Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Hump Day Thoughts Before Day on "Knowing Yourself" 4/25/12
Wednesday morning before the sun comes up and my mind is racing quite a bit. Tuesday got away from me as know there were a ton of things I needed to accomplish before I drifted off to sleep, but it didn't happen that way. It seems as though the day sped by and I did complete most of the things that I tasked myself to do yesterday. By no means, am I going to look at it like a wasted day as I did still accomplish some things and had opportunities to grow through conversation and learning.
I continue to marvel at life daily as I realize how small the world is. Let me tell you why I am saying this. Yesterday afternoon I was in the barbershop getting a fresh edge up and this young man was reading a magazine and busted out with this comment, "Jackson, Ms is the #1 worst city to do such and such." Immediately, my ears perk up and I say, "Come again, what did you say about my hometown there sir?" So the young man and I get into a discussion as he tells me that's his hometown too and I almost fall out of the barber chair.
As we continue to talk and I realize that he went to high school with my cousins and also attended Jackson State with me, I really begin scratching my head. Who would have thought yesterday that I would be sitting in Phoenix, Arizona over 1,400 miles away from my hometown talking with the God son of one of my play mothers. Immediately, I get on the phone and connect him with his God brother who can't believe that the two of us were standing in the same place.
I could only say wow at how small the world is and that everything happens for a reason as design of our destiny is controlled by a higher power. I bet you are sitting there wondering where I am going with all this and how I am going to connect all the dots back to the subject. I am sure I will get back on track and everything will make sense really soon.
Well, I can say that I have had some thoughts in my head for over a week and originally I was writing something on "Knowledge of Self". I decided that the term knowledge limited me in conversation as it seemed too defined as it wasn't ongoing and was just based on a point in time. I came to the realization that knowing was the correct term to use as it allows the opportunity to continue to assess and check-in every step of the way to make sure you are on point.
Here are some questions that I asked myself as I thought about this topic. How do you handle constructive criticism? Professionally? Personally? In your relationships?? Are you able to put yourself in another person's shoes to begin to see the things as they do? Or do you immediately go into defensive mode? If so, why is it that you do that?
As you start to ask yourself these same questions, you may see how my thoughts began to develop and why. Situations are always going to exist that may cause you to check in and see who you are as often times there are things that influence our feelings or moods. At that same time, we have to be honest with ourselves about our true state of being. There are times when maybe we have been guilty of doing things that are pleasing to others and not ourselves. Down the road, we may be able to look back to see that maybe a different decision based on being honest with yourself would have led to a different result.
I believe that one of the hardest things in life for some is to actually allow the mirror to be put up and look at every aspect of our lives. I know for a fact that some people only think of the mirror physically and won't take the time to figure out how to use the mirror to look at their mind or soul.
Why do you think it is so hard to put the mirror up? Are we often times scared of what we see?
If we take time out to look at every aspect of what makes us who we are knowing ourselves better can be the thing that propels us to the next level. In our careers? Relationships? Spiritually? Maybe it is time to do a SWOT analysis to figure some things out.(Evaluate your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)
Change is inevitable and with that sometimes it is necessary for us to change also. The definition of insanity is 'Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.'. As I sit back and think about this I can probably say I have been foolish at a few points in my life.
So I know that my experience yesterday with someone from my hometown that happens to live in Arizona now, was the little extra bit that I needed to remind me that I am still in learning mode about myself. All I know is the timing was perfect as it brought back memories as I reflected on who I was, who I am now, and who I am striving to be.
The truth is in all of us and it is up to each one of us to know it and live according to it. As you get over the hump today, remember that positive thoughts breed positive actions. You can "Live life and be amazing" as long as you adopt the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle. The ingredients are present in order for you to go from amazing to phenomenal, you just have to do it!
“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” August Wilson
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
“You never find yourself until you face the truth” Pearl Bailey
“Any life, no matter how long and complex it may be, is made up of a single moment, the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.”
