reflect on
this
can you gaze
in the mirror where
you will find
yourself
gazing into
yourself
with
kindness
yes
you can
Viewing entries in
"emotion"
A quick series of posts on the 5 things that are "DONT'S" in life, in descending order. I know this for a fact. Let's just leave it at that.
1. Failure to Dream Your Dream.
At the heart of our life is the passion we carry for life itself - our dreams. Too often we get busy doing and don't take the time to be - to believe in ourselves and what is important to us. Who or what cause is of core importance to you? What are your forgotten passions?
Penitence for this loss of dreaming is as follows. Remember that time when you tingled with lie and joy? Write it down right now. Capture in words on paper that moment of life and promise yourself you will find it again. Then, complete this little exercise by sharing that moment with someone else (maybe even here in the comments).
A quick series of posts on the 5 things that are "DONT'S" in life, in descending order. I know this for a fact. Let's just leave it at that.
2. Resting the Body and Mind too Seldom.
Studies tell us that we need sleep. For some of us we need 6-8 hours each day of restful, safe sleep. We neglect our body and mind's need for down time and push, push through life consuming artifical stimulants and frantically engaging digital prompts - and along the way we get too tired. We shut down the more creative and liberating moments of ourselves.
Penitence for this overworking of your mind and body is as follows. Shut everything off an hour early tonight. Drink a cup of warm tea and then get your tired body in a dark comfortable bed and sleep. Do it and come back here for more tomorrow.
A quick series of posts on the 5 things that are "DONT'S" in life, in descending order. I know this for a fact. Let's just leave it at that.
3. Speaking too Few Kind Words.
Our criticisms and curses are ready to leap from our mouths when given a pause in the conversation. We whine about people, places and things - effortlessly. How often do we speak kindness into our places of work, family or recreation? From a simple 'thank you' to a sincere compliment - our words have great life giving power to others.
Penitence for this lack of kind speech is as follows. Right now, walk up to the nearest person and give them a compliment. Do it now and come back here for more tomorrow.
A quick series of posts on the 5 things that are "DONT'S" in life, in descending order. I know this for a fact. Let's just leave it at that.
4. Listening too Casually.
Did you really hear what was said today? To listen, unrestricted, to the words, tone, and emotions of someones' speech is a profound gift and the only real way to connect. Did you hear the world around you today? The sound of the wind or the buzz of the crowd signals us that we are alive. Listen to the rhythm of your workplace. What is it telling you?
Penitence for this deafness to life is as follows. Close your eyes and listen until you can identify 10 different sounds around you. Do it now and come back here for more tomorrow.
A quick series of posts on the 5 things that are "DONT'S" in life, in descending order. I know this for a fact. Let's just leave it at that.
5. Playing too Little.
Face it. We don't play enough. We laugh too seldom, run too little, jump over curbs and duck under branches way too infrequently. We need play to be fully alive.
Penitence for this lack of FUN is as follows. Call a friend and make a funny sound over the phone. Yes, THAT sound. Do it and then come back here for more tomorrow.
5. Playing too Little.
Face it. We don't play enough. We laugh too seldom, run too little, jump over curbs and duck under branches way too infrequently. We need play to be fully alive.
Penitence for this lack of FUN is as follows. Call a friend and make a funny sound over the phone. Yes, THAT sound. Do it and then come back here for more tomorrow.
When the wind blows in from the sea you can hear
the crackle of palm fronds
breaking free from the heat
the hiss of sea oats
bowing defiantly inland
the whisper of sand
celebrating its lofty release from gravity
the sputter of foam
cascading skyward cut from wave caps
the chimes of delicate shells
dancing across dunes
When the wind blows in from the sea you can hear
the prayers of ancient mariners
reaching home
Image used by Permission
I’ve been told it takes 21 days to start a habit. Do the same thing for 21 consecutive days and you will soon be ‘in the habit.’ I’m not sure it takes me 21 days.
I go to a new restaurant and have great menu item. Boom! I’m hooked. I will likely return to that same restaurant and order that same item – for the rest of my life. I am a creature of habit. I follow daily routines and patterns. Most of us do. We brush our teeth – habitually. We bathe and exercise – habitually. We drive certain routes to work, school, and recreation – habitually. We shop at the same grocery stores and even follow the same path through the isles – habitually. Yet, here is the interesting thing.
Most of us have habits of one form or another because they work for us. We get what we want out of those habits – but how often do we evaluate our habits to determine if there is another, even better way, to accomplish our goals? Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson, is one of my favorite books is about learning to deal with change as it interrupts (read demolishes) routine.
Habits bring order and in some measure comfort to our life. To a greater or lesser degree we all depend on the predictability of routine. Yet, we all need change, interruptions in the expected to continue to learn and grow.
Do habits, routine and daily discipline make up a large portion of your life? Do you get energized by a successfully executed routine or by the surprise of novelty?
Yoda said it this way, “There is no try. Only do or do not.”
Nike said, “Just Do It!”
The word is out, and yet we too often keep using it. My days are busy rushing to get things done, and someone asks me to do one more thing. Instinctively, I hedge my commitment with, “I’ll try.” A colleague offers a valid improvement in my technique and suggests that I make a change. Hesitantly I agree, “O.K. I’ll try.”
The difference e between saying “try” and “do” may seem subtle, but it is powerful.
Find a pencil or pen right now.
Yes. Really. Go find one.
Set the pencil on the table in front of you. Now ‘try’ and pick it up. Fact is, either you did it, or you didn’t. Yoda is right. There is no try. Try is something we are not committed to doing.
My suggestion for today is that we stop saying ‘try’ and make the commitment to do things we need to do, or simply want to do. Proclaiming “I’ll do it” may lead us to failure, but failure is the friction that makes success possible – and that is another post…
Do It!
Follow Your Heart's Desire...
How often do we here these words "Follow your dream?" I have heard it said that dreams, passion, desires... are the fuel that move us through life and, in fact, give life value and purpose.
How do your dreams affect your living? What dream do you follow? Have you captured your passion? Have you ever sold your dream for practical living?
*image used by permission http://www.everystockphoto.com/
*image used by permission http://www.everystockphoto.com/