Tag Archives: contributing

The world is our host

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“The world is our host. What gift do you bring upon your arrival?”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Marcel Fagin

New babies are a gift to the world.

The miracle of their birth is a chance to celebrate with family and friends and each new aspect of growth and development is a joy to behold.

The workload of raising children can sometimes become heavy, and our initial delight can shift to feel like a burden rather than a gift.

It’s in these times we need to be more patient and look extra hard for what lies below the surface.

As our little ones grow, we grow with them and our collective contribution to the world beyond can benefit our communities in wondrous ways.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways have you touched the lives of children over the years?

How else has your own life been a gift to the world?

Be a gardener and plant seeds of kindness and service. 

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“Be a gardener and plant seeds of kindness and service. Take an ECO versus EGO approach to life and watch things bloom.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Mei-Ling Mirow

Over the years, I’ve been a big fan of the National Geographic show Life Below Zero. The show has become so popular that in recent years it has evolved in a few new spin offs.

With the harsh weather and limited growing season, profiled residents have invested considerable time building greenhouses to grow their own food. Doing this protects the seeds and delicate young plants, and extends the growing season by about a month — resulting in a far more abundant harvest.

EXERCISE:

Where do you plant seeds of kindness and service in your world?

How have these ECO efforts enriched your life and contributed to your communities?

Friday Review: Contributing

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Friday Review: Contributing

In what ways do you contribute to others? In what ways do others contribute to your life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“If you can’t pay it back, pay it forward.”

 

 

 

 

“Business and life are like a bank account. You can’t take out more than you put in.”

 

 

 

“Sometimes the most meaningful service is simple, spontaneous, and closer to home.”

 

 

 

 

“If you can’t pay it back, pay it forward.”

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“If you can’t pay it back, pay it forward.”

—Catherine Ryan Hyde, American novelist and short story writer

Image from Unsplash by Ekaterina Shakharova

Who are the people who have invested the most in you over the years?

How did they spend their time, energy, and resources to help you become the person you are today?

In what ways did you repay them for their invaluable contributions?

When I examine my own list, I sometime feel unsettled.

A good number of my teachers, mentors, advisors, and family members are no longer with us. Simply sending my prayers and feelings of gratitude into the domain of spirit doesn’t seem to be enough.

Upon deeper review, I realized that these special individuals probably never expected anything in return. They would probably be very pleased to see me paying many of their lessons forward to others in my communities.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom would a pay it forward strategy help you balance the ledger of your life for all that you have received from others over the years?

When we practice mindfulness, we are learning to be a hero of consciousness

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When we practice mindfulness, we are learning to be a hero of consciousness.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ashley Batz

What come to mind when you think of a hero? For many people, it can involve risking one’s own life to save another. The media loves displaying such acts, and most of us secretly shudder at the thought of actually being in the place of these brave men and women.

What if you could be a hero of consciousness, where the person you were saving was yourself?

How could your own mindfulness practices be a catalyst for bolder and more generous contributions to yourself and others without risking life and limb?

EXERCISE:

Declare yourself a hero of consciousness. Reading this post and the many other actions you take to better yourself in support of others warrants a big pat on the back and a hearty handshake.

How are you living a purposeful life? Playing a supporting role to serve and love others is more than enough.

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How are you living a purposeful life? Playing a supporting role to serve and love others is more than enough.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by wocintechchat.com

Without question, living a purposeful life is a high priority for most people.

We all want our lives to matter and contribute in some meaningful way. In our efforts to do so, we often look around at others for examples of making a dent in the universe. Popular media of all types offer examples that for many of us are out of reach—winning gold medals, a Nobel Prize, and solving the world’s most challenging problems are not the only way to leave a legacy.

Today’s quote has us appreciate the everyday acts of service and love we offer our families and communities as being more than enough.

EXERCISE:

Where and how are you playing an important supporting role in the lives of others?

How can you more fully acknowledge your daily acts of love and service as a source of great meaning and purpose?

“Sometimes the most meaningful service is simple, spontaneous, and closer to home.”

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“Sometimes the most meaningful service is simple, spontaneous, and closer to home.”

—Jay Shetty, life coach and former Hindu monk

Image from Unsplash by Rémi Walle

The desire to make a difference seems to be a universal calling for most people. The intention to live a meaningful life is a key driver from the moment we wake until it is time to rest.

When we look around at how others live, we tend to focus on the big stuff that seem more like quests and crusades. Having a major impact seems to be what counts or at least get noticed.

It is nice to be reminded that the simple and quiet acts of service are often the most meaningful.

EXERCISE:

Where and how will you contribute to those close to you today?

“If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.”

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“If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.”

—Norman Cousins, 20th Century American journalist, professor, and world peace advocate

Image from Unsplash by Tsunami Green

What are your views on the concept of immortality? For many, the idea that death will come to each of us points to the precious gift and importance of living each moment to the fullest.

How we spend our time and who we spend it with is essential to have The Dash between our birth and death have extra meaning and impact.

Regardless of your faith and spiritual perspective on life beyond our physical world, we can all clearly contribute and impact others in our personal and professional communities. To live on in the fruits of others from the seeds we plant may be the primary purpose and reason for our lives.

EXERCISE:

What impact have you had or are you making in the lives of others?

Where are others sprouting strong roots, beautiful flowers, and sweet fruits due to your intentional contributions?

FRIDAY REVIEW: CONTRIBUTING

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Friday Review: Contributing

In what ways do you contribute to others? In what ways do others contribute to your life? Here are a few contribution-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Business and life are like a bank account. You can’t take out more than you put in.”

 

 

 

“Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.”

 

 

 

“Good people bring out the good in people.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who needs me on my ‘A Game’ the most right now

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“Who needs me on my ‘A Game’ the most right now?”

—Brendon Burchard, High Performance Author

Image of a boy with an A+ paper

Image from verywellfamily

Brendon Burchard is a best-selling author and one of the world’s leading High Performance coaches. His latest book, High Performance Habits, was one of Amazon’s top three best business and leadership books of 2017.

Today’s quote hits home for me personally and professionally. Throughout my life I’ve observed that most everyone desires and is committed to contributing to others. This focus seems to be universally required to live a full and meaningful life.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently operating well below your “A” game and fullest potential?

Who specifically in your world needs you at your very best?

What specific efforts are required to make this level of contribution?