Its amazing as the weekend comes to a close that we have mixed emotions about what Sunday actually brings. For me, I am excited about another upcoming week and the opportunity to try to get things right again.
School is back in session for most and I know that students/parents are excited for a new year. I think my thoughts today correlate well with the start of the new school year. Basically, we all know that school's function is to prepare you for your next challenge.
I heard a message this morning talking about 'Tests' in an illustration about school and life. They left me with this to think about; school teaches you things that helps you pass tests and life presents you with tests daily to prepare you to teach others. We have to remember that every test that we encounter is preparing us for something better. These are tests just to make sure that we are ready to receive amazing.
I trust that everyone has experienced a great weekend and is preparing for an amazing week.
What do you think life is preparing you for? How do you approach your tests in life? Have you passed some tests that you felt as though you weren't prepared for? What do you think prepared you for the tests you have encountered? Family? Friends? Are their some situations that are testing your decisions? Relationships? Career?
“Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies”
“Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood.”
-Charles Swindoll
“Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character.”
-Chinese Proverbs
“The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests.”
-Gail Sheehy
“It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
“You must welcome tests because it gives you confidence and it ensures promotion.”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba
“Never forget that [God] tests his real friends more severely than the lukewarm ones.”
-Kathryn Hulme
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Saturday Evening Thoughts on Ego 08/21/10
Enjoying a somewhat lazy Saturday and wouldn’t have it any other way. I checked the calendar and there are 142 days before College Football’s National Championship Game that will be held in the Valley of the Sun. This far out I am pretty excited as one of my favorite times of the year is nearly upon us. Everything about football season appeals to me especially the weather, since it will finally start to cool down a bit.
This past week was pretty much routine for me, but I did have the chance to participate in the kick-off meeting for the 4th year of the Leadership Academy for 8th graders that I am part of here in the valley. I think about the things that bring me joy and I enjoy every minute of my time that I give to these young men. So as I reflect on my experiences from just yesterday in this initial meeting I started to see a bit of an ‘ego’ that I had about making a difference in the lives of others.
Some people will tell you that having an ego is bad, but I am sure there are some positives to having an ego. You have to carry a certain confidence or swag with some things that you do.
Has your ego ever gotten in the way of your success? Are you able to recognize when your ego can be seen as a negative? Can your ego be a positive? Do others see your ego? What types of things influence your ego? Is your ego to big to be deflated?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember that you are standing at the door of amazing; you just have to walk through it. Make it a great weekend.
“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”
-Deepak Chopra
“The foundation of the Buddha's teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.”
-Tenzin Gyatso
“Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.”
-Colin Powell
“Each Warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego but of the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute to the solution of the hardest problems, no matter how vexing!”
-Pat Riley
“People who are too concerned with how well they are doing will be less successful and feel less competent than those who focus on the task itself... Some psychologists call it a conflict between ego-orientation, or between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation... but in all cases, what counts is whether attention is turned away from the task at hand and focused on the self and its future rewards, or whether it is instead trained on the task itself. The latter attitude seems the more fruitful.”
This past week was pretty much routine for me, but I did have the chance to participate in the kick-off meeting for the 4th year of the Leadership Academy for 8th graders that I am part of here in the valley. I think about the things that bring me joy and I enjoy every minute of my time that I give to these young men. So as I reflect on my experiences from just yesterday in this initial meeting I started to see a bit of an ‘ego’ that I had about making a difference in the lives of others.
Some people will tell you that having an ego is bad, but I am sure there are some positives to having an ego. You have to carry a certain confidence or swag with some things that you do.
Has your ego ever gotten in the way of your success? Are you able to recognize when your ego can be seen as a negative? Can your ego be a positive? Do others see your ego? What types of things influence your ego? Is your ego to big to be deflated?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember that you are standing at the door of amazing; you just have to walk through it. Make it a great weekend.
“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”
-Deepak Chopra
“The foundation of the Buddha's teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.”
-Tenzin Gyatso
“Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.”
-Colin Powell
“Each Warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego but of the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute to the solution of the hardest problems, no matter how vexing!”
-Pat Riley
“People who are too concerned with how well they are doing will be less successful and feel less competent than those who focus on the task itself... Some psychologists call it a conflict between ego-orientation, or between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation... but in all cases, what counts is whether attention is turned away from the task at hand and focused on the self and its future rewards, or whether it is instead trained on the task itself. The latter attitude seems the more fruitful.”
