How often do you step outside your routine just to reflect on your life? Here are a few reflection-related posts you may have missed.
“I have always tried to make room for anything that wanted to come to me from within.”
“Don’t worry so much about knowing the right people. Just make yourself worth knowing.”
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How old are you? If you have a dog or cat, how old are they? How would you live your life if you knew that each day would cost you seven?
What would life look like if each and every day were lived as if it were a lifetime?
The mayfly has the shortest lifespan on earth — 24 hours or less. They probably don’t waste a single second.
365.1825. 3650. 7300. These are the number of days in one, five, ten, and twenty years.
What can and will you do with each of those daily lifetimes ahead?
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How satisfied are you with your life? Examine who you are on the inside and take a look on the outside to explore your intrinsic and extrinsic accomplishments.
How do your observations compare to the answers you would have offered from 5, 10, or even 20 years ago?
Which of your efforts — based on what you wanted — have come to fruition, and how pleased are you today?
Take the time today to count your many blessings. How rich do you feel?
Consider having a conversation with a friend, family member, or colleague to expand the value of this exercise to more fully appreciate how far you have come.
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In his 2018 book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Dan Pink does a solid job pointing to a variety of scientifically proven insights about how to live, work, and succeed.
With the stumbles, delays, and stops presented by COVID over the past year, many of us are looking for a fresh start, to get back on track with various personal and professional priorities.
Consider reading Dan’s book or check out one the many strong YouTube video summaries. Look beneath the many insights from his research and see for yourself where and when your mindset plays an important role in choosing to take on a new activity or task.
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Last month Wendy and I had dinner with a long-lost friend — Mitchell, and his wife Terry. Mitchell and I were schoolmates from first grade through high school.
Although many of the stories we held from so long ago have not changed, we found great pleasure exploring how we have both grown and altered in pursuing our individual paths.
Our discussion reminded me of visiting my grade school and former teachers when I was a college freshman. I was amazed at how small the desks, hallways, and students were.
Select and read one of your favorite books from your youth. Note your thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding how you have growth and altered into the person you are today.
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Today begins the four-day-weekend celebration of what many consider America’s favorite federal holiday… Independence Day.
May your weekend be filled with good friends, good food, and good fun!
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The average inventor produces about three patents in their lifetime. A prolific inventor produces around 15. Charles Kettering, who founded Delco and worked for General Motors from 1920 to 1947, was the holder of 186 patents.
He was clearly a person of action, not one to sit things out on the sidelines.
Another one of my favorite quotes from Kettering is:
“My Interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.”
Where are you currently stopped in your life?
Where are you sitting it out, hoping that things will miraculously improve on their own?
Where is it time to stand up and get going again so that you can stumble on something that will add greater meaning and satisfaction to your life?
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The grand gesture, the multi million-dollar donation, and the heroic act always get a lot of attention. The idea of going big or going home seems to be woven into our society. If something isn’t big enough and loud enough it almost always goes unnoticed.
Over the past year, many of us have given more attention to our inner work, and listening closely to the often-quiet whispers of our faith and values. These lower decibel messages are beginning to loom much larger in our days due to their resonant truths and influences on living a more meaningful life.
We are all capable of kindnesses of all sizes. What would happen if we didn’t wait or hesitate, thinking our intended efforts were not big enough?
Where would putting in your two cents of kindness today make the biggest difference? Imagine the compounding impact if everyone made these small generous deposits daily.
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During his lifetime Van Gogh created 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life. Doing the math, you can see that during that period he averaged over two paintings per day. Imagine how many small brush strokes he used to create masterpieces such as Sunflowers- 1888, Café Terrace at Night- 1888, The Bedroom- 1888, Starry Night- 1889, and Irises- 1889.
Where and how are you placing your own series of small daily brush strokes on the canvas of your life to achieve and contribute your own greatness to your world?
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Thoreau lived for two years, two months, and two days by Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.
His writing about his time there became a model of deliberate and ethical living. His words and deeds continue to inspire millions around the world who seek solutions to critical environmental and social challenges.
Gandhi’s work in India, Tolstoy’s philosophies in Russia, and Martin Luther King Jr’s civil rights stand in the United States are just a few notable individuals inspired by his work.
How and where in your personal and professional communities can and will you embrace and generously offer your own imaginings to create a more beautiful world?