How often do you offer help to others? How often do others help you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them.”
“People who need help sometimes look a lot like people who don’t need help.”
Image from Unsplash by Eugene Chystiakov
Falling and picking oneself up is essential to the human experience.
From the days of infancy and toddler-hood, the ups and down of our little ones are an excellent best example.
No parent or grandparent would ever suggest that crawling would be a sufficient long term way of getting around.
Encouraging our children to stand, walk, and run is at the heart of wanting them to succeed and thrive.
For some of us however, the process of falling down and getting up becomes too painful. “I’ll never do that again” creeps into our minds as the governor of our life engines.
EXERCISE:
What is your perspective on the process of falling and getting back up?
What valuable lessons and skills have you picked up in the process of rising again and again over the years?
Image from Unsplash by Bethany Beck
In my mind, there is perhaps no greater love than that of a parent for their children.
Consider everything a mom goes through including birth, sleepless nights, countless diaper changes, runny noses, potty training…. You get the idea.
Of course, fathers do their part, but moms are clearly the unsung heroes of the world.
Their influence in good times—and especially bad—have given all of us the enduring support to be who we are today.
EXERCISE:
In what ways can you and do you acknowledge the greatness of the moms of the world?
How can you also acknowledge others in your life who do things they hate because of their deep love for you and others?
—John O’Donohue, 20th Century Irish poet, author, philosopher
Image from Unsplash by Avess
On a recent walk with friends, I pointed out what I considered a beautiful blue sky with wispy clouds. My friend Rich indicated that he had not initially noticed its beauty and said it also reminded him of the ocean rolling up on the shore.
How often do we miss the beauty around us? When we do see it, how long do we linger and allow its rhythm to carry us through our days?
EXERCISE:
How can you more fully experience the beauty in your world?
Consider noting these moments and point them out to others in your communities.
If this exercise proves to be of value, ask them to offer their experiences of beauty in return.
Image from Unsplash by Jakayla Toney
How well do you deal with rejection?
How many big and small no’s do you receive in a typical day?
To what degree do they stop you or simply create a detour in your paths and plans?
Take a few minutes to examine the significant no’s you’ve received over the years in your personal and professional worlds. In what ways did they test you and offer valuable lessons that still serve you today?
Oscar Wilde said: “Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward.”
EXERCISE:
How have the no’s of the past helped you grow?
How can the no’s of today and tomorrow be a springboard for your future growth?
How curious are you about things beyond your immediate frame of reference? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“A question is a magnet… it draws information to you.”
“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.”
Image from Unsplash by Daniela Holzer
How do you usually respond when someone points out a mistake you’ve made?
My first reaction is often denial or a quick “sorry,” then I put it behind me.
What happens when the person pointing out this misstep continues to mention the error of your ways?
We almost never appreciate them rubbing it in, do we?
What if rubbing it in is actually what is needed in certain situations?
Where and how would a deeper look and a bit more time to contemplate our mishaps allow a valuable lesson to sink in and stick well beyond the moment?
EXERCISE:
What are some examples of significant mistakes you have made recently or over the years?
To what degree do you take the time to let their lessons seep in and impact your future efforts?
Image from Unsplash by Alex Ware
During my busiest working years, it was a source of pride for myself and many of my colleagues to pat ourselves on the back for our workaholic tendencies.
When asked how someone was doing words like slammed, jammed, and swamped were ways we stoked our egos and compared ourselves to mere mortals.
We were not only booked virtually every minute of the day, some folks actually overbooked themselves to show how incredibly important and indispensable they were.
For many of these people this way of operating had a double edge with a considerable downside to their health and their espoused important relationships.
EXERCISE:
To what degree do you include buffer/relaxation time into your daily schedule?
Consider starting with blocks of ten minutes and work your way into hours, days, etc.
Feel free to reply to this post on how this proverb applies to you and your world.
Image from Unsplash by Colton Sturgeon
Today’s quote made me smile and frown at the same time—I love being happily surprised and astonished by amazing people, places, and things.
Seeing what is possible become realized inspires me to continue my own pursuit of excellence.
What have you done or achieved in your life which astonished yourself and others?
How far back do you need to go to recall these memories?
What have you done more recently that raises eyebrows and has more than a few jaws drop?
EXERCISE:
Who do you know that astonishes you?
When did you last tell them about your thoughts and feelings?
How much of your potential for excellence and greatness is still in the tank?
Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan
What would be possible if you resisted the urge to judge and criticize others?
Where could an intentional pause allow you to pivot in a better direction when you are hooked by what others say and do?
Unfortunately, the time between stimulus and response seems to keep getting shorter and shorter.
Our urgent need to get things done, multitask, and speed though the unsavory parts of our lives often has us shoot before we aim.
EXERCISE:
Who are the people in your life that push your buttons and provoke you?
What are some frequent topics or events that trigger heated emotions and upsets?
What approaches can you take to mindfully pause before your amygdala is hijacked?