Thursday is Thanksgiving so I thought I’d offer up a few inspirational, feel good comments to share with the people in your life; without specific attribution chalk them up to societal wisdom, better know as Anon.
Be content with your surroundings but not with yourself till you have made the most of them. Very true, and to that end it’s good to remember that there is no danger of developing eyestrain from looking on the bright side of things.
Florence Nightingale was an amazing woman and the advice she offers reflects who she was, “Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift—there is nothing small about it.”
Sowing, for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to planting something. Samuel Smiles offers a more detailed cause and effect for what you sow in your life, but be wise, it’s your choice whether you sow positives or negatives.
“Sow a thought and you reap and act.
Sow an act and you reap a habit.
Sow a habit and you reap a character.
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.”
Carl Sandburg understood that life is full or ups and downs, but he (of course) put it more elegantly than that, “Life is like an onion: you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.”
We choose how we live; we choose not only what we take out of the world, but what we put into it. Knowing that, you could do far worse than to follow the lead of Sydney Smith, “When you rise in the morning, form a resolutions to make the day a happy one to a fellow creature.
Sowing positives and forming resolutions that help others helps you find the miracles in life. As Helen Keller said, When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
This year find time during the holiday season to reflect—on your relationships, your work, your plans and yourself—and do it with these words foremost in your mind, There will never be another now—I’ll make the most of today. There will never be another me—I’ll make the most of myself.
I had lunch with a guy friend this week and I almost threw my margarita at him, except that would be a waste of a good drink. Here’s what happened.
March is Women’s History Month and we had been talking about various women who had been written up in one place or another. “Rich” mentioned several he found very impressive; I asked if he ad ever read anything about Maya Angelou, because I like the way her mind works and she is wise.
Rich said he didn’t read poetry; he also reminded me that he wasn’t into sentimental stuff.
And that’s when I thought about throwing my drink, but my self-control held and instead I told him he was an idiot and to read today’s post.
Maya Angelou has a tough, practical side and I freely admit I connect with it more easily than what Rich calls the ‘sentimental stuff’—but above all, the woman is wise and it is that wisdom which draws people in and teaches almost anything you want to learn.
So, Rich, in honor of you and Women’s History Month read these and recognize real wisdom from a woman who can make words sing.
In these days of 24/7, totally wired living it’s important to take these words to heart, Making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Someplace back in the Seventies the idea that life was a series of challenges that needed to be overcome took hold. I never could stand that attitude; my own approach is better summed up in Angelou’s words, You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back…
Maya Angelou is a firm believer in the power of MAP, although she’s probably never heard of it; but I know it’s true because she said, If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
That’s right, most of the time we try to change what’s outside and forget to change what’s inside, but, as this wise lady tells us, Nothing will work unless you do.
Even for Rich I can’t leave out two of Angelou’s statements that are deep life lessons; absorb them into your MAP and I can guarantee you will reap the rewards long after you’ve forgotten the source.
The first to remember is this, People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
And finally, real wisdom, the kind you don’t hear very often, Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Spring is a time of reawakening; of new starts; a time to plant seeds and reap the benefits down the road.
Many of you won’t know who Erma Bombeck was, but I read her column (she wrote what was called “housewife humor and was hilarious) for many years and this one was always a favorite; she wrote it when she was 52, 17 years before she died in 1996.
Read it, then read it again. I believe you will find many seeds to plant that will benefit you and those in your world, especially in our wired, 24/7 world.
If I Had My Life to Live Over (1979)
Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.
My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.
If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.
I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television … and more while watching real life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.
I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the Earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.
I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.
When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more I love yous … more I’m sorrys … more I’m listenings … but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it … look at it and really see it … try it on … live it … exhaust it … and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.
One reason I love the NY Times is that it runs great articles on new research about what makes us humans tick.
Most of us are aware that there are different forms of communications. Verbal, i.e., words, is the most common, but nonverbal, tone of voice and facial expressions, are often more potent.
In research with infants, it was shown that gently massaging premature infants three times per day for 15 minutes helped them gain weight, be more alert, and cry less. These infants were released from the hospital sooner than infants who were not massaged.
The latest research confirms the same positive response in adults.
Momentary touches, they say — whether an exuberant high five, a warm hand on the shoulder, or a creepy touch to the arm — can communicate an even wider range of emotion than gestures or expressions, and sometimes do so more quickly and accurately than words.
Two attitudes make this work.
Sincerity; people will know if your actions are manipulative as opposed to authentic.
Appropriateness; to avoid a negative reaction from anyone use your observational skills and common sense; high fives and similar expressions are the safest, while hugs are the most dangerous. An employee who avoids physical contact with her team is unlikely to appreciate being touched by her boss.
There are many ways to inspire and show you care just as there are many clubs in a golf bag; and just as it is a fallacy to play the whole course with just one club, using only one form of communication to motivate your people is to shortchange them—and you.
Remember the old line “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach; those who can’t teach, teach teachers.”
It’s not true. Most people who go into teaching do it because they have a true passion—at least when they start.
