For most people this is just another Wednesday or the 1st Hump Day of the New Year, but I guess you can say it has another meaning for me. Today is also my 33rd birthday and I can say that only a couple of hours into it I can see that it’s going to be an amazing day. And if you know me at all, you can believe that I am relaxing and enjoying myself with my feet kicked up. The calls and texts that I have received so far have been the perfect gifts that I needed today.(oh and the gift card my brother got me was pretty amazing too) Looking back as a kid growing up I always thought it would take forever to be a certain age, but it seems like the years keep coming faster.
My thirty three years have blessed me with a lot and I am oh so very thankful for my friends, family, and the experiences that have molded me to be the person that I am today. Just when I thought I had 32 figured out, I get to learn about what it means to be 33. That’s probably a normal feeling for most of us, as we leave the old and usher in something new.
A new year has started and set the stage for new opportunities, new changes, new everything, and basically a new you if you take that path. The past is what it is THE PAST, but we can use the experiences, relationships, and people from our past to carry us through the present and to the future.
Some people have this thought that when the New Year hits it means New Year’s resolutions and a new you. And don’t get me wrong it’s not a bad thing as it helps people establish goals and timelines to accomplish things. Often times when we think about something new about ourselves, we tend to think that we have to change something about ourselves. The change we make doesn’t always have to be a big deal, but a simple change of perspective that could bring about a new outlook or even a new view of ourselves. As I mention perspective I have to think about how often we hear others talk about changes that we need to make, but I wonder if they ever thought about changing their perspective on what they see.
So as I prepare to go further into 2011 as a thirty-three year old young man, I asked myself a few questions that may assist with my matriculation into this New Year of my life. I also had to remind myself of the definition of insanity: “DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT!” Remember that in this New Year there are some amazing things on the horizon for you and you just have to be ready for them.
What does new mean to me? What do I have that is old? What am I willing to do in order to see something new? Am I even ready for anything new? People? Relationships? Opportunity? Is my past preventing me from embracing anything new?
“The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully have been kindness, beauty, and truth”
Albert Einstein
“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”
“All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners... Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they're not learning, they're not growing... not moving toward excellence.”
-Denis Waitley
“Old ways will always remain unless some one invents a new way and then lives and dies for it”
-Elbert Hubbard
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
-Maria Robinson
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
-C.S. Lewis
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely...”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.”
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Christmas Thoughts on gifts 12/25/10
There’s no escaping it, Christmas is here and I can only scratch my head as I look at how fast that this year has gone by. For me there was no waking up to the pitter pat of little feet rushing about the house to the Christmas, but that doesn’t mean that so far this Christmas hasn’t been amazing. While, we all have unique experiences I think I love my life so much as I am always able to experience so much Christmas love from all over the world.
I am not sure what time I went to sleep last night, but it may have been around 9:30 as I woke up to missed text messages from around 9:35 pm. All I know is that around 12:30 am my pop picked up the phone and called me from Germany to wish me a Merry Christmas since he was already celebrating. It was like I wasn’t even tired anymore and we talked for awhile to celebrate the day. After talking to my dad, I was able to catch a few more ZZZZZZs and managed to sleep through the many mass Christmas texts that started rolling in from friends and loved ones on the east coast. I can’t lie that you really feel the love from your family and friends during the holidays especially when you are separated by distance.
Even after not getting some of the things that were on my Christmas Wishlist such as an autographed copy of a Blankman DVD or an Alabama Crimson Tide Snuggie. All jokes aside I couldn't be happier because of the gifts that I have realized not just on this Christmas but everyday that I live. When I talked to my mother today she gave me the greatest gift that I could ever receive in telling me that I was an amazing son, brother and uncle. It was in that moment that I was so very blessed to understand the gift that I have been given and the gift I am to those around me.
So as we think about the gifts that we are giving and receiving this holiday season what is the common theme? I am willing to bet that they all contain care and concern for the recipient. The things that were wrapped were material, but this holiday was about the spirit of giving. There was much more given this holiday season that you could never put a price on. There were phone calls and visits that come this time of year that brighten the lives of so many.
As you prepare to enjoy the rest of this wonderful Christmas holiday, I wish you and your family many blessings now and always. My gift to you always will be my friendship and love as that's the greatest gift that I could ever give. Don't forget that you are on the cusp of amazing, but you have to be willing to give of yourself to get there. Now is not the time to be scared and hold back on the things that you can give to those around you. We can never become the best if we are comfortable in the role of the being best there never was. There's no better time than now!!
So I asked myself a few questions as I prepare to end 2010 and get even better in 2011.
What makes a good gift? What is the greatest gift that you have ever given at any point in your life? What is the greatest gift that you have ever received? Are you willing yo share your gift with others? Are you using your gifts in the right way?
“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Love is, above all, the gift of oneself”
-Jean Anouilh
“The best gift you can give is a hug: one size fits all and no one ever minds if you return it”
“Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third”
-Marge Piercy
“Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.”
“I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment”
-Frances Farmer
“Everyone is gifted - but some people never open their package”
“The greatest gift is to give people your enlightenment, to share it. It has to be the greatest.”
-Buddha
I am not sure what time I went to sleep last night, but it may have been around 9:30 as I woke up to missed text messages from around 9:35 pm. All I know is that around 12:30 am my pop picked up the phone and called me from Germany to wish me a Merry Christmas since he was already celebrating. It was like I wasn’t even tired anymore and we talked for awhile to celebrate the day. After talking to my dad, I was able to catch a few more ZZZZZZs and managed to sleep through the many mass Christmas texts that started rolling in from friends and loved ones on the east coast. I can’t lie that you really feel the love from your family and friends during the holidays especially when you are separated by distance.
Even after not getting some of the things that were on my Christmas Wishlist such as an autographed copy of a Blankman DVD or an Alabama Crimson Tide Snuggie. All jokes aside I couldn't be happier because of the gifts that I have realized not just on this Christmas but everyday that I live. When I talked to my mother today she gave me the greatest gift that I could ever receive in telling me that I was an amazing son, brother and uncle. It was in that moment that I was so very blessed to understand the gift that I have been given and the gift I am to those around me.
So as we think about the gifts that we are giving and receiving this holiday season what is the common theme? I am willing to bet that they all contain care and concern for the recipient. The things that were wrapped were material, but this holiday was about the spirit of giving. There was much more given this holiday season that you could never put a price on. There were phone calls and visits that come this time of year that brighten the lives of so many.
As you prepare to enjoy the rest of this wonderful Christmas holiday, I wish you and your family many blessings now and always. My gift to you always will be my friendship and love as that's the greatest gift that I could ever give. Don't forget that you are on the cusp of amazing, but you have to be willing to give of yourself to get there. Now is not the time to be scared and hold back on the things that you can give to those around you. We can never become the best if we are comfortable in the role of the being best there never was. There's no better time than now!!
So I asked myself a few questions as I prepare to end 2010 and get even better in 2011.
What makes a good gift? What is the greatest gift that you have ever given at any point in your life? What is the greatest gift that you have ever received? Are you willing yo share your gift with others? Are you using your gifts in the right way?
“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Love is, above all, the gift of oneself”
-Jean Anouilh
“The best gift you can give is a hug: one size fits all and no one ever minds if you return it”
“Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third”
-Marge Piercy
“Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.”
“I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment”
-Frances Farmer
“Everyone is gifted - but some people never open their package”
“The greatest gift is to give people your enlightenment, to share it. It has to be the greatest.”
-Buddha
Saturday Evening Thoughts on Worth 12/18/10
Relaxing on a lazy Saturday and watching the sunset on what was another beautiful day in the Valley of the Sun. This time next week, we will be in the midst of enjoying the christmas holiday. You can't travel anywhere or talk to anyone without being reminded about the holiday season.
This is a great time of the year to enjoy friends and family. There's probably no shortage of 'Remember the Reason for the Season' comments everywhere you go these days. What is it about the time period from thanksgiving through christmas that makes people remember their giving spirit?
The spirit of giving is running rampant through all of our lives right now. Even when the holiday season is not present, the spirit of giving should always be a part of our lives.
As I started to think about the giving spirit, my thoughts began to revolve around the term worth. It's quite interesting that I have been involved in a lot of conversations lately where people have been questioning their worth and if some things were worth it.
Mainly these conversations have been centered around relationships on many levels: casual friendships, employer/employee, boyfriend/girlfriend, and husband/wife. As I continued to listen to the conversations, I began to think that a lot of people don't really understand the concept of worth.
There aren't many things that we do in life that don't involve some sort of giving. We have to do a better job of understanding the worth to ourselves as the giver and what it is worth to the recipient. As you think of giving, most people will think of giving of money, time, and love first. Looking at our lives there is so much that we are able to give that the list encompasses almost everything, but we have to be careful in our giving because we can often be disappointed in a lack of appreciation shown.
