IMAGINE THAT!

While on a cruise a man was staying in a small cabin. One night he began to feel claustrophobic. In a panic and in the dark  he scrambled to find a window so he could get some air. He finally found the porthole  but couldn't open it. In desperation he grabbed a small lamp, hit the glass in the porthole and it shattered. He then felt great relief that he could breath freely with the air now coming into his cabin and he fell asleep. In the morning, with the light of a new day, the man awoke and made a curious discovery. He had indeed broken the glass in the porthole, but there was another pain of glass on the outside of the ship as well and it was intact. HeIMAGINED he had broken open a window so he could breath and he in turn could breath. Our amazing subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real or imagined experience. The joys and stresses of our lives are primarily of our own making. What are you IMAGINING?

BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER

While walking around the Flower and Garden festival in Epcot at Disney World, I am reminded of the beauty that can occur when groups come together in a common purpose. Like flowers that have their own beauty alone and become almost a work of art when grouped together, we too can create amazing beauty when joined together as families, friends, classmates, etc. we are reminded that their can not only be great strength but also beauty in numbers. 

SHARE A SMILE

We never know the loneliness someone may be experiencing. Though outwardly going through the motions of living, someone may be feeling so disconnected and alone. Help someone reconnect with life and hope. It can be as simple as sharing a smile. You never know. 

APOLOGIZE

IMAGINATION

We are the only creatures possessing the gift of imagination. We are also the only creatures / beings capable of accomplishing whatever we imagine. Imagine what your life could be!

JOY IS NOW

While enjoying time with my wife at Disney World today, I saw a man who  reminded me of my Scoutmaster as a kid. My Scoutmaster Sam was an older man from Japan who took me under his wing and became a father figure.  A very important lesson he taught was to fully immerse yourself in each moment, in each activity. He taught that if we will allow ourselves to fully experience what we are doing we will experience JOY. He taught that JOY cannot be experienced in the future, JOY can only be experienced in the moment...NOW.  He taught we must ALLOW JOY, we cannot force it. He was amazing teacher who taught me where to look but not what to see. 

LOOSE RIMS

When pioneers were headed West, they carried their personal property in wagons and handcarts. The wagons and handcarts had wheels made of wood with a metal band around the wheel to hold it together. After miles of pounding against rocks and hard earth, the wood in the wheels would become compressed from the impact and the metal rims would begin to get loose. In order to prevent the wheels from falling apart, when the trail master noticed the rims getting loose he would look for a body of water, lake or stream, and have the wagon train pull into the water and sit. After a few hours, the wooden wheels would soak up water, the wood then expanded and the rims would become tight once again ready for more travel. 

We are each on our own personal journey, our own wagon train. Life tends to have challenging, rocky tough trails at times. We may become tired, irritable, frustrated. Etc., our rims are becoming loose. It is wise for each of us, every so often, to pull into the water and soak to tighten up our rims. We need to take some time for ourselves and remember just why we do what we do. Take time from the rush and stresses of life. Sit and regenerate. Do something pleasant that helps you rest and regenerate. 

Are your rims getting loose?

EMOTIONS ARE GUIDES

As human beings we are designed to operate / function in specific ways. Exercise makes us stronger. Proper food will  nourish us. Rest will revitalize us. Emotions inform and guide us. All too often we allow emotions to control us. 

Our emotions flow in 72 hour cycles. If making an important decision, allow three days before finalizing any decision. This will keep you from making an 'emotion only' based decision. If after 3 days your thoughts and general feelings remain the same, then your decision is sound. The U.S. government recognizes the reality and power of our 72 hour emotional cycles. They have passed laws that allow you to change your mind on any purchases or agreements made over the phone or at your door. This prevents us from being taken advantage of while in the middle of an emotional cycle. 

Angry, sad, confused, lost, etc. ..give yourself 3days before making any major changes or decisions. 

OBSERVE, QUESTION, LEARN

We can learn from every and any experience. We can learn from our experiences whether we view the experience to be good or bad. We can learn through observing / reading about the experiences of others. We can learn through observing nature. We can learn by observing the design of a building. A key to learning is to ask  ourselves questions. "Why is that building shaped that way?" "Why did he grab the snake rather than run away?" "What can I learn from being stuck in slow traffic today?"

