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Posts tagged ‘Daily Life’

Jan 13

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Weeds and Seeds

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” - Lao Tzu

“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu

In life’s garden, there are weeds and flowers. We can be overtaken by the weeds, those daily irritations, small minds and minor inconveniences. Pull weeds every day and plant seeds in their place, and sow twice as many seeds to hinder the weeds return.

What weeds will you pull and what seeds will you sow?

Weed varieties: complaining, gossip, pettiness, jealousy, entitlement, negativity, unforgiveness. PULL THEM.

Seeds varieties: encouragement, laughter, hope, enthusiasm, fun, gratitude, joy, patience, grace, generosity, compassion, service, faith, optimism. SOW THEM.

Grey doesn’t look good on you. Go color the world.

Jan 11

14 Comments

Character Development

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

Well this week has certainly developed my character. Some moments, days, weeks, people challenge us more than others. And most of the frustration is seeded in the trivial, in losing perspective of what’s important. We miss the mark, come in below the bar. The only conclusion I can come to is to keep moving, trying, rising more than we fall, never giving up.

“When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’ ” – Author Unknown

One more time.

Jan 8

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Right Here, Right Now

As I passed by my refrigerator filled with pictures, quotes and a few favorite prayers, I stopped and this one popped out at me. I read it, really read it, and smiled deeply. Simple, yet profound. My favorite kind of thing.

“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.” – Saint Theresa’s prayer

Right here, right now for each one of us as we struggle, stumble, sing and dance, we are where we are meant to be. Take in the moment. Be present. Find peace in the day, in little things. Be peace, the gift we all need.

Jan 6

7 Comments

Words Count

“Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” – Miguel Angel Ruiz

“Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” - Napoleon Hill

“Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” – Napoleon Hill

One of my resolutions is to stop complaining, which is rooted in negative thoughts. Listen closely to your words and thoughts. You will be surprised by what you say and think, especially about little things. Actions count. Words count. Use both of them well and with love.

Jan 5

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Keep Pulling

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

One week into the new year, keep the resolve in your resolutions, the promises to yourself. While I wasn’t a 100% successful in each resolution this week, I did well in some areas and there’s more work to do in other areas.

Day in, day out, shifting, readjusting, getting back up. Each day we keep promises to ourselves and others, we form habits and new mindsets. So instead of pushing, we are pulled by the habits that we build through repetition and consistency. True fulfillment is found in the work to achieve the goal, not in finding a shortcut. Create the pull every day, a step at a time.

“Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dec 28

5 Comments

Blessings Abound

“The unthankful heart… discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!” – Henry Ward Beecher

Before making your list of resolutions for the new year, pause for a moment and recognize your blessings. As I was reflecting on this year, the first things that came to mind was the tree dropping on my fence and the three months of clean up, my car dying and the final “fiscal cliff” of Molly’s surgery. But in all of those experiences, there were blessings abound.

If we look with new eyes, the goodness of each day far exceeds the challenges. The grace and fortitude to get through the tough times is a tremendous blessing. So before I jump forward into 2013, I am looking back with thankfulness and gratitude for family and friends who have touched my life in so many ways. I am reminded each day of the importance of kindness, the generosity in a smile and the gift of simple acknowledgement.

The most important resolution you can make is to love your life every day, with all its quirks, challenges and chaos. Happy old year and happy new year!

Dec 25

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Christmas, The Sequel

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – John Milton

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” - Joseph Campbell

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” – Joseph Campbell

The story of Christmas need not end today. Christmas shows us the very best in us, our capacity for generosity, kindness and love. Carry the spirit forward into each day. And the good news is that we are not alone in the sequel. Joy is found in the name, Emmanuel – God is with us.

“Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.”  – Isaiah 7:14

Merry Christmas, today, tomorrow and the next…

Dec 20

2 Comments

At Peace

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” - Dr. Seuss

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

Seek, commit and work for real peace, starting with you. The world will have peace when we create it first in our heart and home. A kind word, the gift of forgiveness, an unselfish act. Be at peace and offer it to others without condition, actively and on purpose.

Search, find and accept peace this season and each day of the new year. Peace be with you and peace start with you. Be at peace.

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Dec 17

10 Comments

Winter Solstice

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” – Anton Chekhov

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” - Albert Camus

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

Winter solstice reminds us that all of our days are short. Choose your thoughts, words and actions with careful consideration and careless generosity.

Each day, there are people who need our kindness, compassion, attention, patience and understanding. Without judgment, measurement or reserve, give yourself away to make each moment better, filled with joy and delight.

Shine your light bright through every season.  Our love is depleted when we don’t give it away. The more you give away, the more will return to you.

 

“Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.” – Bill Morgan, Jr.

Dec 11

25 Comments

What’s in a Name?

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” – Henry James

When I was traveling last week, I noticed something different right away as I approached the gate to get on the plane. The gate agent was smiling and as she scanned each ticket, she welcomed each passenger by name. You could see each person’s demeanor change as she recognized each individually. Some days, it’s easy to feel like a number, a transaction. But she gave the gift of undivided attention, choosing relationship over transaction.

When I got in the cab in Austin, I sat silent for a moment and then chose to start a conversation with the driver. It started with the weather and the local economy and then moved to how proud he was of his family, in particular his grandson who calls him G-pop. A simple encounter, a short conversation, a few moments.

We have a choice to check out or check in to these moments, to be more human, more alive. To be called by name and do the same in return. To see and be seen. What’s in a name? So much more than you know.

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