“We're constantly being told what other people think we are, and that's why it is so important to know yourself.” Sarah McLachlan
“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch-what make you go beyond the norm.”
“Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves.” Sydney Harris
“Know yourself. Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” Ann Landers
“I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.” Billie Jean King
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Sunday Evening Thoughts on "Making the most of your Chance" 4/15/12
This time last week, I was enjoying another Easter Sunday and time spent with friends and extended family. Over the last week, I have done quite a bit of reflecting through conversations with friends and family about what's important. Amazing, how when you look back in time to see what you valued only to see how things change as you mature.
My thoughts have been all across the board the last couple of days, but I think I may have landed on something to make you think. I can't help but be reminded of something that I learned from my advisor Dr. Chris Jeffries back at Jackson State. He taught me about the TANSTAFL(there ain't no such thing as a free lunch) principle the first day of my Economics 101 class. Over the years, I have continued to use this principle as I weigh the opportunity cost of any decisions that I make.
It is not to any surprise that I see my thoughts revolving around chance and opportunity. The terms are interchangeable to a certain degree, but I want to focus on chance considering the word is shorter with less syllables.(Don't judge me I have my reasons for keeping it simple)
How many times have you wanted a second chance at something? Have you ever felt that you squandered away your one chance at something? Are you prepared for any opportunity that may come your way?
They say that chance/luck is when preparation meets opportunity, but often times we haven't prepared ourselves to be ready when we are given that chance. Regardless of what aspect of our lives the chance to do something arrives in, in that moment we have the opportunity to make the most of it as it may not come around again.
Not sure how many people saw the story on ESPN where Heisman Trophy Finalist Trent Richardson took a leukemia survivor to their high school prom in Alabama. The story itself was touching and seeing Trent Richardson talk about how he had a chance to make a difference in the life of someone as well as attend a prom considering he never went to his. As I watched this story I thought to myself am I making the most of all the chances that life is given me to make a difference.
On the job, at home, in our relationships, or our spirituality we have a chance to do better. Yesterday has happened, and tomorrow will bring us another chance to make the most of our opportunities. So what we didn't live up to all the promises of yesterday, dust ourselves off and embrace the chance to be better. No matter what you are going through, you have to remember that there's always a chance/opportunity to do better. Yesterday does not have to define you and the past does have to imprison you as tomorrow is your chance to move forward.
Are you afraid of taking chances in your personal life? Your career? Your relationships?
Are you ready for your chance to be more? To do more? Do you make the most of your chance at a good first impression?
Has anyone blown their chance for you to be on their team? Have you blown the chance to be on someone else's team?
As you prepare to move forward into another week, remember that only you can push yourself to make the most of your chances. Positive thoughts breed positive actions and adopting the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle can make all the difference. Go forward and make it an amazing week people as you deserve it.
“Hope is the most exciting thing in life and if you honestly believe that love is out there, it will come. And even if it doesn't come straight away there is still that chance all through your life that it will.” Josh Hartnett
“It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.”
“It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” Bette Midler
“Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.”
“I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln
“Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.”
“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” Dale Carnegie
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”
“All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion and desire.” Aristotle
“A truly great person is the one who gives you a chance.”
“When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you are never scared, embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take chances” Julia Soul
My thoughts have been all across the board the last couple of days, but I think I may have landed on something to make you think. I can't help but be reminded of something that I learned from my advisor Dr. Chris Jeffries back at Jackson State. He taught me about the TANSTAFL(there ain't no such thing as a free lunch) principle the first day of my Economics 101 class. Over the years, I have continued to use this principle as I weigh the opportunity cost of any decisions that I make.
It is not to any surprise that I see my thoughts revolving around chance and opportunity. The terms are interchangeable to a certain degree, but I want to focus on chance considering the word is shorter with less syllables.(Don't judge me I have my reasons for keeping it simple)
How many times have you wanted a second chance at something? Have you ever felt that you squandered away your one chance at something? Are you prepared for any opportunity that may come your way?