Giving of yourself to anyone or anything is probably one of the greatest things that we can give to the world, and you have to remember that the world only gets what you allow it to have.
Do you know your worth? Do others know your worth? What is your time worth? Have you ever thought about what you give to others and the worth of the gift? Have you ever given something to someone/something that wasn't worthy? Is where you are headed in life worth the trouble? Lastly, is the juice worth the squeeze?
As you enjoy your weekend and prepare for a safe holiday season, I remind you that amazing is just around the corner so be ready for it.
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
-Beverly Sills
“Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”
-Oscar Wilde
“What makes life worth living is knowing that one day you'll wake up and find the person that makes you happier than anything in the whole world. So don't ever lose hope and give up, everything turns out okay and the good guy always wins.”
“Only a life lived for others is worth living”
-Albert Einstein
“Our choices in life are made according to our sense of our own worth”
-Kaylan Pickford
“Among Life's precious jewels, Genuine and rare, The one that we call friendship Has worth beyond compare.”
“Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.”
-Confucius
“Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worth while. So when you are lonely, remember it's true: Somebody, somewhere is thinking of you.”
This is a great time of the year to enjoy friends and family. There's probably no shortage of 'Remember the Reason for the Season' comments everywhere you go these days. What is it about the time period from thanksgiving through christmas that makes people remember their giving spirit?
The spirit of giving is running rampant through all of our lives right now. Even when the holiday season is not present, the spirit of giving should always be a part of our lives.
As I started to think about the giving spirit, my thoughts began to revolve around the term worth. It's quite interesting that I have been involved in a lot of conversations lately where people have been questioning their worth and if some things were worth it.
Mainly these conversations have been centered around relationships on many levels: casual friendships, employer/employee, boyfriend/girlfriend, and husband/wife. As I continued to listen to the conversations, I began to think that a lot of people don't really understand the concept of worth.
There aren't many things that we do in life that don't involve some sort of giving. We have to do a better job of understanding the worth to ourselves as the giver and what it is worth to the recipient. As you think of giving, most people will think of giving of money, time, and love first. Looking at our lives there is so much that we are able to give that the list encompasses almost everything, but we have to be careful in our giving because we can often be disappointed in a lack of appreciation shown.
Giving of yourself to anyone or anything is probably one of the greatest things that we can give to the world, and you have to remember that the world only gets what you allow it to have.
Do you know your worth? Do others know your worth? What is your time worth? Have you ever thought about what you give to others and the worth of the gift? Have you ever given something to someone/something that wasn't worthy? Is where you are headed in life worth the trouble? Lastly, is the juice worth the squeeze?
As you enjoy your weekend and prepare for a safe holiday season, I remind you that amazing is just around the corner so be ready for it.
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
-Beverly Sills
“Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”
-Oscar Wilde
“What makes life worth living is knowing that one day you'll wake up and find the person that makes you happier than anything in the whole world. So don't ever lose hope and give up, everything turns out okay and the good guy always wins.”
“Only a life lived for others is worth living”
-Albert Einstein
“Our choices in life are made according to our sense of our own worth”
-Kaylan Pickford
“Among Life's precious jewels, Genuine and rare, The one that we call friendship Has worth beyond compare.”
“Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.”
-Confucius
“Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worth while. So when you are lonely, remember it's true: Somebody, somewhere is thinking of you.”
Friday Evening Thoughts - What's below the Surface 12/10/10
There's really only one way for me to start this off and that's by saying, "Another beautiful day in the land of the living!" I couldn't think of any other way to start off because I am so
thankful to see another day and have yet another opportunity to get this thing we call life right. Waking up this morning I knew that I wasn't going to have all the right answers or say the right things, but if/when I do wake up I am going to put my best foot forward.
Before, I move to far forward, I do want to thank you for the prayers sent up for my family and extended family with the recent passing of a loved one. Even in the midst of grieving there are still positives that seem to come out and provide comfort.
It really doesn't take much for my mind to get running and after a few conversations/interactions with a few people my mind is going full speed. As we are in the holiday season I am starting to see people who are preaching the good will towards all men and thinking of other mantra. I often wonder when I see this from certain people where was this attitude in the middle of March or July. The holidays always tend to bring the caring nature out of people. I wonder how different the world might be if the attitudes we have during the holiday season managed to carry over throughout the entire year. Hmmmm
As I continued to let my thoughts roam a little more the term surface got stuck in my head. I started to think about my experiences growing up and the holiday season. I wonder how many times as a child I became overly excited about a gift that appeared to be wrapped in a better package or in a bigger box. How often was I disappointed because I focused on what I could see on the surface because the real treasure was beneath the surface.
As I think about it, most of our decisions are based on what we are able to see on the surface and it's at that point when we determine if we want to see what's below the surface. We have to remember the iceberg concept as we deal with people and situations as there is only so much that we can see at any given time. For example, I have been asked again about finding a special person to spend my life with and I have a new answer to the question. I can be easily impressed by what I can see on the surface in a person's appearance, but can I close my eyes having a conversation with them and still be impressed with their personality, attitude, and spirit. When I find someone like that I will definitely excited about the future.
As you prepare to enjoy your weekend, I want to remind you to always take a couple of moments to look beyond the surface if you feel it's warranted. Amazing is just around the corner and every now and then you need to look just a little below the surface to find it.
When you meet people does what you see stop at the surface? What is it that makes you curious about what's below the surface? Have you ever been mistaken by what you were able to see on the surface? When people look at you, what do they see on the surface?
“Character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface.”
“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.”
-Michael Caine
“Keep looking below surface appearances. Don't shrink from doing so just because you might not like what you find.”
-Colin Powell
“Behavior which appears superficially correct but is intrinsically corrupt always irritates those who see below the surface”
-James Bryant Conant
“Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly, with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your profession”
-Isaac Watts
“Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience.”
-Randolph Bourne
“There are two sorts of curiosity - the momentary and the permanent. The momentary is concerned with the odd appearance on the surface of things. The permanent is attracted by the amazing and consecutive life that flows on beneath the surface of things.”
-Robert Lynd
thankful to see another day and have yet another opportunity to get this thing we call life right. Waking up this morning I knew that I wasn't going to have all the right answers or say the right things, but if/when I do wake up I am going to put my best foot forward.
Before, I move to far forward, I do want to thank you for the prayers sent up for my family and extended family with the recent passing of a loved one. Even in the midst of grieving there are still positives that seem to come out and provide comfort.
It really doesn't take much for my mind to get running and after a few conversations/interactions with a few people my mind is going full speed. As we are in the holiday season I am starting to see people who are preaching the good will towards all men and thinking of other mantra. I often wonder when I see this from certain people where was this attitude in the middle of March or July. The holidays always tend to bring the caring nature out of people. I wonder how different the world might be if the attitudes we have during the holiday season managed to carry over throughout the entire year. Hmmmm
As I continued to let my thoughts roam a little more the term surface got stuck in my head. I started to think about my experiences growing up and the holiday season. I wonder how many times as a child I became overly excited about a gift that appeared to be wrapped in a better package or in a bigger box. How often was I disappointed because I focused on what I could see on the surface because the real treasure was beneath the surface.
As I think about it, most of our decisions are based on what we are able to see on the surface and it's at that point when we determine if we want to see what's below the surface. We have to remember the iceberg concept as we deal with people and situations as there is only so much that we can see at any given time. For example, I have been asked again about finding a special person to spend my life with and I have a new answer to the question. I can be easily impressed by what I can see on the surface in a person's appearance, but can I close my eyes having a conversation with them and still be impressed with their personality, attitude, and spirit. When I find someone like that I will definitely excited about the future.
As you prepare to enjoy your weekend, I want to remind you to always take a couple of moments to look beyond the surface if you feel it's warranted. Amazing is just around the corner and every now and then you need to look just a little below the surface to find it.
When you meet people does what you see stop at the surface? What is it that makes you curious about what's below the surface? Have you ever been mistaken by what you were able to see on the surface? When people look at you, what do they see on the surface?
“Character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface.”
“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.”
-Michael Caine
“Keep looking below surface appearances. Don't shrink from doing so just because you might not like what you find.”
-Colin Powell
“Behavior which appears superficially correct but is intrinsically corrupt always irritates those who see below the surface”
-James Bryant Conant
“Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly, with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your profession”
-Isaac Watts
“Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience.”
-Randolph Bourne
“There are two sorts of curiosity - the momentary and the permanent. The momentary is concerned with the odd appearance on the surface of things. The permanent is attracted by the amazing and consecutive life that flows on beneath the surface of things.”
