Friday Review: Laughter
How many times in an average day do you find a reason to laugh? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Laughter is an instant vacation.”
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
Tag Archives: Barry Demp
If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down
“If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down.”
—Robert Pirsig, late American writer and philosopher
Image from Unsplash by Milan Fakurian
What is the current pace of your life?
To what degree are you running the rat race or crawling along at a snail’s pace?
Perhaps the tempo of your world is just right — you’ve found your groove and there is not much more to do other than put things on cruise control.
If you are on an entrance or exit ramp of life you know when it’s time to hit the gas or pump the brakes.
EXERCISE:
Where are you restless and need to speed things up?
Where are you out of breath and need to slow things down?
What is the optimal speed for you at this point in your life?
Impatience is an argument with reality
“Impatience is an argument with reality.”
—Sue Heatherington, quietdisruptors.com
Image from Unsplash by Erik Wits
A few weeks ago, Wendy and I were scheduled to attend a sweetheart dance beginning at 5:30 PM. As the clock approached our time to leave for this event, the skies opened up with a torrent of rain. I pride myself on being on time or early, so I forged out the door — umbrella in hand — to fulfill our commitment.
Needless to say, my impatience soaked me anyway, especially my feet which provided a sock-squishing reminder throughout the dance. To my surprise and dismay, the rain stopped completely the moment we arrived!
EXERCISE:
When do you find yourself arguing with reality?
Where has the lack of patience caused you more trouble than a pair of soggy socks?
Where would a good dose of equanimity serve you best?
To be happy you must let go of what’s gone
“To be happy you must let go of what’s gone, be grateful for what remains, and look forward to what is coming.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Towfiqu barbhuiya
How would you rate yourself on a one-to-ten scale of happiness?
How has this number varied over the last several years due to personal, professional, and global events?
Consider how today’s quote offers significant wisdom to level up your score with small mindfulness adjustments.
EXERCISE:
How can you more completely let go of what’s gone?
How can you more fully appreciate what you have?
What are the small and big things that you look forward to in the future?
Embrace beauty wherever you find it. It can magically uplift your
Embrace beauty wherever you find it. It can magically uplift your life and sweeten your world.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Clem Onojeghuo
Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite desserts, candies, or sugary beverages?
When and where do you indulge in these treats? How do they make you feel before, during, and after you devour them?
We all enjoy taking in the sweetness of life, and delicious food is certainly one way to do this. Consider — as an alternative to a tasty treat — consuming a little more beauty in your world to put smiles on your mouth instead of putting something in it.
EXERCISE:
How can you discover and consume more beauty from the world around you?
Who are the people and what are the places and things that uplift and sweeten your life?
Eating a scoop of ice cream during this exploration works even better!
Friday Review: Silence
Friday Review: Silence
How often do you experience regular periods of silence? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether or not to say it.”
“When your rage is choking you, it is best to say nothing.”
Ambition is a get-a-head-ache
“Ambition is a get-a-head-ache.”
—Vern McClellan, Author of Wise Words from a Wise Guy
Image from Unsplash by Kyle Glenn
For much of my life, I’ve been pretty ambitious. How about you?
Examine your school years, sports, and even sibling rivalries — how much did you want to get ahead and stay ahead?
Where have your ambitions served you well?
Where have they caused you to stumble and experience pain?
Where is getting ahead of others driving your every action, and where is it driving you crazy?
EXERCISE:
How might you relieve the ache of ambition by focusing on getting ahead of yourself instead of always taking on the world?
The voice of conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it
“The voice of conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it; but it is also so clear that it is impossible to mistake it.”
—Madame de Stael, 19th century French political theorist
Image from Unsplash by Eleonora Francesca Grotto
How old were you when you first saw the Disney movie Pinocchio? How well do you remember the story of the puppet who wanted to be a real boy and all the characters he met along the way?
Today’s quote makes me think of Jiminy Cricket and his catch tune, including the phrase, “Let your conscience be your guide.”
How often are you aware of its delicate voice?
How does your conscience guide your daily efforts and actions?
EXERCISE:
How can you more fully tune into the delicate and unmistakable voice of your conscience?
Where is it guiding you these days?
How will you heed its important messages?
Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own
“Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.”
—Harold Coffin, 20th century humor columnist for the Associated Press
My Dad — Marvin Demp
A week from today will be the second anniversary of my dad’s passing. Not a day goes by without numerous reminders of this wonderful man.
- He would frequently tell me why he felt like the richest man in the world
- His wealth was primarily intrinsic and based on the of love for and from family and friends
- When others were doing well, he always wished them well without a hint of envy
- He understood and embraced the abundance in his life and he was perpetually grateful
EXERCISE:
Where do you feel blessed in your life?
Where may the heavy clouds of envy prevent you from experiencing the many riches within arm’s reach?
How good are you at finding silver linings and blessings in disguise
How good are you at finding silver linings and blessings in disguise?
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by meriç tuna
Most people are familiar with the phrase “Seek and Ye Shall Find.”
Since childhood, playing games like hide and seek, peek-a-boo, and scavenger hunts have been ways to find people and things we consider interesting.
As the years roll by, what we tend to look for narrows. We seek pleasure, amusement, and fun, and we definitely do our best to avoid the distasteful and difficult. Over the years, how have you looked at the ups and downs of life for insights and lessons learned?
EXERCISE:
Where have you been blind to finding the silver linings and blessings that were disguised in some of the challenges you’ve faced?
How might greater reflection about your past and a deeper look at present and future events guide you toward a more fulfilling life?