21 Areas of Gratitude

I have been challenged to list seven days of items of gratitude. Instead of doing three of these each day over seven days, I have elected to provide the whole list at once. The list can be seen in several ways: as areas of gratitude, areas I am passionate about, or areas that define my life. You can also have more than 21 as you will notice, I had 23.

This is a very good exercise because it causes each of us to reflect on our life and to recognize the things that not only are we thankful for, but what drives our motivation to accomplish.

After you get your list, I would like to challenge you to share it with others, particularly those you are around on a regular basis. Your family and friends can reinforce your actions to succeed.

1. Faith
2. Family
3. The Company / Leadership Resources and Staff
4. Unbelievable Friends
5. My Church
6. Blessings Received
7. My Health
8. Where I Live / U.S.A.
9. My Hobbies
1. Ham Radio
2. Electronic Test Equipment
3. Tools
4. Collecting Vintage Radios
10. My Collection of Books
11. Bible Study and Prayer

12. Evangelism and Discipleship
13. ’57 Chevrolet Bel Air
14. Helping Others In Need
15. Organizing Projects
16. Training and Helping Others Gain New Insights
17. Doing Work
18. Leadership Studies and Developing / Coaching
19. Computers and the Internet
20. The age in which I have lived
21. My Heritage
22. Vacations / Visiting the 50 States and Presidential Libraries
23. Writing and Developing Information 

               

       

Positive Thinking

 Enjoy Positive Thinking

We hear folks telling others to "Think Positive" quite often. So why are we promoting this type of behavior?

The benefits of THINKING POSITIVE are enormous. They cause us to be in a better mood, which rubs off on people. When you see a person you know in a retail store and they have a big smile and greet you, it leaves you with a good feeling. When a person comes in to work and they have a smile on their face, you immediately know that things are ok with them and that the day will be a good one.

There are untended consequences to a person with positive thinking. It seems that they get preferred treatment just because they are positive. It is actually that they are creating their own environment which in turn sets things in motion that allow their day to be both positive and productive.

If people only knew the impact that they could have on others, they might move to a more positive nature. It would be interesting to show each of us a video tape at the end of the day of our behavior. Wow, that could be devastating.

Being positive is healthy in many ways. It is self-encouraging for reaching our goals. We get much more accomplished when we have a great attitude. We do not let small defeats get in the way and we have an overcoming spirit that motivates us. When we have a problem, we tend to look at the bright side rather than the cloudy side.

All in all, being positive gets each of us further down the road and it allows others to be the same, which creates much more energy to win the race we are running. It actually is a fun ride and we can enjoy our own positive energy.

Positive Thoughts = Positive Feelings = Positive Life Experiences.

Live Life to the Fullest

From a good friend of mine:

 

One day I had lunch with some friends. Pat, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.
 

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.
 

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait. I smiled. He asked if he amused me.

I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?"
 

He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before. So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.

"I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.
 

"There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.
 

"I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

"I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.
 

"I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.
 

"So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."

With that, I called the waitress over. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"
 

This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy.
 

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS including me if I'm lucky enough to be counted among them.
 

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!

Judgement: Bullying / Prejudice

Judgment

Bullying / Prejudice

Judgment is a very big issue in our society. Along with that is making decisions without having all the correct information or “jumping to conclusions”.

When judging, we create a downward spiral that is all based on incorrect assumptions. A conversation cannot be built around this and the situation just gets worse.

In most cases, we think we know the situation, but we may not. There is not a way to determine we are on the correct path without asking questions and having a conversation. Our tone of voice creates an adversarial situation in many cases. We need to check the validity of our thoughts and words.

Everybody say, "I reap what I sow." We all get caught in the trap.

The following two paragraphs came from Facebook posts and illustrate situations related to judgment. The sources are unknown.

You can’t let people scare you. You can’t go your whole life trying to please everyone else. You can’t go through life worried about what everyone else is going to think. Whether it’s your hair, clothes, what you have to say, how you feel, what you believe and what you have. You can’t let the judgment of others stop you from being you. Because if you do, you’re no longer you. You’re someone everyone else wants you to be.

