Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. ~ Henry Van Dyke
We all have a talent, maybe more than one. It’s up to us to find it and to put it to use the best we can. We may never make the headlines, win an Oscar, or be named a Nobel Prize winner. We will, if we develop our talent make a difference in another’s life. We will have lived a meaning-filled life.
One thing no one should ever give away is the right to choose what makes one happy. When we allow another’s words or actions to make us happy or unhappy we cede control of our happiness to that person. Retaining control of our happiness requires us to love and forgive ourselves and make an effort to make our self, our best friend. When we are in a state of knowing, loving, and forgiving ourselves we discover that happiness happens. It’s wherever we are. We don’t have search for it.
If you want to be the best you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do. ~ Michael Phelps
It’s true, successful people do what unsuccessful people don’t want to do. Sometimes it’s working harder. Sometimes it’s not letting failure stop you. Sometimes, it’s asking for advice or help. All times it’s holding on and refusing to let go, not letting anything shake you loose from going after your goal. C’mon, you’ve got the right stuff. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Prove it by doing the things that other people aren’t willing to do.
I had a true old-fashioned Texas experience yesterday. I had my roof inspected for hail damage. The roofer and I had a lengthy talk about what had to be done, how it would be done, the estimated cost, and the process of submitting a claim to my insurance company. We agreed if the insurance company approves the claim the roofer will take care of the repairs. We shook hands. My handshake meant I won’t run around seeking to find someone else who will do the work cheaper. I trust the roofer to do the job correctly (I did do my research before he visited). I know he trusted me to follow through on my promise to use his company. That’s old school, a handshake and the trust that goes with it. It would be nice if more of it happened.
It’s raining as I write this post. The roads will be slick for a bit then the oil will wash off. If you’ve never lived in south Texas you might not be expecting to slide through an intersection. I can happen if it hasn’t rained for a while and you happen to be out and about when it starts. Life is like that. Sometimes the unexpected events pop into our lives. They fall on a spectrum from a wonderful surprise to something quite the opposite. Whatever it is, we have to react to it if we’re to have any control over the eventual affect of the surprising event on us. If we trust ourselves, have self confidence and a solid foundation, we will make it through. Whatever comes your way today, and I hope it’s all good, you already have the strength and wisdom to deal with it. Go forward with confidence.
Life is not what it’s supposed to be. It’s what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference. ~ Virginia Satir
“I didn’t see that coming!” How many times have you said or thought that statement? I have many times. Sometimes they are pleasant surprises. Sometimes they knock us flat on our backs. No one tells us life is going to be easy. It has its tough moments where we have to carry on in spite of the adversity. In between all the adverse times there are lots of good things that happen to us. These are the times when we renew our strength for the next challenge. With every challenge we grow stronger, we develop a self confidence in our set of skills, experiences, and our expanding knowledge base that allows to live each day confident we can handle what the day will toss at us. Trust yourself. Trust your experiences. You are ready for this day.
If you can change your mind, you can change your life. ~ William James
William James, father of American psychology, offers deep wisdom. Before we can change our lives, however, we have to desire to change more than we desire to maintain our current behavior. Consider a person who smokes, the person knows smoking is bad for his/her health, yet the person finds immense pleasure in smoking and is reluctant to give it up. When the person is diagnosed with lung cancer, the smoker suddenly has the desire to change his/her mind. Changing our mind takes courage to admit we are dissatisfied with our current status desire to change it to a better alternative. When we can honestly examine our lives and are open to accurate information we can transform our lives for the better.
A neighbor is moving today. There house is for sale. In this neighborhood it won’t be long before it is sold. I’ll miss them. They were friendly, always said hello, and they were a loving family. Their lives changed. Their daughter will go to a new school and meet new friends. They are off to new jobs and a new home. Back in my neighborhood we’ll have new neighbors to welcome and new relationships to form. The people who move into my neighborhood will be leaving someplace to begin a new adventure here. Nothing stays the same. That’s the lesson of the four seasons. Things are always changing. When we accept change as a normal part of life, we put ourselves in a good place to adjust to the changes as they come into our lives.
I exercise when I get up in the morning. I listen to music streaming on my iPad while I exercise. Today, Apple was streaming new music. In one song, there was a line that stuck with me, “Any fool can criticize.” I was in the middle of a set of pushups when the song was playing and heard myself say aloud, “You got that right.” I continued to think about that line. Growing up, I was a playground kid. I’d play ball with whoever showed up. Occasionally, there would be a fight. it got over almost as soon as it started and we went back to playing ball. I don’t think about those things. If they’re in my memory, they’re tucked away in a well-hidden part of the brain. Yet, I can recall words spoken to me that cut me deeper than any carving knife could cut. Words hurt and the pain they inflict remains with us. We can’t take them back once spoken. Sorry, usually doesn’t do much to heal the hurt they caused. I promised myself that I was going to take extra care not to be a critic or to verbally attack another.
I’m writing this post as a thunderstorm is rolling through. Rain is welcomed whenever it shows up in south Texas. The hot season will settle in soon and it will be dry for a while. It’s not something we give much thought to, but where would we be without rain? Life would be impossible. I’ve always liked rain. As a kid I’d run outside and splash in the puddles. I think I was more than a handful for my mom. Later in life I enjoyed running in the rain, I preferred a warm rain, but what are you going to do when you are living in a cold climate. Rain makes my grass green, my shishito pepper plants look healthy, and my flowering plants are showing off. Three cheers for rain. I think I’ll schedule this post and go outside and stand in the rain for a few minutes.
