We can take a wonderful vacation in spirit, even though

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Barry

“We can take a wonderful vacation in spirit, even though we are obliged to stay at home, if we will only drop our burdens from our minds for a while.”

—Laura Ingalls Wilder, late author of Little House on the Prairie

Image from Unsplash by S’well

Taking a vacation usually means heading out on the open road and going someplace new.

There is almost always a good deal of anticipation and excitement during these times, and who doesn’t need a break from the routine trials and tribulations of everyday life?

How many days a year do you get or give yourself for actual vacations?

To what degree is it never enough before you have to return to the usual, ordinary grind?

When we go on vacations there is usually a shift in our mindset and attitude. Why is it that we wait for only a few weeks a year to give ourself permission to drop our burdens of the mind?

EXERCISE:

How could you introduce vacations of spirt into many more of your days?

How would doing so lighten your load and free your mind to lead a more richly rewarding life?

I’ve got some advice for the young

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Barry

“I’ve got some advice for the young. If you’ve got anything you really want to do, don’t wait until you’re 93.”

—Charlie Munger, late philanthropist and Vice-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway

Image from Amazon

My wife and I are snowbirds, spending around three months of the year in Florida. In our community there, we are members of various clubs and engage in numerous activities to keep that youthful pep in our steps.

A few weeks ago, we took a day trip to Fort Myers with about 35 other seniors.

Along with the 2½ hour bus ride, our excursion included a delicious buffet lunch and a fantastic production of the Carole King musical, Beautiful.

Although many of our bus mates were moving a bit slower than in years past, they clearly weren’t waiting to seek and find more beautiful things about life.

EXERCISE:

Regardless of your age, where in your life are you waiting for “some day” to do the things you want?

As Sam Horn’s book title declares: Someday is Not a Day of the Week.

We must all suffer one of two things

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Barry

“We must all suffer one of two things: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment.”

—Jim Rohn, late American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Who hasn’t heard the expression, No pain, No gain?

Regarding the things we must suffer, discipline seems like the wise choice.

Where in your life — or in your observations of others — has good old hard work proven successful in the achievement of a worthy goal?

Embrace and celebrate the pride and satisfaction associated with the grit it took to prove you had the right stuff.

Alternatively, where have you and others taken the easy way out and skated by with only minimal effort?

How much regret and disappointment lingers even now for not giving things your all?

EXERCISE:

Where in your life can and will you embrace the pain associated with discipline to realize far more of your fullest potential?

Maintaining healthy boundaries is integral to your well-being

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Barry

Maintaining healthy boundaries is integral to your well-being. Be aware of where others end and where you begin.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Drew Hays

Where and when in your world do other people cross the line and encroach on your personal boundaries?

Most of us are familiar with the feeling when our physical space is entered and others are getting too close for comfort. In these cases, moving away and creating more distance usually does the trick.

What other situations do you face where people and things intrude in your world?

Consider your five senses as your “canary in a coal mine,” where various sights, sounds, sensations, smells — and even tastes — can come into play without your full awareness.

EXERCISE:

Conduct a sensory inventory of your environment.

Who are the people and what are the things that diminish your well-being?

What actions can and will you take to keep everything and everyone at a healthy distance?

Friday Review: Observation

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Barry

Friday Review: Observation

How strong are your powers of observation? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.”

“Notice if you are watching what is happening or if you are a part of it.”

“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.”

I think about decision in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Barry

“I think about decision in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos.”

—James Clear, author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

I first learned about today’s quote from a fellow blogger named Stephen St. Amant, whose work at savenwood.com is brilliant! I highly recommend adding his blog to your list of daily reading.

James’ post reads:

“I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos:

Most decisions are like hats. Try one and if you don’t like it, put it back and try another. The cost of a mistake is low, so move quickly and try a bunch of hats.

Some decisions are like haircuts. You can fix a bad one, but it won’t be quick and you might feel foolish for a while. That said, don’t be scared of a bad haircut. Trying something new is usually a risk worth taking. If it doesn’t work out, by this time next year you will have moved on and so will everyone else.

A few decisions are like tattoos. Once you make them, you have to live with them. Some mistakes are irreversible. Maybe you’ll move on for a moment, but then you’ll glance in the mirror and be reminded of that choice all over again. Even years later, the decision leaves a mark. When you’re dealing with an irreversible choice, move slowly and think carefully.”

EXERCISE:

What is the right amount of time and energy to allocate to your hat, haircut, and tattoo decisions?

Where are you acting too slowly or too quickly given the potential down side of being wrong?

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Barry

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”

—William S. Burroughs, 20th Century American writer and visual artist

Image from Unsplash by Drew Coffman

Many people treat life decisions like a game show.

When posed with a critical question, they feel that they must buzz in with an immediate answer. If these answers aren’t instantly available, they often give up and move on to some easier ones.

Rarely does operating this way result in any significant insight or growth.

Taking our time and patiently wrestling with our more challenging issues is a proven method of building our mental muscles and resilience.

EXERCISE:

Where would a more relaxed and patient approach to life’s questions offer you more and better answers to the significant issues facing you?

Tend to the small things. More people are defeated by blisters than mountains

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Barry

“Tend to the small things. More people are defeated by blisters than mountains.”

—Kevin Kelly, Founding Executive of Wired magazine

Image from Unsplash by Alexander Grey

How often do you make mountains out of molehills?

Where do you tend to overreact or exaggerate the severity of a situation and get stopped in your tracks?

Obstacles in life are as predictable as taking our next breath. Unfortunately, many occur like an elephant sitting on our chest and we panic before we can take our next step.

How would a more measured and objective view of your current challenges help you step over and climb the hurdles facing you?

Remember: All mountain climbers experience blisters.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world are you making mountains out of molehills?

What small things can and will you tend to today to get over these humps?