Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Ten Most Important Things

A theme which I am going to re-learn again is simplicity. For me, it means stripping down to bare necessities. You should too, especially the 10 most important things.

1- LOVE: The special feeling that makes you feel all warm and wonderful.
2- RESPECT: Treating others as well as you would like to be treated.
3- APPRECIATION: To be grateful for all the good things that life has to offer.
4- HAPPINESS: The full enjoyment of each moment. A smiling face!
5- FORGIVENESS: The ability to let things be without anger.
6- SHARING: The joy of giving without thought of receiving.
7- HONESTY: The quality of always telling the truth.
8- INTEGRITY: The purity of doing what's right, no matter what.
9- COMPASSION: The essence of feeling another's pain, while easing their hurt.
10- INNER PEACE: The reward for living the 10 Most Important Things.

The Toughest Things

Another person's writings whom I like is this guy, Bob Perks.
I believe his wisdom comes from a really basic point of view. Nothing fancy, but very simple and down to earth.
Here's a great piece from him.

The Toughest Things
by Bob Perks
There are lessons to be learned and people to teach them. I find that to be true in every part of my life. It is important to note that sometimes we are the student and sometimes we are the teacher.
So, how do we know if we are learning or teaching?
It all depends on our attitude.
For me, I take the attitude of the student. I want to learn. I want to see the world, not as a gigantic classroom, but as a fun, exciting field trip without textbooks, instructions, or rules. This means I learn more from the mistakes I make than the accuracy of the steps I take in the right direction.
In my life, the best lessons are learned the hard way. What comes easy to me, I forget. So, here is a list of what would appear to be easy things that require more than we realize:

To love a dog is easy, but to be worthy of its love is tough...
Our pets love us unconditionally. Which means we hardly need to do anything to get that love.
But ask yourself based on the time and attention you give, if you really deserve it? This applies to our relationship with people, too.

To teach a child is easy, but to live what we teach...
I can remember the old phrase "Do as I say, not as I do!" What you do may be the true lesson your child is learning. Teach by example.
To watch a sunset is easy, but to see it as a new beginning... How many times have you said, "I can't wait until this day is over!" When it ends, do you simply brush it off? Linger in anger and stress over it? Adjust your attitude and see the day's end as a new chance to begin again?

To see what's wrong is easy, but to make it right...
We can't right every wrong in the world, but just pointing out what's wrong won't make the world a better place. What the world needs are people who take action. If you don't have the ability to change it, find someone who does then help them. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King Jr.

To fall down is easy, but to get up again and again...
Sometimes life is unbearable. Failure is not how many times you fall, but the last time you chose not to get up again.

To give is easy, but to give when it calls for sacrifice...Even in these tough economic times there are things we can do to help others. It may call for belt tightening, or giving a little extra time to a cause, but sacrifice gives to both the giver and the receiver.

To lie is easy, but to tell the truth when you have lied...
The greatest enemy in any relationship is the lie. Upon it grows mistrust. Revealing it brings about rebirth and a chance to grow even closer.

To be angry is easy, but to forgive...
It is said that "forgiveness frees the forgiver." One can let go through forgiveness or be weighed down with the burden of remembering forever.

To criticize is easy, but to praise...
I have found that there are more things to praise in life than to criticize. It has also helped me to find life more enjoyable. Praise is like oxygen to one who is suffocating under criticism.

To pray for help is easy, but to be thankful for the need...
Prayer often times becomes a shopping list of needs rather than a thank you note. If you find yourself in a situation that needs some guidance, see it as an opportunity to learn and be grateful for it. That attitude will help you to see the the solution more clearly.

To try is easy, but to do...
I can say "I'll try!" and make very little commitment to do it. But if I say "I'll do it!" my mind and body will respond differently to the challenge. "Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda

To begin is easy, but to finish...is tough...
"Begin" is an idea. "Finish" becomes a reality. Most people say, "If I only had the money I would..." You don't have a money problem, you have a idea problem. Any plan can begin on paper without costing anything but time and effort. Finish the project, evaluate it and work the plan. Or begin a new one based on what you've learned

Life is easier when you make tough choices!

"I Wish You enough!" © 2001 Bob Perks

Ten top things that make a real man

Ever since my daughter Estelle was born, fatherhood has taken on an additional dimension of emotions I've never felt before. With the 2 boys, yes, it is fun and games. However, with a baby girl, you feel a different type of euphoria. So, here's how to be a real man:

10. Comes home directly from work knowing his "real" job is about to start.
9. Is not afraid to get down on hands and knees and play "horsie".
8. Kisses his children and shows them a man can be gentle.
7. Kisses his wife in front of his children so the children can be secure in the knowledge of a united home.
6. Hugs his family and says "I love you."
5. Is not afraid to cry.
4. Goes together with his family to a house of worship
3. Values the advice of his wife.
2. Starts each day with a "quiet time", talking to GOD.

And the number one thing:
1. Prays

Do something EVERYDAY

I've always advocated that your day is best when you're doing something for OTHERS.
What I've learned is that YOU are happy when the people YOU LOVE are happy.

I want to know, when day is done,
That life has been worth living,
That I have brought somebody joy
Through kind, unselfish giving.

I want to feel, when evening falls
and shadows quickly lengthen
That I have made somebody glad,
Some weakness I have strengthened.

I want to know that come what may
I've left some cheer and gladness;
I want to feel at close of day
I've banished someone's sadness.

I want to feel at close of day
That someone's cares were lighter
Because of kindness I have done,
May someone's life be brighter.

How to fail or not

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted.
Due for a career change soon and that takes heck a lot of preparation.
In fact, I don't think I'll be able to blog that often in the next 18 months until the business is stable.
At least the words below will be a good reminder on what NOT to do.

How to Fail
by James Jackowski

What strange tales I would tell if I were a guest speaker at graduation. To get at those minds still fresh from the accomplishment of 12 years' education - what a great opportunity.

I would tell them something they never thought they would hear. I would tell them how to fail.

You know, anyone can tell you how to succeed. There are thousands of books on that subject. The blueprints and formulas are all there for anyone to follow. What is not found very often are the directions on how to fail. I would tell the graduates that success is never guaranteed, no matter how closely you follow the diagrams.

Failure, however, is pretty much a certainty, and not just once, but probably several times in your life.

You will fail if you are inconsiderate of others. So many people think the world was created just for them, and they disregard the feelings of others.

We must share the space on this planet with each other.

You will fail if you think anybody owes you anything because of your education. The only ones who are owed anything are those whose victories and defeats paved the way for all the opportunities available to you. Among those might be your grandparents who now live in a nursing home.

You will fail if you start your business life looking for a job that suits you.
YOU must suit the job.

Applying for any kind of work in aT-shirt and jeans will further enhance your chance for failure.
You will fail if you climb a corporate ladder by stepping on people. As the saying goes, "You will meet the same people on the way down."

You will fail if you do not try to right a wrong whenever possible.
You will fail if you see abuse and do not speak out against it.
You will fail if you see corruption and do not fight against it.
You will fail if you suffer bad politicians and do not bother to vote.

You will experience the biggest failure of all if you believe the romantic notion that "Love means never having to say you're sorry." For in truth, anyone who has lived long enough to retire will tell you that loves means just the opposite. It means being able to say "I'm sorry."

Congratulations to all graduates everywhere.