Whenever we learn something new, the brain forms new neuropaths and releases  chemicals called endorphins that cause us to feel good / pleasant. 

Learning results in growth and pleasant feelings. Learning is a natural process and can bring joy and meaning into our lives. 

OBSERVE, QUESTION, LEARN

THOUGHT ON SPIRITUALITY

Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. 

Who are YOU ...really?

One day an old man who was an expert in the world of art died and went to heaven where he was met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. 

The old man asked Saint Peter to introduce him to other people who were interested in art. 

Saint Peter, standing at the pearly gates

heaven said, "See that man with the beard? He was the greatest artist who ever lived. Want to meet him?"

The old man replied, "I know that man and I know art. That man worked in his father's shoe store and he sold me all my shoes for years. And he's not an artist!"

Saint Peter said," Oh, he could have been the greatest artist who ever lived, but he thought he was a shoe salesman."

Who are YOU...really?

ONE LITTLE THING

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake a dream. 

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald a spring. 

One smile begins a friendship,

One hand clasp lifts a soul. 

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal. 

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room. 

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom. 

One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer. 

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care. 

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true. 

One life can make a difference,

You see, it's up to you!

Today, change one word, one action, one response and you can change your entire day, your weekend or even your life. One little thing!

LITTLE THINGS

Recently while walking from a store to my car, I felt a cool breeze blowing across the parking lot. As I felt the breeze against my skin I experienced a sense of joy. I began thinking that there are people  who don't get to have this experience. People in nursing homes, hospitals or with disabilities that don't allow them to be out in the breeze. I thought of my granddaughter's laugh and the people who would love to hear that sound, but never had children, or lost a child or whose children are grown and no longer at home. A spouses smile and tender voice, for many they have never had this or due to illness or loss, they long for it just one more time. So many little things are treasures and sources of joy. TODAY, lets take a moment to notice and be grateful for the little things. 

DO YOU DO FEAR?

Fear is something that you do - the act ofFearing. Fear doesn't come from somewhere. You have to do something to be afraid. 

We experience fear whether the trigger is real or imagined. If we think someone is in a dark room with us, we often start"fearing" only to turn on the light and find no one is there. 

When feeling fear, pause just long enough to determine if you're "doing fear"unnecessarily. You can choose to stop"fearing". 

LIVING OUT OF TIME

Have you watched a child playing? They are so in the moment. They're not worried about the weather tomorrow or feeling stressed or guilty about something from the past. They are here, now. To have greater clarity in our thinking, to feel peace and inner calm, to be so much more efficient and productive we must live or be in the present moment like a child at play. We become scattered, stressed or anxious when we are living out of time. This is more appropriately referred to asTIME - PLACE DISSONANCE. This occurs when we are trying to be in two places at one time or trying to be in two times at one place. Like the rock band The Who once said, "no matter where you go, there you are!" To live a happier life, 'be where you are '

DOUBLE TAKE

Throughout our lives most of us have heard, 'Don't judge a book by its cover.' Over time we have all learned just how true that is. Some people / situations appear one way and turn out to be very different. When challenges or new situations come into our lives, it is wise to take some time and reassess our first impression. I've had situations that initially appeared very negative but when viewed from a different perspective turned out to be a great blessing. 'Things aren't always what they appear to be!'

THIS WE REMEMBER

It is wisdom to always keep in mind that people will forget what you do for them; they will forget what you say to them and even forget what you give to them; but they will NEVER forget how you make them feel. 

It is our nature as human beings, the way we are wired, to be this way. Words, deeds and things are soon forgotten; how someone made us feel will ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED! 

TURNING POINT

One person, one act, one kind word, a simple kindness toward another person may be what triggers that life changing moment in their life!

LET'S TALK

When two people take the time to talk to one another amazing things can happen. We don't truly know what the other person wants and expects of us unless they TELL us. They don't know our desires and expectations unless we TELL them. How often have we felt let down because someone did not respond to an expectation we had of them only to learn later that they weren't aware of the expectation?