-Robert Lynd
Friday Evening Thoughts on Gratitude 12/3/10
Friday evening and I am in the midst of enjoying some of my best times. It's not surprising that I find myself the happiest when I am not at work and in the company of people that genuinely care about me. The day was pretty relaxing as I didn't have to work today.
Today I managed to put a smile or two on the faces of a few people. There could be a few more, but I can only account for some of my actions that directly resulted in a smile or two. Like most mornings, I started my day with a little reflection on where my life is currently and found some quotes to share with those in my circle. When I first started sending the daily quotes out several years ago, I never envisioned the impact that they would have years later. It's gotten to the point that there are people that look forward to receiving them and the quotes have become a part of their day.
As I look back at some of things that I do, people remind me of how they appreciate me being a nice guy. I can only say thanks as its a product how of I was raised and what I learned from those that I spend a lot of time with. I talked on the phone to my Aunt Loretta today and she was just calling to tell me thanks for calling just to say hi every now and then. She said thanks for the quotes and she just appreciated me for who I am.
So as I started thinking about talking to my aunt and seeing the smile on my friend's face when I surprised her by bringing her lunch the made me realize that its okay to be a nice guy. I can honestly say that I try my best to treat people like I want to treated. I don't take actions based on any potential reciprocation.
So I found myself sitting here with thoughts of gratitude and asked myself a few questions.
What does gratitude mean to you? Are you nice because you want people to show gratitude toward you? If people don't show you gratitude are you no longer nice? What are you doing that you would expect people to show gratitude toward? How are you showing gratitude? Why?
At the end of the day, I would like to think that these questions that I posed to myself along with the quotes below may inspire something within you as I know it already has in me.
As you move forward and prepare to enjoy your weekend, I trust that you will embrace the opportunity to have many amazing moments. Enjoy life to the fullest and don't let any opportunities slip out of your hands since tomorrow has the potential to not be like today was.
“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”
-Sarah Caldwell
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
-William Arthur Ward
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
“Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.”
-Gladys Browyn Stern
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
-Brian Tracy
“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.”
-Eileen Caddy
“Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep”
-Felix Frankfurter
“Gratitude preserves old friendships, and procures new.”
Today I managed to put a smile or two on the faces of a few people. There could be a few more, but I can only account for some of my actions that directly resulted in a smile or two. Like most mornings, I started my day with a little reflection on where my life is currently and found some quotes to share with those in my circle. When I first started sending the daily quotes out several years ago, I never envisioned the impact that they would have years later. It's gotten to the point that there are people that look forward to receiving them and the quotes have become a part of their day.
As I look back at some of things that I do, people remind me of how they appreciate me being a nice guy. I can only say thanks as its a product how of I was raised and what I learned from those that I spend a lot of time with. I talked on the phone to my Aunt Loretta today and she was just calling to tell me thanks for calling just to say hi every now and then. She said thanks for the quotes and she just appreciated me for who I am.
So as I started thinking about talking to my aunt and seeing the smile on my friend's face when I surprised her by bringing her lunch the made me realize that its okay to be a nice guy. I can honestly say that I try my best to treat people like I want to treated. I don't take actions based on any potential reciprocation.
So I found myself sitting here with thoughts of gratitude and asked myself a few questions.
What does gratitude mean to you? Are you nice because you want people to show gratitude toward you? If people don't show you gratitude are you no longer nice? What are you doing that you would expect people to show gratitude toward? How are you showing gratitude? Why?
At the end of the day, I would like to think that these questions that I posed to myself along with the quotes below may inspire something within you as I know it already has in me.
As you move forward and prepare to enjoy your weekend, I trust that you will embrace the opportunity to have many amazing moments. Enjoy life to the fullest and don't let any opportunities slip out of your hands since tomorrow has the potential to not be like today was.
“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”
-Sarah Caldwell
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
-William Arthur Ward
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
“Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.”
-Gladys Browyn Stern
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
-Brian Tracy
“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.”
-Eileen Caddy
“Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep”
-Felix Frankfurter
“Gratitude preserves old friendships, and procures new.”
Thanksgiving Thoughts on Grateful 11/25/10
I woke up this morning and all I could say was thank you and that I am grateful for the opportunity to see another day. I barely opened my eyes this morning and I was able to see how many people were able to get up before me and wish me a happy thanksgiving. It’s amazing how the holidays roll around and you are reminded about all the things and people that you are grateful for in our lives.
In our daily lives we are often so busy or so involved in things that we forget to take a moment to appreciate everything that our life is comprised of. I couldn’t help but think about being grateful for the opportunities that we have to make a difference in the lives of others. Several things happened so far today that gave me a different perspective not just on thanksgiving, but how I celebrate everyday of my life.
Thanksgiving is traditionally associated with food and football, and today is no different. Although, if you were watching football earlier there was a story on Chris Henry (former football player for the Cincinnati Bengals) who passed away last year talking about his life. While it was a very unfortunate event losing a loved one, the story centered on what his mother did in the face of the tragedy. At the time of his passing his mother made the decision that based on her son’s physical condition his organs could help give some others a second chance. There were some individuals who had been waiting on the transplant lists for quite a while and she was able to help four individuals by donating the Chris’s lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
The story became very touching as they showed her meeting the families for the first time and saying that they were now a part of her family as the spirit of her son was living through them now. While a tragic loss, Chris’s mother turned this experience into a positive for others because she was grateful that her son was in the physical condition he was to help these individuals that he never had the chance to meet.
So after a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning as they were telling me how thankful that they were for my friendship I continued to think about a few things.
What does it mean to be grateful? What are you grateful for? Are you taking advantage of the things that make you grateful? Are you grateful without action?
At this very moment, I can tell you that I am grateful for everything in my life good and bad. The bad things actually are a blessing since they really make you realize how grateful you are for the learning experiences and opportunity to stay humble.
On this Thanksgiving 2010, I am grateful that you are a part of my life and that I can share my thoughts with you. Have a blessed holiday while enjoying the time spent with family, friends, and loved ones. Enjoy today for what it is, as you don’t know what tomorrow may bring.
“A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.”
-William Arthur Ward
“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears”
-Anthony Robbins
“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
-Marcel Proust
“When we are grateful for the good we already have, we attract more good into our life. On the other hand, when we are ungrateful, we tend to shut ourselves off from the good we might otherwise experience.”
-Margaret Stortz
“Given the amount of unjust suffering and unhappiness in the world, I am deeply grateful for, sometimes even perplexed by, how much misery I have been spared.”
-Dennis Prager
In our daily lives we are often so busy or so involved in things that we forget to take a moment to appreciate everything that our life is comprised of. I couldn’t help but think about being grateful for the opportunities that we have to make a difference in the lives of others. Several things happened so far today that gave me a different perspective not just on thanksgiving, but how I celebrate everyday of my life.
Thanksgiving is traditionally associated with food and football, and today is no different. Although, if you were watching football earlier there was a story on Chris Henry (former football player for the Cincinnati Bengals) who passed away last year talking about his life. While it was a very unfortunate event losing a loved one, the story centered on what his mother did in the face of the tragedy. At the time of his passing his mother made the decision that based on her son’s physical condition his organs could help give some others a second chance. There were some individuals who had been waiting on the transplant lists for quite a while and she was able to help four individuals by donating the Chris’s lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
The story became very touching as they showed her meeting the families for the first time and saying that they were now a part of her family as the spirit of her son was living through them now. While a tragic loss, Chris’s mother turned this experience into a positive for others because she was grateful that her son was in the physical condition he was to help these individuals that he never had the chance to meet.
So after a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning as they were telling me how thankful that they were for my friendship I continued to think about a few things.
What does it mean to be grateful? What are you grateful for? Are you taking advantage of the things that make you grateful? Are you grateful without action?
At this very moment, I can tell you that I am grateful for everything in my life good and bad. The bad things actually are a blessing since they really make you realize how grateful you are for the learning experiences and opportunity to stay humble.
On this Thanksgiving 2010, I am grateful that you are a part of my life and that I can share my thoughts with you. Have a blessed holiday while enjoying the time spent with family, friends, and loved ones. Enjoy today for what it is, as you don’t know what tomorrow may bring.
“A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.”
-William Arthur Ward
“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears”
-Anthony Robbins
“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
-Marcel Proust
“When we are grateful for the good we already have, we attract more good into our life. On the other hand, when we are ungrateful, we tend to shut ourselves off from the good we might otherwise experience.”
-Margaret Stortz
“Given the amount of unjust suffering and unhappiness in the world, I am deeply grateful for, sometimes even perplexed by, how much misery I have been spared.”
