Relationship are all there is

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“Relationship are all there is. Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else.”

—Margaret Wheatley, American writer, teacher, speaker, and management consultant

Image from Unsplash by Greg Rakozy

Margaret Wheatley’s work focuses on creating organizations and communities “worthy of human habitation” by drawing from various disciplines including organizational behavior, chaos theory, living systems science, and ancient spiritual traditions.

In recent years, she has been discussing civilization collapse and encouraging people to become “spiritual warriors” in response to current challenges.

EXERCISE:

How can and will you become a spiritual warrior along with Margaret Wheatley, to foster healthier and happier relationships in your various communities?

Where and when is it time to walk away from things not meant for you?

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Where and when is it time to walk away from things not meant for you?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Kelli McClintock

When we’re young it seems like we have all the time in the world to do whatever we like. Wasting time was clearly for the older set and their efforts to be responsible and productive.

As we age, it appears that many of us get the message, and we begin examining how we spend our precious time becomes a much higher priority.

Just as you would not continue eating a buffet item you didn’t care for, walking — or even running — away from people and things that don’t suit your tastes seems a wise choice to feed and fuel us moving forward.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal and professional life would it be wise to stop engaging with people and pursuits clearly not meant for you?

Friday Review: Generosity

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Friday Review: Generosity

How can and will you demonstrate a generous spirit over the coming months? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

Every little bit helps.

 

 

 

“Happiness is like jam. You can’t spread even a little without getting some on yourself.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Live Simply, Love Generously, Speak Truthfully, Breathe Deeply, Do Your Best. Leave everything else to the powers above you.”

 

 

 

 

I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.

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“I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.”

—Ronald Regan, 40th President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Debby Hudson

How often do you take the time to listen to your heart?

Today’s quote seems very timely due to the state of our country and the world.

How do we know what’s right when we make important decisions as members of our families, communities, or our nation?

How can and will we add our own heart’s message to the important decisions that affect us all?

EXERCISE:

How do you and can you contribute your own bit of good to the world and honor the worth of each and every life?

The river never drinks its own water. The tree never tastes its own fruit.

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“The river never drinks its own water. The tree never tastes its own fruit. The field never consumes its own harvest. They selflessly strive for the well-being of all those around them.”

—Margaret Wheatley, American writer, speaker, and management consultant

Image from Unsplash by Wonderland

When we reflect on the complexities of our world it’s easy to see that most of it is man’s doing.

Who hasn’t considered the meaning of their life from time to time?

When we strip away all the chaos and delve into the natural world, our burdens become lighter and our visions become clearer.

Maybe life is simply about finding ways to serve and support others and the world.

When we do, everyone wins.

EXERCISE:

To what degree do you focus your daily efforts on serving others?

What would the world be like if we all made this our top priority?

There is no power for change greater than

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“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”

—Margaret Wheatley, American writer, speaker, and management consultant

Image from Unsplash by Chase Clark

About three and a half years ago we moved from our home in SE Michigan to be closer to our family in and around Philadelphia. Although we moved a few times related to my career in prior years, this move was the most challenging.

After more than 30 years in the same location, moving required more than a bit of uprooting.

We were no longer young with boundless energy, and the release of so much history and “stuff” were daunting and liberating at the same time.

EXERCISE:

What issues and communities do you care about deeply?

How have you and can you embrace these commitments to help make the necessary changes to live an even more meaningful and wonderful life?

What are your unique qualities and how do you honor them?

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What are your unique qualities and how do you honor them?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by freestocks

To what degree are you your own worst critic?

How often do you drone on to yourself and others and see yourself as inadequate?

In what areas are you simply not (fill in the blank) enough to meet your own standards or the bar set for you by the world?

Although this kind of thinking can sometimes spur us on toward greater achievements, it most often keeps us small and causes us to hide, limiting ourselves and the contributions we could make.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people that know you best? Ask them to share and acknowledge your most unique and positive qualities.

How can and will you embrace and honor those qualities and lower the volume on your inner critic?

Three books that can help you honor your unique qualities are:
Taming Your Gremlin by Rick Carson
Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Don Clifton PhD
Originals by Adam Grant

 

Friday Review: Failure

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FRIDAY REVIEW: FAILURE

How do you define and react to failure? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”

 

 

 

 

“If you call failures experiments, you can put them on your resume and claim them as achievements.”

 

 

 

 

“Don’t think of it as failure. Think of it as time-released success.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way

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“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”

—Edward deBono, 20th Century Maltese physician and commentator

Image from Unsplash by Vedrana Filipović

The other day, I was walking with a neighbor who also loves to cook.

In our discussion, I learned that his career is that of a food chemist, and that he often uses varied approaches to make his meals — especially his desserts.

Although there are many times it is appropriate to follow specific recipes to the letter, he was particularly animated when our conversation took a turn toward adjusting one’s approach — particularly when certain ingredients are not available.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you think and operate outside your cookbook of success to whip up some new and creative recipes to spice up your life?

“Exercise may be the single most potent medical intervention ever known.”

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“Exercise may be the single most potent medical intervention ever known.”

—Derek Thompson, in an interview with Euan Ashley

Image from Unsplash by Carl Barcelo

As with all medical advice, you may want to consult your physician before reading further.

Today’s quote is based on an interview between Euan Ashley, a professor of cardiovascular medicine, genetics and data science at Stanford University, and Derek Thompson.

Beyond the many listed benefits of exercise, perhaps the boldest statement from their discussion was “One minute of exercise buys you five minutes of extra life.”

Under this assumption, doing one hour of exercise, four days a week for forty years would buy someone four years and nine months of extra life.

The data for this calculation is based on a population of more than half a million people who were followed over ten years.

People who exercised at higher intensity were shown to get seven or eight minutes of extra life.

EXERCISE:

How would adding more exercise to your daily routine improve how you look, feel, and live?

What would you have the time to do with the extra years you gain?