The boy you called a “gay boy” in the hall at school today. He committed suicide a few minutes ago. That girl you called a slut in class today. She’s a virgin. The boy you called lame. He has to work every night to support his family. That girl you pushed down the other day. She’s already abused at home. That girl you called fat. She’s starving herself. The old man you made fun of because of the ugly scars. He fought for our country. The boy you made fun of for crying. His mother is dying. You think you freaking know them. Guess what? You don’t.

So evaluate yourself first. Are you guilty? Make sure you are fully informed and then choose your words wisely.

We need to also share differences in a positive way that will allow the other person(s) to understand the whole situation. Create a good environment that allows a healthy exchange of information.

Matthew 7:1 "Don't judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves."

It's the Little Things

It’s the Little Things….

How much do we notice as we go through a day? Lisa Beamer on Good Morning America - If you remember, she's the wife of Todd Beamer who said 'Let's Roll!' and helped take down the plane over Pennsylvania that was heading for Washington, DC back on 9/11.

She said it's the little things that she misses most about Todd, such as hearing the garage door open as he came home, and her children running to meet him.
Lisa recalled this story:

"I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her Insight with a classroom of students. As the late Afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom Windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things side on the edge of her desk and sat down there.  With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, 'Class is over, I would like to share with all of you, a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important. Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end.  It can be taken away at any moment.

Perhaps this is God's way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day. Her eyes, beginning to water, she went on, 'so I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice.  It doesn't have to be something you see, it could be a scent, perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground. Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life.  The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy.  The things we often take for granted.

The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook.

Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset.  Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double dip ice-cream cone. For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do.

If you like this, please pass it on to a friend, If not, just delete it, and go on with your life!  Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

GOD Bless you every day of your life. The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts; The safest place to be is in someone's prayers, And the very best place to be is.... In the hands of God.

Persist+ence

One thing many professions have in common is the impact of persistence that high performers exhibit. Staying with the process can be quite impactful.

One of the best examples of this is Thomas Edison and the light bulb. Edison tried 1600 different materials before he settled on the proper filament. He was very persistent.

Another good example is Roger Bannister who was the first to run the four minute mile. He stayed with attempts until he was able to break the record.

Abraham Lincoln lost 8 elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.  He could have quit many times, but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the United States.

We currently have so many sports examples of sports persistence where people are driven to break a record.

Continually striving to reach a worthwhile goal is necessary. Being persistent will allow more achievement and more success.

What is FUN?

WHAT IS FUN?

      Fun \  noun \ˈfən\

                  : someone or something that is amusing or enjoyable                               : an enjoyable experience or person

                  : an enjoyable or amusing time

                  : the feeling of being amused or entertained

It seems that people are wound so tight these days that life becomes miserable and they do not experience much fun.

So what do you consider fun? Each of us have our own ideas about that. Kids might prefer a vacation to Disney World as their most fun thing to do. Or a new video game. To an adult, it might be a comfortable place to sit and to read a book. Or maybe go out to eat with some friends. Or maybe take a trip. My brothers and I sometimes take a day trip together. For your family, try a game together. A good one to start with is Left, Center, Right. You can find it a Wal-Mart for just a few dollars. All ages can play and it is really fun. Some like hunting and fishing, but my amateur radio buddies and I would prefer to take our equipment to Manley Mountain and try to make some contacts to some foreign country. My wife and daughter are having fun collecting backpacks for foster kids.

The whole idea here is to get you to thinking about what you do to have fun and how to do it more often.

So here is a challenge. Make a list of what you do or would like to do to have fun. To help with that, check into the web site of my friend Bernie DeKoven, http://www.deepfun.com/ .Bernie has created a whole business around fun. His website has tons of ideas about fun and his latest book,  Playful Path, http://www.aplayfulpath.com/timeless-fun/ is a great source of ideas for having fun.

If you get a good list, email it to me so I can get more ideas.

Have Fun!!