-Dennis Prager
Friday Afternoon Thoughts on Being Better 11/12/10
The end of another week is here and I am preparing to enjoy the weekend. Seems as it gets closer to the end of the year the weeks drag on a little bit. Even with that I still find a lot to gain from all of my experiences. Everyday it seems I am learning more and more to embrace all the situations that I encounter as they are all learning experiences. As long as each and every one of us has an opportunity to see another day, we will be presented with an opportunity to learn at some point. Whether one chooses to or not depends on the individual.
I am starting to see my own growth right before my eyes in my decision making and self-awareness. The self-awareness piece has become quite a big deal for me as often times other people's perception of you becomes their reality. As I recently was reminded through my conversations with my baby sister that she was always watching. Sometimes we forget that we are always on stage regardless of the time of day or the place that we are at. Those around you can see you and often have a critique of what they think can make you better. At the end of the day, its all about growth in our lives.
Probably wondering where I am headed with all this, but some thoughts and questions started to form in my head.
Are you okay with being good or are you ready to be better? Are you willing to do what it takes to get better? Are you getting better for yourself? Others? Are you aware of what can be better? Are you taking an active role in making others better?
As you prepare to enjoy your weekend, I ask that you try to make it better than your last. I also ask you to look at ways that you can make things even better for those around you as there are young people that are in need you sharing your experiences with them. I know that I am a better person because people cared enough to want me to be better in many aspects of my life.
I am leaving you with some quotes to enjoy and asking you to pray for a friend of mine along with their family and extended family with the recent loss of a loved one.
“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.”
-Albert Einstein
“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be”
-Marcel Pagnol
“Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better.”
-Jim Rohn
“Better the man that conquer a thousand thousand men is the one who conquer one, himself.”
-Buddha
“Love what you do. Believe in your instincts. And you'd better be able to pick yourself up and brush yourself off every day.”
“It is better to keep a friend from falling than to help him up”
“You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay? Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
-Jim Rohn
“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”
-Buddha
I am starting to see my own growth right before my eyes in my decision making and self-awareness. The self-awareness piece has become quite a big deal for me as often times other people's perception of you becomes their reality. As I recently was reminded through my conversations with my baby sister that she was always watching. Sometimes we forget that we are always on stage regardless of the time of day or the place that we are at. Those around you can see you and often have a critique of what they think can make you better. At the end of the day, its all about growth in our lives.
Probably wondering where I am headed with all this, but some thoughts and questions started to form in my head.
Are you okay with being good or are you ready to be better? Are you willing to do what it takes to get better? Are you getting better for yourself? Others? Are you aware of what can be better? Are you taking an active role in making others better?
As you prepare to enjoy your weekend, I ask that you try to make it better than your last. I also ask you to look at ways that you can make things even better for those around you as there are young people that are in need you sharing your experiences with them. I know that I am a better person because people cared enough to want me to be better in many aspects of my life.
I am leaving you with some quotes to enjoy and asking you to pray for a friend of mine along with their family and extended family with the recent loss of a loved one.
“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.”
-Albert Einstein
“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be”
-Marcel Pagnol
“Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better.”
-Jim Rohn
“Better the man that conquer a thousand thousand men is the one who conquer one, himself.”
-Buddha
“Love what you do. Believe in your instincts. And you'd better be able to pick yourself up and brush yourself off every day.”
“It is better to keep a friend from falling than to help him up”
“You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay? Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
-Jim Rohn
“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”
-Buddha
Friday Morning Thoughts on Connected 11/5/10
The end of another week and I can't tell you how excited I was to see Friday. This isn't just a normal Friday, but a special one in my eyes as my baby sister turns Twenty-Five years old today. Wow is all I can say as it has been an interesting 25 years with this wonderful young lady.
I could easily sit here talking about my week and where I currently am, but the last 25 years of my life with my sister has me thinking about some things. My sister and I are eight years apart and growing up I always felt that we weren't really that connected based on us being in different stages of our lives. I always remember having to watch her as that's what "BIG BROTHERS" do, but I never really remembered sitting down talking with her about a lot of stuff and enjoying conversations. I say this because by the time we were able to start having those conversations, I was graduating from high school and left Germany.
Although, I felt like I really didn't have a great connection with my little sister early on, she reminded me recently that we had a better connection than I thought. My lil sister recently told me that she was always watching and listening to me from the very beginning and learned a lot from me. I can honestly say that I was quite touched hearing this from her and felt like such an amazing brother.
So it's no secret now where my thoughts might be headed. I have a lot of thoughts on the brain these days and my relationship with my sister started to bring me a little more clarity.
I have been having a lot of conversations lately with individuals who are asking me, "Where is the old Nicholas at? or "I don't think I know you anymore!"
There are often times in our lives that we become come disconnected from things or people. We have to take a step back every now and then to re-focus and re-energize just to make sure we are headed in the right direction.
Have you ever felt disconnected from your environment? Family? Friends? Relationships? What was the reason for the disconnect? Was there a change somewhere? How did you reconnect?
Again, I say thank you for allowing me to connect with you again and share my thoughts with you. Make it an amazing day that leads to an amazing weekend.
“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.”
-Robert Fritz
“Have you ever felt like a phone call that's been disconnected?”
-Shannon Doherty
“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.”
-Conrad Hilton
“It is impossible to win the great prizes of life without running risks, and the greatest of all prizes are those connected with the home”
-Theodore Roosevelt
“Everything you want in life has a price connected to it. There's a price to pay if you want to make things better, a price to pay just for leaving things as they are, a price for everything.”
-Harry Browne
“From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that we are here for the sake of each other - above all for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”
-Albert Einstein
I could easily sit here talking about my week and where I currently am, but the last 25 years of my life with my sister has me thinking about some things. My sister and I are eight years apart and growing up I always felt that we weren't really that connected based on us being in different stages of our lives. I always remember having to watch her as that's what "BIG BROTHERS" do, but I never really remembered sitting down talking with her about a lot of stuff and enjoying conversations. I say this because by the time we were able to start having those conversations, I was graduating from high school and left Germany.
Although, I felt like I really didn't have a great connection with my little sister early on, she reminded me recently that we had a better connection than I thought. My lil sister recently told me that she was always watching and listening to me from the very beginning and learned a lot from me. I can honestly say that I was quite touched hearing this from her and felt like such an amazing brother.
So it's no secret now where my thoughts might be headed. I have a lot of thoughts on the brain these days and my relationship with my sister started to bring me a little more clarity.
I have been having a lot of conversations lately with individuals who are asking me, "Where is the old Nicholas at? or "I don't think I know you anymore!"
There are often times in our lives that we become come disconnected from things or people. We have to take a step back every now and then to re-focus and re-energize just to make sure we are headed in the right direction.
Have you ever felt disconnected from your environment? Family? Friends? Relationships? What was the reason for the disconnect? Was there a change somewhere? How did you reconnect?
Again, I say thank you for allowing me to connect with you again and share my thoughts with you. Make it an amazing day that leads to an amazing weekend.
“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.”
-Robert Fritz
“Have you ever felt like a phone call that's been disconnected?”
-Shannon Doherty
“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.”
-Conrad Hilton
“It is impossible to win the great prizes of life without running risks, and the greatest of all prizes are those connected with the home”
-Theodore Roosevelt
“Everything you want in life has a price connected to it. There's a price to pay if you want to make things better, a price to pay just for leaving things as they are, a price for everything.”
-Harry Browne
“From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that we are here for the sake of each other - above all for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”
-Albert Einstein
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Friday Afternoon Thoughts on Special 10/22/10
Another relaxing Friday and I am enjoying my day off. I must say that there is no better feeling than taking time away to recharge and prepare yourself for some amazing things that are headed your way. Right this minute I am trying my best to bring happy thoughts my way as it has been a very long and draining week.
I have a very heavy heart right now as I send many thoughts and prayers out to the family of a special friend who I have known for over 11 years. Earlier this week they were involved in an accident which took the life her brother. As my family and extended family/friends, I ask that you pray for her and her family to carry through this difficult time.
The passing of anyone is never an easy thing to deal with especially a loved one. As friends/loved ones we can be there for them and over our love, support, and empathy to help them get through this time.
Over the last couple days I have been doing some reflecting and my mind has been wrapped around a few things that I am going to get into right now. I had a few conversations this week via email/phone with my mom this week and I can honestly say that she made me feel special to be her son. I think it may have a lot to do with me being her first born and the relationship that we have nurtured as mother/son and then as friends over the last 32 years.
As I thought about my mother making me feel special, I began to think about special and how it seems like my mother always makes other people feel special. It wasn't just me, but there is just something about the way my mother makes people feel. I don't think she realizes all the things she does, its the way that she is able to be there for you. Caring and funny that's what she is cause she is more than just a mom to me. If you have ever met her you can probably agree with this, cause it seems like she has to be special to have helped mold me into the man that I am.