But passion is hard to sustain when all you hear is that
you are too easy/hard;
you give too much/not enough homework;
you too often receive little-to-no respect from parents, kids, administrators and even your colleagues;
more time is spent on politics than lesson plans;
you spend more time teaching basic manners than educating; and
your de facto hourly pay rate is around minimum wage in spite of a 9 month work year.
Some manage it and they are the ones who truly leave their mark.
Most of us remember the teacher(s) who really touched us, who opened our eyes and helped us see the world differently.
And we remember the worst we had, but the majority fall in-between and become a blur.
some of the best come to teaching from other successful careers.
One of the highest profile of these is Tom Bloch, who left H&R Block (the family business founded by his father) after 18 years, five as President, and a salary of nearly a million a year to teach math at an inner-city middle school in Kansas City, because he wanted to make a difference—and he has.
Listen to this interview and then read his story in Stand for the Best. Share it; maybe it will inspire others to apply their passion to teaching, but if nothing else, perhaps it will encourage them reconsider their own attitude towards teachers.
Whether you laud Ted Kennedy or despise him you can’t deny that there are things he said that resonate with any person, in any country and any circumstances.
Here are some of my favorites.
“I recognize my own shortcomings — the faults in the conduct of my private life. I realize that I alone am responsible for them, and I am the one who must confront them. I believe that each of us as individuals must not only struggle to make a better world, but to make ourselves better, too.”
“There is no safety in hiding.”
“Yes, we are all Americans. This is what we do. We reach the moon. We scale the heights. I know it. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. And we can do it again.”
“I have seen throughout my life how we as a people can rise to a challenge, embrace change and renew our destiny.”
“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.”
“We have learned that it is important to take issues seriously, but never to take ourselves too seriously.”
What do you think about, other than beer, food and fireworks, on this day that marks our freedom?
I have three suggestions for you.
How long since you actually read the Declaration Of Independence? What better way to spend some time with your kids/relatives/friends than reading, discussing and perhaps even thinking about it? Better yet, make it a tradition, a yearly habit that will yield enormous benefits—guaranteed.
If your thoughts include the troops fighting far away, then you can say thnks without breaking the bank. For less than you probably spent on your celebration you can click Over to Any Soldier and do something active for our troops, rather than just talking about how brave they are and grateful you are.
“Any Soldier Inc. started in August 2003 as a simple family effort to help the soldiers in one Army unit; thus, our name. Due to overwhelming requests, on 1 January 2004 the Any Soldier® effort was expanded to include any member of the Armed Forces in harm’s way.”
Finally, promise yourself that this year you’ll give yourself and those around you the greatest gift of all—room to change.
Embrace change yourself and encourage it in others.
Not all change is good, but all change is necessary. Even if you have to retrace your steps and change differently not changing is worse—it leads to stagnation, which leads to death.
Have a wonderful Fourth, I wish you much joy on this important holiday. But before you sign off to party, click over to Leadership Turn and watch a truly spectacular exhibit of grace and talent by the US Army.
Image credit: MykReeve on flickr globetraveler2 on flickr
Do you watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition? I usually have it on Sunday evenings while I’m writing and last night was no exception. For those of you who don’t watch, all the makeovers this season were for ‘heroes’; people who ignored their own situation to give back.
Last night was a makeover for Bernard McFarland, a 37 year old single dad who has become a mentor to all the kids in his neighborhood. He’s a firm believer that ‘knowledge is power’ and that learning and books are the answer to everything. (You can watch it online.)
But what I really like is the slogan he teaches the kids and, obviously, believes himself.
I like it enough to add it to my Rules To Live By (it’s number 24).
Today is all about innovation, so grab your coffee and settle in. Only one to read and the rest you can listen to or watch. Enjoy!
First, check out how Mark King, CEO of TaylorMade drives “relentless innovation” that has doubled revenue since 2003.
Now listen to Always On CEO Tony Perkins, Tim Draper, Founder and Managing Director of venture capital company Draper Fisher Jurvetson and founding partner of ThinkEquity and author of Finding the Next Starbucks talk about What is the Next Big Thing?
Then click over and explore the bonanza of innovation inspiration in the form of podcasts and videos at the Stanford University Entrepreneurial Corner. I think you’ll find it worth bookmarking.
I found a wonderful treat for you on this Friday before Christmas courtesy of Bruce Nussbaum.
It’s a video of Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement address in which he says,
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.”
Nussbaum says he watches this video every year and I plan to also. I hope it becomes a yearly tradition for you, too, and that you share it with your colleagues, friends and kids.
Entrepreneurs face difficulties that are hard for most people to imagine, let alone understand. You can find anonymous help and connections that do understand at 7 cups of tea.
Crises never end.
$10 really does make a difference and you’ll never miss it,
Spring is a time of reawakening; of new starts; a time to plant seeds and reap the benefits down the road.
One reason I love the NY Times is that it runs great articles on new research about what makes us humans tick.
Here are some of my favorites.
I have three suggestions for you.
Today is all about innovation, so grab your coffee and settle in. Only one to read and the rest you can listen to or watch. Enjoy!
