Daily Inspiration 12-31-13

"Revisit your past 

only to recognize 

how far you have come." 

 -- Alan Cohen

This morning I was talking to a friend and ended up telling an overview of my story of the last seven years being in business for myself. The real value in telling it wasn't for him, but for me. I realized this moments after I hung up the phone. The value was for me to see the picture of how far I've come.

Now, often, if you're anything like me--you know. . . human--you may look at today and think that you're not yet where you want to be. You may even be a bit like me in being a bit concerned about that aspect. This can go on and on and on and on and lead exactly nowhere in particular. It is a circle of nothing. So, I've learned through much trial and error and paying a little attention that this is not a good place to be.

So the story was helpful because it made me realize that I am cooler than I thought, smarter than I look, and happier than I feel because I started there and am now here. Here is relative, but at least it is here. It is not there. I don't want to go back. I like moving forward, and I especially like moving forward on purpose.

So, perhaps it is time to tell your story aloud to someone and realize how far you've come. To pay attention to some of the detail of improvement and gain. Sure, you may not be there yet as it relates to your full journey, but it is quite valuable to see the tracks in the past from time to time.

And, while you're there, congratulate yourself. Throw a party. Raise a toast. Buy yourself a little gift. You deserve it. You've made it to here and I'm sure you're better for the journey.


Enjoy Where You Are In Pursuit Of Where You Want To Go.

Spread Some Joy Today--Make someone's day. Leave a big tip. No bigger than that. Yes, that's it. Forget the percentage. Just think about how they are going to feel when they see it.

Daily Inspiration 12-30-13

"Be kind, 

for everyone you meet 

is fighting a hard battle." 

 -- Plato 

This quote causes me to think several things. First, I don't know if I would have used the words fighting, hard and battle. Maybe they are. Second, there is no doubt that some are fighting a battle, hard or otherwise. Third, it really doesn't matter if it is hard, or if it is a battle, or that they are fighting. What matters is that everyone is dealing with life, and life is sometimes messy.

Based on that last part alone, it is worthy to be kind--as if we really needed a sympathetic reason. Yet, it is true that we just don't know what people are dealing with until they tell us and that they tell us the whole story. We all have stuff. It's in the closet, it's on the lawn, it's covered in paperwork, it's emotional and can also be stressful. It's a good bet that whatever we think we have issues with, others can top it and make ours look insignificant. Even though it is never insignificant.

So take care. Give the gift of love and joy. If that is too much for the moment, try the gift of caring. It is simply amazing what we can do to help another through a bumpy place by just giving our attention.


Kindness Is A Very Generous Gift.

Spread Some Joy Today--What in the world could be better than to spread some joy?

Daily Inspiration 12-29-13

"As creators, our pursuit 

of perfection might be misguided, 

particularly if it comes 

at the expense of the things that matter." 

 -- Seth Godin 

I'm a fan of Seth Godin, author, marketing guru, and entrepreneur, among other attributes. I borrowed this quote from a post he did on December 27th, 2013. I loved this line that tells the story in the end, but I also loved the beginning, which said, "no one reads a comic strip because it's drawn well. It has to be drawn well enough, not perfectly."

Some of the very popular comic strips are not classic artists. I remember one of my favorite authors who also drew cartoons. James Thurber was his name. Famous guy, great comedy and not so great drawings, but they were plenty good enough and I enjoyed them as if they were perfect.

What is good enough? How about for you? Are you holding out for perfect, or willing to take good enough? Sometimes we expect perfection of one another when just being ourselves is more than enough.

"As creators, our pursuit of perfection might be misguided, particularly if it comes at the expense of the things that matter."


I Am Enough. How About You? 

Spread Some Joy Today--Plant those seeds and water them often!

Daily Inspiration 12-28-13

"It matters not how small

the beginning may seem to be.

What is once done well

is done forever."

 

-- Henry David Thoreau

I love this quote for several reasons. One, it points out that doing a thing means it is done. Two, it clearly points out to me that nothing is ever "done." And three, quality is important.

We are always and will always be a work in progress. It is about doing not being done. There is no done. There is only doing. In doing, we learn, experiment, teach, share, create, expand, love.