So I started to wonder about a few things surrounding 'special' and began asking myself a few questions. How do you define special? What is it about you that makes you special? Do you view someone(s) as special? Why are they special to you? What makes a moment special? How is it that you hold onto those special moments?
Although it has been an emotionally draining week with some different things I have been through I did welcome the opportunity to visit with the young men in my leadership academy for a special session today. I used the word special because I think the event we had today was special and I recognize it for what it was. We were originally scheduled to have 3 guest speakers, but due to some unforeseen things this morning we were only going to have one. So I picked up the phone and contacted a friend on a whim who was available and excited to a part of this mentoring event. Again I say the event was special cause everyone could feel that there was a higher power involved to make all this happen. It was just amazing to see two men standing in front of these young men having two very similar conversations that complemented the other like it was planned that way.
As you can see from my example, sometimes the simplest things in life just might be a special moment for you and others. I will remind you always to show appreciation to those in your life as they may be special to you even if they aren't to others. Everyone that I have in my life is special to me. I want to say thank you to Derrick and Ethan for your words that help create yet another special moment for me and others.
Heading into the weekend, enjoy the time spent with friends and family as it is precious. Welcome amazing into your life in whatever capacity you can allow.
“I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”
“Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.”
-Og Mandino
“Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human”
-Tim Hansel
“The friends who grew up with you deserve a special respect- the ones who stuck by you shoulder to shoulder, in a time when nothing was certain, all life lay ahead, and every road led home.”
“It doesn't require a special day to express how much I Love You... if every ordinary day is more than special when I am with you.”
“Will you ever? I don’t think you will ever fully understand how you've touched my life and made me who I am.I don't think you could ever know just how truly special you are that even on the darkest nights you are my brightest star.”
-Erica Jong
“No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.”
-Barbara De Angelis
I have a very heavy heart right now as I send many thoughts and prayers out to the family of a special friend who I have known for over 11 years. Earlier this week they were involved in an accident which took the life her brother. As my family and extended family/friends, I ask that you pray for her and her family to carry through this difficult time.
The passing of anyone is never an easy thing to deal with especially a loved one. As friends/loved ones we can be there for them and over our love, support, and empathy to help them get through this time.
Over the last couple days I have been doing some reflecting and my mind has been wrapped around a few things that I am going to get into right now. I had a few conversations this week via email/phone with my mom this week and I can honestly say that she made me feel special to be her son. I think it may have a lot to do with me being her first born and the relationship that we have nurtured as mother/son and then as friends over the last 32 years.
As I thought about my mother making me feel special, I began to think about special and how it seems like my mother always makes other people feel special. It wasn't just me, but there is just something about the way my mother makes people feel. I don't think she realizes all the things she does, its the way that she is able to be there for you. Caring and funny that's what she is cause she is more than just a mom to me. If you have ever met her you can probably agree with this, cause it seems like she has to be special to have helped mold me into the man that I am.
So I started to wonder about a few things surrounding 'special' and began asking myself a few questions. How do you define special? What is it about you that makes you special? Do you view someone(s) as special? Why are they special to you? What makes a moment special? How is it that you hold onto those special moments?
Although it has been an emotionally draining week with some different things I have been through I did welcome the opportunity to visit with the young men in my leadership academy for a special session today. I used the word special because I think the event we had today was special and I recognize it for what it was. We were originally scheduled to have 3 guest speakers, but due to some unforeseen things this morning we were only going to have one. So I picked up the phone and contacted a friend on a whim who was available and excited to a part of this mentoring event. Again I say the event was special cause everyone could feel that there was a higher power involved to make all this happen. It was just amazing to see two men standing in front of these young men having two very similar conversations that complemented the other like it was planned that way.
As you can see from my example, sometimes the simplest things in life just might be a special moment for you and others. I will remind you always to show appreciation to those in your life as they may be special to you even if they aren't to others. Everyone that I have in my life is special to me. I want to say thank you to Derrick and Ethan for your words that help create yet another special moment for me and others.
Heading into the weekend, enjoy the time spent with friends and family as it is precious. Welcome amazing into your life in whatever capacity you can allow.
“I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”
“Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.”
-Og Mandino
“Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human”
-Tim Hansel
“The friends who grew up with you deserve a special respect- the ones who stuck by you shoulder to shoulder, in a time when nothing was certain, all life lay ahead, and every road led home.”
“It doesn't require a special day to express how much I Love You... if every ordinary day is more than special when I am with you.”
“Will you ever? I don’t think you will ever fully understand how you've touched my life and made me who I am.I don't think you could ever know just how truly special you are that even on the darkest nights you are my brightest star.”
-Erica Jong
“No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.”
-Barbara De Angelis
Sunday Evening Reflections on the Sweetest Day 10/17/10
Finally made it to Sunday Evening and I can say this week was longer than normal. I guess it had a lot to do with me being a little under the weather and down and out for a minute. I think I am getting back to normal and feeling almost like my normal self.
Yesterday, was the Sweetest Day and I can honestly say that I tried to do some things to recognize the holiday.
Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region, and parts of the Northeast United States, on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show affection to the ones in your life whom you like. It is described by Retail Confectioners International as an "occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed."
In thinking about the Sweetest Day, I talked with my mother and also talked/texted a few other special people in my life to let them know that I appreciated them. Life is something that happens and you never know what life will throw at you next. I say this as I was at Chick-Fil-A yesterday picking up my yogurt for the next two mornings and was presented some sad news. One of the patrons that I run into from time to time as I greeted him whispers in my ear that his brother in California passed away last night. At that moment, I didn't know what to say or what to do other than offer my condolences and let them know that I would pray for them and their family.
At that moment I realized how important it is to enjoy today for what it is and appreciate everything that today has for you. Whether that's telling someone you love them or just letting them know that you care, there's no better time than now to do it. I think about this young man that I only know from our visits at Chick-Fil-A, but I showed empathy for his situation in sharing a moment sympathy with him and stating that I would pray for he and his family.
As I think of my experience yesterday and I some other things I have dealt with recently I began to wonder a few things.
Where would the world be if there were more selfless acts instead of selfish acts? When people see you, do they see selfless or selfish?
As we end this Sweetest Day weekend, I trust that you are well prepared to begin an amazing week. We as a society can be sweet and caring even without being reminded by holiday that tells us to be that way. I have no doubts in my mind that you are ready to do something nice for your fellow man/woman. Remember you are standing at the front door of amazing and wouldn't it be something if you walked through the door with someone.
“An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it.”
-Maurice Maeterlinck
“By hating that person, you have lost something very sweet in yourself.”
-Sri Chinmoy
"Change in all things is sweet."
-Aristotle
"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity."
-Kahlil Gibran
"Half the pleasure of solitude comes from having with us some friend to whom we can say how sweet solitude is."
-William Jay
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
Yesterday, was the Sweetest Day and I can honestly say that I tried to do some things to recognize the holiday.
Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region, and parts of the Northeast United States, on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show affection to the ones in your life whom you like. It is described by Retail Confectioners International as an "occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed."
In thinking about the Sweetest Day, I talked with my mother and also talked/texted a few other special people in my life to let them know that I appreciated them. Life is something that happens and you never know what life will throw at you next. I say this as I was at Chick-Fil-A yesterday picking up my yogurt for the next two mornings and was presented some sad news. One of the patrons that I run into from time to time as I greeted him whispers in my ear that his brother in California passed away last night. At that moment, I didn't know what to say or what to do other than offer my condolences and let them know that I would pray for them and their family.
At that moment I realized how important it is to enjoy today for what it is and appreciate everything that today has for you. Whether that's telling someone you love them or just letting them know that you care, there's no better time than now to do it. I think about this young man that I only know from our visits at Chick-Fil-A, but I showed empathy for his situation in sharing a moment sympathy with him and stating that I would pray for he and his family.
As I think of my experience yesterday and I some other things I have dealt with recently I began to wonder a few things.
Where would the world be if there were more selfless acts instead of selfish acts? When people see you, do they see selfless or selfish?
As we end this Sweetest Day weekend, I trust that you are well prepared to begin an amazing week. We as a society can be sweet and caring even without being reminded by holiday that tells us to be that way. I have no doubts in my mind that you are ready to do something nice for your fellow man/woman. Remember you are standing at the front door of amazing and wouldn't it be something if you walked through the door with someone.
“An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it.”
-Maurice Maeterlinck
“By hating that person, you have lost something very sweet in yourself.”
-Sri Chinmoy
"Change in all things is sweet."
-Aristotle
"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity."
-Kahlil Gibran
"Half the pleasure of solitude comes from having with us some friend to whom we can say how sweet solitude is."
