The pause is as important as the note

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“The pause is as important as the note.”

—Truman Fisher, American Composer

Image from Flickr by Ben Rogers

Do you enjoy music? If so, what types of music do you prefer?

Prioritize this list from high to low based on your preferences:

Pop Hip-Hop Holiday Electronic
Swing Classical Rock Folk
Rap Reggae Disco Jazz
Blues Chamber Country Bluegrass
Alternative Show Tunes Baroque Dance

Although the instruments used in these various forms of music can be different, it is perhaps the pauses, or rests, as much as the notes that are played that give each genre its own special sound.

EXERCISE:

Consider your life as a form of personal symphony. Where would paying even more attention to the pauses, to resting between your life notes enhance the melodies in your world?

The worst thing about new books

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“The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.”

—Joseph Joubert, 19th Century French Essayist

Image of a large library

Image from Flickr by Saimad

Because I am heavily invested in personal and professional development, I am always on the lookout for the next ground-breaking book. I thrive on new ideas and the concept of finding a better way to improve the world.

If you are like me, you sometimes find new books a bit of a letdown in that they often repackage old ideas in ways that fall short of the originals.

EXERCISE:

Consider a Google search on this phrase:

The greatest ___________ books of all time. Fill in the blank with whatever types of books you value and enjoy most.

 

Every Cell is a Citizen

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“BODY: A cell state in which every cell is a citizen.”

—Rudolf Virchow, 19th Century German Biologist

Image of Human Brain Dendrites

Human Brain Dendrites. Image from The Gallery of Neuroscience.

According to Rose Eveleth’s 2013 article at smithsonian.com, there are 37.2 trillion cells in your body. Other studies give a range between 15 and 70 trillion. Whatever the actual number, it’s a bunch!

Given my interest in health, I ask you to consider the idea of cellular health as a way of enhancing your overall health. It’s similar to each individual doing their part as global citizens to make the entire world a healthier and happier place.

EXERCISE:

Consider purchasing a copy of On Target Living by Chris Johnson, in which you will find new and optimal actions to make your 37 trillion cells healthier and happier citizens of your body.

Friday Review: Intention

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FRIDAY REVIEW: INTENTION

What intentions have you set for your day, your week, or your life? Here are a few intention-related posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the message.

 

“A lot can happen in a year.”

 

 

 

“Follow that Dream!”

 

 

 

 

 

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.”
 

 

If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention

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“If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it will take more of your attention than it deserves.”

—David Allen, Author of Getting Things Done

When was the last time you sat down to watch TV, search the web, or venture into your inbox, then found that somehow, hours of your life were stolen?

Our frenetically-paced world has more time thieves than ever, and if we are not careful we can all fall victim to it.

Fortunately, more of us are becoming aware of these time heists, and are learning to set up our own security systems and keep the intruders at bay.

EXERCISE:

Today’s quote coaches us to exercise our own attention/mindfulness muscles and better allocate our time to more deserving pursuits.

One strategy I often pursue with my coaching clients is to create a time log or journal that tracks where time goes when it “flies.”

Unless you plan on Eating it

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“Unless you plan on eating it, please don’t bring your phone to our dinner table.”

—Author Unknown

No Phone Zone Image

Digital distraction is at epidemic levels. It is so out of hand that we now hear of multiple people committing suicide because they are unable to get their “digital fix.”

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can and will you draw the line and establish boundaries that cannot be crossed, to prevent this heads-down world from infecting your life and the lives of those you love?

Please consider the dinner table as a place to begin and then expand further to regain the peace and sanity you seek.

To Dare is to Lose your Foothold for a Moment

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“To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment. To not dare is to lose yourself.”

—Swedish Proverb

Image of a man's foot about to step on a banana peel

Image from Flickr by Perry Hall

In the famous song “My Way,” Frank Sinatra sang the line: “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.”

When we look at our own significant achievements or if we look at the accomplishments of others we admire, in virtually all cases risk and the willingness to dare to do things our way was involved.

Unfortunately, those who don’t dare the momentary loss of footing remain on what they perceive as solid ground. They risk loosing themselves, and live lives with far too many regrets.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what issues is it time to throw caution to the wind and dare to live more of the life of your dreams?

Feel free to reply to this post with the actions you plan to take.

 

A Happy Family is but an Early Heaven

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“A happy family is but an early Heaven.”

—John Browning, 19th Century Firearms Designer

Image of a house under a rainbow

For many people – myself included – home and family represent a sanctuary of safety, peace, and happiness. It is a place we expect and usually find security, community, and the love we seek to give and receive.

How much time and attention do you actually give to your family during the work week, as well as on the weekend?

How often do you share meals together without phones, play board games, or engage in deep and meaningful discussions?

Far too many of us operate as ships that pass in the night. We only experience brief moments of togetherness, more often under the same roof, but not together.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you experience far more “Heaven on Earth” by making your family a more prominent priority each and every day?

Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart

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“Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart.”

—Sophia A. Nelson, American Opinion Writer

Image of a hard fist

image from Flickr by Giulia Forsythe

Consider the following list of “hard lessons,” and others that have occurred in your life:

  • The breakup of an important relationship
  • Being fired from a job you enjoyed
  • The failure of a business or entrepreneurial venture
  • Loosing a good sum of money on an investment or purchase
  • Missing out on a promotion or a job you really desired

What are some typical responses for you or those you know when such events occur? I often hear people say things like, I’ll never do that again! or You just can’t trust… or What’s the Use? I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up!

Unfortunately, when we engage in such heart-hardening decisions, we actually shoot ourselves in the foot. Hoping to protect ourselves, we keep ourselves from achieving the wonderful things that make life so worthwhile.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can and will you remain more open-hearted and open-minded in the pursuit of the extraordinary life you desire?