Daily Inspiration 1-14-13

"It doesn't matter

how good someone else is. 

It doesn't make you any better. 

It doesn't make you any worse." 

-- from the movie, Pastime 

My antennae are up all the time, whether I'm in a crowd, driving and listening to the radio or music, watching a movie. I'm ready to hear something profoundly interesting that I haven't heard before, or I haven't heard that thought expressed quite so well as this one. This was the case tonight as I watched a baseball movie framed in the late fifties. It's just so funny how when I hear something and it clicks with me, it is instantaneous and I have to record it, often writing as fast as I can.

I know this thought that surrounds the quote above, but I have never heard it expressed in this way. It makes it so much more clear that it doesn't do any good at all to be the least bit concerned what others are doing because, ultimately, it doesn't really matter. The only thing that does matter, is what you and I do.

It doesn't matter who's on what level either. Some will always be scoring more, pitching better, closing more deals, doing more labor and so on. Again, it doesn't matter what they do, only what we do. What they do doesn't make us any better, or any worse. It is what it is.


Take Joy In That!

Spread Some Joy Today--Let it be what it is without any insistence that it be something else.

Daily Inspiration 1-13-13

"Do something you really like,

and hopefully it pays the rent.

As far as I'm concerned,

that's success."

 

-- Tom Petty

Today I watched a wonderful documentary on two DVD's for about 4-1/4 hours straight through. I loved it. It is called Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream and was directed by Peter Bogdanovich. I have never known much about Tom Petty, and wasn't a fan until the last few years, and I found this movie very inspiring and a fascinating story.

Wrapped throughout the history of the group is the passion for their music. Not always agreeing with each other, but together for so long with so few changes in people, and for over 35 years Tom's been out there doing what he loves.

It's interesting to hear his story from childhood and how he came to decide on music and then how it became his career, life, and livelihood. You could look at it and call it luck, but I think it was so much more attracting circumstances and events than haphazard luck.

When you know what you want to do, love doing it, are driven by it, you really don't need to know how it will all come down or come together. In fact, you probably won't even know what it would look like until you actually got there, and that is part of the journey that is weaved in this great story.

It's also a story of growth and expansion, of following your heart and ignoring the press, negative opinions, and even the so-called wisdom of the so-called experts. I remember one part where they had recorded a new album, Full Moon Fever, and the record company refused to distribute it, claiming that it didn't have his sound. On that album is the mega-hit, Free Fallin'. In addition, their long time drummer, chose not to be on the recording because he didn't like the song. So they got a new drummer.

I think there is so much in life and business that we can learn from watching this that it could be a college class.


"I've Turned Down A Lot Of Money For Things That Would Have Made Me Feel Cheesy." -- Tom Petty.

Spread Some Joy Today--Go with your heart in control.

Daily Inspiration 1-12-13

"Serving people is the best way

to earn influence."

 

-- Jeff Goins

I was browsing tonight some something and pulled the classic Think and Grow Rich book off my shelf. I skimmed just a bit and came upon a message that I think is fascinating to think about.

The idea that was in my head was how some people influence others and in how many ways they do that, even some of the ways being completely unknown to them, as in just not being aware, or that they happened after their passing as they continue to influence beyond the grave.

The first person that I thought of by seeing their name in this book was Abraham Lincoln. I saw this text: "Abraham Lincoln was a failure at everything he tried, until he was well past the age of forty. He was a Mr. Nobody from Nowhere, until a great experience came into his life, aroused the sleeping genius within his heart and brain, and gave the world one of its really great men." It's certainly an interesting way to look at someone so famous for so long.

Then I consider Think and Grow Rich as an influence. This book was first published in 1937 and there must be millions of copies of it in various forms in bookstores and all over the Internet. It has influenced so many millions of people all over the planet for well over 75 years and continues to be a great seller even today. So, that is a gigantic influence

But, I want to take this just one step further. Think and Grow Rich was inspired and nurtured by the great steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie, who was a mighty influence at the turn of the last century and also continues to influence millions of others through Napoleon Hill and in creating free libraries all over the country, along with many other influences too long to mention in detail.

