People sometimes spend a lifetime looking for what they want to do with their life. Ever been asked: "what do you want to be when you grow up?" This is a valid question. Do you know?
Every day, all around us, we come in contact with people who simply go through the motions of life. They have an average job and an average life. Sadly enough, they never search deep or long enough to discover their purpose or passion.
I hear a lot of people say, "I can’t wait to retire in 3, 4 or 6 years." I am sure it is exciting to think about retirement, however, I would also ask them about their life now and what you were put here to do?
I invested 15 years of searching before I found my passion. It was a process. I didn’t create who I am. God did that. I discovered who I am, that was my job. God is the ultimate creator and he has given us creative abilities. That is, our minds, an imagination the ability to strategically plan out a process. I believe it is our responsibility to apply those things which He gave us.
Self-discovery, for most of us, is not an overnight deal. It’s an ongoing daily, monthly and even yearly deal. That is, year after year we need to continue to invest in it. Persist without ceasing if need be. It has been said that cemeteries are some of the richest places on earth. There, lie the dreams, ideas and plans that were never executed or put into play. Think about this for a moment. If you were to die tonight, what dreams, hopes and ideas would die with you?
Our talents, strengths and abilities, combined with personality style, demeanor and looks, make each of us unique. There is nobody like you. There is something you are to do, overcome and accomplish that no one else could do as well as you.
Whose pain do you feel? Whose tears affect you the most? Whose sorrows weigh on your heart the heaviest? These are all keys to what you are to discover about yourself.
Life is a lot about finding. We find our self, find our way, what we're good at and one day, we all hope to find the perfect spouse. Each time we find, we open a new door that leads us to further discovery which awakens a part of us that previously lay dormant.
Start making small changes in your day to day routine that will help you to discover. Small changes today, tomorrow and next month, are the keys to moving closer to those things you want in life.
Remember that there is no discovery without action. Take action today to insure a better tomorrow.
Have a great weekend everyone, be blessed.
Showing posts with label mentoring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mentoring. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
This Thing Called Happiness
To many times I have heard people say, “I will be happy when…” or “He makes me happy…she makes me happy.”
I think most people have a misunderstanding of what happiness and being happy is and where it can be found.
The fact is, happiness “in” something is about impossible to find. It can not be found in a person or going to a place or in some new gadget. Even going on a long awaited vacation never brought true happiness. You may disagree but consider a few things.
If we are going to seek this thing called happiness, we first must know what it is and what it's not. Then, we will know better of what we are looking for and where to find it.
While it is fun and exciting to get new things, make a lot of money, buy toys or go on trips, this is not happiness. If it were, our lives would be spent on a roller coaster of emotions because those things come and go.
When we “get something new” (like a car) yes, we may be happy, but that's not the same as true happiness. Making a lot of money from our job or business makes us happy, but it does not bring us happiness.
Before our kids, my wife and I went to Hawaii twice in two years. That was pretty cool! We were very fortunate. Did it make me us joyful, excited, motivated and energetic? Absolutely! But no where in there was happiness to be found. Why? Because true happiness is found on the inside, not the outside.
There is a younger man from the church I attend. I have spoken with him a handful of times over the last two years. He does not have much in the way of material things. I believe he only works part time, he's not married nor does he have a girlfriend. Yet every time I see him, he is so full of happiness and high on life.
He smiles and hugs people often. At first, even I struggled with his profound positive outlook on life. So one day, being the shy, withdrawn person I am, I walked over to him and asked: “I just have to know, are you ever not happy?” He looked at me a little strangely and without missing a beat he said: “Why would I ever not be?”
Simply put: happiness is a frame of mind. It’s an attitude that we choose to have or to believe in each day. It’s looking at the positive side of things rather than the negative. Yes, the negative things exist and yes crap happens but we can choose to focus on the more positive things instead.
Many things have changed for many people over the last couple of years. A lot of folks have gone through hard times. Yet our own happiness is not and should not be tied to the economy, your checkbook or your job. We get satisfaction, excitement, joy and more options in life from them, not happiness.
Decide to become happy with where you are right now. It doesn’t matter what you do or do not have. Happiness is an inside job.
Take a moment today, go to a private place with a mirror, and tell yourself you are going to be happy.
Not your spouse, your boss or even your kids can make you happy. The only person who can make you happy is looking back at you in that mirror.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
Scott Stewart
Author, speaker and inspiring others to live a life with healthy beliefs and attitudes.
I think most people have a misunderstanding of what happiness and being happy is and where it can be found.
The fact is, happiness “in” something is about impossible to find. It can not be found in a person or going to a place or in some new gadget. Even going on a long awaited vacation never brought true happiness. You may disagree but consider a few things.
If we are going to seek this thing called happiness, we first must know what it is and what it's not. Then, we will know better of what we are looking for and where to find it.
While it is fun and exciting to get new things, make a lot of money, buy toys or go on trips, this is not happiness. If it were, our lives would be spent on a roller coaster of emotions because those things come and go.
When we “get something new” (like a car) yes, we may be happy, but that's not the same as true happiness. Making a lot of money from our job or business makes us happy, but it does not bring us happiness.
Before our kids, my wife and I went to Hawaii twice in two years. That was pretty cool! We were very fortunate. Did it make me us joyful, excited, motivated and energetic? Absolutely! But no where in there was happiness to be found. Why? Because true happiness is found on the inside, not the outside.
