Friday Review: Questions
How often do you question the things you hear or read? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“What was the key takeaway from the specific situation?”
“If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.”
I trust that tomorrow’s brain is going to turn up and have something meaningful to contribute.
“I trust that tomorrow’s brain is going to turn up and have something meaningful to contribute.”
—Dan Cullum, Chiropractic Physician at NaturalHealthCenterok.com
Image from Unsplash by Etienne Girardet
How often do you find yourself stuck or stopped by a particularly thorny problem or issue?
Many times, when we persist and double down on our efforts the only thing that doubles is our frustration.
It’s at these times we keep using the same neural pathways over and over with nothing to show for the effort.
Taking periodic breaks and even sleeping on things almost always breaks this cycle and clears the mental cobwebs that have us trapped.
EXERCISE:
How often do you take breaks in your days to clear your mind?
On what issues would a clean slate of a new day and a new brain offer you something more meaningful to contribute?
“Individual willpower is a shallow container from which to draw energy.”
“Individual willpower is a shallow container from which to draw energy.”
—Omar Brownson, co-host of the Gratitude Blooming Podcast
Image from Unsplash by Dose Juice
Most of you know that I am a morning person. It’s the time of day when I have the greatest energy and discipline. On most days I meditate, exercise, and eat my oatmeal on the run before I dash into my schedule.
As the day progresses, I use snacks and a few doses of caffeine to keep up the pace. Lunchtime is often a quick affair, with only modestly healthy choices if I neglect to have something prepared.
By three in the afternoon, I’m pretty pooped and most of my disciplined efforts are nowhere to be found. Happily, an occasional power nap sets things right and I’m good until 10:00 p.m., when I head to bed to fully recharge for the next day.
EXERCISE:
When do you have the greatest energy and discipline in your days? How can and do you apply this awareness to accomplish your highest priorities and commitments?
“Halloween is an opportunity to be really creative.”
“Halloween is an opportunity to be really creative.”
—Judy Gold, American stand-up comedian, actress, author, and producer
Image from Unsplash by Clint Patterson
Over the past few weeks, we watched several movies on the big screen at our local theater.
We usually enjoy the previews but in this case, the 20 — 30 minutes of previews included mostly scary, fear-inducing films, which are definitely not my cup of tea.
My upbringing and experiences with Halloween were very different. It was a time of self-expression in which we made instead of bought our costumes.
These creative efforts with our parents, siblings, and friends — along with all the candy — made this holiday extra sweet.
EXERCISE:
How can you enhance and expand your creativity on Halloween and through the coming holiday season?
How could more creating and less consuming contribute to an even more satisfying life?
We honor life by being present for it
We honor life by being present for it. Kiss the joy as it flies.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Jo Heubeck & Demi Pfenninger
We all know that time flies when you’re having fun. What would be the value of slowing things down to kiss and hug these moments longer and more fully?
To only kiss the joy as it flies is not possible without also honoring the sad and difficult times. If we always wish to sidestep the bad times, we unfortunately miss the good ones.
EXERCISE:
Consider exploring Susan Cain’s book, Bittersweet to expand your capacity to honor and be more fully present to your life.
Friday Review: Beauty
Friday Review: Beauty
How do you define beauty? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”
“Discover your beauty cracks and all. These are your gifts of imperfection.”
“You cannot have a beautiful life if you always focus on ugliness in others.”
As a frightened man in a burning boat has only one way to the rest of his life
“As a frightened man in a burning boat has only one way to the rest of his life, we must move with courage through the wall of flame into the greater sea.”
Mark Nepo, poet and spiritual adviser
Image from Unsplash by dan carlson
Where and when in your life did you last demonstrate significant courage? What are some examples of facing your fears and jumping into an unsettled sea?
Today’s quote does not suggest we risk life and limb as proof of courage, but does suggest that we should welcome the heat, and test the waters of our days more often.
What are some current situations in which you are experiencing the flames of fears?
When in the past did you step through such flames, standing taller on the other side?
EXERCISE:
To what degree is your current level of courage putting you on a course to fulfill the vision you have for your life?
When can and will you step up and over the edge of your fears to realize far more of your potential?
“If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone.”
“If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone.”
—Naval Ravikant, Indian-American entrepreneur and investor
Image from Unsplash by Caleb Jones
How do you make decisions?
How often do you seek council and advice or go it alone?
The answer for most of us is It Depends.
If you happen to have considerable knowledge and experience in an area, checking things out with a few wise ones in your world may help optimize the outcome.
If you are a complete newbie or novice, it is most likely a good idea to find mentors, coaches, and trusted advisors to help guide you.
At some point, however, we need to stop collecting data points and check in with ourselves to determine the path that is right for us.
Setting and re-setting our sights based on the views of others can leave us paralyzed with indecision which gets us nowhere.
When we delegate or abdicate our power to decide, things can easily go south.
EXERCISE:
Where in your life have you leaned on others too often when making an important decision?
Where do you draw the line in trusting others instead of yourself at certain forks in the road?
The earth is full of thresholds where beauty awaits the wonder of our gaze
“The earth is full of thresholds where beauty awaits the wonder of our gaze.”
—John O’Donohue, 20th Century Irish poet and Hegelian philosopher
Image from Unsplash by Rob Mulally
During a recent morning walk a friend used the phrase It’s a beautiful Day.
Instead of agreeing with him and moving on with our conversation, I let this statement linger and penetrate my thinking and my senses.
Planet Earth is a gem in our solar system.
Compared to any other rocky world, it is paradise where life abounds.
How often do we truly appreciate its wondrous beauty?
How many times each day do you stop at the thresholds in your world to gaze and be amazed at what you see?
EXERCISE:
Here are some of my favorite nature documentaries:
Planet Earth miniseries (2006), Planet Earth II miniseries (2016), Blue Planet II, Chasing Ice (2012), and David Attenborough’s A Life on our Planet (2020). What are some of yours?
What are some beautiful places close to home that await the wonder of your gaze?
Bring patience to your path. See each step as progress and move forward at your own pace.
Bring patience to your path. See each step as progress and move forward at your own pace.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Tamara Manzi
Many people operate at a fast pace in almost everything they do these days.
How fast do you talk, walk, eat, and drive?
What are some of the benefits of moving in the fast lane?
What are the negative consequences of always being in a hurry?
For many of us, our pace is ingrained and set on auto pilot with only modest awareness.
How might a slower and more patient pace of living offer hidden benefits?
Where would a steady as she goes approach help you arrive more safely and sanely to your desired destinations?
EXERCISE:
Where in your life would a slow is smooth and smooth is fast approach make the biggest difference?
Where can and will you bring greater patience to your path beginning today?