Isn't it interesting how one can influence another to greater heights than they even did themselves. Isn't it interesting how we all influence one another in various ways and how past teachers, parents and mentors influence us each day.


We Are So Much More Connected Than We Think.

Spread Some Joy Today--Consider how you are uplifting and influencing others around you--and yourself within you.

Daily Inspiration 1-11-13

"Life will give you whatever experience

is most helpful for the evolution

of your consciousness.

How do you know this is the experience

you need? Because this is the experience

you are having at this moment."

 

-- Eckhart Tolle

All I can think of to share tonight is a bit about my emotional rollercoaster of a day today. I promise to be brief.

It began early this morning responding to a friend's email and giving love and encouragement, and I shared this quote above with him as well. That was a great start. Then I got some computer work done for a few hours

Just after noon, I was in a meeting briefly that was not my idea of a good time, and since it was not set up by me, I just went with it. It gave me concern and I didn't feel good, but in my typical trooper-life fashion, I decided to do my best to let it go and move my emotions step by step to a higher place where I could just let go of it completely.

That wasn't working so well, but I wasn't giving up.

Then another afternoon meeting that was good and I was quiet through most of it with my partner doing the talking. He's good at that. But, it appeared to be coming to an end without covering what I thought was the most important issue, so I chimed in. I was probably a bit intense. (My passion for what I do mostly). But, I knew that early part of the day was working on me.

Then evening came. I decided to share my thoughts about how I felt earlier and that went well, though it was emotional too. Then, from out of the blue I got some most encouraging words from someone who has not been supportive for a long time. I almost cried. It was so special and was exactly what I needed. It was a very simple phrase: "We'll get through this. . ."


Wow. Another Great Day In Paradise . . .

Spread Some Joy Today--"Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, trust me, it's not the end." -- From the film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Daily Inspiration 1-10-13

"Courtesies of a small and trivial character

are the ones which strike deepest

in the grateful and appreciating heart."

 

-- Henry Clay

I was out and about and paying some bills today. Sometimes, paying bills might seem like a task that we would rather not do because it seems to deplete our cash resources, but I'm having a whole other way of looking at it in recent years.

Today I had the common privilege of paying my garbage bill. It was $35 and change. Whenever I pay that bill I just want to go to the nearest mountain top and scream and yell how excited I am to pay such a stupid small amount of money for such an awesome service. I mean, think about it, they come to my house and pick up my trimmings, my recyclables, my garbage every single week, 52 times a year, and it costs me only $35 and change. Is that a ridiculous bargain, or what?

Then I paid the cable bill. I'm old enough to remember when TV was free. You could put up a coat hanger and make it work, rabbit ears (anyone remember that phrase) made it better, and an antenna on the roof made it great for those with a little bit of money, and once it was installed, the cost was zero dollars every month. Now, my bill is $75 per month and I know so many people over a hundred, but it is with great joy that I pay that bill because of the value it brings into my home. Again, I pay the bill and they send me stuff 24/7 and then I get to choose from a hundred or so channels instead of the old days when there were about 5. What a stupid bargain when you look at what comes in for what little goes out. I mean that isn't even a tank of gas, is it?

Then there's electricity and gas. Last month it was $160. What a crazy low number for what value it brings. And then, water and sewer. Can you imagine not having sewer service? And water--I don't have to go to some well or creek, I turn the tap on the sink and it comes out. I turn the shower on and it comes out and it even comes out hot or cold and I can adjust anywhere in between.

All of these things are no brainer bargains. I want to give them all a tip!


Next Time You Pay That Bill, Write A Note Saying That It Is With Great Joy That I Pay You For This Service!

Spread Some Joy Today--Pass this on to a few friends . . .

Daily Inspiration 1-9-13

"You are never strong enough

that you don't need help."

 

-- Cesar Chavez

This is a quote that is perfect to put on the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator or on top of your monitor so that you can see it often. It's wonderful to think that we are born multi-taskers and that we can handle a lot, but there are places in our lives that we need help. It doesn't matter if we are rich and famous or poor and downtrodden, we all need help from someone else or other people. That makes it important to keep all bridges intact and all avenues open.

