The Soul’s Ears

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“The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand.”

-Rumi, 13th Century Persian Poet

Image from changebydoing.com

Image from changebydoing.com

Imagine you are able to visit a planet on the other side of the Milky Way, or perhaps in an entirely different galaxy, that has intelligent life.

Upon landing on this planet—which contains all that you need to support life—you meet an unusual human-like creature with three sets of ears.

The first set is like ours, which conveys messages to our brains.

The second set is connected to the being’s heart, and the third to their gut.

Considered the expanded nature of this creature’s ability to perceive their worlds deeply, and more completely.

What extraordinary messages would they receive, and what capacities would this ability provide?

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully access your soul by tapping into the quiet or silent messages that can only be perceived through your heart and gut?

“She was too deep for…”

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“Her soul was too deep to explore by those who always swam in the shallow end.”

-A.J. Lawless

Image from ripplecentral.com

Image from ripplecentral.com

Most of us are familiar with the stories of prospectors digging for gold or other precious gems, and know that these valuable resources are rarely found at the surface. We must dig deep into the earth to claim them.

The same is true if we wish to reap the rich rewards of deep and meaningful relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. Scratching the surface with limited attention virtually never creates the respectful, trusting, and soulfully satisfying relationships we all desire.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom can you explore and pursue a deeper, more meaningful relationship in either your personal or professional life?

Some People Cross Your Path

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“Some people cross your path and change your whole direction.”

-Author Unknown

Change Your Direction

Image from timemachine.wikia.com

Those who have been following The Quotable Coach for some time already have a mental “time machine,” and have taken various trips into the past and future. If you have not yet built your imaginary time machine, take a moment to do so now.

Today’s trip takes you back in time to visit the friends, family, teachers, mentors, and coaches who have made a positive and lasting difference in your life.

Examine the way in which they were “there for you,” guiding, supporting, and even providing tough love to help you discover and pursue your destiny.

EXERCISE:

Should any of these people still be around, find a way to acknowledge and thank them for the difference they made in your life.

Where can you play a similar role to support a special person in your personal or professional world?

Friday Review: Commitment

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Friday Review: Commitment

What commitments have you made in your personal or professional life? Here are a few commitment-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

QC #986a

 

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

 

 

QC #986b

 

“Today is when everything that’s going to happen from now on begins.”

 

 

QC #986c

 

“Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach.”

Talk About Things that Matter

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“Talk about things that matter to people who care.”

-Jim Rohn, author and motivational speaker

Prioritize

Image from Flickr by sepblog

The nugget of wisdom in today’s quote highlights two of the most significant elements of success.

By focusing on more things that truly matter, we prioritize the important over seemingly urgent issues we encounter throughout the day.

Caring, supportive people provide needed ongoing counsel and occasional kicks in the butt. Their encouragement causes us to stretch and engage in the hard work needed to pursue and realize the goals and objectives that matter.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life who care deeply about your success? How can you focus more of your interactions on the stuff of life that really matters?

If You Are Irritated

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“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?”

-Rumi, 13th Century Persian Poet

Image from Flickr by Orbital Joe

Image from Flickr by Orbital Joe

When was the last time you visited a fine jewelry store? Imagine yourself in one, examining all the beautiful diamonds and gem stones.

I am sure that If you were to go back in time to when these stones were pulled form the earth, you wouldn’t recognize them. They would be dull, rough, and unremarkable. It takes considerable rubbing and skilled cutting to bring out their brilliance.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you examine and appreciate the daily rubs of life as experiences and resources to bring about your personal and professional brilliance?

Hearts and Business

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“It is a rare person who can take care of hearts while also taking care of business.”

-Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Dakota

Image from Flickr by Dakota

There is a good amount of evidence proving that taking care of hearts is an excellent strategy for business success.

Examine the literature or perhaps the “Best Places to Work” articles in your local papers, to find the superstar companies that prove this point.

The best and most inspiring organizational mission statements point to the values, beliefs, and attitudes they bring to their key stakeholders. These statements always go beyond shareholder value to include their commitments to customers, and of course, the employees and/or team members.

EXERCISE:

How can you better take care of business by creating and supporting an atmosphere in which people are truly the most valuable asset?

The Good Old Days

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“Things aren’t what they used to be and probably never were.”

-Will Rogers, American cowboy, vaudeville performer, and film actor

Image from notonthehighstreet.com

Image from notonthehighstreet.com

It is not uncommon for people to romanticize the good old days. Just take a look at the photo albums, yearbooks, and memory banks from which we cherry-pick the choice moments when all was right with the world.

We all share the experience of “selective memory,” in which we remember some things quite vividly, and others not at all. Take a look at the stories you continue to tell – often to the chagrin of your significant others – when you’re out on the town!

EXERCISE:

How can you make the very most of your life from this point forward, by living by the idea that these are the good old days, and the best is still to come?

You Can Change

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“You Can Change at Any Age.”

-Author Unknown

image from hundredjokes.blogspot.com

image from hundredjokes.blogspot.com

As many of you know, I work out at Lifetime Fitness most mornings. Of particular interest to me today were the number of seniors and super-seniors working up a sweat to continue their personal excellence journeys. Marvin, in his 80s, and Ann, in her 70s, are among the most inspiring examples.

Do you know anyone who believes and lives consistent with the phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Perhaps even you believe this to some extent.

EXERCISE:

How can you fully embrace change at any age, to live a richer, more rewarding life? What change could you make today to kick-start making change a life-long habit?