One of the greatest gifts we have is the ability to think. We can think about problems and find solutions, We can think about what people say and decide if their being truthful or lying. We can think about lots of stuff. If our thinking is clear and informed by data, we can make better decisions than if we don’t think. Or, much worse, let someone else tell us what to think. Those who think for themselves and make decisions independent of outside influence are free.
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Today’s Thought: Happines is Here
It’s easy to miss all the good things near us. They become familiar to us. We take them for granted until we don’t have them. Something like feeling great and suddenly we get a lower back spasm. When our back heals we know it feels so good to feel so good again. We are surrounded with wonderful things and people. If we open ourselves to them we’ll discover that happiness was all around us all the time. It’s not somewhere else. It’s not off in some exotic place. It’s here, around us, waiting for us to invite it into our lives.
Today’s Thought:
I worked at a couple of places where I dreaded going to department meetings. Going to those meetings was like getting sucked down into a black hole. It was all doom and gloom. The meetings were a litany of grievances. The negative forces in the departments drained the energy out of you. Instead of running my usual three miles in the afternoon, I ran six to sweat out all the negative energy. What a difference when I was a member of departments where people really cared about each other and worked to help each other. Life is better when we care for each other and help each other out.
Today’s Thought: Keep a Leash on the Reaction Button
Reacting to a stimulus is built into our human species. Our early ancestors reacted to protect themselves. In contemporary society, reacting to a stimulus is both good and bad. It’s good, for example when we jam our brakes to avoid hitting someone. Or, we see someone bleeding and react to help the person. It is bad when we react to relationship issues where we haven’t given ourselves a chance to understand what we observed or heard. Reacting in these situations may give us some instant emotional gratification but damage our relationship. Entering into a dialogue to understand is difficult and requires great patience and tenacity. A dialogue, however, holds the promise of greater understanding and healing.
Today’s Thought: Take Time to Kick Back
It’s another hot day in south Texas. The cactus don’t seem to mind. That’s the way it is in August around here. One hot day after another. It might be the reason the iced tea glasses are big, I mean really big. If I take trip to the River Walk I’ll smell fajitas sizzling well before I walk down the steps to the River Walk. I’m getting hungry now. August is a good time to lay back and take it easy for a few days. We all need to let all the busy stuff go every once in a while, enjoy the day regardless of the weather, and catch up with the people we love and who love us.
Today’s Thought: C’Mon, Chill
I know some folks who make everything into a fight. A kid cuts across their lawn, they get upset. A dog poops on their lawn, call out the Marines. If they have to wait for a table at a restaurant, they’ll leave and go through a drive through. They’re angry people. They haven’t learned how to work through issues with others without having winners and losers. Working with others takes a bit of work and patience. When we follow through on it, we create or maintain friendships, and we accomplish a lot more.
Today’s Thought: Good Enough is Never Good Enough
Herbert Simon, an American economist and cognitive psychologist developed the concept of satisficing strategy. The concept states that people often settle for solutions that are good enough and not the best solution possible. Are you settling for good enough and not really testing to see if you could do better? Good enough is never good enough. Give it your best and you’ll never regret it. You were born to shine. Put in the work and never quit.
Today’s Thought: The Interdependence of Humanity
We depend on each other. That’s the way life is. The moment I get in my car I’m depending on those on the same roads as me to drive safely. They are depending on me as well. When I go to the supermarket, I am depending on farmers, ranchers, the folks who pick and pack the crops so they reach the markets. I’m dependent on those who provide electricity, water, sewerage, and make the Internet work to enhance the quality of my life. You get the idea. We’re interdependent. Our lives and livelihood share a mutually beneficial connection. When we seek ways to work together, everyone benefits.
Today’s Thought: It Takes Courage
It takes courage to get up and do what what you have to do as a man or woman not making any excuses. Taking the day as it comes, no complaints. Finishing the day, knowing we’ve done our best leaving it all on the table. In all actions be honorable. When we live the day with courage and honor, we’ll go to bed knowing we did our best.
Today’s Thought: Making a Decision?
We all face big decisions. Most will ask others what they think about the choices. We may even do some research. In the end, the decision is ours. We can’t lay off blame on someone else. It is squarely on our shoulder. A mentor gave me three guidelines: 1) Never sell out. 2) Keep your soul intact. 3) Will you want everyone to know what you decided? I’ve tried to follow my mentor’s advice. Sometimes following his advice has caused me problems, but they were the kinds of problems caused by doing the right thing. I can live with myself. And, I think being able to live with yourself is a big deal.