They say to count the cost before doing. Since when did cost projections ever come out correct? Besides, they want the costs counted more to insure against a thing than to do it. They want us to complete a project which can never be completed totally. Oh, sure, you can build a building and it can be built to a certain size, but is it ever really completed? It will always be a work in progress even when it is ignored and in decay.

I remember when I was in junior high and high school, they were going to build a four lane freeway on a section of highway 12 from Santa Rosa to Sonoma. Highway 12 runs from the Sierra mountains to the coast and is almost all 2 lane standard highway. Well, they build a couple miles of this freeway or so, mostly raised so it took a while and then it all stopped. The people didn't appreciate the State's thinking and felt this freeway would ruin the rural charm of that beautiful drive from Santa Rosa to Sonoma. So there it sits dead in its tracks. Is it done? Would it ever have been done? It was and still is a work in progress.

Life is not about being done. Even if we are to leave the life we know, life is still a work in progress and always will be. Besides, Socrates still touches lives he never knew today. So does Abraham Lincoln, grandma Moses, along with every other life. We are never done. Nothing we do is never done because life is in the living and doing and whatever that is is.


Let's Start Something NEW! Then We Can Enjoy The DOING.

Spread Some Joy Today--Did you know that you can spread joy to others by just thinking about them with joy? It's a small world after all.

Daily Inspiration 12-27-13

"For after all,

the best thing one can do

when it is raining

is to let it rain."

 

-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I have often used the phrase, "swimming upstream," to speak to the process of dealing with resistance in a way that does not feel good, or work very well. To me, the visual image of swimming upstream and all the effort and strength needed for such a task is empowering to help me learn to flow with the current and with life. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow says it so well in a different visual way, that when it is raining, the best we can do is to let it rain. It causes me to think of the futility of trying to stop the rain and how much better the flow of life is when we simply go with it.

Another visual with the stream is in a row boat and trying to row against the current to your destination, all the while thinking that it must be upstream. Yet, I have found it to really be downstream and easy and faster to get to. It doesn't have to be hard work. Who said it had to be that?


Let Go Of The Oars. Relax.

Spread Some Joy Today--by creating your own first. All you need to do is to think of something or someone to appreciate. Then think of that. This creates additional thoughts like it. This is the way to continual joy.

Daily Inspiration 12-26-13

"Those who cannot remember the past

are condemned to repeat it."

 

-- George Santayana

To this quote, Kurt Vonnegut said, "I've got news for Mr. Santayana: we're doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That's what it is to be alive."

I find that I must disagree with both. The more we hang on to, remember, lament the past for whatever reason we wish to give it, we are dragging it with us as we try to move around in the present. Pleasant memories are wonderful and it may be very good to revisit them from time to time. But, let's take this just a bit closer to what I imagine these gentlemen are referring to. I think they are talking about learning from the past, not forgetting how it was so that we don't repeat the same things over and over again.

However, I still think that by doing that we are more likely to repeat the same things anyway. Out of sight, out of mind. In sight, in mind.

I was concerned about some depressing things I saw posted by a young person on facebook. I was told that they were just seeking attention, which seems beyond obvious, but then I was told that this was normal for that age. I say, not. It may very well be the past repeating itself through a new victim, but to call it normal is interesting. Why should I or anyone else accept this as normal? What the heck is normal anyway? The other answer is often, "oh, it's the hormones." OK. More thoughts of the past exhibiting themselves into the present with a new victim that we are making into a "normal" person.

Is it normal for anyone at any age to be depressed? Is it normal to have cancer? Is it normal to act a fool? Or, how about the opposite angle. Is it abnormal to do this or that or be this or that way or talk this way or that way? Is it a majority vote that wins what is normal? Isn't normal sort of average?

I guess I shouldn't be concerned at all since it is normal behavior for that age. . .


The Problem May Be That I Am Not Normal, Nor Am I Abnormal. I Do However, Allow Those To Choose As They Will And Celebrate Their Choices.

Spread Some Joy Today--It is a wonderful choice, don't you agree? Joy works. It causes my spirit to glow.

Daily Inspiration 12-25-13

"When you serve with love,

the universe finds ingenious ways to pay you."

