As the month of November arrived, the annual onslaught of daily posts began to show up on Facebook and other social media platforms. Facebook walls were filled with messages reading "I'm thankful for this" and "I'm thankful for that". The posts prompted a conversation between one of my managers and myself. While we certainly were not being judgmental of anyone posting, we agreed that far too often, we get caught up in the "Thanksgiving" hype and suddenly become thankful in the month of November. We further agreed that in reality everyday ought to be a day of thanksgiving.
Of course it made me think (doesn't almost everything?) about the topic as Thanksgiving day drew closer, and eventually passed. Far too often, we focus on the things that are missing from our lives, and perhaps take the things we do have for granted. If we are honest, many of us let football games, plans for Black Friday, or even the stressful preparation of the Thanksgiving meal distract us, so we kind of skipped the "thanks" portion of thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving, the number of "thankful" posts had dwindled to almost nothing.
Posting on a social media site does not make any one more or less thankful. In fact it has nothing to do with it. It has everything to do with our attitudes. Do we choose to be thankful just when the holiday is near, or is being being thankful a daily part of our lives? What would happen in our lives, if we took just a moment every day, and simply found one thing we could be thankful for? Certainly there are more than 365 things we could be thankful for. Perhaps the negatives in our life will diminish as we focus our attention on the many things we have to be thankful for.
Challenge yourself and give it a try, as I see it, there is nothing to lose, and perhaps a more positive outlook on life to gain.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Where Is Your "Happiest Place On Earth"?
We just returned from a family getaway at Disneyland. We all had a
great time-especially the kids! Disneyland is known for being "The
happiest place on earth" and for good reason, once you set foot inside,
you become a child again, amazed at the wonder of it all.
This was the first time I had ever been to Disneyland for more than one day. Three days of walking around allowed me the opportunity to take part in one of my favorite activities, people watching! I saw laughing children, looks of amazement, and lots of people just having a good time. I also saw plenty of crying kids, frustrated and tired after being in the park all day long, couples arguing over who knows what, parents scolding their children for misbehaving, and lots of other stressful activity.
Seeing all the drama taking place in "the happiest place on earth" made me think of a Bible verse I have read. A portion of Philippians 4:12 reads, "I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances". While it is a Biblical principal, you don't need to believe in God, or in the Bible to use its message in your life. I thought of how far too often, our circumstances dictate how we feel. If it is rainy, some feel gloomy. Bring out the sun and the mood instantly changes. I realized that you can be walking through the "happiest place on earth", and be completely miserable! I was reminded of the importance of being content, regardless of my current situation. Depending on our mindset, we can be miserable living in a kings palace, and quite happy living in the "bad part of town". Wealth can not cure depression, and poverty need not keep one from being happy. We can be grateful for life while our body is being torn apart by cancer, and an angry individual with a completely healthy body.
So I invite you to join me, regardless of your circumstances, in striving to have the happiest place on earth be wherever it is that currently find yourself in life. I love Disneyland, but it no longer needs to be the only "Happiest Place On Earth"!
This was the first time I had ever been to Disneyland for more than one day. Three days of walking around allowed me the opportunity to take part in one of my favorite activities, people watching! I saw laughing children, looks of amazement, and lots of people just having a good time. I also saw plenty of crying kids, frustrated and tired after being in the park all day long, couples arguing over who knows what, parents scolding their children for misbehaving, and lots of other stressful activity.
Seeing all the drama taking place in "the happiest place on earth" made me think of a Bible verse I have read. A portion of Philippians 4:12 reads, "I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances". While it is a Biblical principal, you don't need to believe in God, or in the Bible to use its message in your life. I thought of how far too often, our circumstances dictate how we feel. If it is rainy, some feel gloomy. Bring out the sun and the mood instantly changes. I realized that you can be walking through the "happiest place on earth", and be completely miserable! I was reminded of the importance of being content, regardless of my current situation. Depending on our mindset, we can be miserable living in a kings palace, and quite happy living in the "bad part of town". Wealth can not cure depression, and poverty need not keep one from being happy. We can be grateful for life while our body is being torn apart by cancer, and an angry individual with a completely healthy body.
