Tag Archives: change

If you seek ideas go walking

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“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.”

-Raymond Inmon

Image of a man at a wlaking desk

Image from dlvr.it.blog

Has anyone ever told you they get some of their best ideas while taking a shower? It turns out that a change of scenery or venue is often just the ticket to get your creative juices flowing. Even the relatively new phenomenon of using a standing desk versus sitting all day has been touted to produce significant boosts of focus and productivity.

EXERCISE:

What changes can you introduce into your day to shift your perspective and open up new levels of innovation and creativity? Consider taking a walk and letting your angels whisper a few suggestions.

One Can Change the World

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“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”

—Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Activist/youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Image of Malala Yousafzai

Image from mirror.com.uk

At some point in life, we all ask ourselves: What is the meaning of life? Why are we here?

Many of us find great satisfaction and meaning realizing that our lives have purpose, that it is to make a difference, and in some way—big or small—to change the world.

What books have you read recently? What letters, emails, or blog posts have you written?
What child’s life have you impacted or touched in some meaningful way?  How have you taught, mentored, or coached others in your life? How have you benefited from those around you sharing their life lessons?

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways do you intend to change your world or the world in 2017?

Resisting Change

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“One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up instead of what they have to gain.”

-Rick Godwin, Megachurch Pastor

Dice spelling "change"

Image from Flickr by Sebastien Wiertrz

Where are others in your personal or professional worlds experiencing modest, or even significant change?

Take the time to look deeply into their reasoning—on the surface, and at a deeper level.  What negative or undesirable future will come about due to the changes? What do they expect to lose as a result? What feelings and emotions are associated with such thinking? Where would greater understanding and empathy be helpful?

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom would the recognition of the potential impact of change become a first step in looking at what gains may come from the situation?

the winds of change

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“Sometimes in the winds of change we find our true direction.”

⏤Author Unknown

Tornado Image from Flickr by Ignis

Image from Flickr by Ignis

Have you noticed the increase in super-storms in recent years – storms with winds over 150 miles per hour and distinctive forces with serious, sometimes deadly consequences? Following these events we always see the resilience and tenacity of people, rebuilding and renewing their worlds.

The pace of life and the winds of change throughout the world have picked up speed because of social, political, and technological factors. How are you surviving, or better yet, thriving, in these dynamic times?

EXERCISE:

What inner work related to your vision, values, beliefs, and talents will  you do today? How will your internal Gyroscopic Guidance System help you find and continue on your truest path regardless of what storms come your way?

Retirement

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“Should we retire the concept of ‘retirement’?”

—Author Unknown

Sign about retirement

Image from ucsandiegoextension.wordpress.com

Take a look at these definitions and references to the word “retirement”:

  • Removal of something from service or use
  • The act of leaving one’s job, career, or occupation permanently, usually due to age
  • A place of seclusion or privacy

If you are like me, trying on this concept of retirement makes you feel blue, or sad. If, on the other hand, looking forward to withdrawing from an undesirable vocation consumes your current life, you might also be sad.

EXERCISE:

What if there were no such thing as retirement?

What if it was your job, each day from birth to death, to live as fully and richly as possible?

What actions can and will you take today to launch your life to the highest heights, no matter your age?

Museums are the custodians of epiphanies.

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“Museums are the custodians of epiphanies.”

—George Lois, American Art Director and Designer

Image of two people walking in the woods

Image from Flickr by Gavin Clarke

How many of your most creative ideas come when you are working diligently at your desk?

Venturing to new and varied places could help you uncover potential incubators of future insights and epiphanies.

Consider a few ideas for places to get out of your “box” and think differently:

  • Take a long shower
  • Take a walk in nature
  • Meditate
  • Practice rhythmic exercise such as Yoga
  • Take a long, scenic drive
  • Visit a museum

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you shift your perspective by shifting your physical position to enhance your creative capacities?

Feel free to reply to this post with your own epiphany-generating strategies.

The Real Question is not

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“The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before your death.”

—Osho, Mystic Guru and Spiritual Leader

Image of Osho

Image from znanje.org

Over twenty years ago I attended a seminar with almost 200 other people. The session leader posed the question:

Why do most people wake up in the morning?

After the audience provided all the expected responses such as to go to work, or to start the new day, he shared his own thought, which was:

People wake up in the morning because they did not die in their sleep.

When the shock of his answer dissipated from the audience, we began a most interesting and engaging inquiry into what it means to be fully alive. Common aspects of being “fully alive” included traveling, learning, extraordinary relationships, spiritual pursuits, and making a bigger difference in the world.

EXERCISE:

What adjustments and changes are you willing to make in your life to cause you to enthusiastically and energetically bound out of bed each morning?

What one action will you take immediately to build this into a life-changing habit?

Be the flame

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“Be the flame, not the moth.”

—Giacomo Casanova, 18th Century Italian Writer / Adventurer

Image from Lthomason.wordpress.com

Image from Lthomason.wordpress.com

The term Casanova is synonymous with a man who attracts and seduces women, which of course, is not the purpose of today’s post!

My focus is on our attraction—and perhaps a bit of seduction—to and by the thoughts and ideas we come across as we go through our day.

It has become increasingly difficult, in our over-communicative world, to build a fire big enough, lasting long enough, to attract those we wish to engage in our efforts and enterprises.

In my former life as a science teacher, I showed my students how a single flame can change color based on adding chemical elements to the solution in the jar. When copper burns, for example, the flame is green. Sodium turns the flame bright yellow.

EXERCISE:

How can you add your unique elements into your flame to attract even more interest in what you have to offer the world?

Friday Review: Change

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Friday Review: Change

One thing we know for sure: Change is inevitable. Here are a few change-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

QC #1031

 

“If you wanna make the world a better place…” 

 

 

 

QC #1031b

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

 

 

 

QC #1031c

“You can’t start the next chapter if you keep re-reading the last one.” 

 

 

 

 

If You Are Irritated

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“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?”

-Rumi, 13th Century Persian Poet

Image from Flickr by Orbital Joe

Image from Flickr by Orbital Joe

When was the last time you visited a fine jewelry store? Imagine yourself in one, examining all the beautiful diamonds and gem stones.

I am sure that If you were to go back in time to when these stones were pulled form the earth, you wouldn’t recognize them. They would be dull, rough, and unremarkable. It takes considerable rubbing and skilled cutting to bring out their brilliance.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you examine and appreciate the daily rubs of life as experiences and resources to bring about your personal and professional brilliance?