 

-- Alan Cohen

I went out to breakfast with family this morning (Christmas eve) at a place they raved about. I had heard some of the success story of a family owned and managed establishment that seems to always be filled to capacity and beyond. As we entered, a young man (owners son) greeted us with humor and fun and passion. We sat near the front and I heard him greeting many people in that extremely confident, kind and enthusiastic way. I

 thought about how well he did that job and as I looked around I appreciated the décor and attention to detail. One greeting came in the middle of the meal that was very memorable to me. Remember. the place is packed and there are people waiting. The customer asked if he had a table for eight. With unbounded holiday spirit, he replied, "absolutely!." It came to pass that they were seated within a short time, but I was amazed at his response because under these conditions, I have heard other people hem and haw, mention how busy it is, ask if they had reservations, or any number of other not so helpful responses.

When you love what you do and you do it with this conviction, everything you do is filled with love.


Table For Eight? Absolutely! Thank You For Stopping By Today!

Spread Some Joy Today--How many ways are there to spread joy? Count the ways, or just let it flow.

Daily Inspiration 12-24-13

"You can't worry love." 

 -- Alan Cohen 

That's great news, isn't it? Although, some find a way to love worry, even thought that is an oxymoron. But, not you. You know that love is all powerful and worry hasn't got a chance when you focus on love.


I Am And I Love. 

Spread Some Joy Today--It is amazing what a smile does at the mall. Simply amazing.

Daily Inspiration 12-23-13

"Refuse to give your power away 
to people and things. 

Make this season count

 in your favor." 

 -- Alan Cohen 

People ask what I'm doing for Christmas, and I've told a few that I'm going on a trip for a few days. They say, "there will probably be terrible traffic." I say, "it's not a problem if you're not in a hurry." And so it is. It's all part of the adventure when you are open to seeing it this way. I'm not fond of congested traffic, nor am I in fear of it. It is what it is or will be. I am determined to have a wonderful time the entire journey, including any and all traffic.

 Each time I said that today, the other person just looked at me as if I was strange. I'm getting used to that. And so it is. It's all part of the adventure when you're open to seeing it this way.


I Refuse To Relinquish My Power To People Or Things. 

Spread Some Joy Today--and there's truly only one way to do this: by being joyous. It spreads automatically without any effort on your part.

Daily Inspiration 12-22-13

"Some people are always grumbling 

because roses have thorns. 

I am thankful 

that thorns have roses." 

 -- Alphonse Karr 

This thoughtful quote doesn't have anything to do with roses, and yet everything to do with everything.


A Life Of Gratitude Finds Ways To Be Grateful. 

Spread Some Joy Today--Joy is not something to find. It is the result of letting go of resistance. Just like the famous Beatles song: Let it be. And, it will be.

Daily Inspiration 12-21-13

"The bad news is time flies. 

The good news is you're the pilot." 

 -- Michael Altshuler 

There are more books I want to read than I find time for. There are more things I want to get done than I seem to have energy or time for. I seem to be behind the curve a lot of the time--especially when I think of tasks, or things that I want to accomplish. In fact, I have a long list of things. I want to learn Spanish. I've only been saying that to myself for about 40 years or so. I would love to know how to play the piano well. But, those are things that don't really fall into the time issue. They seem to be commitment issues.

Back to the time thing. . . It also seems like the holidays make time go quicker and dates approach much faster. Heck, there's only one handful of shopping days left before Christmas.

But, that's all about the bad news, isn't it. The good news is that I'm in charge. I'm the pilot. What I do or don't do, achieve or don't achieve is totally up to me. And, that's just fine. Sometimes it might feel good to blame others or the season, or the whatever, but, in the long and short run, I'm the only source to examine.


Ready For Take-Off? 

Spread Some Joy Today--While you're focused on accomplishing the mission, don't forget to give your love to the troops.

Daily Inspiration 12-20-13

"You are uniquely qualified to be you." 

 -- Alan Cohen 

What a great quote this is. Often, we may be focused on being like someone else, or thinking perhaps that someone else is better or smarter or some other attribute that we think we might be missing. But, if you think about it, there isn't any other person in the world now or ever that is as uniquely qualified to be as you. That aspect would be worthy of some grand focus and attention. A labor of love, a joy in creation.