They say that chance/luck is when preparation meets opportunity, but often times we haven't prepared ourselves to be ready when we are given that chance. Regardless of what aspect of our lives the chance to do something arrives in, in that moment we have the opportunity to make the most of it as it may not come around again.
Not sure how many people saw the story on ESPN where Heisman Trophy Finalist Trent Richardson took a leukemia survivor to their high school prom in Alabama. The story itself was touching and seeing Trent Richardson talk about how he had a chance to make a difference in the life of someone as well as attend a prom considering he never went to his. As I watched this story I thought to myself am I making the most of all the chances that life is given me to make a difference.
On the job, at home, in our relationships, or our spirituality we have a chance to do better. Yesterday has happened, and tomorrow will bring us another chance to make the most of our opportunities. So what we didn't live up to all the promises of yesterday, dust ourselves off and embrace the chance to be better. No matter what you are going through, you have to remember that there's always a chance/opportunity to do better. Yesterday does not have to define you and the past does have to imprison you as tomorrow is your chance to move forward.
Are you afraid of taking chances in your personal life? Your career? Your relationships?
Are you ready for your chance to be more? To do more? Do you make the most of your chance at a good first impression?
Has anyone blown their chance for you to be on their team? Have you blown the chance to be on someone else's team?
As you prepare to move forward into another week, remember that only you can push yourself to make the most of your chances. Positive thoughts breed positive actions and adopting the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle can make all the difference. Go forward and make it an amazing week people as you deserve it.
“Hope is the most exciting thing in life and if you honestly believe that love is out there, it will come. And even if it doesn't come straight away there is still that chance all through your life that it will.” Josh Hartnett
“It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.”
“It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” Bette Midler
“Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.”
“I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln
“Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.”
“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” Dale Carnegie
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”
“All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion and desire.” Aristotle
“A truly great person is the one who gives you a chance.”
“When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you are never scared, embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take chances” Julia Soul
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tuesday Evening Thoughts on "Enduring Through it All" 4/3/12
The Tuesday before Easter and all appears to be well in the world before the Valley of the Sun turns into one of the hottest places on the planet. I can't do anything but enjoy the cooler temperatures before they begin to creep closer to triple digits. My initial indicators tell me that it is going to be a very very warm spring and summer.
I am not going to lie and tell you that the last 7 days hasn't been challenging, but as I look at where I am now I see that I made it through. It really doesn't matter what is going on if you have it in your heart and mind you can push through anything. It all starts in the mind and you have to believe that you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Often times I think we always just hear the phrase there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but we don't always have 100% that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Have you ever given up on something? Why do you think that was? Was it too painful to continue on with? Were you not ready to go forward? Were you missing something?
As a country, history shows us that we have endured a lot as a whole and it has not been easy. Through the Women's Suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and many other moments over the years there has been pain, sacrifice, and struggle. None of these situations was easy, but through the pain and the resilience there has been growth. The evolution is present and we still have room to grow as there is still elements of discomfort. When there is discomfort it means we are growing and things are changing.
I talked about the world and hit on a few things that people have endured in the recent past. I want to dig a little deeper and explore a few things within my own existence that may open up the discussion further. In the 34 years that I have been living, I can pretty much confirm that anything worth having is worth the work put forth to attain it. The concept of what you put in is what you get out has never been more present than it is now. It seems as though everyone is out here dealing with their own struggles and there's no handouts to anyone as it is survival of the fittest.
I use the term "Survival of the Fittest" because as things change we have two choices to become an agent of change or a resistor to change. It is in that moment you choose the road you will be traveling on and what you are willing to endure. More often than not we don't look at obstacles as opportunities to use our past experiences to bring us through whatever it is we are dealing with. I can't help but think of this verse, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.'
Maybe you haven't reached the summit of many different areas of your life, but you feel as though you can't go on any further. These experiences are preparing you for something amazing that was designed only for you. Are you willing to endure longer for the promise of something better in your life? Career? Family? Relationships?
