strength

Thinking Out Loud:

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Learning to Appreciate. A look at appreciative inquiry. Excerpts are taken from, Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2003) by David Cooperrider, Diana Whitney, and Jacqueline Stravros.

Appreciate (v.) To value.; To recognize the best in people of the world around us.; affirm past and present strengths, successes, and potentials, to perceive those things that give life, Health., vitality, excellence. Inquire: To explore and discover. To ask questions. To be open to seeing new potential and possibilities. p.1

Note: How often do we appreciate others or ourselves? How often do we reflect on our journey and affirm the strength we had to overcome difficult times and challenges? We are culturally trained to be critical, to find fault with others and ourselves. When we choose to change our focus and inquire by asking different questions we discover different answers. Try asking questions that draw out data describing the best in those around you. It’s something to think about. In future posts I’ll describe the kinds of questions you can ask. Today, look at the people near you with an openness to seeing positive attributes they have that may be hidden or overlooked and let them know you appreciate them.

Thinking Out Loud: Don’t Let Your Wounds Cripple You

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Cervantes  work, Don Quixote.

“Which Don Quixote replied, wounds received in battle confer honor instead of taking it away; And so, friend Panza say no more. But as I have told thee before, get up as well as thou can, and put me on top of thy beast in whatever fashion pleases thee best, and let us go hence . . .” ― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Note: We have all been wounded. The poet, Robert Bly, would do workshops for men. He would give them sticky notes to place on the parts of their bodies where they felt they were wounded. We’ve been wounded emotionally and physically. No one is immune. Instead of bemoaning our wounds. We can look at them with great delight. We can see how strong they have made us. We were strong enough to receive the wound and to heal. We gained strength and endurance from the wound. I can review my life and look at the times I was wounded. I didn’t enjoy being wounded. But I am grateful for how strong they have made me. Don’t let your wounds cripple you. Let your wounds be a source of strength.

Today’s Inspiring Photo: Whatever the Challenge, Rise Above It!

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Today’s Inspiring Photo: Tougher Than the Challenge

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Think Out Loud – A Lesson in Humility

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Monkey as King. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“At a gathering of all the animals the Monkey danced and

delighted them so much that they made him their King. The Fox,

however, was very much disgusted at the promotion of the Monkey: so

having one day found a trap with a piece of meat in it, he took the

Monkey there and said to him, “Here is a dainty morsel I have

found, sire; I did not take it myself, because I thought it ought

to be reserved for you, our King. Will you be pleased to accept

it?” The Monkey made at once for the meat and got caught in the

trap. Then he bitterly reproached the Fox for leading him into

danger; but the Fox only laughed and said, “O Monkey, you call

yourself King of the Beasts and haven’t more sense than to be taken

in like that!”

Note: There’s a country song that has the words, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” Every time I hear the song I chuckle and think of myself until my next humbling experience happens, usually within the hour. Real humility is a sign of strength. It is like the eons of time that passed as the Colorado River wedged its way through the Grand Canyon flowing a mile below the North Rim. Humble people know who they are. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They are aware of their light and dark sides.

Poem for Today ~ See it Through

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See it Through

Edgar Guest

When you’re up against a trouble, 
    Meet it squarely, face to face; 
Lift your chin and set your shoulders, 
    Plant your feet and take a brace. 
When it’s vain to try to dodge it, 
    Do the best that you can do; 
You may fail, but you may conquer, 
    See it through! 

Black may be the clouds about you 
    And your future may seem grim, 
But don’t let your nerve desert you; 
    Keep yourself in fighting trim. 
If the worst is bound to happen, 
    Spite of all that you can do, 
Running from it will not save you, 
    See it through! 

Even hope may seem but futile, 
    When with troubles you’re beset, 
But remember you are facing 
    Just what other men have met. 
You may fail, but fall still fighting; 
    Don’t give up, whate’er you do; 
Eyes front, head high to the finish. 
    See it through!

Source

Photo for Today ~ You Are Strong

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Photo of the Day ~ Stay Strong

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Thinking out Loud ~ Men Should Not Fear a Strong, Independent Woman

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In her book, We Should All be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes, “We say to girls: you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful but not too successful otherwise you will threaten the man.” P. 26

NOTE: I have five daughters. When my wife and I were raising the girls we hoped they would fall in love forever. We also knew that sometimes that relationships don’t always work out. So, we also raised them to be strong, independent women who could take care of themselves. All five have turned out to be strong and independent, yet highly capable of having loving relationships.

Quotes to Brighten Your Day

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“I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”

Malala Yousafzai

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