A change of seasons, a change of weather, a change of schedules (full bore into school/sports, etc), a change of procedures at work, etc.
Change is truly the only constant in life.
In order to become our ideal selves, to live our ideal lives, to have the biggest impact on our world, we must embrace change and in fact, we must look to create change.
Nothing improves by complacency.
Embrace all the changes around you, because within change lies infinite possibilities!
You will find out when life “bumps” you on your path…
You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere.
Why did you spill the coffee?
"Because someone bumped into me!!!"
Wrong answer.
You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup.
Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea.
*Whatever is inside the cup is what will spill out.*
Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It's easy to fake it, until you get rattled.
*So we have to ask ourselves... “what's in my cup?"*
When life gets tough, what spills over?
Joy, gratefulness, peace and humility?
Anger, bitterness, harsh words and reactions?
Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it.
Everyday we should work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation; and kindness, gentleness and love for others.
This morning I was reminded that last Tuesday was Suicide Prevention Day.
I was sitting at the table enjoying my breakfast after the kids and Sheri had gone to school.
In my Facebook feed there was a link to donate in memory of my cousin who took his own life earlier this year.
Another acquaintance from high school was asking for prayers because they were going through a really tough time right now.
A couple that Sheri and I are friends with are going through a divorce.
Someone else posted a video of a beautiful rendition of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (done by a choir in Ireland).
Such a powerful song. And an even more powerful movie (A Star Is Born).
It made me think:
Life is hard.
Everyone is fighting battles that we cannot see.
Depression, anxiety, struggle, are all quite common in today’s world.
Everyday life can be challenging.
Being a parent is hard too. Raising kids is not easy, they need us so much as newborns (which is hard), and as they grow their reliance lessens/shifts. That is hard to adapt to as well.
Everywhere you look, people are working hard to provide for their families, they are fighting their internal demons, they are working to improve their own lives and the lives of others…
Not a single face you see is coasting through their life.
No one is lying back in the shallows, floating through life.
I know whomever is reading this is facing strife and struggle in their lives.
So, today (and hopefully everyday) share compassion. Give kindness to others. Try to make whatever interaction you have with all these beautiful, struggling faces a positive one. Even the simplest things can help lessen their (and your own) burden.
Connect. Serve. Love. Smile. Share.
Realize that not a single Pearson’s life is “shallow”, everyone is swimming “in the deep end.”
“Our powers of charm are unparalleled when we move through life with a welcoming smile and an attitude that wordlessly demonstrates our willingness to admit people we have just met into our lives. Others are naturally drawn toward our easy and outgoing demeanor because they sense that it is sincere rather than an affection.”-The DailyOm
Thank you for sharing Ashley!
The word “charm” can sometimes carry with it a negative connotation. But sincerity of charm is a magnet to pull great people into our lives, and to brighten the days of others who need it.
“When you let all that is important to you guide you in your life’s journey, you’ll ensure that the choices you make will always be rewarding as well as spiritually enriching. It’s easy to give our day-to-day decisions little regard because they seem so inconsequential within the context of the whole of our lives. Making your beliefs an integral part of your existence can help you see the complex ways short and long term choices will influence your experience. You’ll be more apt to carefully weigh your options to determine whether they are in accordance with your values and will help you in the pursuit of your dreams. The whole of your life will take on a new significance. The beliefs that guide you today will help you find soulful choices.”-DailyOm.com
“People are chasing cash, not happiness. When you chase money, you’re going to lose. You’re just going to. Even if you get the money, you’re not going to be happy.” – Gary Vaynerchuk
I watched a keynote with Gary V in Malaysia this morning. I loved it!
He also said that we as a world population need to redefine success.It’s not about making a billion dollars, it’s about waking up in the morning happy and excited to “do” what you “do.”
Wishing you a successful Tuesday!
-Dr Lindeman
Firemore on this subject, here is an excerpt from my book, (one of the exercises at the end of the chapter “Lovin’ or Laborin’) Purposely Positive: How to Live an Intentional and Inspired Life, available on Amazon.
Purposely Positive Exercise: What Would You Do
Grab your notebook and do the following:
Answer this question:
What would you do with your life if you had an infinite amount of time and money?
Anything. Anything at all. Don’t think of any side-effects.
There are no anchors in this exercise.
Seriously, you’re going to live forever, and you have a quadrillion-gazillion dollar allowance every 2 hours.
Consider:
What would you do, today?
What about next week?
Three years from now?
What would you continually do?
What would your soul still yearn to accomplish?
What would you stop doing that you’re doing right now?
Dissemination of Inspiration 