This applies as much in our personal lives as it does in our business endeavors. I know in my business endeavors that I am finding more people to help out all the time and as it grows, I need ever more help. I see some clients trying to manage it all and that just doesn't work. What is your time worth?

In our personal lives there are all kinds of things that we need help with, whether it is our taxes, getting out of a tax jam, getting help to keep up the house, the yard, the ranch and so much more.

Praise God for all those people out there who like to do things I hate doing! What a wonderful help that is. Seek and ye shall find!


I Am Blessed By The Helpers! Thank YOU!

Spread Some Joy Today--Help someone else who can use some help.

Daily Inspiration 1-8-13

"Who were you before

  you learned to be afraid?"

 

-- Alan Cohen

When I was about 5 years old, my mother had me take tap dance lessons. I had these black patent leather-like tap shoes and I practiced in the kitchen. We had a recital and my mother tied a green ribbon on one foot and a red one on the other. She was like that. She grew up on a farm in Iowa and she found ways to get attention like wearing two different socks and such. Since it worked for her, she was doing it for me. I'm sure she meant well, but it was devastating to me.

When my turn came at the recital, I mustered the courage to actually stand up there, but could not muster the courage to dance. I never tap danced again. I ran out in embarrassment.

I've had other such failed endeavors throughout my life and most often, it is all about fear in some way or another. So, I thought Alan Cohen's question was so darn good to consider. Who was I before I learned to be afraid?

As I reflect on that question now, I find more power than I had before. I used to espouse that whenever you feel fear, to ask yourself two questions. One, what are you really afraid of? Good question. Two, what is the worst thing that could happen? Another good one meant to make little of the fear and bring it into a good reality.

But, now I have a better question: Who were you before you learned to be afraid?


The Answer Is You Were Fearless!

Spread Some Joy Today--Fear-less.

Daily Inspiration 1-7-13

"It's not because things are difficult

that we don't dare;

It's because we don't dare

that things are difficult."

 

-- Seneca

I think this quote is funny how true it is. There are a lot of things that I intend to do and because I don't know how to do them, or I'm waiting for inspiration, I deal with procrastination often. I think I could safely say that I am a veritable expert on that subject. But, because the game needs to move forward, I can only hide behind procrastination for so long and then I have to face the difficulty by daring to act unknowingly.

Yes, I often act with little or no knowledge of how I'm going to do something, and in so doing, I somehow find the necessary skill to do that thing. It was so difficult all the time I was not willing to dare, or act, then, magically, by daring, the difficulty is severely lessened, and often it evaporates completely. I find that fascinating.


Set It Before You And Start Your Daring Adventure. It Is Amazing How Much Skill And Knowledge You Have.

Spread Some Joy Today--Do something for someone without them knowing where it came from. That is a special reward.

Daily Inspiration 1-6-13

"Have patience with all things,

But, first of all with yourself."

 

-- Saint Francis de Sales

My ability to have patience with people and things has risen dramatically in the last 6 years or so. I've grown in wisdom, as it should be, and in that wisdom, I find patience with others and processes that I didn't have when I was younger. It was all about impatience then, and it was encouraged that way, don't you know.

However, the place I am not so good at is allowing patience of myself; giving myself the slack that should go to any human being; allowing my emotions to play a part. They say that we are hardest on ourselves and I have been that.

I am making progress. I am aware. That is step one. Yet, when I saw this quote above, I knew I wasn't quite there yet, so you can see that I need more work. I'm a work in progress!


Now I Work On Playing With It Instead Of Working On It. That Takes So Much Pressure Off, Don't You Know.

Spread Some Joy Today--Life someone up. Totally out of the blue, just lift someone up. In the process that joy comes back to you!

Daily Inpsiration 1-5-13

"The West made people too time-conscious,

not knowing where they are going

but speeding to get there

because time is so short."

 

-- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

My wife and I take a ride from Fairfield, over the "hill" into Napa Valley and stop at a Starbuck's there, walk the dog and return. Since she's contracted her illness, we do this often because she really loves the scenery and it's not that far, but the round trip takes about 2 hours.

