We all make mistakes. We’v all been in places where we’ve thought, “If I only knew then what I know now, I’d have done it differently.” Look at what you’ve learned from the experience. Now you know and you won’t make the same mistake again. Mistakes are teachers. They offer us good lessons when we set aside anger, regret, and finger pointing. The lessons our mistakes teach us become the foundation for future success. The successful people I know became successful by learning from their mistakes, making course corrections along the way. The path to success isn’t a straight line, it’s filled with curves, steep grades, and narrow bridges. You’ll get to where you want to go if you learn the lessons and don’t quit.
kindess
Something to Think About
No one said it was going to be easy. Accept it. Fill a to-go cup with coffee, and step out and chase your dream. Opps, your dream got popped? Happens to all of us. Refill the to-go cup and step out and chase a new dream. Did that dream get popped? You’re fortunate, it wasn’t for you. Take hold of another dream. You’ll get it right as long as you keep reaching for a dream. There are an infinite number of dreams. There is one with your name on it. Keep looking for it. You’ll find it. When you do, hold on tight. You’ll be heading on a wild, wonderful ride.
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Something to Think About
Critiquing and criticizing have their place. When properly used, critiquing and criticism make something better. They focus on the issue and not the person. When critiquing and criticism are aimed at a person, they are counterproductive. They often create a hostile situation where lines are drawn. The person being criticized becomes defensive and seeks to defend him/herself. The more important issues are replaced with angry responses. This happens on multiple levels seldom leading to productive ends. Another way is to collaboratively examine issues. It’s hard work and takes longer, in the end, agreements are more likely reached. Difference makers do the hard work! Three cheers for difference makers.
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Something to Think About
When I think about unhappy or dissatisfied folks I think of folks who are self-centered. Their world revolves around themselves and their needs. Those who are external to their self-centered world are satellites orbiting and waiting for instructions on how to serve the self-centered ego. The happiest and most satisfied folks I know are other-centered. They connect with whomever enters their world. They take a sincere interest in them. They offer to help others, encourage others, and rejoice with them when the other succeeds. Ironically, being other-centered doesn’t limit success, it gives it an extra boost. When we build others we are building ourselves. Build on!
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Something to Think About
I’ve read about storm chasers. I’ve seen YouTube videos of people chasing tornados. We do that, sometimes intentionally and sometimes inadvertently, when we stir the water and create issues that didn’t exist or were long dormant. As for me, I prefer to chase rainbows. They’re those bright, multicolored arcs that hang out in the sky as a storm is ending. Chasing rainbows is a way of searching for the good in each person we meet, taking pleasure from the wonderful gifts life tosses our way each day, and trying to do something meaningful each day that adds to making life a bit better for others. Are you a storm chaser or a rainbow chaser?
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Something to Think About
Life is what it is, it is not always what we want it to be or what we think it should be. Life is like a huge experimental laboratory where we find ourselves in a continuous learning process learning how to deal with life. The more we learn, the better we become at navigating our way through life. It’s not always easy. There are lots of rough patches. If we patiently endure, we get through the rough patches and take the lessons with us. Don’t fear life or its challenges. We learn as we go and we get better as we go along.
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Something to Think About
Can you talk about anything with those in your family? Or, are there undiscussable topics? Undiscussable topics are hot button topics. We read about them every day. One political group won’t discuss a hot button topic with another political group. One country won’t discuss a hot topic with another country. Why? Because somewhere a decision was made that the topics are undiscussable. Relationships, at every level, thrive where there is open and honest communication about any topic. One starting place is to identify the hot button topics that are undiscussable without discussing the topic. Once a list of topics is made, a topic can be chosen for discussion. The atmosphere for the discussion needs to be free of criticism, shaming, or projected anger. Out of the conversations deeper understandings and leaning are possible. The more we communicate, the better the relationships
.
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Something to Think About
There’s lots of violence in the world. When I watch the news I have to be careful not to let myself get overwhelmed by the violence. There are violent acts. Violent words are tossed around carelessly on the media. If I check out streaming movies, many are filled with violence. The list is long with the presence of violence. There are better alternatives. We don’t have to listen to people who preach hate. We don’t have to pay to watch a movie that glorifies violence. We can be aware of our language and eliminate violent words. We can create peaceful loving spaces in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Be a force for good. You can make a difference.
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Something to Think About
Ever watch squirrels chase each other? They’ll run in circles, scamper up and down and around trees. I feel like they are mocking my life, because, at times, I feel like I’m running around in circles and getting nowhere. Squirrels are doing something that is engrained in their DNA. Running in circles is a choice for me. It doesn’t have to be. I can stop and think about what is important to do at the moment. I can tell you, running in circles is never the answer I come up with. When I focus on what is really important, my day moves at a peace-filled pace. In the end, I find I get more done than if I accelerated my pace and joined the squirrels running in circles.
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Something to Think About
We all come from someplace. Don’t let the bad memories hold you back. Don’t let the hurt remain an anchor on you holding you down. Yesterday is over, it can’t hold you down or hurt you unless you give it power over you. Take the good from your journey and let it help light your way. When we choose to let yesterday go and move on toward a hope-filled future, we empower ourselves. We become the captains of our journey, the captains of our destiny. We can choose the journey written across our hearts. It’s always been there. It’s all living in the now with our eyes pointed toward a better tomorrow. You know your best days are streaming toward you.
