“I’m hungry to find people who are hungry.”

“I’m hungry to find people who are hungry.”

Michael Bungay Stainer, author of The Coaching Habit

Image from Unsplash by Maddi Bazzocco

Going out to eat is a primary pastime during our winter months in Florida.

My preference is to experiment with a wide variety of restaurants and types of food to keep things interesting.

One of my favorite places to go for lunch is an Asian buffet called Chow Time.

Our good friend Mitch has a robust appetite for both food and stimulating conversation. It’s nice to have our hunger satisfied beyond the many items being served over the numerous hours we spend in each other’s company!

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life that feed your mind and nourish your soul?

How can you spend more time with these special people — perhaps over a delicious meal?

Friday Review: Sharing

Friday Review: Sharing

How open are you to sharing your life, your possessions, your wisdom, and your pain? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Leave a little behind.”

 

 

 

 

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

 

 

 

 

“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”

 

 

 

 

 

“You can attract luck simply by sharing your work publicly.”

“You can attract luck simply by sharing your work publicly.”

—James Clear, author, entrepreneur, and photographer

Image from Unsplash by Phil Hearing

Who are some of the luckiest people you know? What do they do for a living? How did you happen to learn about their work? Where and when did you observe a public appearance of their level of skill and mastery?

Where else do you see a correlation between perceived luck and the willingness of people to offer their work, art, music, and physical capabilities on a public stage?

How lucky have you been in your personal and professional communities? To what degree have you gotten up to bat and swung away, over and over, until some of your strike-outs became hits, and even a few home runs?

EXERCISE:

Where is it time to come out of the shadows to share your work publicly and increase your luck?

“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?

Friday Review: Sharing

FRIDAY REVIEW: SHARING

How often do you share what you have and what you know? Here are a few sharing-related posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the full message.

 

“Leave a little behind.”

 

 

 

 

“All who joy would win must share it. Happiness was born a twin.”

 

 

 

“A friend is a loved one who awakens your life in order to free the wild possibilities within you.”

 

 

 

Your Story Could Be The Key

“Your story could be the key that unlocks some else’s prison. Don’t be afraid to share it.”

—Author Unknown

Image of an open book

How many of the following roles do you currently play in your personal or professional life?

•  Parent                      •  Teacher                  •  Coach                 •  Trainer
•  Mentor                     •  Advisor                   •  Consultant           •  Role Model
•  Spiritual Guide          • Trusted Friend          •  Subject Matter Expert

If you selected several, you must have a considerable amount of life experience to share with family, friends, and colleagues who may be experiencing various setbacks and challenges.

EXERCISE:

Although I frequently encourage a “coach approach” to facilitate the internal learning capacity of those around us, please take the wisdom of today’s quote and note when it is time to share your stories and experiences generously as a contribution to those in need.

“A Teacher Affects…”

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

—Henry Brooks Adams, American historian and member of the Adams political family

Photo from Flickr by Anne Adrian

Photo from Flickr by Anne Adrian

Among the core values explored and discussed with my clients is their fundamental desire and passion to contribute to the lives of others.

When we examine the wide variety of roles each of them play in their professional and personal worlds, the opportunities seem limitless.

Who are the teachers, mentors, coaches, and other life supporters who have made the biggest difference in your life? Where have you noticed yourself “paying forward” valuable lessons to those whom you care about?

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom can you share your knowledge, wisdom, and life lessons to influence the lives of others, and more fully realize your unique contribution to eternity?

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

— W. Clement Stone, businessman, philanthropist and self-help book author

Photo from Flickr by Alan Levine

Photo from Flickr by Alan Levine

This is perhaps the most appropriate Thanksgiving quote of all time. It conveys the two fundamental ideas for this great American holiday, and this time of year.

“Thanks” is a simple word expressing gratitude for all our blessings.

“Giving” expresses love and genuine caring, which always comes back to us two-fold, and gives us even more reason for gratitude.

EXERCISE:

Take a moment today to explore exactly what Thanksgiving means to you, and feel free to share your thoughts. I’d be very thankful if you do!

“All who joy would win must share it. Happiness was born a twin.”

“All who joy would win must share it. Happiness was born a twin.”

– Lord Byron, English poet566Image from Flickr by Freddycat1.

Take a trip down memory lane with the following list of famous pairs:

  • The Lone Ranger and Tonto
  • Batman and Robin
  • Lucy and Desi
  • Barbie and Ken
  • Sonny and Cher
  • Bert and Ernie
  • Holmes and Watson
  • Mork and Mindy
  • William and Kate
  • Bruce Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
  • Mickey and Minnie
  • Abbot and Costello
  • Adam and Eve
  • Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
  • Charlie Brown and Snoopy
  • Jack and Jill
  • Kermit and Miss Piggy
  • Lennon and McCartney
  • Tarzan and Jane
  • Tom and Jerry

Exercise:

Consider those people who you pair up nicely with, to more fully experience happiness and joy in your professional and personal life.

“Leave a little behind.”

“Leave a little behind.”

—Dr. Cornel West, philosopher and academic

Image from Unsplash by Elaine Casap

Over the Thanksgiving and holiday season, it is common to bring a dish to share if you are invited to someone’s home. This custom of sharing our food is practiced in many cultures and provides for greater connection and community.

Leaving a little bit of the dish with the host is customary, if it’s not all consumed over the course of the meal.

Exercise:

In what other areas of life is the idea of “leaving a little behind” not only an act of generosity but a way of creating a small legacy for those you care for and serve?

Please consider replying to me with any thoughts you may have on the subject.