How often do you enjoy the beauty and bounty of nature? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Go outside. There is bliss in the silent expanse of nature.”
“See what happens when you tune your pace to the trickle of a stream, or the waft of a lazy breeze.”
“Without jumping off its perch, the bird would never fly.”
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In the early years of my coaching career most of my time was spent networking and pursuing various business development activities.
Back then the world saw coaching as an activity only related to sports. The idea of a business or life coach seemed weird and a bit too far out to be widely accepted.
To capture my efforts, I used a customer relationship management software called ACT and LinkedIn to keep track of things.
In numerous cases it took years of steady and consistent effort and doing things right to build the necessary trust to eventually establish the partnerships to move forward.
EXERCISE:
What is an example of a relationship you created over time that was built on integrity and doing things right?
Please email me at barry@dempcoaching.com if you would like copies of my Masterful Networking and Masterful Relationships workbooks.
Image from Unsplash by Kym Ellis
What is your favorite sporting event, reality TV show, social media feed, or other activity in which you watch others doing cool things?
Notice your level of engagement in seeing others stepping out and taking risks while you observe behind a screen or sit in the stands.
We do these things because they are pleasurable and safe at the same time.
We get to experience the thrill of victory with little or no real agony of defeat.
When — across your years — did you do something remarkable that others envied?
What did it take for you to jump into the deep end and what was it like to feel the exhilaration and excitement of these activities first hand?
EXERCISE:
Where have you pulled back and stepped away from experiencing the rewards associated with taking risks?
Where can and will you jump in again to feel the rush of being back in the game?
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I recently watched the documentary Mission Joy—Finding Happiness in a Troubled World, which highlights a visit between his holiness the Dalai Lama and archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Although their faiths and spiritual backgrounds of Buddhism and Christianity seem worlds apart, their life journeys involved numerous similarities.
In this carefully crafted set of interviews from their meeting in 2015, they each pointed to the critical role significant hardships and setbacks defined and refined their lives.
EXERCISE:
I hope you will explore the official movie trailer and choose to watch the film in its entirety. The humor and wisdom of these two beloved icons offers many more nuggets for finding happiness in these troubled times.
Image from Amazon
Living with intention is described as a way of living consciously and deliberately according to one’s passions, purpose, goals, and values.
It can include simplifying your environment, engaging in mental and physical practices, and choosing where to invest your time and energy.
Today’s reflection points to our hearts as the source of their power. It is still up to us to aim them, pull back our life bows, and let them fly.
EXERCISE:
It has been over 20 years since Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book The Power of Intention was published. Consider reading or re-reading this classic and learn some of the enduring lessons of co-creating your world your way.
How do you define and acknowledge mastery in yourself and others? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Though you can love what you do not master, you cannot master what you do not love.”
“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”
“The shortest distance between two points is under construction.”
Image from Unsplash by Helena Lopes
FULL QUOTE: “An act of goodness is of itself and act of happiness. No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it.”
To what degree is the phrase “It is better to give than receive” true for you?
Take a close look at the acts of goodness you have offered others over the years. How does this trip down memory lane bring a smile to your face and a warm feeling in your heart?
Of course, it is always nice to reap the benefits of reciprocity, but this is not always offered and, in most cases given today’s quote, not needed. How might the simple act of supporting and serving others be more than enough to be happy?
EXERCISE:
Who are some of the happiest people you know?
How often do you notice their act of goodness as a source of their happiness?
What lessons can and will you take from their examples?
Image from Unsplash by Jason Strull
To what degree are you a creator?
What do you and have you offered others over the years, and what feedback have you received?
Consider all the assignments you were given throughout your school years. In most cases you didn’t have the option of saying No without significant consequences.
How about your offerings on a vocational level in which some authority figure sets out the objective to be pursued?
What impact does your perspective of how others view your work have on your willingness to offer examples with your own initiative as the catalyst?
EXERCISE:
Where in your world do you withhold your creative efforts for fear of being criticized?
How would greater courage and a willingness to be vulnerable allow you to champion more of your ideas to make a bigger impact on the world?
Image from Unsplash by Giullia Bertelli
Adam Grant’s book, Give and Take, is one of my favorites. If you have yet to read it, today’s quote could be one of the top nuggets to summarize its wisdom.
Through his extensive research of givers, takers, and matchers, it’s the givers of the world who seem to lead the most richly rewarding lives.
Perhaps the best way to show our appreciation of the generosity of others is simply to acknowledge it.
EXERCISE:
I hope you will take Adam’s advice and give the generous people in your life your sincere appreciation for their many gifts.
Image from Unsplash by Copper and Wild
FULL QUOTE: “What helps you take the challenging aspect of life in stride? What lollipops of love do you give yourself and others to make the world a little sweeter?”
Wendy and I recently spent several days with the family of a very close friend who passed away suddenly.
During this time, family and friends from near and far gathered to acknowledge and celebrate this wonderful man.
Along with the tremendous outpouring of love and support, many of the people in attendance brought all types of treats for everyone to share as we offered sweet stories from the life of this very special soul.
EXERCISE:
How do you serve and support others in your communities facing challenging times?
What gestures and offerings ease the pain to help make life a bit sweeter?