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Posts from the ‘Relationships’ Category

Sep 13

Balance

“Our goal while on this earth is to transcend our illusions and discover the innate power of our spirit. We are responsible for what we create, and we must therefore learn to act and think with love and wisdom and to live in service to others and all of life.” – Caroline Myss, PhD, Anatomy of the Spirit

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” - Thomas Merton

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” – Thomas Merton

We live the illusion that we will achieve balance “someday” when our circumstances change. True balance is achieved from within, despite the chaos around us.

The world will never be balanced. Be grounded and anchored in defining your own view, insulating yourself from the world view.

What we let in and what we give out will define the quality of our life and our contribution to the world.

Sep 10

Measure Up

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddha

We will measured by what we give away, not by what we take. Give your time, talents, attention, support, patience, understanding, encouragement, laughter, forgiveness, compassion, love, yourself to a world that often doesn’t deserve it.

Spend each day giving without measure and your life will be beyond measure. Each day in those little moments that make up your life, cast light.

Sep 9

2 Comments

Before Thought

“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous – not just to some people in some circumstances – but to everyone all the time.”  – Thomas J. Watson

It happens to all of us and we do it as well – not getting invited or invited last minute, passed by or over, going unnoticed. We need to have more “before thoughts” so we don’t make others an “after thought.” Self pity is an ugly shirt, so remember the lessons and not how we learn them. Be considerate and treat others as you want to be treated, even if you are not treated that way, simply because it’s right.

In a world that teaches the opposite, put others first, get outside of yourself, initiate and include others. Give without keeping a scorecard, expecting nothing in return. Be considerate on purpose.

Sep 5

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Bear Fruit

“The entire fruit is already present in the seed.” – Tertullian

“Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes.” - Carl Friedrich Gauss

“Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes.” – Carl Friedrich Gauss

Early Fall brings the gift of Jeanne’s labor when she generously shares fresh tomatoes from her garden, sweeter than candy. Reminding me that our life’s purpose is to bear fruit by sharing our gifts, by adding bold flavor, by lighting up a room, by planting seeds of hope. To leave more behind than what we were given. To multiply our gifts by giving them away.

Our fruit – gentleness, compassion, patience, generosity, civility, peace. In a word, love. Bear fruit.

Aug 19

4 Comments

Sow

“Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

What will you sow in your “garden” (work, home, family, friends) this week? It’s natural to focus on the harvest (the end) instead of the daily work of sowing. Our lives are truly rich when we sow (give) without regard for the reward. The harvest comes naturally because the work has been done. Plant your best self.

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.” – Thomas Merton

Aug 11

5 Comments

Carry On Luggage Only

“Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions.” – Gerald Jampolsky

Never underestimate the weight of carrying the past on your journey – grudges, offenses, irritations, unforgiveness, omissions, regrets. All of the conversations replayed, gossip we participated in, words unsaid and disagreements get heavier the longer we carry them. Our pace is slowed and the scenery is clouded.

So, don’t check any bags. Travel light, carry on luggage only and enjoy your flight.

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

Jul 30

Stick

“The end is nothing; the road is all.” – Willa Cather

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”- Edith Wharton

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”- Edith Wharton

As we go through the challenges of life – ours and others, stick. There may never be words adequate to comfort completely, but sticking around is enough. We are put into each others’ lives for a reason. And when someone tells you to go, stay. When you want to run, stop.

Stick and walk them through it, if only to hold a hand. Never underestimate your power to make a positive impact. We are really grown up when we realize it’s not all about us. If we can say at the end of our journey that we helped others on their journey, we will have lived well. Today, ask someone how they are doing and pause long enough for the real answer. Stick.

Jul 26

2 Comments

Whisper

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.” – Thomas Carlyle

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation's mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” - Charles Dickens

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation’s mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” – Charles Dickens

Be quiet long enough to hear yourself and listen to others. Leave your opinions, judgement and criticism by the wayside. Like a gentle breeze through fragile flowers, whisper.

Jul 24

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A Good Day

“What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.”
– Leo Buscaglia

While I enjoy traveling, the ingredients that make up a good day don’t require getting on a plane. The recipe: hanging out at home with the girls, sleeping in without an alarm (except for several kisses on the forehead from Lily and Molly’s nose in my face at 5:30 am), no schedule, no meetings, no email, reading, going out for a long run that’s not rushed, taking a nap (I’ve been up since 5:30 am), a quiet walk at the end of the day.

With the limited number and the distance between vacations, we need to “work” in the good days, good hours, good moments throughout the week. What makes a good day for you? Create your checklist and start checking. And while creating those moments, always remember that we have the power to give “good day” moments to others as well – with a smile, a hug, a kind word.

Your good days are now. Don’t let them pass you by.

“I expect to pass through life but once.  If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” – William Penn

Jul 12

3 Comments

Illuminate

“As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.”
– Marianne Williamson

Casting light is a choice. And if it were an easy one, everyone would do it. Even when we make a conscious decision to do it, we don’t do it consistently. Despite our best efforts, we let “little” things get to us.

Rest, restore, find your release valve (running for me) to re-energize. Find activities and people who recharge you. And while encouragement from others is important, illuminating our best must ultimately originate from within to be sustainable.

Circumstances out of our control, unreasonable demands we put on ourselves and the cynicism of others can wear us down. Never give in. Don’t become that which you despise. Own your outlook, own your life. Do more than shine but for a moment, illuminate!

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