FRIDAY REVIEW: INTEGRITY
How do you define integrity in yourself and in others? Here are a few integrity-related posts you may have missed.
“Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.”
“Bad company corrupts good character.”
“Nothing burns like the cold.”
“Nothing burns like the cold.”
—George R.R. Martin, Author of Game of Thrones
Image from Unsplash by Frank Busch
Back in February, a wave of arctic air blew across Michigan. Not wanting to miss my daily walk, I bundled up and set forth to put in my 10,000+ steps.
During half of my walk, the wind was at my back and my steps felt easy and steady. Heading in the other direction, with the wind in my face, I noticed the considerable chill and the burn on my face, thighs, and fingers.
Where else do you experience cold in your worlds? Take some time to look at relationships — personal or professional — that are adversarial, in which you might be giving or getting the cold shoulder, or a frigid reception. Where do you notice the burn of anger, resentment, indifference, and judgment?
EXERCISE:
Consider engaging in a loving kindness meditation to warm up relationships in your personal and professional communities.
Sharing your experience of this exercise will be like adding another log to the fires of friendship. Please reply to this post with your own perspective.
“Life is like dessert. Keep your fork; the best is yet to come.”
“Life is like dessert. Keep your fork; the best is yet to come.”
—Andy Andrews, The Noticer
Image from Unsplash by Max Panamá
Today’s quote makes me think of my wonderful wife, Wendy. We have been together for over forty-five years. During our time together, I have gained a far deeper appreciation and love for her and all that she brings to our lives.
Following dinner, she frequently asks for something sweet to alter the flavors from our often savory or spicy meals. She sometimes takes only a modest portion of the meal in order to assure there is room for dessert. Perhaps this is the reason she has become a skilled baker during the pandemic — to remind us that the best is yet to come.
EXERCISE:
Where and how can and will you save a bit more room for the sweeter things in life?
What would be the value of having dessert at the start instead of it being an afterthought once you are too full to enjoy it?
“There is a gap between stimulus and response, and the key to both our growth and happiness is how we use that space.”
“There is a gap between stimulus and response, and the key to both our growth and happiness is how we use that space.”
—Stephen Covey, 20th century American author & educator
Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan
This past year has been disturbing and remarkable at the same time. My initial experience of the pandemic and other challenges confronting us was to become angry, frustrated, and down. My world seemed smaller and I felt increasingly confined and limited.
Eventually I stopped looking exclusively outside myself and began a far more intentional and rigorous journey within.
Through numerous practices such as meditation, daily walks, and extensive reading, I found the gaps. I took longer pauses in my thinking and feelings, which provided significant freedom and greater opportunities and possibilities to choose my responses.
Discovering this capacity to be increasingly mindful and aware of my own inner power has enhanced my growth and life satisfaction in many surprising ways.
EXERCISE:
How can and will you use the spaces between stimulus and response to more mindfully navigate life?
I’d very much like to learn about your efforts and progress, and hope you will consider replying to this and future posts.
“Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off.”
“Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off.”
—Bill Murray, American actor
Image created in Canva
Who are the people in your world who give you instructions to build a clock when all you ask is the time?
Knowledge can definitely be useful, but too much of a good thing can go awry pretty quickly.
We all wish to be helpful, to be of service, and to contribute. Unfortunately, in our many efforts to do so by sharing what we know, we do not always consider the openness and receptivity of those we wish to enlighten.
EXERCISE:
Where would it be much wiser to share far less of what you know in either your professional or personal communities? We all know no one likes a know-it-all.
Friday Review: Simplicity
FRIDAY REVIEW: SIMPLICITY
In a complex world, simplicity can be helpful. Here are a few simplicity-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.
“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.”
“A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.”
“The rising sun blesses my mind with joy. The setting sun blesses my heart with peace.”
“Good humor is a tonic for mind and body…”
“Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.”
—Grenville Kleiser, 20th Century Professor at Yale University
Image from Unsplash by Gemma Chua-Tran
To what degree do you feel the need for healing? What stresses and strains have been put on you, your family, and your world this past year?
What tonics and remedies have you tried to reduce the pain and lighten your burdens?
While we continue to try various elixirs and await the day we’ve all received COVID vaccines, how can you add a booster shot of good humor and daily chuckles to your various communities?
EXERCISE:
Please let me know how this strategy works for you!
“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person — your behavior does.”
“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person — your behavior does.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Matt Collamer
18th Century English writer, Samuel Johnson, once said, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”
Beliefs, values, and good intentions are simply not enough to improve our world.
Until values become virtues that manifest through committed action, things stay the same and can even regress.
EXERCISE:
Where in your life are you and others more talk and less action?
What issues are so important and urgent in your world that it’s time to leave the stands and get on the field with others in order to move things forward?
“One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
“One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Sharon McCutcheon
Do you take a daily vitamin or perhaps a variety of supplements each morning to support your health?
What foods do you eat for breakfast to start your day?
How much time do you allow for yourself to feed your mind before you jump into your busy schedule?
Consider yourself a sprinter about to run the 100 meter dash in the upcoming Olympic Games. How important is it for you to be powerfully positioned in the blocks when the starting gun goes off?
EXERCISE:
How can you add one or more positive thoughts or nuggets of wisdom to your morning routine?
Consider sharing this lesson or insight with at least one person in one of your communities.
“If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit would never grow old.”
“If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit would never grow old.”
—James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States
Image from Unsplash by Pelayo Arbués
How old are you? How old do you feel? When you look in the mirror how many more wrinkles do you see compared to last year? What strategies do you use to slow down the hourglass of time?
Looking for the fountain of youth is a preoccupation for many, and potions, lotions, superfood strategies, exercise machines, and cosmetic surgery are very big business.
Books such as Younger Next Year and Real Age even promise the 44 scientific strategies to be up to 25 years younger biologically than you are chronologically.
This past year, I’ve noticed a significant shift in many people toward discovering and nurturing the inner beauty and spirit that, when exercised, remains ever youthful.
EXERCISE:
Have a conversation with folks that wear a few more wrinkles and have a bit more pep in their step than you. Inquire into the strategies they recommend to remain young at heart and bright in spirit.