Be The Best That Only You And You Alone Are Qualified To Be. You ROCK! 

Spread Some Joy Today--Kind words and smiles are magic potions. Use them liberally.

Daily Inspiration 12-19-13

"You can't have everything. 

Where would you put it?" 

 -- Stephen Wright 

You know, this is sort of funny and at the same time, it is sort of true. I don't know where I would put more stuff now, let alone have everything. In fact, I've been contemplating letting things go and how I might do that.

When I was 21, I was in the Air Force, 3,000 miles from California in Dover, Delaware and was recently married. We lived in a 40' mobile home (trailer) at $85 per month and that was 30% of my income before taxes. We didn't own one piece of furniture, and had very little else. Our first official piece of furniture was a $20 unfinished wood nightstand that I painted yellow with an antique finish, which I still have possession of 43 years later.

It would seem that now I have more than enough. Until recently, I even had stuff in a storage facility. What a big business that has become. They are everywhere. The truth is that the more stuff I have, the less it seems to mean to me. As I think about things all around me, there is very little that feels important. Yet, it all must have been very important, or at least important enough to buy to begin with. Who even remembers why?

Sometimes I long for those days when I had almost nothing, but the only good reason to go back there would be to have my whole possession-oriented future ahead of me. Or, perhaps if I could go with the knowledge I have now, I might make a different choice.


Who Needs All This Stuff? Yet, It Didn't Arrive Of It's Own Free Will, Did It? 

 Spread Some Joy Today--Joy doesn't require anything except a desire to feel it.

Daily Inspiration 12-18-13

"Your greatest contribution 

to helping other people live their destiny 

is for you to live your own." 

 -- Alan Cohen 

People and children don't listen to advice very much, but they do pay attention to what people do. They become great imitators. Employees become great imitators of their supervisors and other leaders within a company. This is why I've never thought much of mission statements in general because I've been involved with companies who don't live up to their rhetoric. But, anyone can see what they do and that is what is most important.

 Like helping people? Be the best that you can be is great advice. Leading by example is a great strategy.


 "What You Do Speaks So Loudly That I Cannot Hear What You Say." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spread Some Joy Today--Don't worry about anyone else. Just be the best you that you can be. That is pure joy.

Daily Inspiration 12-17-13

"Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today

because if you enjoy it today,

you can do it again tomorrow."

 

-- James A Michener

I was working with a car dealership this morning and I was talking about prospecting for sales. I gave them a chart I made that demonstrates the long term results of consistent small efforts or tasks. When it comes to prospecting, so many fail because they are not having fun, and often doing work they don't want to do or dislike doing.

Part of the reason for that is that they go out with the attitude of making a sale. It's truly arrogant to think you can just walk into a place and make a sale, but more important than this is that it sucks. It makes it no fun because you will receive a lot of rejection. However, if you go out to learn about them, what they do, how they do it and hope that you may find business you can send their way with this new knowledge, it becomes interesting and fun. The sales will come naturally over time, but the important thing is to meet new people, businesses and focus on them, not you.

So, back to the daily efforts resulting in much larger success over time. This Daily Inspiration happens to be number 1,540. It's amazing to see that number because all I focus on is doing it each day, 365 days a year. Over time it grows to larger numbers. The Commercial Truck Success Blog now has 2,168 posts and it began with post number one. It began a year and a few months sooner than the Daily Inspirations.

Sometimes people think that one should do ten a day and improve the efforts. That's good, but it isn't as good as smaller efforts over a long period of time. The two I was just talking about were one day at a time, one per day, and you can see how the numbers add up. Whatever it is we want can be attained with joy in the same manner. Changing one thought per day over time will lead to a whole rearranged life. One or two tasks completed toward your dream assures it's success.

Getting started is the beginning and then just keep doing it again and again and again. But, remember my edict about joy. It has to be fun. It has to be a labor of love. When it is work, it is often not fun and that leads the brain to find ways out, and it will surely find them.


Little By Little An Acorn Turns Into A Large Tree.