Inside each and every one of us there's that one thing that we are willing to endure heartache, long suffering, or disappointment for in order to achieve something. What is that thing for you? Is it your family? Financial Security? Helping others? Why is it that you endure some of the things that you do? Do you believe in your heart that things will be better as a result of holding on?
If you are enduring some pain or heartache for anything there's a direct correlation with how much you care about what it is you are doing. If there wasn't would we even be trying to live through whatever it is instead of just letting go.
Positive thoughts breed positive actions and as we endure anything in life our mind has to be strong. Focus your energies on bringing the right thoughts into any situation as #PositiveMovementsForward will bring you through any darkness to walk straight into the light at the end of the tunnel. Live life and be amazing in every moment that you have. You have already prepared for the next moment, so just endure this one with a smile.
“Endure the present, and watch for better things.” Virgil
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” Og Mandino
“Those who endure conquer.”
“Enjoy what you can, endure what you must” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat.” Anais Nin
“He who has a why can endure any how” Friedrich Nietzsche
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give.” Edward O. Wilson
“In the darkest hour the soul is replenished and given strength to continue and endure.”
I am not going to lie and tell you that the last 7 days hasn't been challenging, but as I look at where I am now I see that I made it through. It really doesn't matter what is going on if you have it in your heart and mind you can push through anything. It all starts in the mind and you have to believe that you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Often times I think we always just hear the phrase there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but we don't always have 100% that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Have you ever given up on something? Why do you think that was? Was it too painful to continue on with? Were you not ready to go forward? Were you missing something?
As a country, history shows us that we have endured a lot as a whole and it has not been easy. Through the Women's Suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and many other moments over the years there has been pain, sacrifice, and struggle. None of these situations was easy, but through the pain and the resilience there has been growth. The evolution is present and we still have room to grow as there is still elements of discomfort. When there is discomfort it means we are growing and things are changing.
I talked about the world and hit on a few things that people have endured in the recent past. I want to dig a little deeper and explore a few things within my own existence that may open up the discussion further. In the 34 years that I have been living, I can pretty much confirm that anything worth having is worth the work put forth to attain it. The concept of what you put in is what you get out has never been more present than it is now. It seems as though everyone is out here dealing with their own struggles and there's no handouts to anyone as it is survival of the fittest.
I use the term "Survival of the Fittest" because as things change we have two choices to become an agent of change or a resistor to change. It is in that moment you choose the road you will be traveling on and what you are willing to endure. More often than not we don't look at obstacles as opportunities to use our past experiences to bring us through whatever it is we are dealing with. I can't help but think of this verse, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.'
Maybe you haven't reached the summit of many different areas of your life, but you feel as though you can't go on any further. These experiences are preparing you for something amazing that was designed only for you. Are you willing to endure longer for the promise of something better in your life? Career? Family? Relationships?
Inside each and every one of us there's that one thing that we are willing to endure heartache, long suffering, or disappointment for in order to achieve something. What is that thing for you? Is it your family? Financial Security? Helping others? Why is it that you endure some of the things that you do? Do you believe in your heart that things will be better as a result of holding on?
If you are enduring some pain or heartache for anything there's a direct correlation with how much you care about what it is you are doing. If there wasn't would we even be trying to live through whatever it is instead of just letting go.
Positive thoughts breed positive actions and as we endure anything in life our mind has to be strong. Focus your energies on bringing the right thoughts into any situation as #PositiveMovementsForward will bring you through any darkness to walk straight into the light at the end of the tunnel. Live life and be amazing in every moment that you have. You have already prepared for the next moment, so just endure this one with a smile.
“Endure the present, and watch for better things.” Virgil
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” Og Mandino
“Those who endure conquer.”
“Enjoy what you can, endure what you must” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat.” Anais Nin
“He who has a why can endure any how” Friedrich Nietzsche
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give.” Edward O. Wilson
“In the darkest hour the soul is replenished and given strength to continue and endure.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
