A friend of mine reminded me that when it’s all said and done and you have left this earth, the only thing that matters is the dash between the year you were born and the year you died.

That’s certainly one way of looking at it. Not that I plan on having a tombstone, but I would most definitely want my dash to be epic. Well, okay pretty fantastic. I’ll settle for being a good human being and someone who loved really well. And was patient with others. And gave of his time. Made people feel special when engaging with them. A hard worker. Empathetic. Creative. Very creative. And on and on. That sort of thing.

I guess what I really want is my dash to be full. Filled with all the things I experienced and hopefully gave back to this world ten fold. Overflowing with memories and feelings of joy, love and laughter. Not by me of course. Because I won’t be here. But, by others who are left behind and may just have a recollection of who I was.

For the most part, I go through my day to day tasks with very specific intentions. Another words, I don’t like to do things just to do things (when I’m in relax mode – it’s quite a different story). What I mean is this: I do my best to have very clear intentions with my activities. I feel I get the most out of each task by doing this. Another way of saying it is: I don’t take on a project until I can fully commit to the process. If I cannot expend a focused energy on it, then I won’t begin it. Because I don’t want to quit half way. Believe you-me, I have done enough of that to last two life times.

So, my way of sorting that out is by sitting on the idea and weighing the time/effort compared to what I intend to get out of the endeavor. There are a lot of ideas that never see form because I don’t want to expend the energy to manifest it. I’m not quite sure if that’s buying into fear or being smart.

Here’s the deal: When I have a clear intention of what I want to attract into my life and I commit to the work, it seems like the universe begins to line up events that tilt in my favor. But you cannot fake this commitment. It must be authentic. At that point things begin to go your way and the best of what you need in that moment comes your way. I can’t explain it. Nor do I really care to.

For me, it’s because of my intentions. A step of faith into nothingness. And who couldn’t support that?

I have heard that when you are tired with life, you can probably assume life is getting tired of you. I would have to agree with that. Not to sound negative, but the way I take that is we must be in bewilderment of life. If we believe life is mundane then what do you think you are going to experience.? On the other hand. . . what if you went through your day as if you were seeing everything in the world for the first time? That ability to stay engaged is toxic. It’s contagious to other aspects of your life. It becomes contagious to other people in your life as well.

Do you or have you ever had a friend that it seems like whenever you are with that person you can bet you’re going to have a good time, something unexpected is going to happen, but no matter what you’re up for it? I do. It’s perspective. I have the mind set for that. I’m expecting great things to happen. I look for it. I attract it.

We can do that all the time in our lives if we want to. It’s awareness. Look for moments of unexpected wonder and joy. Put the intention out that greatness is coming your way. It seems that most of us are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Anticipate Greatness. Know there is a mini miracle on its way. Or better yet a BAM? Big ass miracle.

Those are even better.

I seem to be an “all or nothing” type of person at times. Maybe most of the time. What I mean by that is: there is no middle ground for me. If I’m going to get in shape, then everything needs to be geared towards that goal. I’m all in. I need to set up a schedule and stick to it or why even try. If I’m going to eat healthy, it’s not just going to be on the weekends – I’m going to become a vegan. And I do. This may not be the best way to tackle goals – to accomplish the intentions I set before me, but I do.

In some ways I’m a pretty deep thinker and in other ways, not so much. That’s okay. What I have found over the years is this: You don’t necessarily have to have all the right answer. What is more important is to be able to ask the right questions. That has seemed to be a huge game changer for me.

Ask a question that is going to get the best out of you. Be objective. You don’t have to take it personally. Look at yourself as a third party. How would you rate yourself? Answer that honestly.

The beauty of life is you get to start a new every day you wake up. Forget about yesterday, as it is gone. Focus on today. Focus on the now. You get to make a brand new choice if you want.

Enjoy. Don’t get caught up in the results. And move forward.

It’s not real complicated. To Give is to receive. Not in a linear sort of way, but in every other. To Give of your time is a gift of your most precious commodities. To Give patience to someone is to call upon your highest self to stay calm and grounded. To give empathy to others is to put yourself in that person’s shoes and feel what they are feeling. Even if it’s momentarily.

What you receive back over time when you Give to others – no matter what it is, as long as your intention is based in Love – is no comparison. And the effects are longer lasting as well.

Always seek to Give. Because if you do, you will never go dissappointed in a day.