What are your favorite memories? Which memories aren’t so pleasant? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“When your past calls, don’t answer. It has nothing to say.”
“The great man is the one who does not lose his child’s heart.”
“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.”
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I’ve been an avid student my entire life. In my early years, I remember being passionately curious about how things worked.
Even today, I get a dopamine hit by looking up and questioning ideas that pop into my mind.
These days, many more of my inquiries center on my inner world.
Going there through guided meditation and other practices can sometimes be a noisy journey with many competing thoughts pulling me away from a peaceful path.
Thankfully, through ongoing practice and taking my lessons off the cushion and into the world, I’ve discovered more of the peace I seek.
EXERCISE:
In what ways does your mind take you in a thousand directions?
How can noticing these detours in your mindfulness efforts lead you toward a more peaceful path?
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George Washington believed that moral duty was intrinsically linked to human happiness.
He emphasized that promoting happiness requires the practice of moral duty, suggesting that virtue and ethical conduct are essential for individual and societal well-being.
Washington also stressed the importance of private morality, asserting that it is foundational to public policy and the nation’s direction.
His views reflect a belief in immutable moral principles, which he saw as critical for the prosperity and stability of the republic.
EXERCISE:
What are your views about the correlation between happiness and moral duty? Consider discussing your perspective with others within your communities to help foster a happier and more virtuous world.
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Will Rogers believed in a politics of civility, using humor to critique without malice, fostering an understanding of shared values among Americans.
Many people believe his approach remains relevant even in today’s polarized political climate.
Here are a few more of his provocative quotes to ponder over the coming days:
“When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.”
“The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.”
“Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
EXERCISE:
Which of Roger’s quotes strikes the strongest chord in you?
How can you apply its wit and wisdom to better your life and your world?
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With the holidays and the new year just around the corner, I’ve noticed people rushing around more than ever. It seems everyone is trying to squeeze twice as many to-dos into their days.
Instead of trying to fulfill others and your own unrealistic expectations, why not try avoiding potential upsets by communicating your intentions to slow down and find some peace and quiet for reflection and renewal?
Once rested, you can bolt out of the starters blocks of the new year with the energy and vitality to take on any fast-moving challenges that come your way.
EXERCISE:
How and with whom can you communicate your intentions to slow down and lower the volume of your life?
How would allowing your current momentum and just coasting be the best gift you could give yourself and those you love this holiday season?
Are you learning something new or better every day? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Fill each day with things to learn, launch, and love.”
“The best thing for being sad, replied Merlin, is to learn something.”
“You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.”
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To be one-of-a-kind means to be unique or unlike anything else.
This phrase emphasizes an individual’s or object’s distinctiveness, suggesting that there are no others exactly like it.
It often conveys a sense of rarity and specialness indicating that the person or thing possesses qualities that set it apart from all others.
We are all unique, one-of-a kind beings. Without going into all the details of nature versus nurture there never was and never will be another you.
How we express our individuality especially in what we say and do in our communities is always a choice we get to make each and every day.
EXERCISE:
What are some ways you can and will express your one-of-a kindness through this holiday season and into the new year?
Take the time to also observe all the one-of-a-kindnesses that show up in the words and actions of others and celebrate the oneness when people come together in kindness.
Image from Unsplash by Christopher Ruel
Keltner’s research suggest that the eight categories mentioned in today’s quote represent the most common sources of awe in people’s lives.
He emphasizes that while we often think of awe as arising from grand, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it can actually be found in everyday moments and surroundings.
By being more aware and mindful of these “wonders” in our daily lives, we can potentially increase our experiences of awe and its associated benefits for well-being and connection.
EXERCISE:
In what ways have you experienced some of the everyday moments of awe through Keltner’s eight wonders of life? If this topic piques your interest, consider reading or listening to his 2023 book Awe.
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In many ways we humans are a bit like our vehicles.
When we start and stop often throughout our days our mileage is less than desired.
When we get up to speed and hit the cruise control button, our efficiency and effectiveness skyrocket.
What happens when we are stopped completely and the inertia to stay stopped feels so strong?
Here are a few ways to apply the concept of momentum to your daily efforts once you get going:
EXERCISE:
In what areas of your life do you need to get out of the starting block?
How can you apply some of the strategies above to build and maintain your momentum to keep going?
Image from Unsplash by Daria Neprikhina
The “Third Door” concept introduced by Alex Banayan in his book, The Third Door, likens success to entering a nightclub with three doors:
The first door is the main entrance where most people wait.
The second door is the VIP entrance for the privileged few.
The third door represents an unconventional path that requires creativity and persistence, like sneaking through a back entrance or finding hidden opportunities.
This concept emphasizes thinking outside the box and leveraging unique strategies to achieve extraordinary success.
EXERCISE:
How might you discover your own “third door” to success by embracing barriers, setbacks, and mistakes when your first doors remain locked?
What new approaches and hidden passages might you discover by opening the third doors in your world?