Spread Some Joy Today--Whatever you are doing today, focus on the enjoyment of what you are doing. It's a great way to live.

Daily Inspiration 12-16-13

"Never regret. 

If it's good, it's wonderful. 

If it's bad, it's experience." 

 -- Victoria Holt 

Generally speaking, I think the quote above is a healthier way of viewing things. What might be even better is, "if it's good it's experience and if it's bad it's experience." The reality is that it is just experience. How we label it is how we respond to it and how we respond to it guides us well in how to handle it. To label it good or bad is only in relation to how we feel about the experience. Of course, it's okay to label it and it is equally okay to not label it. You get to choose.


However You Label It, I Hope It Feels Good To You. 

Spread Some Joy Today--There is no more important, and no more effective goal in life than to enjoy yourself. If it isn't working out that way, stop immediately and change your mind.

Daily Inspiration 12-15-13

"Now and then it's good to pause

in our pursuit of happiness

and just be happy."

 

-- Guillaume Apollinaire

It has been said and I'm sure accurately so, that whatever we do in our lives, we do in order to feel better, feel good, be happy. Yet, we may be subject to pursuing so much that we miss the true concept that all we need to be happy is to choose to be happy. Of course, the things we do in our lives is important--at least to us, or we wouldn't do them probably; however, this is just a simple reminder to purposely choose to be happy as often as you can.


It Will Make The Pursuit All The More Fruitful.

Spread Some Joy Today--Don't let the season be your reason. Choose joy every day.

Daily Inspiration 12-14-13

"Don't get greedy.

There's only so much to go around."

 

-- My parents when I was a little kid

Today, there is more money and more opportunities than there have ever been in the history of the world. I know this is true. Because it is, that alone is support enough to consider the expansion of the "pie" that I was told we were limited to only a slice of. It appears that the pie keeps on growing and is not static. That idea is not the same idea of abundance, but it is certainly more encouraging than the world media would have us believe.

Alan Cohen said, "Your prosperity and happiness does not take away from the prosperity and happiness of others; it adds to it." He goes on to say, "Ultimately you must face and answer this question: Do we live in a universe of fixed resources in which one person's good takes away the good of another? Or is the universe capable of supplying prosperity for everyone who chooses it?"

That's a great question, don't you think? Look around. There is more now than in 2000 and more then than in 1900 and so on. There are more people, more businesses, more money, more happiness, more of everything we want if we can only believe it is true. Or we can believe there is only so much to go around and we have to try to get our fair share. The latter is an obvious belief in lack.


There Is More Than Enough. Leave Your Worries At The Doorstep And Come On In.

Spread Some Joy Today--Believe in the abundance all around you. Rest in that peace.

Daily Inspiration 12-13-13

"Trust the instinct to the end,

though you can render no reason."

 

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is interesting to watch others who have an instinct about something, then find all sorts of reasons against following it. It is as if reason has some sort of magic authority to righteousness. Yet, from my own experience and that of watching others shows me that instinct is still superior in many ways.

I've been the places that I see others in where they make a decision and then through reasoning and fear, make a different decision. It's out of the norm, or it's not the way we are used to doing it, or so many rules that we have developed over time that preclude us from venturing beyond our own tightly controlled comfort zone.

Think back on any decisions that you have made in the last several years. Important decisions usually stand out. When you followed your instinct--and I hope you have--were those the best decisions or were they bad decisions? I think you will find they were the best. Then look at decisions where you used reason and allowed fear to corrupt your thinking. They were terrible ones, I might imagine.

The end result leads us back to Ralph Waldo Emerson and his advice to trust the instinct to the end regardless of any reasoning present. There is a place when we just know it deep inside and it really doesn't matter what other influences are giving advice. Our own inner advice is all we really need and it is worthy of our trust.


GO4IT!

Spread Some Joy Today--Relax. Enjoy your day. There just isn't anything more important in all of the world. Seriously.

Daily Inspiration 12-12-13

"The fact that I can plant a seed

and it becomes a flower,

share a bit of knowledge

and it becomes another's,

smile at someone

and receive a smile in return,

are to me

continual spiritual exercises."

 

-- Leo Buscaglia

"Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la la. . .


