Everyone is a moon

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Barry

“Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.”

—Mark Twain, in Following the Equator

Image from Unsplash by Brooke Lark

Did you know that when you look up at the night sky and view a full moon you are seeing exactly what every other human – and for that matter, every other creature on Earth – has viewed for millennium?

Based on the rotational speed of the moon and the position of the Earth and Sun, we only get to see one-half of the moon’s surface.

People are like the moon, in that they often only present the sunny side of themselves. We sometimes tend to keep our dark side – including our weaknesses, fears, and perceived imperfections – hidden from view.

EXERCISE:

How might an exploration of your dark side, and perhaps revealing it to those you trust, create new opportunities and possibilities for you over (at least) the next lunar cycle?

The Gist of New Years Day

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Barry

“The gist of New Year’s Day is: Try Again.”

Frank Crane, 20th Century American Film Director

Image from Unsplash by Brooke Lark

If you ever established a New Year’s Resolution and came up short, you are not alone.

Statistics show over 90% of people have the same experience.

Studies have shown that even when doctors tell heart patients they will die if they don’t change their habits, only one in seven will be able to follow through successfully.

It appears that desire and motivation aren’t enough, even when it is literally a matter of life or death.

It is also clear that the status quo has a pretty tight grip on what Roger Kegan calls The Immunity to Change.

What patterns of thinking and doing would have your “Try Again” efforts work this time?

EXERCISE:

Beyond limiting your focus on fewer priority objectives, consider adding a wide variety of social and structural supports to bolster your motivation and ability to succeed this time.

Friday Review Patience

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Barry

FRIDAY REVIEW: PATIENCE

How would you rate your level of patience on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest? Here are a few patience-related posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the full message.

“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”

“Patience is also a form of action.”

Laughter is the sun

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Barry

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

—Victor Hugo, 19th Century French poet/novelist

Image of a small boy running through sunlighted sprinkler

Image from Unsplash by Brenda Godinez

This time of year, many people – particularly those in their retirement years – head south to sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. These “snow birds” are somewhat reborn and experience greater youthful vitality when they head off to winter camp.

Many of us, including myself, who are still working and live in a climate that gets a full dose of winter, can feel a bit down at times and long for an early spring.

EXERCISE:

How might you bring truckloads of laughter – instead of road salt – to your days to drive away the winter blues and brighten your worlds?

Dieting a System of starving yourself

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Barry

“Dieting: A system of starving yourself to death so you can live a little longer.”

—Jan Murray, late American stand-up comedian

Image from Unsplash by Brenda Godinez

Have you every been on a diet? If you have like many these days, you count your carbs, have gone gluten-free, stopped eating red meat, limited white foods, and perhaps added supplements or super-foods to your daily routine.

My guess is that you may sometimes step on the scale, look in the mirror, and choose your most comfortable clothes with just a bit of angst.

My wife Wendy and I, after visiting our physicians and viewing a number of documentaries with titles such as “What the Health” and “Cowspiracy,” decided to let food be our medicine, with an emphasis on naturally-sourced, plant-based foods.

To our great delight, it is working!

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can and will you take on the gift of optimal health in the new year?
Do the necessary and important research, and choose an approach you can stick with for a long and vital life.

I like the work by Chris Johnson and his team at ontargetliving.com, and encourage you to visit his site.

Analyze Your Life

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Barry

“Analyze your life closely, frequently. You will eventually find it difficult to misuse it.”

—Barbara Ann Kipfer, Self-Meditation

Image from Unsplash by William Iven

Every December, usually over the holidays, I do an assessment of the past year as a way of acknowledging my efforts and progress, and to set the stage for a new year of personal and professional growth.

The process of developing greater mindfulness and self-awareness can become an essential skill. It helps to not only avoid missing the gift of life, but also in learning to make the most out of each day we are blessed to receive.

EXERCISE:

Take three to five minutes to answer any or all of the questions listed here. Consider doing this with a friend, family member, colleague, or coach, to gain the social support to have this exercise make a significant and sustainable difference:

What did you accomplish in 2017?
What were your biggest disappointments?
What were your most significant lessons?
Where are you currently limiting yourself?
What goal areas do you intend to emphasize in the year ahead?

A few resources you may wish to explore for extra credit include:

Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell
Perfectly Yourself by Matthew Kelly
Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Taming Your Gremlin by Rick Carson
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

All the Joy I Can Wish

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Barry

“I wish you all the joy I can wish.”

—William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene 2

Image by Robert Collins on Unsplash

With the holiday season upon us, and the new year just ahead, Shakespeare’s wish feels quite appropriate.

Take some real time to reflect on the people, things, and experiences that bring you joy and reach out to those you love with extra hugs and the kind words we often neglect.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you share Shakespeare’s wish of joy throughout your communities this holiday season, and all year long?

Friday Review Improvement

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Barry

FRIDAY REVIEW: IMPROVEMENT

Where do you focus when you think of improvement? Here are a few improvement-related posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the full message.

“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”

“It is better to prevent than to cure.”

“If there is a single lesson that life teaches us, it’s that wishing doesn’t make it so.”

Don’t Wait Until You are Lost

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Barry

“Don’t wait until you are lost to evaluate where you are going.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Are you a goal setter?

At this time of year, many of us take time to reflect over the past months to determine what we have achieved relative to our plans from last December.

If you are like many, you may have found yourself taking numerous detours or getting completely lost at some point along the way.

What are some of your own thoughts on ways to not wait until you are lost to evaluate where you are going?

EXERCISE:

Imagine you somehow could install your own goal-focused GPS system. How can you establish far more frequent check-ins and touch points to reach your most sincerely desired destinations in the year ahead?

All Doors are Open to Courtesy

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Barry

“All doors are open to courtesy.”

—Thomas Fuller, 17th Century English Historian

Image by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

This past Thanksgiving holiday was particularly challenging due to my father Marvin’s hospitalization. Fortunately, his surgery and medical care is progressing, thanks to the very compassionate and caring team of dedicated professionals.

Of particular note is how courteous and kind the medical and non-medical staff were at each point of contact with my dad, my wife, and me.

A wonderful bonus was an invitation by close friends to join them for Thanksgiving dinner, and experience their caring friendship.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world can you more fully appreciate or extend the kind and supportive open doors of courtesy?