I love this quote. My uncle posted it on Facebook, actually.
So thank you, Uncle Al.
This quote is sooo true. I recently read a great book “The Obstacle is The Way” by Ryan Holiday.
The whole premise is that, contrary to popular opinion, our challenges don’t hold us back, in fact they are exactly what propel us forward.
Now, I don’t think we should go looking for tragedy.
Life is hard enough.
But I do think we need to take a good look at our challenges and think about how, when we overcome our obstacles, our lives will be improved.
It is impossible to grow without obstacles.
In fact, in a human embryo, if the cells are not stressed, they don’t divide and grow.
How many instances can you think of that felt horrible at the time, (a lost job, a break-up, a “no”, a door closing) that actually allowed a much brighter future to manifest?
It’s ok to get upset about challenges.
However, realize that these challenges he’s are what will actually create the future you desire. Or even more, they will allow a much brighter future than you imagined take shape.
So smile in the face of adversity, and know the challenges are your building blocks to your dream life.
If you aren’t on Simon Sinek’s daily notes to inspire list, you should really consider it!
This tidbit today was great!
I believe too often, we define ourselves by what we do. “I’m a chiropractor.” “I’m a teacher.” “I’m a potato chip critic.”
Those are all the jobs we chose, and we should be proud.
However, the bigger thing is WHY we do them.
If we are happy with our careers, it is more than likely because we get to express what we truly care about in life through our field.
We are defined by what we care about, and how we choose to make a (happy) living is our way to express what we care about.
So if you are feeling burned out, a bit sluggish or etc, tap into what you care about, connect that to what you are doing today and I promise you, your day will be immensely brighter (for yourself and for everyone you come in contact with).
I like the book so far. The premise is that the most successful people, realize that obstacles are actually opportunities in disguise.
We have big dreams, but the road from where we are now to where we want to go is littered with obstacles.
We need to realize that these obstacles don’t block our path; in fact they are important parts of the path.
We cannot grow unless we climb.
The trials and tribulations between here and there are in fact NECESSARY for us to achieve our dreams.
When we are faced with a problem, we need to change our thinking from “why me?” Or “why this?” To “How can I grow from this?” Or “how can this challenge help me?”
Don’t run from problems, don’t turn around the moment you have something blocking your path. In fact the path you must travel is directly over that obstacle.
Situations will always arise, positive and negative. The situations don’t determine the outcome.
The choices you make, the way you decide to learn from every situation, your mindset ALWAYS determines the outcome, and not just in the short term. The long term effects of any situation are solely determined by what you decide to take from it.
So today, start with a positive mindset.
Be open to learning opportunities (aka struggles).
My family and I had a wonderful trip to Hilton Head Island, SC this summer. We purchased a townhome/villa/condo (whatever your flavor of terminology is 🙂 on April 1st and we went out in June. I stayed there for 10 days and Sheri and the boys stayed for 3 weeks. (Sheri’s parents came out for a week in there too).
We worked a lot but had a fantastic time!
Being home alone for a couple weeks, I just couldn’t shake this HUGE feeling of nostalgia and sadness for times past.
Also, the realization that Payton is now going to be a Junior in high school, Isaac is beginning freshman year.
Time is FLYING BY!!
Yesterday, we celebrated Independence Day. Isaac spent the night at a friend’s house the night before, so we met the family in Golden (they are great friends of ours as well) and the boys waded into the cold waters of Clear Creek.
After that, we went to another family friend’s barbeque for a bit before heading to the Broomfield Commons and the high schoolers played volleyball while we sat with my brother and sister-in-law.
It was a great day.
The nostalgia ran deep though, beginning early in the morning. Facebook had a “remember when on this date” feature that showed us celebrating July 4th through the years.
Those were just a few.
Needless to say, a few tears were shed (mostly by me).
These past few weeks I have been struck (an apt word actually) right in the feels about how fast time has gone, and continues to move.
I love my life.
I love my family.
I love all the amazing times we have shared throughout these years and yet I cannot help but feel sad that those times are in the past. I know there will always be better and more amazing times ahead, but this week I am REALLY missing times gone by.
I also found myself wondering if that during all these years, have I been the father and husband that these amazing human beings deserve. I found myself doubting. I found myself yearning to hug them a bit tighter.
I want to go back in time and re-experience holding them on my chest when they were babies as we both fall asleep in my recliner. I long to lay with them camping while staring at the stars and listen to their amazement at the vast universe spread out before our eyes. I want to go back to coaching them in youth rec soccer and watch them running around in a herd chasing after that soccer ball. I want to go back to reading to them at night, and make sure I am choosing books and directing conversation that will help me mold them into the truly amazing humans they are and will become.
I also realize all of these yearnings come from MY WANTING more than theirs.
They are wonderful young men and I know the world is a better place due to their presence. I know that as a father, I’ve done pretty well, even if I will always believe I could’ve done better.
After I left Hilton Head, I received an email from Jon Gordon that touched on these feelings. Check out this snippet below:
So, I still am having a serious case of all the nostalgia feels. But these words helped me realize that I have and continually will share these gifts with them from now until the end of time.
I miss the old times. To be honest, I miss everyday I have had with them up until today. And I know one day I will miss today as well.
Those feelings are built into the tremendous love I have for them.
I know that I will continue to have days like this.
I also know that I am looking forward to seeing them after work today. Even if it is after they are done hanging out with their friends.
I love my family fiercely and I know that they love me fiercely back.
Have a wonderful Monday and make sure to spend some time with the ones you love, if only to savor the pain of missing that time when the passage of time doesn’t allow them to be right beside you down the road.
This is a great message from Simon Sinek. (If you haven’t signed up for his daily motivation service, check it out here.
I believe having a strong work ethic and having passion for what you “do” are both vitally important.
I also believe one can lead to the other.
Even if you are not passionate about your daily job right now, if you dive in to making sure you have a strong work ethic, if you are passionate about that alone, you more than likely will find enjoyment and things you CAN be passionate about daily.
It is also possible to be passionate about something (art, music, etc) but unless coupled with a strong work ethic in those endeavors, you will not achieve nor will you grow in those avenues.
You can CHOOSE your work ethic, so put some energy into that today.
There are a lot of bite-sized inspirational talks, given by people from all walks of life (coaches, speakers, charity founders, teachers) and they are wonderful.
Some of my favorite quotes so far:
“You don’t choose your negative thoughts but you can choose not to listen to them”-Jay Glazer
“The best way to win the day is to win the moment. Moments turn into days, days into weeks and weeks into years.”-Doshia Woods
“Unshakeable confidence isn’t about the results. It’s about self awareness.”-David Nurse
“It’s not always the path of least resistance that gets you where you want to go, it’s the path that’s worth taking”-Sam Acho
“When we focus on honoring others as our mission in life, differences fade. Prejudice becomes a foreign concept.”- Miles McPherson
There are a LOT more. You should definitely check it out.
You most likely will find something there to help fuel you daily, and I guarantee it will make your Tuesday a little happier!
Dissemination of Inspiration 