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Tag Archives: Barry Demp
“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
—George Washington Burnap, 20th Century Unitarian clergyman
Image from Unsplash by Tyler Nix
Thank you for being a loyal member of the Quotable Coach community!
May you and those you love have all the grand essentials to happiness during this holiday season and throughout the new year.
Most sincerely,
Barry
“Don’t live life in the Past Lane.”
“Don’t live life in the Past Lane.”
—Samantha Ettus, advisor at the Forbes School of Business & Technology
The holiday season is often filled with family and friends, time off from work, and hopefully a bit of self-reflection.
Today’s quote cautions us not to dwell too much on the past, where mistakes, set-backs, failures, or even thoughts about the “good old days” may limit our perspective and future efforts.
EXERCISE:
At this time of year, how will you get out of the fast land and the past lane to more fully realize the life you desire?
FRIDAY REVIEW: REFLECTION
FRIDAY REVIEW: REFLECTION
How often do you take some time to reflect on your life? Here are a few reflection-related posts you may have missed.
“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.”
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
“Wishes cost nothing unless you want them to come true.”
“Wishes cost nothing unless you want them to come true.”
—Frank Tyger, 20th century American editorial cartoonist
Image from Unsplash by Valentin Petkov
It’s the time of year for sending holiday wishes to Santa and prayers to higher powers for the things we desire. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday, nobody can escape the abundance of retail and online enticements.
If you happen to be a Santa to others in your personal or professional life, you clearly know the objective cost of making other’s wishes come true.
But what about the wishes money can’t buy, such as better health, improved relationships, and of course, greater peace on earth?
EXERCISE:
What are your intrinsic and extrinsic wishes for these holidays, and the new year?
What will it take and what will it cost for all of these wishes to come true?
“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”
“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”
—Seth Godin, American author/business executive
Image from DrSeuss..com
Two popular holiday stories we all know quite well are A Christmas Carol, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Both stories portray their main character as selfish and self-centered, focusing only on what’s in it for themselves.
As Adam Grant demonstrates in his well-researched book, Give and Take, these characters are definitely takers. They may win in some situations, but lose in the long run.
EXERCISE:
Where and with whom can you generously share your ideas, bread, and books, to have the happiest of holidays and a more richly rewarding new year?
“You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine.”
“You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine.”
—Flip Wilson, 20th Century American comedian and actor
Image from Unsplash by DEAR
Are you a gambler? When was the last time you went to a casino hoping to hit it big, knowing in the back of your mind that the house always wins?
What if today’s quote were suggesting a different type of wager, in which we bet on our resources of time and effort?
EXERCISE:
In what areas of your life will you insert a few more nickels to guarantee hitting the jackpot?
Unlike money, you will never run out of the currency to bet on yourself.
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”
—Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet & Sufi mystic
Image from Unsplash by Greg Rakozy
How often do you see yourself as small and insignificant? Depending on your perspective, you may see yourself as:
- one vote among millions
- one person among seven+ billion
- one creature living on a tiny planet in a small solar system in one galaxy among trillions
If you are a fan of physics, you may also note that we live in one universe in a multiverse of infinite numbers.
Perhaps with those descriptions, you think I proved that we are even less than a drop in the ocean. But I suggest that instead you consider this:
Your body is composed of more cells than there are grains of sand on all the beaches in the world, and all the stars in our Milky Way galaxy, combined.
We are all made from star dust from super novas, and we possess the consciousness of knowing that is so.
EXERCISE:
How can you more fully embrace the miracle of you?
With this far bigger and more powerful perspective, how can and will you relate to your place in the world and from the world within you?
Friday Review: Purpose
FRIDAY REVIEW: PURPOSE
How in tune are you to your own life purpose? Here are a few purpose-related posts you may have missed.
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
“Of all knowledge, the wise and good seek most to know themselves.”
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Deanna Ritchie
Did you know that this holiday season, about 45% of Americans—114 million people—plan to travel to a vacation site or to visit friends and family?
Each, statistically, is expected to shell out an average of $1,393 on flights and/or hotels.
Clearly, this level of investment is placing considerable value on either escaping their current life, or perhaps making sure life does not escape them.
EXERCISE:
Who are the special people you will travel with or visit this year?
What unique and extraordinary experiences are you planning?
Consider discussing these questions and others with those close to you, to make these traveling moments and their memories even more wonderful.