Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

What helps you take the challenging aspect of life in stride

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What helps you take the challenging aspect of life in stride?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Copper and Wild

FULL QUOTE: “What helps you take the challenging aspect of life in stride? What lollipops of love do you give yourself and others to make the world a little sweeter?”

Wendy and I recently spent several days with the family of a very close friend who passed away suddenly.

During this time, family and friends from near and far gathered to acknowledge and celebrate this wonderful man.

Along with the tremendous outpouring of love and support, many of the people in attendance brought all types of treats for everyone to share as we offered sweet stories from the life of this very special soul.

EXERCISE:

How do you serve and support others in your communities facing challenging times?

What gestures and offerings ease the pain to help make life a bit sweeter?

Friday Review: Limitations

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Friday Review: Limitations

What limitations do you put on yourself and others? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“If you see the world in black and white, you’re missing important grey matter.”

 

 

 

“We all have our limitations but when we listen to our critics we also have theirs.”

 

 

Where do you ignore your limits?  How might you honor them today?

 

 

 

“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

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“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

—L. M. Montgomery, 20th century Canadian author

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

One of my granddaughter’s favorite toys is a plastic castle from the Disney animated film Frozen.

In addition to all the lights and sounds emanating from this purple and pink fairy tale toy is the song, “Let It Go” which she plays over and over, often skipping other amusing tunes from the film.

Perhaps this repeated message is for the adults around her to leave our yesterdays behind and to start each new day with a clean slate.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life are you holding on and reliving mistakes from your past?

What are some ways you can let them go to sing or hum the song of a brand-new day?

“When we raise our hopes and lower our expectations, we establish a resilient way forward.

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“When we raise our hopes and lower our expectations, we establish a resilient way forward.”

—Seth Godin, author, entrepreneur, and teacher

Image from Unsplash by Pedro Sanz

I recently looked for an easy-to-understand definition of resilience. Here is what the American Psychological Association had to offer:

Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.

Seth’s view on the subject is a lot easier to understand and implement!

EXERCISE:

In what areas of life would raising your hopes and lowering your expectations boost your resilience and help you move forward?

You are just as likely to solve a problem by being unconventional and determined as by being brilliant.

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“You are just as likely to solve a problem by being unconventional and determined as by being brilliant.”

—Sir James Dyson, British inventor, industrial designer, and business magnate

Image from Wikipedia

The Dyson company was officially formed in 1987, inspired by an experience James had with a Walmart vacuum cleaner, which blocked suction and failed to perform.

Using his skills as an engineer, he took it apart, fixed the issue and took it back to the store, vowing to develop a better product for them.

It took five years and 5,127 prototypes to perfect his idea.

EXERCISE:

In what ways could you utilize more unconventional methods and greater determined effort to resolve obstacles blocking your way?

Leave some wiggle room in your days to help navigate life’s unexpected events

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Leave some wiggle room in your days to help navigate life’s unexpected events.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Eric Rothermel

When was the last time you had a doctor’s appointment that occurred on time? It’s common to be told to arrive early for most visits and even more common to be welcomed into your appointed time late.

In the past few months our need for doctor visits increased and with the help of some very understanding medical staff we found some wiggle room in their back-to-back appointment world.

One doctor’s office even went on to tell us that they intentionally block off some extra time each day for such events to accommodate the expected unexpected needs of their patients.

EXERCISE:

Where and how could your life benefit if you added some extra wiggle room in your days?

How might this buffer time reduce stress and have others around you feel more at ease?

Friday Review: Judgement

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Friday Review: Judgement

’Tis said: “Beware the Ides of March” — the judgement day for Julius Caesar. Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“By a small sample we may judge the whole piece.”

 

 

 

 

“Punishing others is punishing work.”

 

 

 

 

“Every now and then go away. For when you come back to your work your judgement will be surer.”

 

 

 

 

 

“The more I love my wife, the more I love my life.”

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“The more I love my wife, the more I love my life.”

—Jon Gordon, American author and speaker

Barry (Many Years Ago)

 

Who hasn’t heard the phrase Happy Wife, Happy Life?

If our lives are a reflection of the five people with whom we spend the most time, this idea is worth a bit more pondering for us married folk.

Wendy and I are coming up on our 45th anniversary. Like most marriages that stand the test of time, we’ve been through a lot.

if you were to look at our wedding album you would see me with a full head of hair! If you knew us well, you might also note that none of the other couples in our wedding party are still together.

Living our vows and prioritizing each other on a daily basis keeps our relationship solid.

Being each other’s “person” is a key to all the smiles that create the happy wrinkles that come along for the ride.

EXERCISE:

Where and how often do you make your significant other your top priority?

What can you do today to demonstrate your love and live happily ever after?

The wedding is an event, love is a practice. The Graduation is

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“The wedding is an event, love is a practice. The graduation is an event, education is…”

—James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Full Quote: “The wedding is an event, love is a practice. The graduation is an event, education is a practice. The race is an event, fitness is a practice. The heart, mind, and body are endless pursuits.”

Too many of us rest our hopes and expectations on the big days of our lives.

We are constantly looking to capture and highlight moments to post on social media, to proclaim to the world we’ve arrived, or that we are at the top of our games.

But life isn’t just about peak experiences.

It involves the ordinary and often mundane daily efforts of doing our best even when few people ever notice. It definitely includes the rituals, routines, and daily practices that give our lives purpose and meaning.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you sharpen the saws of your mind and body through your daily efforts?

What heart-based activities keep your life beating to the often-whispering tunes of your soul?

“Embrace time instead of racing it.”

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“Embrace time instead of racing it.”

—Seth Godin, American author and entrepreneur

Image from Unsplash by Balazc Busznyak

This year we broke our “snow bird” season into two trips.

Since we like to bring many of our creature comforts along for our extended stays, we take our SUV, which recently reached its 100,000-mile mark.

Our first trip involved over 1,100 challenging miles of exhaust-laden construction, and the ever-ambitious lead-footed drivers always looking to shave a minute or two off their journeys.

On our second trip we chose to take the auto train from Lorton VA to Sanford FL, which saved us around 17 hours behind the wheel.

With an average speed of just over 50 miles per hour, Wendy and I embraced our time together, and even got some shut-eye as we chugged our way south.

EXERCISE:

Where and how often do you find yourself racing the clock?

How would slowing down a bit and embracing more moments lead to a more fulfilling and happier life?