Where do you put your strongest efforts in life? Here are a few effort-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the messages.
“The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.”
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”
“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.”
Image from India Today
Take a look at this list of famous foes:
In the business world, consider the following pairs:
What other famous adversarial pairs can you think of? What potential positive benefits have been brought forth due to the considerable challenges faced on the battlefield – both imaginary and real?
Who do you consider your foe? How and in what ways may they be providing you wise lessons you often overlook?
Image from Unsplash by Teun Swagerman
Recently, I watched a Netflix program called “The Worlds Busiest Cities.” I was amazed by what it is like to live and work in these loud and crowded hubs of humanity.
Given the seemingly relentless pace and overall stresses experienced by many, I found myself saying that I could never live in places such as these.
I’ve often shared the adage, “I spent a week in New York one day” to describe my experience of one of the busiest cities in the United States.
Although many of us live in much smaller communities, our lives are considerably louder and more crowded than in the past, due to smart phones, social media, and our 24/7 society that seemingly never stops.
What sanity-enhancing strategies can you bring into your world to provide more wiggle room and lower the volume of life?
What do you dream or daydream about? Here are a few dream-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the messages.
“Nothing happens unless first a dream.”
“Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow.”
Image from Unsplash by Meghan Schiereck
Having lived in Michigan over half my life, I’ve experienced my share of icy roads! Before front or four-wheel drive, traction control, and the latest in snow tire technology, today’s quote was the best advice and coaching to avoid or minimize accidents.
How do you try to control the many aspects of your life? How fast are you going these days? How many icy patches are you experiencing on your personal and professional roads through life?
It turns out the more we slam on the brakes and over-steer, the worse things become.
Where is it appropriate for you to fully embrace an icy patch or two in your world? How can you calmly turn into these skids to get back on the road to a better life?
Where are you getting ahead of yourself these days? Where might your impatience, a shiny object or the next interesting diversion cause you to take your eyes off the people, projects, or other priorities of the moment?
There is a wise saying that goes: “If you try to chase two rabbits, both will get away.” How many rabbits are you chasing in your professional and personal worlds? How many new ones come into view on what seems like a daily basis?
Where would taking the “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” approach help you tackle a significant priority before you venture forth toward other matters?
Image from Unsplash by Ehimetalor Unuabono
Do you ever say — aloud or perhaps even more often to yourself — “My mind is made up” or “I know!”? How often do you get the impression that others in your personal or professional communities express similar thoughts?
If these scenarios sound familiar, you are probably dealing with what I call “Shortcut Listening.” This happens when an individual or group gathers just enough information to fill in the rest of the word puzzles based on their own opinions, experiences, and biases.
Where and with whom would taking the long road of listening help you and others make far better decisions at work and at home?
Image from Unsplash by John Towner
Before electricity and the light bulb, our sun and perhaps the occasional fire influenced every aspect of life.
Sunlight was man’s alarm clock to rise and go about the day, to survive and be productive.
When the sun went down, it was time to relinquish our efforts and find safety in our homes with our family. It was time, hopefully, to settle into a peaceful and safe slumber until the sun woke us again.
How has the world — and particularly your life — changed from this simpler time? Consider the fact that we live in a world where the lights never seem to go out, even if its the dim light of your smart phone or the numbers on your alarm clock.
How much additional joy and peace might you experience if you more fully embraced a life guided further by the rising and setting of the sun?
Consider reading Waking up to the Dark – Ancient Wisdom for a Sleepless Age, by Clark Strand.
What are your thoughts and beliefs about the concept of desire? Here are a few desire-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.
“Desire is half of life. Indifference is half of death.”
“Don’t wait until you are lost to evaluate where you are going.”
Image from Unsplash by Raul Cacho Oses
From an early age, we are repeatedly exposed to messages such as: “Be brave!”, “Never Give Up!”, “Winners never quit and quitters never win!”. There are countless stories, shows, and movies that play off the “feel good” tale of victory and coming out on top.
I’m all for being an optimist on most occasions, however, many times a far more realistic and objective perspective may be the wiser way to go.
What fights and battles are occurring in your professional and personal worlds? Where do you see progress and have a sense of hope that you will prevail? In what situation do you feel and know deep down that it’s time to “fold’em,” like a losing poker hand?
How would using your head, heart, and gut help you know when it is time to run versus stand your ground, so that you may fight another day?