Time To Plant Some Seeds, Show Some Smiles, Become More Spiritual.

Spread Some Joy Today--Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. . .

Daily Inspiration 12-11-13

"There is a vast difference

between wanting and needing."

 

-- Albert K Strong

Needing to do something has often been thought of as a powerful way to accomplishment. Once in a while that might work, but generally it is not true. The main reason is that need comes from fear. It often causes acts of desperation, along with misspent time and money. It also begs for short cuts and hopes and prays for magic and miracles.

What does work is desire. Wanting is a powerful tool. It will cause one to consider options, to look at possibilities, to formulate a plan, to make a commitment and follow through. Strong desire is among the most powerful emotions for accomplishment. It is not fear-based, but love-based. It is joy and fun and child-like. It is anticipation of success, and as long as the desire remains strong, or as long as one can find more reasons to have the desire come to fruition, it becomes a forgone conclusion in time.

Need is negative emotion in action, and any time we have negative emotions making themselves known, this is an indication that we are out of alignment with our own true selves, our inner knowing of the right path for us. They are an indication of which direction we are headed and an alert mechanism to create awareness to find better feeling thoughts to get us back on track.

When we feel needy, this is a time to pause, reflect a bit and find things to appreciate right here and right now. As we find thoughts of appreciation, we will find more and more until we can get back into a grateful state of mind and back to our desire. What do we really want? I'm certain it is not desperation. I'm certain it is not being needy. I am certain that it is living in hope and joy.

This applies to everything we do in our personal lives and in our businesses. Focus on desire. Focus on what you want. Focus on the joy of being. Focus on love. Focus on appreciation of what you have and where you are and how far you have come. Focus on being of service to others. Focus.


Love And Joy Are ALWAYS The Right Answer!

Spread Some Joy Today--by taking your mind off of you and offering appreciation to someone else.

Daily Inspiration 12-10-13

"Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary

to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself."

 

--Hermann Hesse

In 2001, I wrote a song that I played in church several times. I wrote a lot of them, but this one was always special with me personally. When I sang and played it, I was always in such gratitude and love and it brought out emotion in me that rarely came out. It is a simple song and here are they lyrics:

Nobody loves me like You, Lord

Not even one; no--not even one

Nobody loves me like You, Lord

Not even one; no--not even one

There is no One like you, not one

 

You love me when I'm at my best

You love me at my worst--and, yes,

You love me when I kneel and pray,

And even when I walk away

Your love is like an always open door (and more)

Inside I am complete forevermore, (for)

There is no One like you, not one!

I'm not much into religion. I've studied it, spent a good deal of time around it, but there are so many rules, expectations and dogma. Yet, I love God more than I ever have and that is where this song came from.

I was thinking about this idea just the other day. I was doing some things that if others had known about would have had much to say, although, not so much to my face. Yet, I felt totally free from judgment. In fact, as I thought about it more, I realized again what caused this song to come to fruition. It is that I think the Lord, God, The Universe, or whatever name someone wants to give, thinks pretty highly of me. Not higher than anyone else, but loved fully and completely. No matter what.

I can tell you that the peace of that was overwhelming and I rejoiced in a love so without condition and exclusion.

The message I bring here is to consider such a love for you regardless of anything you may think you've not done rightly. You are loved as fully as am I and we can all rejoice in such a love.


Nobody Loves Me Like You, Lord.

Spread Some Joy Today--by spreading your love and your loving thoughts whether you actually speak aloud or not. Your thoughts have power and influence.

Daily Inspiration 12-9-13

"Make the world a better place 

one person at a time. 

Start with yourself." 

 --Linda Poindexter 

It is easy for us to think of helping others. It is often that which is explained as a virtue and that to be selfless is to be a good person. Of course, helping others is a wonderful thing to do. However, we are rarely, if ever, encouraged to start with ourselves. Yet, this is such perfect selfish advice. It is from our own alignment with our own truth that we can share that effectively and lovingly to others. Getting ourselves in alignment is the perfect beginning. 


Begin With A Healthy Appreciation For Yourself. The Rest Will Make Itself Known. 