So I invite you to join me, regardless of your circumstances, in striving to have the happiest place on earth be wherever it is that currently find yourself in life. I love Disneyland, but it no longer needs to be the only "Happiest Place On Earth"!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Lessons From Phil Jackson And The Lakers
As I get older, I sometimes feel disappointment about opportunities that have seemingly passed me by. Immature decisions, lack of focus or discipline, unclear goals or a myriad of other reasons can be pointed to as the reason for failure. When I consider going back and trying to accomplish some of those goals, inevitably, excuses such as age, lack of finances or time begin to cross my mind. The recent events in the NBA made me think about age, unfinished business, and changes that I can make in my life.
The terrible start to this years season sent panic through the hearts of Los Angeles Lakers fans. All these great players on one team, but only one win in five tries is hardly acceptable by Lakers standards. And so, just five games into the season, the Lakers fired their 42 year old coach, Mike Brown. It was just a matter of minutes before the names of potential replacements began to hit the rumor mill. One name immediately shot to the top of the list, 67 year old Phil Jackson. In a day and age where most people his age are retired and moving on with life, this is a wanted man!
This whole scenario made me realize three things:
1. We have to become proficient in certain areas of our lives. Phil Jackson is a basketball genius. He played the game and after retiring as a player, somehow figured out how to bring giant egos together to win championships. Often, we stop short of our potential because, while we may have talent, we dont develop the skills required to excel. There are aspects of our lives we can improve. We can master subjects critical to us becoming more efficient and effective in our jobs. We can master a talent such as playing a musical instrument or the game of golf. When we become experts, we become valuable, and in some cases, a necessary commodity. That's why the Lakers are after a man who is 25 years older than the coach they just fired!
2. In most cases, age does not matter. It is rumored that because of age, Phil Jackson will have a modified travel schedule, and would not travel to every game with the team. Certainly our bodies can put limitations on what we may be able to accomplish, but that is just one part of the equation. It is not too late to go back to school and finish that degree. It is not too late to get back into physical shape. It is not too late to learn a new language, make some new friends, start a business, or change career paths. Certainly there are challenges, but what fun is life with no challenge? What one thing have you not accomplished because you are "too old"? Go do it!
3. Finish the unfinished business. Phil Jackson has won 11 NBA titles as a coach! At the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, he announced that it would be his final season coaching. The Dallas Mavericks swept the Lakers out of the playoffs in four straight games, thus ending the Lakers season ended in disappointing fashion. I have to believe that in Jackson's mind, his coaching career did not end the way he wanted, and that may be the itch that could ultimately drive him back into the game. What unfinished business do you have in your life? What project did you start, but didn't finish? What important relationship went bad, but you never took the time to try and repair it? What is it that just nags at you, pleading with you to go finish what you started?
The good news is, if you are reading this, you are alive, and still have time! If we look hard enough, we can find plenty of excuses as to why we cant do it. Today, just find one reason why you can and go for it. What do you have to lose?
The terrible start to this years season sent panic through the hearts of Los Angeles Lakers fans. All these great players on one team, but only one win in five tries is hardly acceptable by Lakers standards. And so, just five games into the season, the Lakers fired their 42 year old coach, Mike Brown. It was just a matter of minutes before the names of potential replacements began to hit the rumor mill. One name immediately shot to the top of the list, 67 year old Phil Jackson. In a day and age where most people his age are retired and moving on with life, this is a wanted man!
This whole scenario made me realize three things:
1. We have to become proficient in certain areas of our lives. Phil Jackson is a basketball genius. He played the game and after retiring as a player, somehow figured out how to bring giant egos together to win championships. Often, we stop short of our potential because, while we may have talent, we dont develop the skills required to excel. There are aspects of our lives we can improve. We can master subjects critical to us becoming more efficient and effective in our jobs. We can master a talent such as playing a musical instrument or the game of golf. When we become experts, we become valuable, and in some cases, a necessary commodity. That's why the Lakers are after a man who is 25 years older than the coach they just fired!
