“You are under no obligation to remain the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a day ago. You are here to create yourself, continuously.”

Posted on by

“You are under no obligation to remain the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a day ago. You are here to create yourself, continuously.”

—Richard Feynman, 20th Century American theoretical physicist

Image from Unsplash by Inês Ferreira

Richard Feynman was considered one of the most influential physicists of our time. If a team of mankind’s most brilliant thinkers were put together to invent time travel, he would surely have been one of the leaders.

Many of us find ourselves looking back to pre-COVID times, wishfully hoping to gain back what was lost. In today’s quote, Feynman challenges each of us to play the cards we are dealt, and perhaps more importantly, take it upon ourselves to evolve and grow, to create ourselves and our world moment-by-moment.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you be more intentional in your personal growth efforts?

Where could you be a year from now if you “kicked up” your self-creation efforts, beginning today?

Feel free to reply to this post regarding the promises you make to yourself and others.

Friday Review: Memories

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: MEMORIES

What are your favorite memories? Which memories aren’t so pleasant? Here are a few memory-related posts you may have missed.

 

 

“Things aren’t what they used to be and probably never were.”

 

 

 

 

“To keep a warm heart in winter is a real victory.”

 

 

 

 

“What comes easy won’t last long, and what lasts long won’t come easy.”

 

 

 

 

“A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers.”

Posted on by

“A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers.”

—Chinese Proverb

Image from Unsplash by Elizabeth Dalling

Most evenings my wife Wendy and I watch the ABC nightly news with David Muir to get our update on world events. The final segment, America Strong, is usually uplifting, with selected individuals or groups demonstrating their compassion, empathy, and generosity to others in their communities.

A wonderful result of these examples of giving is how happy and satisfied all parties are through these exchanges.

EXERCISE:

Who are the most generous givers in your communities? How can and will you acknowledge and give a part of your self back to these special folks. Don’t be surprised if doing so leaves behind a sweet, satisfying feeling in you.

 

“When will you do it?”

Posted on by

“When will you do it?”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash byJeshoots.com

Most people love to be lead by inspired, visionary leaders of great character. They find it easy to buy in and align on the dreams and possibilities spoken by such people.

Alternatively, many people have difficulty with management and managers who want us to do as they wish. When such individuals try to hold us accountable by asking or demanding through the question, When will you do it?, we cringe and generally comply without the feeling of empowerment we all crave.

When inspired leadership comes before management, things feel very different. The answers to what and when we will do something come far easier and are often accompanied by genuine enthusiasm. In such cases, self-management and making and keeping promises provide us the empowerment we desire.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what personal or professional priority can and will you apply your own self-leadership and self-management? How can the question When will you do it? help you realize new levels of achievement and personal satisfaction?

“One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up instead of what they have to gain.”

Posted on by

“One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up instead of what they have to gain.”

—Rick Godwin, American Pastor

Image from Unsplash by NeOBRAND

We all know in our heads and even in our hearts that change is inevitable. The law of impermanence is pretty evident, yet our need for control has us always swimming upstream against the currents of life.

What is there to lose? is a question worth exploring deeply. It is this real or perceived loss that troubles us most. The Serenity Prayer, originally written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932, can be helpful to navigate such waters. The modern version reads:

God grant me the Serenity to accept
the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things
I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference

EXERCISE:

Where and how can a shift of mindset to a positive, opportunistic view of change help you explore and realize previously invisible gains that await you?

“Your attention is being spammed all day long.”

Posted on by

“Your attention is being spammed all day long.”

—Michael S. Hyatt, American Leadership Expert

Image from Unsplash by Stephen Phillips

We can all easily think of a handful of spammy occurrences in our day, and agree that spam is something we detest and wish to avoid. Many of us have begun using spam detection and elimination tools to lighten the load.

Despite our efforts, few of us experience the full level of peace, calm, and freedom we desire throughout our days.

Over the past few decades, top astrophysicists introduced the phenomena of dark matter as the reason galaxies are held together in diverse and beautiful shapes. It is estimated that there is actually five times as much dark matter as regular matter that makes up the stars and planets we see.

EXERCISE:

What if there were five times the amount of spam than what we actually detect?

How might looking into the dark world of spam and its gravitational pull on our attention release us to lead far better lives?

Friday Review: Satisfaction

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: SATISFACTION

What brings you the most satisfaction in life? Here are a few satisfaction-related posts you may have missed

 

“Most people’s lives are a direct reflection of their peer groups.”

 

 

 

“There must be more to life than having everything.”

 

 

 

 

“There are glimpses of Heaven to us in every act or thought or word, that raises us above ourselves.”

 

 

 

“Surf what is happening versus suppressing it.”

Posted on by

“Surf what is happening versus suppressing it.”

Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Jeremy Bishop

What do Oahu, Hawaii, Jeffrey’s Bay South Africa, Tahiti, French Polynesia, and Bali, Indonesia have in common?

Given today’s quote, you might have correctly guessed that they are top global locations for surfing.

Closer to home for those of us in the U.S., California, Puerto Rico, Ocean City New Jersey, Virginia Beach and South Padre Island in Texas are places people recommend to hang ten.

It is estimated that there are around 23 million surfers worldwide, compared to the total population of 7.8 billion. That means, if you do the math, less than .003 percent.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional life would a few surfing lessons come in handy? How would being steadier and more balanced help you more successfully trim the waves in your world?

“Follow your heart. Purpose will reveal itself to you only while walking your own path.”

Posted on by

“Follow your heart. Purpose will reveal itself to you only while walking your own path.”

—Brendon Burchard, New York Times best-selling author

Image from Unsplash by Lucas George Wendt

These days, many people are feeling a bit lost.

The proverbial bread crumbs they placed along their life paths have been blown, washed, or burned away by the events and challenges facing us all.

Taking time to look around at reality—and within our hearts—to revisit or discover our foundational values and core life principles is a good place to start.

Doing so will likely reveal various paths you can take and what direction to head. In these moments, it can be enough to step forward in ways that express these values.

Trust your heart that purpose and meaning will meet you on the way.

EXERCISE:

Consider completing the Life Vision Exercise to see what your heart has to say, and pack a few snacks for your purposeful journey.

“Laws are never as effective as habits.”

Posted on by

“Laws are never as effective as habits.”

—Adlai Stevenson II, 20th Century Governor of Illinois

Image from Unsplash by Unman Yousaf

To what degree do you see yourself as a law-abiding citizen? Take a moment to examine the laws and some of the “do’s and don’ts” that influence and govern your household, organizations, and communities.

How do you feel when any form of authority tries to enforce any particular law?

Given our current pandemic, how are you and others viewing social distancing efforts and the wearing of masks?

We all love our freedom and the ability to choose our own behaviors guided by our values. In groups and organizations that have empowering cultures, it is the sharing of these values and principles that guide the norms and habits of its members.

EXERCISE:

Where and how could you and others in your various communities be even more effective by encouraging better habits and enforcing fewer laws?