-William Jay
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
Hump-Day Thoughts on Charity 10/13/10
Another hump day is here and I am really trying very hard to get over the hump. This probably isn?t a regular hump day for me as I have been under the weather for the last two days. I am starting to think that my immune system may have gotten a little weak over the last several days and it was my adrenaline that kept me going through the weekend.
This past weekend was amazing as usual and culminated with a big Arizona Cardinals victory over the New Orleans Saints. This particular Sunday there were a lot of people in the Phoenix area for the game as well as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness walk. Although I didn?t participate in the walk, I was able to raise some money for the cause while tailgating at the Cardinals game.
While I went to the game to have fun with my friends and extended family, I took the time out to talk with others and fill a jar with money going toward breast cancer awareness. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is really important to me as my great-grandmother survived it many years ago as well as friends and members of my extended family.
As I was thinking about how I could help, I started to think about charity and why people support certain things. In my case it?s clear as I have been touched personally in a few cases and just know the impact of making others aware of some things.
What are the causes that you feel strongly about? What is it that connects you to those things? What role does charity play in your life? Do you give of your time? Resources?
We are in the homestretch of the week and I send good thoughts your way as you finish your week out strong.
?The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service?
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
?Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.?
-Moliere
?True charity is the desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense?
-Emanuel Swedenborg
?Character and personal force are the only investments worth anything?
-Walt Whitman
?A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.?
-Jack London
This past weekend was amazing as usual and culminated with a big Arizona Cardinals victory over the New Orleans Saints. This particular Sunday there were a lot of people in the Phoenix area for the game as well as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness walk. Although I didn?t participate in the walk, I was able to raise some money for the cause while tailgating at the Cardinals game.
While I went to the game to have fun with my friends and extended family, I took the time out to talk with others and fill a jar with money going toward breast cancer awareness. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is really important to me as my great-grandmother survived it many years ago as well as friends and members of my extended family.
As I was thinking about how I could help, I started to think about charity and why people support certain things. In my case it?s clear as I have been touched personally in a few cases and just know the impact of making others aware of some things.
What are the causes that you feel strongly about? What is it that connects you to those things? What role does charity play in your life? Do you give of your time? Resources?
We are in the homestretch of the week and I send good thoughts your way as you finish your week out strong.
?The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service?
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
?Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.?
-Moliere
?True charity is the desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense?
-Emanuel Swedenborg
?Character and personal force are the only investments worth anything?
-Walt Whitman
?A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.?
-Jack London
Saturday Evening Thoughts on Friends 10/9/10
Saturday Evening on a relaxing Columbus Day weekend and I couldn’t have asked for anything more to help make this an amazing weekend. I have been in the kitchen for a little while this weekend doing a little food prep for our tailgating extravaganza tomorrow appropriately titled “Bringing the Bayou to the Desert.”
Although, I am a little disappointed that the Crimson Tide came up a little short on the football field today, I still have a lot to be excited about. Being from the south I have always appreciated how food just makes everything okay and this weekend I have quite of few things planned with friends in mind. One of my junior high school classmates from Germany just happened to be in Phoenix this weekend, and I will get the chance to visit with her this evening after all these years.
If you can’t see where I am going yet, you can probably get a little hint about the path that I am headed down. I can’t help but think about friends and friendship and how important these things are in our lives. Over the last several days I think I have talked to several people that I consider to be very important in my life as they have helped to shape me into the person that I am. It’s amazing how well our friends know the people that we are and often times speak up when others don’t know us as well. I think I have some of the most amazing people in my life that are made up of my family and friends.
As I continue to enjoy my weekend, I was thinking about a few questions relating to friendship that may make you think a little bit.
What kind of friend am I? What is your definition of friend? What makes someone a great friend? Do you have any friends in your life that you would do anything for? Do you have some friends in your life that would do anything for you? Why?
I trust that you are enjoying this weekend and preparing to be the recipient of some amazing things around the corner. Keep a smile on your face and stay moving forward in spite of anything that goes on around you as there is nothing that can stop you, but you. Thank you for being a friend and having a special place in my life.
And I am apologizing in advance for the Winnie the Pooh quotes, but I have always been able to identify with that guy as we are quite similar.
“We are friends and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter. I wouldn't mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you, reading the back half of the paper while you read the front. We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often.”
-Jeanette Winterson
“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”
“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh”
-A. A. Milne
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”
-Winnie the Pooh
“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”
-Winnie the Pooh
Although, I am a little disappointed that the Crimson Tide came up a little short on the football field today, I still have a lot to be excited about. Being from the south I have always appreciated how food just makes everything okay and this weekend I have quite of few things planned with friends in mind. One of my junior high school classmates from Germany just happened to be in Phoenix this weekend, and I will get the chance to visit with her this evening after all these years.
If you can’t see where I am going yet, you can probably get a little hint about the path that I am headed down. I can’t help but think about friends and friendship and how important these things are in our lives. Over the last several days I think I have talked to several people that I consider to be very important in my life as they have helped to shape me into the person that I am. It’s amazing how well our friends know the people that we are and often times speak up when others don’t know us as well. I think I have some of the most amazing people in my life that are made up of my family and friends.
As I continue to enjoy my weekend, I was thinking about a few questions relating to friendship that may make you think a little bit.
What kind of friend am I? What is your definition of friend? What makes someone a great friend? Do you have any friends in your life that you would do anything for? Do you have some friends in your life that would do anything for you? Why?
I trust that you are enjoying this weekend and preparing to be the recipient of some amazing things around the corner. Keep a smile on your face and stay moving forward in spite of anything that goes on around you as there is nothing that can stop you, but you. Thank you for being a friend and having a special place in my life.
And I am apologizing in advance for the Winnie the Pooh quotes, but I have always been able to identify with that guy as we are quite similar.
“We are friends and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter. I wouldn't mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you, reading the back half of the paper while you read the front. We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often.”
-Jeanette Winterson
“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”
“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh”
-A. A. Milne
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”
-Winnie the Pooh
“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”
-Winnie the Pooh
Monday Afternoon Thoughts on Favor 10/4/10
Sitting here on a Monday afternoon listening to the rain as I reflect on this past weekend. One would think that I would eventually get to a point that were I would have a weekend that wasn’t amazing. I guess that I must be doing something right as the feeling happens to be here again. It really isn’t hard for me to figure the elements that need to be present in order for amazing to take place. I think I have the recipe down at least for me: friends, family, food, and growth. Regardless of if its via the telephone or in person I try to have quite a few interactions with my family and friends over the course of the weekend. It’s no surprise that I also enjoyed some good vittles over the weekend and that’s not that reason I experience growth.
I purposely included growth as one of the things that remains present in ensuring that I have an amazing weekend. At the end of the weekend I can always reflect on my experiences and interactions with people that I can see some growth within myself and those around me.
Over the last couple of days I have experienced a few conversations that have me thinking a lot about favor. Our message in church today even discussed favor. So I started to think about how often people look for the favor of those that do not have their best interests at heart.
Often times we look at situations and begin to ask questions as to why it doesn't appear that we were favored based on circumstances. It's important to realize that sometimes we are the favored ones by not receiving everything that we think that we want. In terms of dealing with people we will always see that some are favored more than others.
How important is favor to you? Who do you have favor with? Who has favor with you? Why? How does someone gain favor with you? Similar Interests? Morals? Beliefs?
No matter what perspective you choose to take in terms of favor, it is something to think about.
At the end of the day, I know this, "Don't worry about having favor with those that don't care to make you happy! Choose to have favor with those that put you before them! And you can put a big smile on your face cause you have favor with me."
Let today be the start of an amazing week for you!
“The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor...”
-Robert Collier
“It is the characteristic of the magnanimous man to ask no favor but to be ready to do kindness to others.”
-Aristotle
“I know the world isn't fair, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favor?”
-Bill Watterson
“Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor.”
-Brian Tracy
“The bird thinks it a favor to give the fish a lift in the air
”
-Rabindranath Tagore
“Do not offer a compliment and ask a favor at the same time. A compliment that is charged for is not valuable.”
-Mark Twain
“Why abandon a belief merely because it ceases to be true? Cling to it long enough and... it will turn true again, for so it goes. Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor.”
-Robert Frost
I purposely included growth as one of the things that remains present in ensuring that I have an amazing weekend. At the end of the weekend I can always reflect on my experiences and interactions with people that I can see some growth within myself and those around me.
Over the last couple of days I have experienced a few conversations that have me thinking a lot about favor. Our message in church today even discussed favor. So I started to think about how often people look for the favor of those that do not have their best interests at heart.
Often times we look at situations and begin to ask questions as to why it doesn't appear that we were favored based on circumstances. It's important to realize that sometimes we are the favored ones by not receiving everything that we think that we want. In terms of dealing with people we will always see that some are favored more than others.