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday Morning Thoughts on Confidence 08/16/10
The weekend is over and other than the heat I can say that it was pretty amazing. By the time Friday arrived I was already in the mindset of trying to make the weekend amazing for others. I can confidently say that I did my best to share my blessings with others to try to give them a little amazing too. Whether it was a conversation via the telephone or in person I think there were some amazing moments this weekend for me.
It seems like no matter where I was that there were some commonalties in a lot of things that I was involved in. Several of my conversations seem to revolve around confidence as I engaged in some discussions about life and what keeps us from accomplishing things. We could have all the tools and resources in the world, but when we lack confidence achieving success isn’t always guaranteed.
How can we lead others if we don’t have the confidence to lead ourselves? How confident are you in ‘YOU’? How important is confidence in our daily lives? Do you ever allow others to negatively influence your confidence?
At the beginning and end of anything thing that we do in life there’s one thing that is certain is that ultimately it all boils down to what ‘WE’ do. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams whatever they may be and don’t let anyone steal your confidence in your skills/abilities. Make today a great day and let it be the start of an amazing week for you.
“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”
“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
-Rosalynn Carter
“With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights; without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your grasp.”
“As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”
“Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”
-Douglas Bader
“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.”
-Stacey Charter
It seems like no matter where I was that there were some commonalties in a lot of things that I was involved in. Several of my conversations seem to revolve around confidence as I engaged in some discussions about life and what keeps us from accomplishing things. We could have all the tools and resources in the world, but when we lack confidence achieving success isn’t always guaranteed.
How can we lead others if we don’t have the confidence to lead ourselves? How confident are you in ‘YOU’? How important is confidence in our daily lives? Do you ever allow others to negatively influence your confidence?
At the beginning and end of anything thing that we do in life there’s one thing that is certain is that ultimately it all boils down to what ‘WE’ do. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams whatever they may be and don’t let anyone steal your confidence in your skills/abilities. Make today a great day and let it be the start of an amazing week for you.
“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”
“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
-Rosalynn Carter
“With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights; without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your grasp.”
“As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”
“Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”
-Douglas Bader
“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.”
-Stacey Charter
Saturday Evening Thoughts on Happiness 08/14/10
Another scorcher in the valley and I am trying to stay cool the best way I know how. I think the temperature may only be around 110 degrees right now. And if you really think about it, that's really not that bad. I am excited about the rest of this Saturday as the NFL season has started and I am headed to a pre-season Cardinals game. I know that this is one of those things that I enjoy and it does bring a little happiness to an otherwise brutally warm weekend.
This past week was a very good week as I had some time away and got to spend some time with some people that care a great deal about me. Its amazing how knowing some cares can bring you happiness in spite of anything else that you have going on.
Its no surprise that my thoughts right now revolve around happiness. I guess I kind of arrived at this point based on needing to find true happiness in my life, but also because friend sent me an email asking me where was her inspirational message me. She made it seem like I normally know just the right time say a certain thing and make her days better. So I guess my thoughts were a direct result of that conversation.
Here are a few things that I was thinking about happiness that may spur some additional thoughts for you.
What does happiness mean to you? Who controls your happiness? Do you let others determine your happiness? Are you keeping people around you that have a desire to make you happy or help create happiness? Are you happy with yourself? If not, what are you willing to change to be happy with yourself?
I guess you can say that I find my happiness in sharing thoughts and discoveries with you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember you are on the cusp of something amazing!
“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.”
-Oscar Wilde
“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”
-Stacey Charter
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”
“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
-Dale Carnegie
“Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”
-Jim Valvano
This past week was a very good week as I had some time away and got to spend some time with some people that care a great deal about me. Its amazing how knowing some cares can bring you happiness in spite of anything else that you have going on.
Its no surprise that my thoughts right now revolve around happiness. I guess I kind of arrived at this point based on needing to find true happiness in my life, but also because friend sent me an email asking me where was her inspirational message me. She made it seem like I normally know just the right time say a certain thing and make her days better. So I guess my thoughts were a direct result of that conversation.
Here are a few things that I was thinking about happiness that may spur some additional thoughts for you.
