Author: Jim Gohrick (Page 82 of 159)

In systemizing areas of our lives in order to be as efficient and effective as possible, we can forget about the beauty and wonder of spontaneity and what it can bring.

We can schedule for the unknown. A time to explore. There is freedom in our systems if we can make sure to leave room for them.

Let’s not get too ridged in our day to day tasks. Although repeating effective action on a day to day basis can bring exponential results over time, we don’t want to burn ourselves out because we’re forgetting to add in some creative time.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Or something like that.

There’s no doubt when you pull back the zoom and take in the big picture of these blogs as a whole, there are repeating themes. I’m fully aware of that and my only response is: This is where my head is. And so, we write about what we know (or at least where our attention is at the present moment). So, here we go.

As I sit at my desk writing this, I can look around my space – including the windows I’m surrounded by in my office and observe my current surroundings. Both inside and the outside view. Not only can I do that, I can also do my best to take (an objective – to the best of my ability) inventory.

What we see around us can certainly vary depending on the lens we’re choosing to look through metaphorically. Over the years, I have found for me, it’s really important to choose the lens that benefits me as much as possible.

For example, I’m in a better place when I take my inventory in a positive light as opposed to focusing my attention on all of the things I don’t have in my life. I’m able to have the physical and mental capacity to write this blog, I live in a beautiful part of the country, I have my strength, I have a wonderful family, I have the opportunity to run my business to the best of my ability and employ others, etc.

This may sound simplistic and quite elementary, but often times our clarity can come from keeping our world and what we focus on simple and always returning to the essentials in life. The basics.

I’m not sure what the science says about the effects of wishing success and happiness for others, but quite honestly it doesn’t matter to me. I like it! And I don’t do it nearly enough.

In doing so, it gives me a feeling of objectivity – a sense of letting go of my focus of “what’s in it for me” and to turn my Love and kindness outward. I’m sure it’s self-serving as I feel better afterwards, but I don’t see any harm in that.

Often I grapple with the concept of competing (especially when it comes to sports) and allowing whatever is going to happen, to happen. Even if that means, I don’t come out on top. I’ve resolved myself into believing that I can compete on the field/pitch/court, but then once finished, I can wish the best for others and truly mean it.

After all, there’s more than enough to go around for all of us.

Sometimes I really do think about not having any motivation to do anything. You can hear me complain at times that I wish I was a couch potato. But, I really don’t think that’s true. I really don’t want that. I feel at times I am the laziest-disciplined person in the world. Why is that? Where does that come from?

The paragraph above is proof enough that we’re all neurotic. We all can struggle being objective with ourselves and our own effectiveness in this world. Why must we solicit compliments from others around us rather than seeing the merit in who we are right now? Today. Here in this moment. Tarnished. Maybe a bit broken, but ready to learn, grow and evolve.

Here’s an idea. Let’s go easy on ourselves. Let’s give us a break. Maybe give a little extra self-Love today. We’re all broken. We’re all tarnished and cracked. That’s what it is to be a human being. Let’s not beat ourselves up over it. Let’s just Love ourselves instead. Let’s treat ourselves like we’d treat a loved family member and always give them/us the benefit of the doubt.

We could all use that today. I know I can.

We can always find ways to be grateful for what we have in our lives. Whether that’s our health, friend’s, career’s or material things – we have the intellect to shift our perspective in order to find gratitude for what we have and where we are in this moment right now.

Whenever I get really sick and I’m laying in bed with aches and pains trying to keep everything down, I always say to myself, “I’m never going to take my health for granted again.” But inevitably, after a few weeks I completely disregard the fact that I’m able to go for a run, throw the baseball with my son or take a long walk with my wife pain free. Why?

It’s as if I’m back to the status quo. “Don’t you remember how awful you felt stuck in your bed just a couple short weeks ago?” The truth is: I’ve forgotten. We’ve forgotten It doesn’t mean we can’t remember. We can. We just need to shift our minds in order to see it. To feel it. It doesn’t take much.

It’s a shift of perspective to find the gratitude in the now. It’s everywhere. We just have to look.