It is a nice break from my computer routine, and I LOVE the scenery. Much of the trip over the mountain is windy narrow road where 30 mph might be a bit fast, and we've done this run for the 26 years we've been together. We used to do it in a VW Cabriolet convertible, which was her favorite car, and with the top down and driving at a leisurely pace, it is among the most pleasant drives on the planet, except for the road to Hana on Maui.

Now we do it once a week or more and there isn't much traffic to deal with, but sometimes there is some pretty impatient people. The speed limit on the whole trip maximum is 40 mph, and today even going 45 mph, we had quite a number of type A's thinking we were holding them from their important appointments. I pull over when I can, but there isn't much in that respect available.

So today, a thought came to me that I had to write down. It was two short phrases: on a mission and on an adventure. It seemed like we were on an adventure without time constraints. After all, it is a long and winding road, not a thoroughfare. We weren't dilly-dallying, but were not in a hurry either. Then, there seemed to be a lot of people that were on a mission. They were intent and several even passed on the double yellow line to show their anxiousness. I was impressed.

It's an interesting way to look at things, don't you think? On a mission versus on an adventure. It's also a good way to look at our lives from a more global point of view. Are we on a mission? or are we on an adventure? They require two very different ways of looking at the world, don't you agree?


I Decided Today That I'm On An Adventure. I'm Going To Look At My Life That Way From Here On. Thank You Who Were On A Mission Today. You Made My Day!

Spread Some Joy Today--Follow your adventure moment by moment today while enjoying fully the journey.

Daily Inspiration 1-4-13

"Weeds are flowers, too,

once you get to know them."

 

-- A. A. Milne

This is a wonderful quote from children's book author and Winnie-the-Pooh spokesperson, A. A. Milne. The word weed is such an interesting word and everyone I know has always classified a weed as an unwanted thing. So, I went to a favorite place on the web, Wikipedia, for some clarification and they seem to agree:

"The term weed is used in a variety of senses, generally centering around a plant that is not desired within a certain context. The term weed is a subjective one, without any classification value, since a plant that is a weed in one context is not a weed when growing where it belongs or is wanted. Indeed, a number of plants that many consider "weeds", are often intentionally grown by people in gardens or other cultivated-plant settings. Therefore, a weed is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance. The word commonly is applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More vaguely, "weed" is applied to any plants that grow and reproduce aggressively and invasively.[1] The term weed has also been generalized to any species, not just plants, that can live in diverse environments and reproduce quickly, and the term has even been applied to humans.[2]"

I like how they said that it is "centering around a plant that is not desired within a certain context." It's not just about flowerbeds, but homes, businesses, on the street, around town. It's all around. All of that just makes me like A. A. Milne's quote all the more.


Beauty And Value Are Purely In The Eyes Of The Beholder.

Spread Some Joy Today--Go on linked-in and give someone a great recommendation without prior notice. When they get it, they will beam ear to ear.

Daily Inspiration 1-3-13

"By focusing attention on a vision,

the leader operates on the

emotional and spiritual resources

of the organization."

 

-- Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus

from Leaders

I pulled only one sentence out of a marvelous paragraph from the book, Leaders, Strategies for Taking Charge by Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus, 2nd revised edition, 1997. But, you have to read the whole paragraph to enjoy its special beauty. Here it is:

"We have here one of the clearest distinctions between a leader and the manager. By focusing attention on a vision, the leader operates on the emotional and spiritual resources of the organization, on its values, commitment and aspirations. The manager, by contrast, operates on the physical resources of the organization, on its capital, human skills, raw materials and technology. Any competent manager can make it possible for people in the organization to earn a living. An excellent manager can see to it that work is done productively and efficiently, on schedule, and with a high level of quality. It remains for the effective leader, however, to help people in the organization know pride and satisfaction in their work. Great leaders often inspire their followers to high levels of achievement by showing them how their work contributes to worthwhile ends. It is an emotional appeal to some of the most fundamental of human needs--the need to be important, to make a difference, to feel useful, to be a part of a successful and worthwhile enterprise."

I've studied much on the subject of leadership and management, and I don't recall ever seeing such a fine and, in my mind, correct and thoughtful distinction. I especially keyed in on the phrase, "a leader operates on the emotional and spiritual resources of the organization." What a powerful place to operate and it so finely defines more about leadership.