Spread Some Joy Today--"When you become aware that you're judging or censoring yourself today, suspend that thought. Take a few deep breaths instead. Inhale slowly. . . exhale slowly. Then look around you with fresh eyes. . . listen with new ears." -- Dr. Gay Hendricks

Daily Inspiration 12-8-13

"Name two winners in the 1992 Olympics.

Name four Pulitzer Prize winners.

Name one coach in the sports hall of fame.

Name on person who received the Medal of Honor last year.

 

Name two teachers who had a significant impact on your life.

Name four books, authors, or poets

who have written something you cherish.

Name a coach who taught you

some values, discipline, or persistence.

Name one person who would stand by you in your darkest hour.

 

Which group has had the most lasting impact on your life?"

 

--Alan Cohen

I thought this was a grand comparison of how personally we are connected to an event, person or situation. I know people who are die-hard sports nuts who could quote almost anything sports related, but I still bet that group two has more power in their lives.

Tell you what would be a good task today: Make a list of the group two people and items and whether they are now dead or alive, send them your thoughts of thanks and pure gratitude for having touched you in a special way that has had a lasting impact on your life.


There Is Nothing Like The Feelings Of Gratitude, Appreciation, And Love. Visit Them Often!

Spread Some Joy Today--Do only what brings you joy today and it cannot help but spread joy around.

Daily Inspiration 12-7-13

"For any marriage to be successful,

you must work at it. . .

As for spats, if a quarrel develops,

one should leave the room.

It takes two to quarrel."

 

-- Mamie Eisenhower

I was thinking about Dwight Eisenhower. I know what you're thinking. . . that is such an odd thing. And, you're right, it is an odd thing probably. I'm not even clear on exactly why I was thinking of him, but I remember a couple books on my shelf by his biographer, Stephen Ambrose, and I wanted to look at a bit of his life after his presidency. He was President when I was in grade school.

As I began reading, this quote above jumped off the page at me. I thought it was brilliant and so full of common sense. It reminds me of an old phrase that I heard many times when I was young, "it takes two to tango." I thought, of course. The way to stop a quarrel is for one to leave the room. It's logical, but only partially true. The quarrel doesn't stop by one leaving the room, it is merely postponed. It only stops when one lets go of the rope. But, I'm sure that's what she meant anyway based on other things she was quoted as saying.

I suppose one could argue with the mirror image of themselves, but it has so little impact in comparison with a real quarrel with a real human being. It is so much like a tug-o-war game. And, all we need to is let go and leave, and there is no more energy for escalation. Someone quarrelling with you on the phone? Hang up and let go of the rope. By letting go of the rope, we need to let go of the issue. Begin immediately thinking uplifting thoughts about the other and watch what happens.


A Quarrel Is Fed Or Starved By Our Response.

Spread Some Joy Today--by choosing it moment by moment.

Daily Inspiration 12-6-13

"One can be very happy

without demanding

that others agree with them."

 

-- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Absolutely. In fact, I think that the only way to really be happy is to not need anyone to agree with us. Otherwise, we are looking to others to make us happy and that is not really possible. Others don't have the capacity to make us happy. This is our own sacred task alone. We certainly may be pleased that someone does or acts a certain way, and it is comforting sometimes when people agree with us. Clubs have been formed, and a million other organizations based on this idea. But, happiness doesn't come from without, it comes from within. It is strictly and fortunately a choice.

I love the power and perfection of that.


I Choose Happiness. That's As Good As It Gets!

Spread Some Joy Today--Listen!

Daily Inspiration 12-5-13

"Conclusions arrived at through reasoning

have very little or no influence

in altering the course of our lives."

 

--Carolos Castaneda

As I read this quote several times, I found that I am agreeing with it. As much as I try to think logically, reason my way through situations, I can see that it was not reasoning or logic that made any difference. It was passion. In other words, it was feelings that guided me best.

All the logic in the world cannot replace the intuition--that "inner knowing" that comes from within rather than without. The answer isn't out there anywhere, it is inside. We are equipped with a perfect "inner guidance system" that is expressed or repressed through emotion. When we pay more attention to how we feel about something, we can make better and better decisions.

