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.