A couple celebrates their golden wedding  anniversary. At breakfast the woman thinks: "For fifty years I have taken care of my husband and given him the crunchy upper part of the bun. Today I'm going to have it for myself. " She butters the upper part of the bun and gives the other half to her husband. "My dear", he says with such pleasure, "what a gorgeous morning! For fifty years I haven't eaten the lower part of the bun although I enjoy it the most. I have always  thought I'd let you have the lower part of the bun because you enjoy it as much as I do. "

GUILT, A MISUNDERSTOOD EMOTION

"We often allow guilt to consume us but we must realize that we can start over at any given time."

                        Steve Jobs

Guilt is an emotion often misunderstood. It's frequently viewed as an internal process with the purpose of self-punishment. Actually, it's purpose is to motivate us to take action. The first step in resolving guilt is to shift our focus onto the things for which we are grateful. This places us into an empowered mindset. The new perspective puts us in a position to correct the situation that caused the guilt, or even to begin life anew. 

LIVING AUTHENTIC

Living incongruent can be a source of low level internal conflict throughout the day. When we talk one way yet live in a different way, we create an imbalance that produces stress and self-doubt. Being true to others begins with being true to ourselves. We can't pray cream and then live skim milk expecting a balanced life. Try being truly genuine for one day or even for one situation and note the difference it makes. 

ECHO

Have you ever been in the mountains or a large environment where there was a distinct echo? Whatever you say or shout is echoed back to you in the same tone, same words and same intensity. 

Echoes remind us of a basic natural or universal law. 'That which you do send out shall return to you again.' We reap what we sow. If we are constantly inpatient with others we should not be surprised when we are treated the same way. If our lives aren't what we'd like them to be, what are we sending out? Take time to consider what you may be echoing in your life. 

VOICES OF WARNING AND INSIGHT

It's been long said, "when the student is ready the teacher will appear." There are those special servants placed in our lives to sound the warning cry as well as to teach and inspire us. Whether warning or guidance, it cannot be received unless we listen. The inspired ones can only help if we take the time to listen. Listening can change or even save our life!

NOT SEEN BUT IN THE SCENE

Several years ago while serving in the military, one particular deployment taught me a great unexpected lesson. 

We were sent into some of the most beautiful terrain and surroundings I'd ever seen. Three days into the mission one of our fellow  soldiers was seriously injured. Not from munitions or gunfire. He was attacked by a Grizzly Bear. We would see the bears on occasion near and around our encampment. We were always prepared and cautious. After our colleague was attacked one of our unit vice commanders held a briefing with all of us. He referenced his heritage (native American) and lessons of early childhood. Then he taught a principle I've remembered and embraced to this day. He said, "We are in Grizzly country and we know it. We see them, we are prepared for when we see them (now the principle). It's  not the Grizzlies we see that we should be fearful of, it's the ones we don't see!' What a powerful principle and lesson. There are various forms of Grizzly Bears in our lives. We need to always keep in mind that some threats, dangers or"Bears", though not seen, are there and very real!

KEEP LEARNING

An old belief is like an old shoe. We so value it's comfort that we fail to notice the hole in it. As we learn new things, we find some of our beliefs are no longer valid, we also find at times that some of our beliefs are increasingly valid and relevant. Seek an opportunity to learn something everyday. We CAN and WILL change as we grow from learning. We are the only person with the power to change us...we...me. Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others. 

JOURNEY OF AWAKENING

There was once a king who was going to put to death several people, before doing so he offered a challenge. 

If any of them could come up with something which would make him happy when he was sad, and sad when he was happy, he would spare their lives. 

All night the people meditated on the matter. 

In the morning, they brought the king a ring. 

The king said that he did not see how the ring wound serve to make him happy when he was sad and sad when he was happy. 

The people pointed to the inscription. When the king read it, he was so impressed that he spared them all. 

The inscription read..."This too shall pass."

BURNING BRIDGES

As we get older, and wiser, there are going to be situations in which burning bridges is not only okay but necessary. 

KINDNESS

It takes much less effort to be kind than to be harsh or negative. We waste so much energy harboring resentment or anger. We are free to

choose one or the other.