Tag Archives: contributing

When we practice mindfulness, we are learning to be a hero of consciousness

Posted on by
Reply

When we practice mindfulness, we are learning to be a hero of consciousness.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ashley Batz

What come to mind when you think of a hero? For many people, it can involve risking one’s own life to save another. The media loves displaying such acts, and most of us secretly shudder at the thought of actually being in the place of these brave men and women.

What if you could be a hero of consciousness, where the person you were saving was yourself?

How could your own mindfulness practices be a catalyst for bolder and more generous contributions to yourself and others without risking life and limb?

EXERCISE:

Declare yourself a hero of consciousness. Reading this post and the many other actions you take to better yourself in support of others warrants a big pat on the back and a hearty handshake.

How are you living a purposeful life? Playing a supporting role to serve and love others is more than enough.

Posted on by

How are you living a purposeful life? Playing a supporting role to serve and love others is more than enough.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by wocintechchat.com

Without question, living a purposeful life is a high priority for most people.

We all want our lives to matter and contribute in some meaningful way. In our efforts to do so, we often look around at others for examples of making a dent in the universe. Popular media of all types offer examples that for many of us are out of reach—winning gold medals, a Nobel Prize, and solving the world’s most challenging problems are not the only way to leave a legacy.

Today’s quote has us appreciate the everyday acts of service and love we offer our families and communities as being more than enough.

EXERCISE:

Where and how are you playing an important supporting role in the lives of others?

How can you more fully acknowledge your daily acts of love and service as a source of great meaning and purpose?

“Sometimes the most meaningful service is simple, spontaneous, and closer to home.”

Posted on by

“Sometimes the most meaningful service is simple, spontaneous, and closer to home.”

—Jay Shetty, life coach and former Hindu monk

Image from Unsplash by Rémi Walle

The desire to make a difference seems to be a universal calling for most people. The intention to live a meaningful life is a key driver from the moment we wake until it is time to rest.

When we look around at how others live, we tend to focus on the big stuff that seem more like quests and crusades. Having a major impact seems to be what counts or at least get noticed.

It is nice to be reminded that the simple and quiet acts of service are often the most meaningful.

EXERCISE:

Where and how will you contribute to those close to you today?

“If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.”

Posted on by

“If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.”

—Norman Cousins, 20th Century American journalist, professor, and world peace advocate

Image from Unsplash by Tsunami Green

What are your views on the concept of immortality? For many, the idea that death will come to each of us points to the precious gift and importance of living each moment to the fullest.

How we spend our time and who we spend it with is essential to have The Dash between our birth and death have extra meaning and impact.

Regardless of your faith and spiritual perspective on life beyond our physical world, we can all clearly contribute and impact others in our personal and professional communities. To live on in the fruits of others from the seeds we plant may be the primary purpose and reason for our lives.

EXERCISE:

What impact have you had or are you making in the lives of others?

Where are others sprouting strong roots, beautiful flowers, and sweet fruits due to your intentional contributions?

FRIDAY REVIEW: CONTRIBUTING

Posted on by

Friday Review: Contributing

In what ways do you contribute to others? In what ways do others contribute to your life? Here are a few contribution-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Business and life are like a bank account. You can’t take out more than you put in.”

 

 

 

“Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.”

 

 

 

“Good people bring out the good in people.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who needs me on my ‘A Game’ the most right now

Posted on by

“Who needs me on my ‘A Game’ the most right now?”

—Brendon Burchard, High Performance Author

Image of a boy with an A+ paper

Image from verywellfamily

Brendon Burchard is a best-selling author and one of the world’s leading High Performance coaches. His latest book, High Performance Habits, was one of Amazon’s top three best business and leadership books of 2017.

Today’s quote hits home for me personally and professionally. Throughout my life I’ve observed that most everyone desires and is committed to contributing to others. This focus seems to be universally required to live a full and meaningful life.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently operating well below your “A” game and fullest potential?

Who specifically in your world needs you at your very best?

What specific efforts are required to make this level of contribution?

Good People Bring out the Good in People

Posted on by

“Good people bring out the good in people.”

—Author Unknown

The United States prison system holds more incarcerated felons than any other country in the world. Unfortunately, the efforts at rehabilitation have been very poor, with over 70 percent of those released returning to prison.

In the last few weeks, I read a book titled A Second Chance by Catherine Hoke. In her remarkable Defy Ventures programs, some of the most violent criminals are given a second chance to lead productive, contributory lives by discovering their “generous hustle.”

Ninety-five percent of those who graduate from this program never return to prison, because the good in many people, like Catherine, brought out the good in them.

EXERCISE:

Where do you or others deserve a second chance to rise above and beyond mistakes of the past? Where can the good in you and others bring out the very best in one another?

Absorb What is Useful

Posted on by

“Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.”

—Bruce Lee, 20th Century American Actor & Martial Artist

Image of a man capturing an idea in a net

Image from TED Ideas

Are you an artist, writer, or creator of some other form of content? If so, be prepared to be ripped off, pick-pocketed, and have your work stolen.

Unless you have been hiding your work under a rock or inside a mattress, you have shared it with others. If it is remarkable, or even just good, others will take it for themselves and hopefully build on it.

Protectionism, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents have their place. But with the world of increasing transparency and information just a click away, it won’t be long before someone reverse engineers or tweaks your ideas and makes them their own for a minute or two.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you absorb what is useful, discard what is not, and add your own unique ideas to contribute to and stand on the shoulder of those who came before you?

How might you coach and mentor others coming up the ranks, to more intentionally support their development and contribution?

Life is a bank account

Posted on by

“Business and life are like a bank account. You can’t take out more than you put in.”

—William Feather, 20th Century American Writer and Publisher

image of a piggy bank with a gas meter on it

Image from Stevemgus.com

When you were little did you have a piggy bank in which to save for that special something you desired? Did you have chores or another way of investing efforts to earn more and add more to your small fortune?

When I entered school we were all encouraged to start a savings account. We would grow our tidy sums with the promise of a bonus—called “interest”—that would add even more.

Today, most of us contribute to our IRAs, 401Ks, and other investment vehicles, in order to grow our net worth and provide the financial security and independence we all desire.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you invest your personal and professional efforts to reap the compounded interest of a life focused on giving and contributing to others?