The Power of Words
Starting Each Day With A Little Thinking...Breathe
It’s fascinating that we breathe without even thinking about it. My guess is that you just became aware of your breathing. Amazing isn’t it? The mere suggestion of a topic can cause a person to (i) re-route their focus and (ii) change their behavior.
Many of us are so dialed in to our habits that it appears we are some sort of an autonomous mechanism. Each day it’s the same process: lather, rinse, repeat. Some would look at this as a negative. I see it as a huge positive. The fact that once we dial in a habit, we stick to it is a strength that we can all leverage. The key is to make sure we dial in the right habits.
At the top of the list of important habits is the metaphorical “breathe”. Yes, we all need to continue to breathe if we want to stay on the right side of the ground. However, in order to learn, grow, and live we need to take the time to step back and really breathe. By this I mean we need to step back, clear our minds, and focus on those simple, basic activities. Reflect on what it is that “floats our boat”. Reflect on what it is that is important. Reflect on what we would most miss if it were taken away from us. Reflect on what habits we would really like to build. Reflect on those habits that would help us learn, grow, and live more fully.
With that in mind:
How long has it been since you took the time to breath?
As always, thanks for the time.
Ambiguity
Sometimes it is easier to define what something is by highlighting what it is not….
Wouldn’t it would be wonderful to wake up each morning and “know” what you were suppose to do? By that, I don’t mean that you have a detailed “to do” list by the bedside table that instructs you on all the tasks for the day. What I mean is that when you opened your eyes and realized that consciousness had returned, you would feel deep down in your soul (i) exactly where the focus for the day should lie, (ii) that it was not a forced but rather it simply was what you must do, (iii) that pursuing this course of action would provide you satisfaction, (iv) that the world would be a better place by you following this path.
When you get to this state, you have overcome ambiguity.
Unfortunately most of us are plagued with uncertainty (ambiguity) through out each day. As a result, we fall in to our daily routine. It provides a form of clarity and focus; and, allays the minds frustration with ambiguity. Alas, the relief is short lived. Whether it’s an hour, a day, a week, or a month, the brain eventually clicks back to the question of “Is this what I should be doing?”.
There’s no silver bullet in today’s post. Rather, it’s offered as a catalyst to start you down the path where you will wake up in a “knowing” state.
With that in mind:
What are the three things you would most love to have be on your mind when you wake up tomorrow?
As always, thanks for the time.
(Credit to Sandra Ford Walston for motivating this post)
Manipulation
When someone mentions manipulation, most of us probably think of one or more individuals who are always working an angle and looking to “get the better of” someone or something else. Machiavelli set the “gold standard” in for this sort of manipulation back around 1500 when he published “The Prince”.
Today I’d like to make the argument that manipulation is far from a negative thing. To the contrary it is a powerful concept that all of us use regularly. The key is how we use — for the good or for the bad.
Now I’m not a sci-fi fan, but yet again Star Wars provides the reference to illustrate this point. Think of Yoda and Darth. Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. You see it physically as they move objects with the power of their mind. You feel it in the gravity of the scenes where they are present. Yoda inspiring others to greater things for the good of others. Darth dragging them down to where they are only focused on the self and immediate gratification. Both are master manipulators, yet one is “certainly” good and the other “certainly” bad. But, as Yoda would say, “Manipulators they are”.
Manipulation at its core is neither good or bad. We manipulate objects all the time; we manipulate ourselves all the time; and, we manipulate others all the time. The reality is we are always part of a larger eco-system and our actions influence others — think of Newton’s third law about actions and reactions. With manipulation we need to recognize that it is going to occur — be it consciously or unconsciously. What we need to focus on is (i) moving the unconscious to the conscious and (ii) ensuring that the influence we exert has a positive effect on our environment.
With that in mind:
When you speak to the next person today, will you be manipulating them for their good or yours?
As always, thanks for the time.
(Credit to Sandra Ford Walston for motivating this post)
Discipline
Occasionally you come across a quote that really resonates with you:
“There are two types of pain you will go through in life, the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tonnes. — Jim Rohn”
Mr. Rohn’s captured the essence of the choices we make each day. We can choose to focus on those things truly important to us. Many times this will involve hard work and sacrifice. Alternately we can choose to avoid focusing on our priorities. There likely will be some immediate gratification. However, there’s a price — regret — to be paid.
Don’t get me wrong, balance in life is critical. And as the old adage aptly states “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. However, each day we make a choice between discipline and regret. Unfortunately, all too often, that choice is almost entirely autonomous.
With that in mind:
When you reflect on today’s events will your thoughts be of discipline or regret?
As always, thanks for the time.
(Credit to Sandra Ford Walston , Jim Rohn, and Chris Guillebeau for motivating this post)
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