2. In most cases, age does not matter. It is rumored that because of age, Phil Jackson will have a modified travel schedule, and would not travel to every game with the team. Certainly our bodies can put limitations on what we may be able to accomplish, but that is just one part of the equation. It is not too late to go back to school and finish that degree. It is not too late to get back into physical shape. It is not too late to learn a new language, make some new friends, start a business, or change career paths. Certainly there are challenges, but what fun is life with no challenge? What one thing have you not accomplished because you are "too old"? Go do it!
3. Finish the unfinished business. Phil Jackson has won 11 NBA titles as a coach! At the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, he announced that it would be his final season coaching. The Dallas Mavericks swept the Lakers out of the playoffs in four straight games, thus ending the Lakers season ended in disappointing fashion. I have to believe that in Jackson's mind, his coaching career did not end the way he wanted, and that may be the itch that could ultimately drive him back into the game. What unfinished business do you have in your life? What project did you start, but didn't finish? What important relationship went bad, but you never took the time to try and repair it? What is it that just nags at you, pleading with you to go finish what you started?
The good news is, if you are reading this, you are alive, and still have time! If we look hard enough, we can find plenty of excuses as to why we cant do it. Today, just find one reason why you can and go for it. What do you have to lose?
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Who Can I Help?
Unless you don't pay attention to the news, you are well aware that the eastern portion of our nation was hit by hurricane Sandy, leaving cities underwater, thousands without electricity, and worse yet, many Americans instantly became homeless. With all of our flaws, our political divisions, racial tensions and other "warts", America is a country that comes together and helps each other when disaster strikes. It did not take long for hot lines to be set up to collect cash for victims of this disaster. The Red Cross began to mobilize and recruit volunteers to assist. PG&E sent some of their employees to assist the efforts to restore power in the New York area. From government agencies, to corporations, churches and other non profits organizations, everyone is pitching in to help out those who so desperately need it.
As I thought about all the good will being spread around, a question crossed my mind. While we are great at coming together, and lending a helping hand in times of disaster, what about taking care of the needs of others who are struggling on a day to day basis? This is not a Republican or Democrat issue, it is an issue of humans needing each other. The police cant always be around to catch the thieves who are breaking into our cars and homes to steal our valuables, but we can begin to look out for suspicious activity in our neighborhoods, thus helping our neighbors. We don't individually have the resources to assist everyone who genuinely needs financial help, but if we stop being so self centered, maybe we would take notice that co worker, neighbor, or church member who is struggling to make ends meet, and lend them a helping hand. We see the elderly individual whose strength has betrayed them, and to add insult to injury, cant afford a gardener to mow their lawn. Take an extra twenty minutes and cut their lawn. So many needs, and so few people looking to fill those needs.
So, my idea is simple, lets keep coming together as a nation when our help is needed, but lets also, stop for a moment, each and every day and find ways that we can assist those individuals that I believe God puts in our path for us to help. Today it is us helping our neighbor, tomorrow, it may be our neighbor helping us.
As I thought about all the good will being spread around, a question crossed my mind. While we are great at coming together, and lending a helping hand in times of disaster, what about taking care of the needs of others who are struggling on a day to day basis? This is not a Republican or Democrat issue, it is an issue of humans needing each other. The police cant always be around to catch the thieves who are breaking into our cars and homes to steal our valuables, but we can begin to look out for suspicious activity in our neighborhoods, thus helping our neighbors. We don't individually have the resources to assist everyone who genuinely needs financial help, but if we stop being so self centered, maybe we would take notice that co worker, neighbor, or church member who is struggling to make ends meet, and lend them a helping hand. We see the elderly individual whose strength has betrayed them, and to add insult to injury, cant afford a gardener to mow their lawn. Take an extra twenty minutes and cut their lawn. So many needs, and so few people looking to fill those needs.
So, my idea is simple, lets keep coming together as a nation when our help is needed, but lets also, stop for a moment, each and every day and find ways that we can assist those individuals that I believe God puts in our path for us to help. Today it is us helping our neighbor, tomorrow, it may be our neighbor helping us.
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