Logic and reasoning may tell us to do this about that, and at the same time, we feel uneasy about it, or we don't feel good about it. This is a perfect time to make no decision at all, or delay the decision. When we get to the point that we feel positive emotions, or that we feel good, we just know that it is right for us regardless of what others might think.

The more I pay attention to this, the better decisions I make.


It Is A Flawless Design Tool Working For Our Benefit.

Spread Some Joy Today--Whatever will help you to feel good, better, awesome, wonderful, do that today. In fact, do it often!

Daily Inspiration 12-4-13

"Do you believe in magic?"

 

--John Sebastian

Love at first sight. It's an interesting phrase and one where some try to make it a rare thing. I've experienced it many, many times. From the time I was in grade school until even today, I know that feeling and it stirs passion in me and is among the most beautiful and wonderful feelings I've ever experienced. I remember all of them very fondly.

I've been married twice. Once for 16 years and one together for 26. Both were love at first sight. Literally. It was instantaneous. I, of course, didn't know what would come of it, but that didn't change the feeling. I didn't know if the other felt similarly, but that didn't change the feeling. It was MY feeling. And, I enjoyed it to the hilt.

I spent some time with a few others where I had that same kind of feeling, but for one reason or another, it did not last as a relationship. However, every time I think of them I have the same wonderful feeling all over again. Even today, I have experienced this and who knows where it will go or won't go. Frankly, that doesn't really matter. It's my feeling.

I've known some who are so in love but they are so hung up on the other acting in a certain way; responding to them in a certain way, and so on. This creates craziness. I know that feeling too. I've done that before, but I have learned to own my own feelings, enjoy the moments, go with the flow and let it be. Sounds like a bunch of songs, but it's so true. If another responds in a similar way to how I feel, fine. And, if they don't, fine. It's all perfect.


There Is Nothing Like It In The World!

Spread Some Joy Today--I love fully and have no expectations. It's perfect.

Daily Inspiration 12-3-13

"Be recklessly generous

and relentlessly kind."

 

--Pam Grout
 

28 million plus views on this video. If you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself to watch at least one third of it. It will wake you up as it has so many to how we judge people by appearance before we know anything at all about them. In this case, so many judge there will be no talent and it will be a sad affair and they couldn't have been more wrong--even to the point of going all the way. Absolutely amazing. Take a few minutes and check it out.


What Do I Really See When I Look At Someone Who Does Not Look Like Me?

Spread Some Joy Today--Recklessly generous and relentlessly kind. Such good words for today, don't you think?

Daily Inspiration 12-2-13

"People who have faith in life

are like swimmers who entrust

themselves to a rushing river.

They neither abandon themselves

to its current nor try to resist it.

Rather, they adjust their every

movement to the watercourse,

use it with purpose and skill,

and enjoy the adventure."

 

-- David Steindl-Rast

Most of you know that I love TED.com. So many thoughts and ideas expressed that hit home with me and hundreds of thousands, even millions of others. What a wonderful organization and their sharing of their talks has been a godsend to me and I love sharing many of their messages. Here is a most recent upload in November from a talk in June of this year. He starts off a bit slow, but trust me, if you will relax and allow him his space, he will bring an important message to life for you. Enjoy!

"Gratefulness Is The Key To A Happy Life That We Hold In Our Hands." -- David Steindl-Rast

Spread Some Joy Today--"The root of joy is gratefulness. . . It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." -- David Steindl-Rast.

Daily Inspiration 12-1-13

"Extinguishing the tantrum cycle.

 

Consider three ideas:

 

1. Listen to the person, not the tantrum.

2. Tantrums want to deal with tantrums.

3. Create systems to avoid it in the first place."

 

-- Seth Godin

Probably every business and personal life there is one or more situations where a tantrum is trying to take charge and control the environment. As a fan of management expert, Seth Godin, he recently published a short blog piece about ways to deal with this situation. I thought it was very good and that you might get benefit from it.

See the whole piece here:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/11/extinguishing-the-tantrum-cycle.html.


It's Not Fire With Fire. It's Much Cooler.

Spread Some Joy Today--What does it feel like to have a perpetual smile? Even one that is not always in full bloom, but always in the Spirit?