How important is favor to you? Who do you have favor with? Who has favor with you? Why? How does someone gain favor with you? Similar Interests? Morals? Beliefs?
No matter what perspective you choose to take in terms of favor, it is something to think about.
At the end of the day, I know this, "Don't worry about having favor with those that don't care to make you happy! Choose to have favor with those that put you before them! And you can put a big smile on your face cause you have favor with me."
Let today be the start of an amazing week for you!
“The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor...”
-Robert Collier
“It is the characteristic of the magnanimous man to ask no favor but to be ready to do kindness to others.”
-Aristotle
“I know the world isn't fair, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favor?”
-Bill Watterson
“Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor.”
-Brian Tracy
“The bird thinks it a favor to give the fish a lift in the air
”
-Rabindranath Tagore
“Do not offer a compliment and ask a favor at the same time. A compliment that is charged for is not valuable.”
-Mark Twain
“Why abandon a belief merely because it ceases to be true? Cling to it long enough and... it will turn true again, for so it goes. Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor.”
-Robert Frost
Friday Morning Thoughts on Being Engaged 10/1/10
September has come and gone I am sure of it as I sit and look at October 1st staring me smack dab in the face. I can’t sit here and say I don’t have a lot on my mind right this minute because it would be one of the biggest lies I could ever tell myself. Two years ago around this same time, I remember myself alone in a hotel room in Jackson, Mississippi preparing to attend my great-grandfather’s funeral. As I thought about it earlier I can’t say that I didn’t have a few tears in my eyes as I remembered how much he meant to me.
I mentioned my great-grandfather mainly because of the relationship that we had and the influence that he had on me. At this very moment, I think I have reached a fork in the road and I am going to have to make some very important decisions very soon. I wish my great-grandfather was here to talk to as I could really use his wisdom right now. I remember sitting down talking with my great-grandfather over the years when I was thinking about making any major decisions in my life. He would sit down and talk to me about his experiences as he tried to help me prepare to take my own journeys through life. I could only sit in awe as I thought about the knowledge that I received from a man that lived to be almost 100 years old. I always remember him talking to me about being really being engaged no matter what it was. When I first stepped into leadership with my company, he reminded me that my success would be dependent on how well I engaged the people.
As I think about those conversations with my great grandfather and how he stressed the importance of being engaged, I know now why he stressed it. Right now, I don’t think I am as engaged as I should be in a few areas of my life. This is a critical component to success in anything, but there seems to be something causing me to not be engaged.
Are you engaged? What is it that is keeping you from being engaged? How engaged are you in your work? Relationships? Family? Community? How engaged are you with yourself?
Do others know how to engage you?
As you usher in Friday, and prepare for the weekend I trust that you will make it an amazing day.
“love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it”
-Maya Angelou
“When you engage in systematic, purposeful action, using and stretching your abilities to the maximum, you cannot help but feel positive and confident abut yourself.”
-Brian Tracy
“If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whatever is their prevailing passion) on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.”
-Lord Chesterfield
“In motivating people, you've got to engage their minds and their hearts. I motivate people, I hope, by example - and perhaps by excitement, by having productive ideas to make others feel involved.”
Rupert Murdoch
“That is why not only we should ourselves engage in good deeds but also encourage others to do the same.”
-Sam Veda
I mentioned my great-grandfather mainly because of the relationship that we had and the influence that he had on me. At this very moment, I think I have reached a fork in the road and I am going to have to make some very important decisions very soon. I wish my great-grandfather was here to talk to as I could really use his wisdom right now. I remember sitting down talking with my great-grandfather over the years when I was thinking about making any major decisions in my life. He would sit down and talk to me about his experiences as he tried to help me prepare to take my own journeys through life. I could only sit in awe as I thought about the knowledge that I received from a man that lived to be almost 100 years old. I always remember him talking to me about being really being engaged no matter what it was. When I first stepped into leadership with my company, he reminded me that my success would be dependent on how well I engaged the people.
As I think about those conversations with my great grandfather and how he stressed the importance of being engaged, I know now why he stressed it. Right now, I don’t think I am as engaged as I should be in a few areas of my life. This is a critical component to success in anything, but there seems to be something causing me to not be engaged.
Are you engaged? What is it that is keeping you from being engaged? How engaged are you in your work? Relationships? Family? Community? How engaged are you with yourself?
Do others know how to engage you?
As you usher in Friday, and prepare for the weekend I trust that you will make it an amazing day.
“love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it”
-Maya Angelou
“When you engage in systematic, purposeful action, using and stretching your abilities to the maximum, you cannot help but feel positive and confident abut yourself.”
-Brian Tracy
“If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whatever is their prevailing passion) on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.”
-Lord Chesterfield
“In motivating people, you've got to engage their minds and their hearts. I motivate people, I hope, by example - and perhaps by excitement, by having productive ideas to make others feel involved.”
Rupert Murdoch
“That is why not only we should ourselves engage in good deeds but also encourage others to do the same.”
-Sam Veda
Hump Day Thoughts on Regrets 09/29/10
Another hump day has arrived and I am sitting here watching the clock wondering why I am wide awake before the sun rises. Not sure what time I finally dozed off last night, but as I awoke this morning I had a few thoughts on the brain even at this early hour.
Just yesterday I was having a conversation with someone at work who was questioning where they were in life and stating that they had some regrets about decisions that they made. I couldn’t help but listen and try to offer some advice as this topic is one that I try not to visit if I can help it. Eventually, this individual and I were able to agree that regardless of whatever path that each of us had taken to arrive where we were there is value in those experiences.
At this point in my life I can not say that I haven’t had regrets about some things, but I choose to look at regret with a different perspective these days. With everything that we encounter in life we are always presented with choices. Sometimes there are things going on in our lives that cause us to make certain decisions at particular point in time. You could be in the same situation at another point in life and make a totally different decision based on your experiences. At any point in our lives, there is a reason that we make decisions that we do. I think no matter what we do in life those what if thoughts in a few situations may exist. The question is how we move past the regret to appreciate it for what it was a life experience and lesson learned.
I ask myself a few questions as I continue moving forward today and learning from my actions yesterday. Do I have any regrets? In my relationships? Career? Have my regrets hindered me from accomplishing anything? Why am I still holding onto these regrets?
Live your life with no regrets and move in the direction of what makes you happy.
“Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future.”
-Fulton Oursler
“I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person.”
-Rita Mero
“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I'd just been myself.”
-Brittany Renee
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
-Alexander Graham Bell
“If we spend our time with regrets over yesterday, and worries over what might happen tomorrow, we have no today in which to live.”
“Accept the pain, cherish the joys, resolve the regrets; then can come the best of benedictions - "If I had my life to live over again, I'd do it all the same”
Just yesterday I was having a conversation with someone at work who was questioning where they were in life and stating that they had some regrets about decisions that they made. I couldn’t help but listen and try to offer some advice as this topic is one that I try not to visit if I can help it. Eventually, this individual and I were able to agree that regardless of whatever path that each of us had taken to arrive where we were there is value in those experiences.
At this point in my life I can not say that I haven’t had regrets about some things, but I choose to look at regret with a different perspective these days. With everything that we encounter in life we are always presented with choices. Sometimes there are things going on in our lives that cause us to make certain decisions at particular point in time. You could be in the same situation at another point in life and make a totally different decision based on your experiences. At any point in our lives, there is a reason that we make decisions that we do. I think no matter what we do in life those what if thoughts in a few situations may exist. The question is how we move past the regret to appreciate it for what it was a life experience and lesson learned.
I ask myself a few questions as I continue moving forward today and learning from my actions yesterday. Do I have any regrets? In my relationships? Career? Have my regrets hindered me from accomplishing anything? Why am I still holding onto these regrets?
Live your life with no regrets and move in the direction of what makes you happy.
“Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future.”
-Fulton Oursler
“I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person.”
-Rita Mero
“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I'd just been myself.”
-Brittany Renee
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
-Alexander Graham Bell
“If we spend our time with regrets over yesterday, and worries over what might happen tomorrow, we have no today in which to live.”
“Accept the pain, cherish the joys, resolve the regrets; then can come the best of benedictions - "If I had my life to live over again, I'd do it all the same”
Sunday Evening Thoughts on Preference 9/26/10
As I look at the sun finally going down in the valley, I can pretty much close the book on another weekend. The temperature hand still shows that we are still above triple digits even with no sun. As I reflect on the past week/weekend in preparation to have an amazing week I find myself thinking a lot about preferences.
Most times when I sit down to write there is always some sort of background to the story that aided in my arrival at a topic. Over the last week I have engaged in several conversations about preferences and why. Some of them have been quite interesting while a few others have left me with a smirk that still hasn’t left my face.
