul.nl

During his lifetime Van Gogh created 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life. Doing the math, you can see that during that period he averaged over two paintings per day. Imagine how many small brush strokes he used to create masterpieces such as Sunflowers- 1888, Café Terrace at Night- 1888, The Bedroom- 1888, Starry Night- 1889, and Irises- 1889.

EXERCISE:

Where and how are you placing your own series of small daily brush strokes on the canvas of your life to achieve and contribute your own greatness to your world?

“This world is but a canvas to our imaginations.”

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Barry

“This world is but a canvas to our imaginations.”

—Henry David Thoreau, 19th Century American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher

Image from Amazon

Thoreau lived for two years, two months, and two days by Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.

His writing about his time there became a model of deliberate and ethical living. His words and deeds continue to inspire millions around the world who seek solutions to critical environmental and social challenges.

Gandhi’s work in India, Tolstoy’s philosophies in Russia, and Martin Luther King Jr’s civil rights stand in the United States are just a few notable individuals inspired by his work.

EXERCISE:

How and where in your personal and professional communities can and will you embrace and generously offer your own imaginings to create a more beautiful world?

Friday Review: Solutions

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Barry

Friday Review: Solutions

What is your process for finding solutions to problems in your personal or professional worlds? Here are a few solution-related posts you may have missed.

“If they give you lined paper, write the other way.”

“What are you here to teach me?”

“Let’s work together to produce alternative solutions to our differences that we both recognize are better than the ones either you or I produced initially.”

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Barry

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

—Helen Keller, 20th Century American author, disability rights advocate, political activist

Image from Anazon

Life is very different from traditional schooling in that it gives us the test first and then we (hopefully) learn the lesson.

What character-building experiences and trials has life presented you over the past year?

How has your soul been strengthened?

Where have your ambitions been inspired, leading you toward new levels of achievement and success?

EXERCISE:

Please pick up a copy of The Road to Character by David Brooks to challenge yourself to re-balance the scales between the focus on external success (“resume virtues”) and your core principles.

“All people are beautiful, and the difference between us is so much less than the sameness.”

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Barry

“All people are beautiful, and the difference between us is so much less than the sameness.”

—Berry Gordie, Jr., Founder of the Motown record label

Image from Unsplash by Oren Atias

The passing of my father Marvin in March has been a catalyst for many changes in my life. On a recent trip to Florida, Wendy and I had the opportunity to thank some very close friends who supported Dad while we needed to keep our distance.

Over a wonderful three-hour dinner that included wine toasts and delicious food, we celebrated this wonderful man and the beauty of the wonderful people who were there when they were most needed.

As a record producer and the founder of Motown records, Berry Gordy clearly has been a force, wanting us all to “get it together” and “be there” for one another.

EXERCISE:

Where have you been focused on the ugliness and differences between people over the past year? Where have you discovered the beauty in others by connecting and appreciating our sameness?