Self-awareness means appreciating what you have. It's the foundation. Life gives endlessly and with a strong base, your gift joyfully overflows to give to other. Complaining and being ungrateful is like a cup with no base, it takes and takes with nothing to offer. What are you grateful for?
I'm driving and realize I'm super low on gas. I pull up to the nearest gas station and see that my wallet is at my house and no cash in my car. After clawing at my self worth and incompetence, I remembered that my card info is in my laptop. So I bring it over to the clerk and tell him the story. The dude listened and says he can't enter it manually. He then says, "go ahead, you got $10 at your pump." At the edge of disbelief and in deep appreciation, we chatted a bit and I learned his story and his work schedule. I figure returning later with $20 is the least I can do.
Deferring action is equally important as deliberate action. This is the essence of Zen and Tao teachings which suggest the value of non-action: to simply allow the natural order of things to take shape. It’s not apathy or avoidance, nor is it acting prematurely. It's a balance of attention, trusting the process, and having awareness of the dynamic range and greater flow of life. In music, when and how one hits the strings is what produces the emotional connection and sense of rhythm. Timing is everything and empty spaces in between notes support the musical experience. 1. Look at the big picture In Gestalt Psychology, it is said that the whole is more than the sum of the parts. It's the classic example of the vase and two faces present side-by-side, and focusing on one tends to block…
What’s your life goal? What’s your favorite daily routine? Does it match up? Regardless if you're clear about the answers, I've found the following exercise to be fun and effective. Marshall Goldsmith, a renown author and thought leader on executive coaching, offers a simple advice: track your behaviors. In an excel sheet list essential habits that add meaning to the day. Things like “did I exercise?” “Did I read?” “Did I say thank you?” "how happy was I today?" “day's highlight?” "day's lesson?" For 30 days spend 1 minute each day to mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’, a number, or a short comment for each item. Every 10 days you can include a column to summarize your scores. After 30 days graph the data and take a look. The mirror does not lie. Adjust your behavior as needed, and…
When you regularly apply your passion without expectations, good things happen. It’s that simple. Here are four ways to focus, adapt, and drive positive change. 1. Make it an adventure Living an adventure means accepting life in its fullness. It means going with the flow, constantly learning and unlearning to make way for new. Seeking novelty is a psychological state that fevers the adventurous spirit. Whether though travel, hobby, honing a new skill, a career or lifestyle transition. Whatever your goal is at the moment, be eager to re-discover your potential, without clingy expectations. Find yourself constantly transforming by letting go of stories that no longer serve growth. Choose the story you want tell yourself. Make it epic. 2. be present There’s the old proverb: necessity is the mother of…