One of my very good female friends recently stated that I needed to find me ‘something to do.’ I was like what on earth are you talking about and she said that “I need to set you up on a blind date so that you can find someone that enjoys the same things that you do.” So after that was said she started asking me questions about my preferences, we ended up debating for a minute because she stated I was too picky and wouldn’t embrace the idea of what she was trying to do.
After we got passed all the debating I began to think more about preferences and why she could possibly see me as picky. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was being picky, but I felt if I was given an opportunity to weigh in to tell you what I prefer it does hold some weight. For example, it really drives me up a wall when people call me ‘Nick’ after I have told them to call me ‘Nicholas’ on numerous occasions. Ultimately I have a preference on what I would like to be called as often times ‘Nick’ means that you may be comfortable with me, when that may not be the case.
If we are in situations where the opportunity exists to choose one thing over another, we always have some personal bias to why we decision that we make. We may be influenced by people or other factors in making our decisions, but we still ultimately have a preference. I think one of the biggest areas in which are very intentional about our preferences, are our relationships with people.
So as I move forward with my latest adventure, I began to ask myself a few questions that you may be asking yourself as well. What do my preferences say about me? What are the factors that influence my preferences? People? Environment? Past experiences? Is it my upbringing that has influenced my preferences?
I trust that you are well rested from another great weekend, and that you have elected to start your week in an amazing way. No matter what your preferences are, there’s one thing that can’t be argued – you should always prefer you over anyone else that you could possibly be. No one is better at being you than you!
“We can love nothing but what agrees with us, and we can only follow our taste or our pleasure when we prefer our friends to ourselves; nevertheless it is only by that preference that friendship can be true and perfect.”
-Fracois de la Rochefoucauld
“Most people have come to prefer certain of life’s experiences and deny and reject others, unaware of the value of the hidden things that may come wrapped in plain and even ugly paper. In avoiding all pain and seeking comfort at all costs, we may be left without intimacy or compassion; in rejecting change and risk we often cheat ourselves of the quest; in denying our suffering we may never know our strength or our greatness.”
-Rachel Naomi Remen
“To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying "Amen" to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive.”
-Robert Louis Stevenson
“Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error to an afflicted truth”
-Jeremy Taylor
“I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge our lives on”
-Rita Dove
“We demand that people should be true to the pictures we have of them, no matter how repulsive those pictures may be: we prefer the true portrait in all its homogeneity, to one with a detail added which refuses to fit in.”
-Pamela Hansford Johnson
Most times when I sit down to write there is always some sort of background to the story that aided in my arrival at a topic. Over the last week I have engaged in several conversations about preferences and why. Some of them have been quite interesting while a few others have left me with a smirk that still hasn’t left my face.
One of my very good female friends recently stated that I needed to find me ‘something to do.’ I was like what on earth are you talking about and she said that “I need to set you up on a blind date so that you can find someone that enjoys the same things that you do.” So after that was said she started asking me questions about my preferences, we ended up debating for a minute because she stated I was too picky and wouldn’t embrace the idea of what she was trying to do.
After we got passed all the debating I began to think more about preferences and why she could possibly see me as picky. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was being picky, but I felt if I was given an opportunity to weigh in to tell you what I prefer it does hold some weight. For example, it really drives me up a wall when people call me ‘Nick’ after I have told them to call me ‘Nicholas’ on numerous occasions. Ultimately I have a preference on what I would like to be called as often times ‘Nick’ means that you may be comfortable with me, when that may not be the case.
If we are in situations where the opportunity exists to choose one thing over another, we always have some personal bias to why we decision that we make. We may be influenced by people or other factors in making our decisions, but we still ultimately have a preference. I think one of the biggest areas in which are very intentional about our preferences, are our relationships with people.
So as I move forward with my latest adventure, I began to ask myself a few questions that you may be asking yourself as well. What do my preferences say about me? What are the factors that influence my preferences? People? Environment? Past experiences? Is it my upbringing that has influenced my preferences?
I trust that you are well rested from another great weekend, and that you have elected to start your week in an amazing way. No matter what your preferences are, there’s one thing that can’t be argued – you should always prefer you over anyone else that you could possibly be. No one is better at being you than you!
“We can love nothing but what agrees with us, and we can only follow our taste or our pleasure when we prefer our friends to ourselves; nevertheless it is only by that preference that friendship can be true and perfect.”
-Fracois de la Rochefoucauld
“Most people have come to prefer certain of life’s experiences and deny and reject others, unaware of the value of the hidden things that may come wrapped in plain and even ugly paper. In avoiding all pain and seeking comfort at all costs, we may be left without intimacy or compassion; in rejecting change and risk we often cheat ourselves of the quest; in denying our suffering we may never know our strength or our greatness.”
-Rachel Naomi Remen
“To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying "Amen" to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive.”
-Robert Louis Stevenson
“Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error to an afflicted truth”
-Jeremy Taylor
“I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge our lives on”
-Rita Dove
“We demand that people should be true to the pictures we have of them, no matter how repulsive those pictures may be: we prefer the true portrait in all its homogeneity, to one with a detail added which refuses to fit in.”
-Pamela Hansford Johnson
Hump Day Thoughts on Intentions 9/22/10
Sitting here on another Get Over the Hump Day, trying to get my thoughts together as there are only two more days left in the work week for me. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy work when I am taking advantage of my time away from it.(but I am sure we all could say the same thing from time to time) It’s important to appreciate the time away from a lot of things so you can appreciate the time that you do commit.
Just the other day I found myself writing about follow through and what it means to be a man. As I was thinking about these things trying to get things in order for me, I started having conversations in my personal and professional life about intentions. It hit me in a way that made me stop and think for a minute. Most of the time in our lives, people only hear what we say or see what we do and no one ever asks what our intentions were. I often wonder if people are even concerned with what your intentions actually were. As we all have different opinions and view things differently, it’s quite possible that assumptions can be made that incorrectly identify our intentions as something they are not.
So as I continued to sit, think, and reflect on my actions, I don’t know that most people truly understand our intentions or want to. I witness it all day long at work as I see individuals that are so busy focusing on the task at hand that they don’t take the time to think through what it is that they are doing.
Do your intentions and behavior complement one another? What are your intentions when you wake up daily? Do your actions support your intentions? Have your intentions ever been questioned? Were they questioned by you? Others? How did you answer those questions?
These are just a few questions that I was asking myself and posing to you as you continue to move closer to amazing. I can honestly say that as I look at intentions, I know that I do the things that I do because I want to be a better person and want to surround myself with the best of the best. In my mind I feel that you are the best that my life could offer me and I thank you again for being a part of my world.
“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold -- but so does a hard-boiled egg.”
“Advice is judged by results, not by intentions”
-Marcus Tallies Cicero
“We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.”
-Ian Percy
“Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers.”
-Baltasar Gracian
“Let your intentions be good - embodied in good thoughts, cheerful words, and unselfish deeds - and the world will be to you a bright and happy place in which to work and play and serve”
-Grenville Kleiser
“It's amazing how much you can learn if your intentions are truly earnest.”
-Chuck Berry
Just the other day I found myself writing about follow through and what it means to be a man. As I was thinking about these things trying to get things in order for me, I started having conversations in my personal and professional life about intentions. It hit me in a way that made me stop and think for a minute. Most of the time in our lives, people only hear what we say or see what we do and no one ever asks what our intentions were. I often wonder if people are even concerned with what your intentions actually were. As we all have different opinions and view things differently, it’s quite possible that assumptions can be made that incorrectly identify our intentions as something they are not.
So as I continued to sit, think, and reflect on my actions, I don’t know that most people truly understand our intentions or want to. I witness it all day long at work as I see individuals that are so busy focusing on the task at hand that they don’t take the time to think through what it is that they are doing.
Do your intentions and behavior complement one another? What are your intentions when you wake up daily? Do your actions support your intentions? Have your intentions ever been questioned? Were they questioned by you? Others? How did you answer those questions?
These are just a few questions that I was asking myself and posing to you as you continue to move closer to amazing. I can honestly say that as I look at intentions, I know that I do the things that I do because I want to be a better person and want to surround myself with the best of the best. In my mind I feel that you are the best that my life could offer me and I thank you again for being a part of my world.
“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold -- but so does a hard-boiled egg.”
“Advice is judged by results, not by intentions”
-Marcus Tallies Cicero
“We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.”
-Ian Percy
“Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers.”
-Baltasar Gracian
“Let your intentions be good - embodied in good thoughts, cheerful words, and unselfish deeds - and the world will be to you a bright and happy place in which to work and play and serve”
-Grenville Kleiser
“It's amazing how much you can learn if your intentions are truly earnest.”
-Chuck Berry
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