Where would you rate your health on your list of priorities? Here are a few related posts you may have missed:
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
“It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
“When you live on a round planet, there is no choosing sides.”
Image from Unsplash by Icons8 Team
Although anger is an emotion most of us prefer not to experience, it does have immense power if harnessed toward good rather than its dark side.
When force faces off with opposing force things usually go poorly. Standing for things we value and believe in is far more powerful that being against issues and people with whom we differ.
When we stand for our beliefs, we exude an energy that can attract and enroll others to consider alternative perspectives and find common ground.
EXERCISE:
Where and how can you use your temper instead of losing it?
When you are furious, get curious!
Image from Unsplash by Road Trip with Raj
Over the past several months I’ve noticed an increase in the water works in my communities.
Beyond numerous strong storms with an abundance of rain, there have been many floodgates of tears released due to various types of heavy burdens.
Today’s quote could go a bit further—just as rain falls to renew the greenery in our world, tears need a shoulder to land on to lighten our emotional loads.
EXERCISE:
Where are you noticing or experiencing heavy hearts in your world?
Where are people in these communities compassionately coming together to share these showers of emotion to help clear the skies of tomorrow?
Image from Unsplash by Alessio Lin
For many of us the world is moving way too fast these days.
Visualize a dog chasing its tail and replace this image with yourself or others in your communities.
Wendy and I recently visited some friends in New York and found the highways filled with many speed racers, darting between lanes to shave a few extra minutes from their commutes.
We saw a number of accidents which ended up slowing things down anyway, and many police pulling these folks over to fill up their municipality’s cash reserves.
EXERCISE:
How fast is your world moving?
How often do you feel like you are chasing your tail and about to have a rear end collision with yourself?
Image from Unsplash by Kelly Sikkema
Whether it’s their favorite toy, a snack, or a TV remote, placing items out of reach of our grandkids is no longer working so well. Our 22-month-old granddaughter and 5-year-old grandson have discovered all sorts of climbing strategies to reach the upper shelves mom and dad prefer to remain unexplored.
Our little ones are clearly stretching and reaching beyond previous limitations. Although we admire their initiative and creativity to reach new heights, we need to be ever more vigilant in our efforts to protect them from the downsides of gravity.
EXERCISE:
Where in your world are you currently stretching to reach the upper shelves of your life? Where have you become complacent in your world, accepting what is being offered within arm’s reach?
What things or situations do you desire? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“What is possible for you is dictated by your hunger, not your history.”
“I say yes when I mean no and the wrinkle grows.”
Image from Unsplash by Hayley Murray
Each morning I take a three mile walk with friends from my neighborhood. Our time together usually involves discussing current events, our lives, and our various interests.
We unconsciously take the same 8/10ths of a mile circuit walking in a counter-clockwise direction.
Although we sometime comment on the state of our landscaping and repairs being made by our neighbors, the path we take is unremarkable, with the same inclines and curves we never seem to notice.
The other day one of our fearless leaders dragged the rest of us outside our development to visit a local park which provided a nice change of pace to the path we usually take.
EXERCISE:
Where in your life are you going in circles and not noticing anything particularly wonderful?
In what ways can you step off this path to investigate aspect of your world previously unexplored?
Image from Unsplash by Maria Teneva
I’m not a big fan of the word indifference. When used to describe a person, it conveys someone cold and uncaring. Few people would ever choose to be described this way.
Our current access to world events has all kinds of negative effects on our stress levels and sanity.
Examining which elements we control and those we don’t serves as a useful gatekeeper to dramatically reduce this onslaught.
EXERCISE:
Where would greater discernment and a healthy level of indifference help you create greater sanity and peace in your life?
Image from Unsplash by The Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Today’s quote brings a lot to consider! Each sentence could easily be a post on its own. It’s the third sentence that captured my soulful interest today.
In economic terms, it is clear that when we spend our money we have less following our transactions.
The concept of spending oneself on matters of great significance is very different. Pouring ourselves into important matters and the people we love creates a richness money just can’t buy.
EXERCISE:
Which part of today’s quote sparks the greatest interest for you?
Please share your perspectives from your own rich experiences.
Image from Unsplash by Mika Baumeister
What are your favorite digital distractions?
How much time do you spend on your computer, TV, or cell phone?
To what degree do you accept the factory settings installed on your devices? In what ways have you taken the time to customize the settings to your preferences?
Looking beyond technology, where else might there be “factory settings” within your world?
Consider all the programing installed without your knowledge throughout your personal world, including family dynamics and your schooling.
What about your work life including its culture, organizational rules and guidelines—not to mention the good old job description?
EXERCISE:
In what ways can you take a closer look at the factory settings established in your personal and professional communities?
What adjustments can you make to help you lead a more colorful and vibrant life?