“Sorry looks back, worry looks around, despair looks down, but faith looks up.”

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“Sorry looks back, worry looks around, despair looks down, but faith looks up.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Chris Gegelman

Many of us become a bit more reflective this time of year.

Where do you have regrets and feel sorry about the opportunities you saw but did not pursue?

What current matters or present challenges are the greatest cause of worry and concern that need your best efforts?

On what aspects of life have you given up, feel down in the dumps, or maybe even a bit of despair?

EXERCISE:

How would looking up with a more heart-centered and faithful perspective lead you and those you love to a happier, more richly rewarding new year?

What strategies and methods can and will you use to keep looking up in faith all year long?

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

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“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

—Dr. Seuss, pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel

Image from youtube

I am a big fan of Dr. Seuss. I love the idea of imparting wisdom through his unique and colorful characters and stories. Today’s quote is from I Can Read With My Eyes Shut. A few more of my favorite Suess-ful nuggets of wisdom are:

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

“Today was good, today was fun, tomorrow will be another one.”

“Just tell yourself, Duckie – You’re really quite lucky!”

EXERCISE:

Select a book you have yet to read and commit to reading it in the new year. Consider making this a monthly goad to help you learn more and take you to more places you wish to go.

Friday Review: Possibilities

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FRIDAY REVIEW: POSSIBILITIES

What do you consider “impossible” for you? What do you consider possible? Here are a few possibility-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

 

 

 

“The Earth needs a good lawyer.”

 

 

 

 

“I go to seek a Great Perhaps.”

 

 

 

 

“Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor.”

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“Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor.”

—Brian Tracy, Canadian-American motivational speaker/author

Image from Unsplash by Isaac Smith

Do yourself a big favor and set some worthy goals for the new year.

If you are like many of us, you are thinking, I do this every year, or maybe why bother?

Perhaps, like many people, you stick to your resolutions until sometime in February, when things fall apart due to bad weather, waning discipline, or competing priorities at home or work.

Whatever you do or don’t do, you can bet that changes are coming. The question to ask yourself is whether you are going to control their direction, or simply react to whatever comes your way.

EXERCISE:

Please consider improving your odds of success by adding a variety of social and structural supports. To learn more about how to do this, put the book Influencer – The Power to Change Anything on your holiday and new year reading list.

“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

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“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

—George Washington Burnap, 20th Century Unitarian clergyman

Image from Unsplash by Tyler Nix

Thank you for being a loyal member of the Quotable Coach community!

May you and those you love have all the grand essentials to happiness during this holiday season and throughout the new year.

Most sincerely,

Barry

“Don’t live life in the Past Lane.”

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“Don’t live life in the Past Lane.”

—Samantha Ettus, advisor at the Forbes School of Business & Technology

The holiday season is often filled with family and friends, time off from work, and hopefully a bit of self-reflection.

Today’s quote cautions us not to dwell too much on the past, where mistakes, set-backs, failures, or even thoughts about the “good old days” may limit our perspective and future efforts.

EXERCISE:

At this time of year, how will you get out of the fast land and the past lane to more fully realize the life you desire?

FRIDAY REVIEW: REFLECTION

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FRIDAY REVIEW: REFLECTION

How often do you take some time to reflect on your life? Here are a few reflection-related posts you may have missed.

“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.”

 

 

 

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

 

 

 

“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.”

 

 

 

 

“Wishes cost nothing unless you want them to come true.”

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“Wishes cost nothing unless you want them to come true.”

—Frank Tyger, 20th century American editorial cartoonist

Image from Unsplash by Valentin Petkov

It’s the time of year for sending holiday wishes to Santa and prayers to higher powers for the things we desire. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday, nobody can escape the abundance of retail and online enticements.

If you happen to be a Santa to others in your personal or professional life, you clearly know the objective cost of making other’s wishes come true.

But what about the wishes money can’t buy, such as better health, improved relationships, and of course, greater peace on earth?

EXERCISE:

What are your intrinsic and extrinsic wishes for these holidays, and the new year?

What will it take and what will it cost for all of these wishes to come true?

“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”

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“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”

—Seth Godin, American author/business executive

Image from DrSeuss..com

Two popular holiday stories we all know quite well are A Christmas Carol, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Both stories portray their main character as selfish and self-centered, focusing only on what’s in it for themselves.

As Adam Grant demonstrates in his well-researched book, Give and Take, these characters are definitely takers. They may win in some situations, but lose in the long run.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom can you generously share your ideas, bread, and books, to have the happiest of holidays and a more richly rewarding new year?