Some think it is a lot about personality, charisma, education, and so on, but those could only be side benefits, if they are benefits at all. This only goes to show clearly that all can become a leader as they learn to understand this paragraph, take it to heart, and live it daily.


This Has Always Been My Own Passion And Desire.

Spread Some Joy Today--Keep reading, regularly. Learning is joy.

Daily Inspiration 1-2-13

"Problems give meaning to life. . .

 

We all have a tendency all of our lives to want

to get rid of problems and responsibilities.

When that temptation arises, remember the youth

who was questioning a lonely old man.

"What is life's heaviest burden?" he asked.

The old fellow answered sadly,

"Having nothing to carry."

 

-- John C Maxwell

from Developing the Leader Within You

We probably all discovered that our problems didn't evaporate at midnight on New Year's Eve. Probably as soon as we opened our eyes yesterday and saw the new day of the new year, we realized that nothing really changed. That would be cool though.

As I was perusing through my library to find a great quote, I was drawn to one of my favorite John C Maxwell books published in 1993, Developing the Leader Within You, and as I came to the page with the heading, problems give meaning to life, I thought it was perfect.

We are so well trained to think of problems as something to solve, overcome, deal with, stew about, make lists of, and generally mess with. It is as if they are attackers from the outside evil regime and we are defending the motherland and we have to analyze and overcome the odds and succeed. Or, at least to succeed is the hope.

But what if we started thinking a new thought about problems. What if we started thinking how they add value to our lives, how they help us grow and become more than we were? How about if we got excited about a problem and began thanking God for such an opportunity as this? What if instead of a problem being a problem, it was an opportunity instead? What if we secretly looked forward to problems as if they were Christmas presents in a beautiful bright package?

This is something we can change for the new year. We can begin to see our problems as opportunities, and how they do and will benefit us as we enjoy the experiences they bring.


I Have The Most Powerful Tool At My Constant Disposal. I Have The Power To Change My Thinking.

Spread Some Joy Today--Try one of my favorite lines I use a lot. "Have I told you I love you lately?" It is magic!

Daily Inspiration 1-1-13

"You don't launch a popular blog,

you build one."

 

-- Seth Godin

This quote above came from a Seth Godin blog post called Writer's block and the drip and was the second to the last line in the post. When I read it, the thing just jumped off the page at me.

My first thought was, how profoundly true that statement is. You see, I've learned so much about blogs, their value, how they work and how to make them better, when five years ago I didn't even know what one was. Now I write several myself and our company has launched over 155 blogs and currently manage just over a hundred. This email Daily Inspirations is also a blog where every post exists since the first in 2009. It is only now gaining in popularity by sheer volume of words and quotes.

In Seth's post, he says, "a post, day after day, week after week, 400 times a year, 4000 times a decade. When you commit to writing regularly, the stakes for each thing you write go down." He mentioned that not every post will be brilliant, but enough of them may be to leave your mark. Seth has left his mark. I receive his blog posts via email almost every day. He just published in late December, a book of a collection of six years of posts called, Whatch Gonna Do With That Duck? I just received my copy and I love the way it works as a book.

Back to the story. . . The only way a blog really works is in volume and content, or quantity along with quality. Posting often, sharing things of value, including ideas, as in building something. It grows as it is posted and as time goes on the layers help create the power of the blog. This is one place where the more, the better works as much as the better, the more. Quality often comes from practice (or just getting lucky).

Of course, Seth's quote applies equally to other things. As an example, you don't launch a popular business, you build one, or you don't launch a great life, you build one. The magic bullet, if there were such a thing, would be to build, layer upon layer, moment upon moment. This applies equally to things and non-things like building relationships with people.


Let's Go Create Some Layers And Build Something Continually New And More Valuable. And Fun!

Spread Some Joy Today--Make a list of things you want to do or accomplish. It doesn't require a timeframe. Now, pick the three most important to you. Last, do something however insignificant it may be toward those every day. Maybe it will just be seeing yourself in the picture, or maybe you make many small steps toward it. Just do something each day. This will add to your joy, and your accomplishments.