Category: Uncategorized (Page 143 of 158)

I find myself saying this after a rough day on the little league field with my kids or even after a tough day at the office. It’s a way for me to keep perspective of what is important and take my foot off the throttle for a bit in order to get some space and let the situation breathe.

Often times, separating yourself from your present situation gives you space to think – to rise above the problem – in order to get on the same level as a solution. And there is a difference. Wallowing and focusing on the problem has it’s costs and you have every right to do it. The question is: Do you want to move forward or not?

This can be a quick and easy shift in perspective and over the years I have become more proficient at working my way through the process. The main ingredient is being able to let go of the ego. “I’m important, I’m right and they’re wrong, winning is everything, etc.”

When you can shift you attention away from the ego, you begin to gain a more healthy perspective on the situation, on your life and how to proceed.

I’ve always wondered why it takes a catastrophic event in a community to bring people together. It’s because everyone drops their defense mechanism (the ego) and come together in Love.

Let’s start there.

There are many different kinds of health. Physical is just one of them. There is mental, emotional, spiritual and social as well. During these times when many of us have been cut off from others and isolated in our workspaces located in our homes, we face unique challenges as we have had to sleep merely feet from where we spend most of our day working. All in all, our worlds can become dysfunctional, muddled and downright unhealthy.

Let’s take responsibility for our actions and move forward with the best interests of ourselves and others in mind.

Do some type of activity to get you out of the house and get your blood flowing. Even if it’s a walk around the block. Walks are not only a great physical activity, but do wonders for the mind when you have a problem and don’t know how to resolve it.

Make an effort – that feels comfortable to you – and hang with people that inspire you and want to see you succeed. Figure out in your circle who is helping you become a better person and who is a “crazymaker,” if any, and get rid of them. Life is too short to be around people who don’t bring out the best in you.

Spiritually: Find something bigger than you to believe in. I’m not one to tell you what you should or should not subscribe to. Discover it yourself. But let me give you a hint: Any organization/religion that uses segregation, isolation or exclusion of any kind/shape/form is not something I’m interested in. In addition, it’s my belief that your relationship with your higher power should be as personal and unique as your closest friends or family member/Loved one. It cannot and should not be limited to the confines of the tenants and doctrines found in ancient books said to be written by noble scholars.

When we allow others see our flaws, mistakes and hiccups, we are finding a way to connect with others. I’m not talking about being demeaning to oneself, but a little self-deprecation might not hurt.

Here’s the thing: everyone has an ego and everyone is human and makes tons of mistakes. Let’s get over it and move forward. It’s a much happier boat when we realize we are all in this together.

So, let’s enjoy the ride and connect with others along the way. And one way of doing that is not being afraid of pointing out your own shortcomings first. This is always a good ice-breaker and let’s others know you don’t take yourself too seriously.

Let me tell you from my own experiences, nothing is uglier than someone who takes themselves way to seriously. Just ask my kids.

The truth is you don’t know what you don’t know. So, how are you going to find out what you don’t know when you don’t know where to look. The answer is simple: Merely begin.

We all have to start somewhere and usually that’s not at the top. That’s okay. Don’t judge it. But, one thing is for sure: you’re not going to make any discoveries by sitting on the couch or laying in bed all day. I do know that.

We must find the passion for what makes us curious and explore. Learn. Grow. Stumble. Get up. Discover. Get lost. Regroup. Be bewildered. Get frustrated. Become determined. Observe. Evolve. Live.

It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon and there’s a lot of great scenery along the way, not to mention all the wonderful people running right next to you in the same “race” you fail to see because you’re too focused on the finish line. Enjoy the journey. You’ll find this is the gold – this is reason you do it. It’s the person you have become along the way that makes all the difference.

But then again, what do I know.

Unfortunately, when we receive advice and/or constructive criticism from other people their intentions can be less than constructive. Maybe they have an agenda or their life experiences have taken them down a path that is less than inspiring and they are projecting their own disappointment and failures on you. I’ve been pretty lucky in my life as I feel like I have gleaned more positive information than negative. Others aren’t so lucky. Maybe this is one of the reasons I like helping young people.

Nevertheless, without being paranoid or going through life jaded and cynical, we must sort through the opinions of others and decide whether it resonates with us or not. This can be challenging to say the least, especially when we haven’t had a whole lot of life experiences behind us. This is why we must draw upon the masters that came before us in the appropriate field. In addition, you have to go out on a limb refraining from being a sheep in the heard, but rather go in a direction which you feel is your path.

Surrounding yourself with loving people you trust is paramount. Having a “safe house” where you can relax, reflect and rejuvenate can make the difference between falling off the rails and following your dreams.