“No matter how far the distance you have traveled or the failures that have gathered… Hope would still meet you anywhere.”

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“No matter how far the distance you have traveled or the failures that have gathered… Hope would still meet you anywhere.”

—Dodinsky, Author of In the Garden of Thoughts

Image from Unsplash by Marc-Olivier Jodoin

How far have you traveled in the past seven months? How many failures and setbacks have you experienced during the same period? How hopeful are you about the future?

What information and clues did you use as you examined these questions?

We have all heard the idea that Hope in itself is not a strategy. For many—including me—it sure does inspire and mobilize us to take bolder, more committed action toward a better future for ourselves and those in our communities.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you meet, greet, and embrace Hope wherever you are, regardless of the distance traveled or the failures gathered? What steps can and will you take today, tomorrow, and down the road to realize the hopeful future you desire?

Friday Review: Opinion

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FRIDAY REVIEW: OPINION

On what criteria do you base your opinions? How do you react to the opinions of others? Here are a few opinion-related posts you may have missed.

 

“When the heart is afire, some sparks will fly out of the mouth.”

 

 

 

“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”

 

 

 

“Seek council, not opinion.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“When you take things for granted, the things you are granted get taken.”

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“When you take things for granted, the things you are granted get taken.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by specphotops

How true is today’s quote for you?

Please don’t skim over this one or move on too quickly to your busy day.

Take a 2-5 minute pause now—or at a break you give yourself today—to examine some or all of the items on the following list, for yourself and others in your world:

• Health
• Relationships
• The Environment
• Social Justice
• Democracy
• Faith
• Finances

EXERCISE:

Consider replying to this post with your thought and feelings.

What additional categories would you add to this list?

What specific area and what specific action will you take to more fully demonstrate your gratitude for all you’ve been given?

“When a flower doesn’t bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”

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“When a flower doesn’t bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”

—Alexander Den Heijer, Dutch inspirational speaker

Image from Unsplash by Quino Al

Consider yourself a type of flower. Notice how you’ve grown and hopefully bloomed over the years. If you have been fortunate to show the world your colors and contributed your gifts and talents, consider giving thanks to the people and resources that surrounded you.

We are all born with the seed of possibility within us, and the evidence is clear—through examples such as early child education—of what a profound difference it makes throughout our lives.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you nurture and enrich the environment in which you are placed? How and in what ways can and will you provide the fertile soil, sunshine, and life affirming waters to help others blossom in your personal and professional communities?

“Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.”

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“Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.”

—William Shakespeare, MacBeth, Act 1, Scene 3

Image from NoSweatShakespeare.com

William Shakespeare’s plays, poems, and sonnets have taught the world many life lessons that are still relevant today.

Through his works, he taught that love can conquer and destroy, that people trust what they cannot see, and that human ethics are easily manipulated.

In addition to the subject of love in his numerous works, he frequently included other common characteristics of society including greed, ambition, and the focus on power.

How would you imagine Shakespeare might view our current society, given that he lived during challenging times between 1564 and 1616 in England?

EXERCISE:

What are your thoughts and feelings about your own present fears versus your own imaginings?

Consider checking out the website NoSweatShakespeare.com to explore in greater depth his significant influences on our world.

“When will you begin that long journey into yourself?”

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“When will you begin that long journey into yourself?”

—Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, 13th-century Persian poet and scholar

Image from Unsplash by Nick Fewings

Over the past seven months, I’ve filled my gas tank once, and have driven less than 500 miles. With limited ventures out for only essential resources and services and some retooling to work exclusively from my home office, my long journeys in the outer world have stopped.

With numerous shifts in my daily routine, I have added far more inner journeys through quiet walks, meditation, reading, and writing. In many ways my passion and pursuit of my own growth and development have expanded and deepened more than at any other time in my life.

Taking this time to journey further within has been more rewarding than I ever expected.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the ways you have begun to journey within?

What have you discovered about yourself and your world?

In what way do you intend to go further, to tap your own inner wisdom?

Feel free to reply to this post to share your own efforts and progress in this area.

Friday Review: Vision

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FRIDAY REVIEW: VISION

How clear is your vision for yourself and your future? Here are a few vision-related posts you may have missed.

 

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

 

 

 

“What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look.”

 

 

 

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.”

 

 

 

 

 

“The man or woman who treasurers his friends is usually solid gold himself.”

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“The man or woman who treasurers his friends is usually solid gold himself.”

—Marjorie Holmes, 20th Century American columnist & author

Two of our most treasured friends live near Poughkeepsie, New York. Wendy and I first met Emmy and Clark in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Every August since 1984 we’ve joined them for a week at our annual timeshare, Shawnee on the Delaware. Beyond these annual vacations, we have stayed in touch to share many happy times, including birthdays, BBQs and other family celebrations.

Over the years, Emmy has sent us hundreds of handmade, personalized purple cards, to let us know we are in her thoughts. During some of our most challenging times, we would receive these “Pick Me Up” purple messages each week.

EXERCISE:

Who are the solid gold friends in your life? What purple card-like gesture can you offer these special people to more fully demonstrate how much you treasure them?

“We are the warriors of light. With the force of our love and our will, we can change our own destiny and that of many other people.”

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“We are the warriors of light. With the force of our love and our will, we can change our own destiny and that of many other people.”

—Paulo Coelho, Author of The Valkyries

Image from Unsplasy by Dewang Gupta

To process today’s quote, consider yourself one of the heroic characters in the Star Wars saga. Armed with your light saber—and of course The Force,—what causes and quests have your focus?

Where are you taking a stand for matters that align with your values and core principles? What friends, colleagues, and family members share these views you consider worth fighting for?

EXERCISE:

How can and will you more fully demonstrate your love and will to realize your destiny for yourself and others in your communities?

“You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.”

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“You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.”

—Edward de Bono, Author of Six Thinking Hats

Image from Unsplash by marianne bos

Many of us are doing a lot more thinking about our thinking these days. With things changing all around us, most of us are taking significantly more time to explore our perspectives, attitudes, and values.

Where has this expanded and broader view taken you? Where are you simply looking harder in the same direction, hoping for the old normal?

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you move beyond looking harder in the same direction to take some new and courageous steps in a better direction?

Please reply to this post with any insights you are inspired to act upon today.