What does happiness mean to you? Who controls your happiness? Do you let others determine your happiness? Are you keeping people around you that have a desire to make you happy or help create happiness? Are you happy with yourself? If not, what are you willing to change to be happy with yourself?
I guess you can say that I find my happiness in sharing thoughts and discoveries with you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember you are on the cusp of something amazing!
“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.”
-Oscar Wilde
“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”
-Stacey Charter
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”
“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
-Dale Carnegie
“Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”
-Jim Valvano
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday Evening Thoughts on Transformation 8/1/10
Wow, its amazing how this year has really flown by. Just yesterday we were in July and today is August 1st. Hard to believe we have already gone through 7 months and are heading into the home stretch of the year. This has been a hot summer in the valley, but we got a little reprieve this weekend as it rained quite a bit and the temps dipped below 90 degrees.
So I am sitting here finishing up my Sunday night ritual as I finish off the amazing hot fudge sundae at Houstons. My dinner was amazing as I had the opportunity to share food and conversation with a friend. Its funny that during dinner I had the opportunity to see the confirmation of some things that I have been thinking about recently.
Even before my dinner this evening I was having some conversations with people that care about me and the role that I am supposed to play in life. A preschool classmate(J-Rock) who I am still close with to this day reminded me that I have a unique skill set and personality and to keep doing whatever it is that is going to make me happy! At the end of the day its our happiness that we should ultimately be concerned about.
I think back to our conversation in sunday school this morning about the patient woman. It kind of had me thinking about a few things and I had a few questions for myself as my thoughts began to revolve around transformation.
As I look at where I am currently, I wonder if I am on the cusp of a transformation. I think some of the pieces are in place for a transformation as I begin to realize that I have changed aspects of my appearance, thought processes, and lifestyle. What prompted me to begin to do some of these things? Was it the opinions of others or was I mature enough to understand that it was time for a change?
Often times we are in need of transformation of different aspects in our lives, but for various reasons the transformation never takes place.
Are we waiting for something to happen that prompts the transformation? What is it that we are waiting for? What are we doing while we are waiting?
I hope that you had an enjoyable week and I wish many blessings upon you in the upcoming week. Also, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Alvin Battle and thank you for continuing to push me!(Glad you enjoyed your birthday present)
“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”
-Joseph Campbell
“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.”
-Marianne Williamson
“Transformation literally means going beyond your form.”
-Wayne Dyer
“Sometimes a breakdown can be the beginning of a kind of breakthrough, a way of living in advance through a trauma that prepares you for a future of radical transformation.”
-Cherrie Moraga
“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.”
So I am sitting here finishing up my Sunday night ritual as I finish off the amazing hot fudge sundae at Houstons. My dinner was amazing as I had the opportunity to share food and conversation with a friend. Its funny that during dinner I had the opportunity to see the confirmation of some things that I have been thinking about recently.
Even before my dinner this evening I was having some conversations with people that care about me and the role that I am supposed to play in life. A preschool classmate(J-Rock) who I am still close with to this day reminded me that I have a unique skill set and personality and to keep doing whatever it is that is going to make me happy! At the end of the day its our happiness that we should ultimately be concerned about.
I think back to our conversation in sunday school this morning about the patient woman. It kind of had me thinking about a few things and I had a few questions for myself as my thoughts began to revolve around transformation.
As I look at where I am currently, I wonder if I am on the cusp of a transformation. I think some of the pieces are in place for a transformation as I begin to realize that I have changed aspects of my appearance, thought processes, and lifestyle. What prompted me to begin to do some of these things? Was it the opinions of others or was I mature enough to understand that it was time for a change?
Often times we are in need of transformation of different aspects in our lives, but for various reasons the transformation never takes place.
Are we waiting for something to happen that prompts the transformation? What is it that we are waiting for? What are we doing while we are waiting?
I hope that you had an enjoyable week and I wish many blessings upon you in the upcoming week. Also, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Alvin Battle and thank you for continuing to push me!(Glad you enjoyed your birthday present)
“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”
-Joseph Campbell
“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.”
-Marianne Williamson
“Transformation literally means going beyond your form.”
-Wayne Dyer
“Sometimes a breakdown can be the beginning of a kind of breakthrough, a way of living in advance through a trauma that prepares you for a future of radical transformation.”
-Cherrie Moraga
“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.”
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