There is a younger man from the church I attend. I have spoken with him a handful of times over the last two years. He does not have much in the way of material things. I believe he only works part time, he's not married nor does he have a girlfriend. Yet every time I see him, he is so full of happiness and high on life.
He smiles and hugs people often. At first, even I struggled with his profound positive outlook on life. So one day, being the shy, withdrawn person I am, I walked over to him and asked: “I just have to know, are you ever not happy?” He looked at me a little strangely and without missing a beat he said: “Why would I ever not be?”
Simply put: happiness is a frame of mind. It’s an attitude that we choose to have or to believe in each day. It’s looking at the positive side of things rather than the negative. Yes, the negative things exist and yes crap happens but we can choose to focus on the more positive things instead.
Many things have changed for many people over the last couple of years. A lot of folks have gone through hard times. Yet our own happiness is not and should not be tied to the economy, your checkbook or your job. We get satisfaction, excitement, joy and more options in life from them, not happiness.
Decide to become happy with where you are right now. It doesn’t matter what you do or do not have. Happiness is an inside job.
Take a moment today, go to a private place with a mirror, and tell yourself you are going to be happy.
Not your spouse, your boss or even your kids can make you happy. The only person who can make you happy is looking back at you in that mirror.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
Scott Stewart
Author, speaker and inspiring others to live a life with healthy beliefs and attitudes.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Your Choices...Your Life
The life you are living right now is the result of the choices you have made up to this point.
Most folks don’t realize that they have choices. Many run on auto-pilot, making each day look a lot more like chance than choice. But just the opposite is true. Everything is a choice!
It wasn’t until I reached my mid 30’s that I truly grabbed hold of this reality. Each day, I could choose what I would do, where I would go, my activities, attitude…all of it. Granted, the majority of those choices were obvious and easy…but I still got to choose.
Each new day brings with it the seed of choice. How you start your day, what you will wear, will you exercise, will you have a good attitude and will you be on time to your first meeting. All of these choices and you haven’t even left your house yet!
Left to chance? I don’t believe there is such a thing. Even if one tries to make a case for this, the fact is, you can still choose to do nothing, and that is a choice.
Look back on your life. How many times have you come to a crossroads where a major choice was before you? How did you handle it? Did you weigh your options, look at all sides and try to make the best choice possible?
In the past, have you made poor choices? If so, what did you learn from them? Sometimes, wrong choices today give us opportunities to excel in the future because learning and choosing differently next time, brings about favor and wisdom.
Once in awhile, the crossroads of life are not always so clear and then the choice we have to make can be a struggle. Yet still, we are forced to make a choice.
Choice is the reason we can create the life we want. It’s one of God’s greatest gifts to us.
We also need to keep in mind that for every choice we make, there are or can be lasting consequences. Choosing to forgo exercise every morning and eat a donut may bring short-term satisfaction, but over the long-term, it’s detrimental to your health.
After reading this, you will make a choice to either ignore it, or think about it. Regardless, each day, what we choose affects not only our self but often, those around us as well.
Once we realize and grasp this concept, there can be no more blame game. You can’t play the victim card, nor can you point fingers at others and say it’s their fault for your circumstances.
Will you decide to start choosing wisely? Can you see that your choices equal the person you are today?
Want a different job? Make different choices. Want a better relationship with your spouse? Make better choices. Want to lose some weight and feel attractive again? It’s easier than you think…just make different choices.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Finding Your Calling ~ Final Chapter
Are you ready to put action into finding your calling? This is the final overview in the series - Finding Your Calling.
This may challenge your beliefs but in actuality, finding your calling is not necessarily difficult, however, it will take a lot of persistence and determination. Those two items do take energy and focus and maybe for some, that is hard. But finding your purpose is a journey. It is a process. Not a one or two day event.
In the beginning of this series, I shared with you that it will take searching. Remember, this is critical. Anytime we want to achieve something, it takes an internal desire. There needs to be a strong desire because that is what will fuel you through the highs and lows.
Keep in mind that not all of us are called to a specific industry, place or business. In recent conversations, a gentleman told me he gets the greatest joy from helping senior citizens and is looking into moving toArizona
Ancient scripture tells us there is a time and a place for everything under the sun. Without even reading any further, this means each of us have and go through seasons. Seasons are determined by our choices. That means as we grow, as we find, and as we search, we make choices based on our thinking, what we believe and where we’re at mentally and emotionally in our life.
Regardless of what season you are going through today, you can still choose to search. Every time we stretch our neck out and look for those things we have no answers to, we grow as a person. We learn more about ourselves. At the same time, we are becoming someone of higher awareness. Becoming is the essence of life. We don't just one day turn into a business man or business woman. We become a businessman or businesswoman.
It took me 15 years to find my purpose. How long will it take you? God only knows. But I can promise you that if you will get serious about searching, you will find. Finding your calling is not a mystery, it is a process, mostly through trial and error. But don't count the errors as negatives; they are part of the price you must pay to find what you are looking for.
A level of peace, satisfaction and clarity awaits you when you do find it. I can only say this because I have lived it. There is tranquility in the finding, especially after paying the price over a lengthy time.
When you find it, you will never have to work another day in your life. Everything you do is not work, but rather exhilarating. It fuels you, drives you and leaves you with more energy at the end of the day than when you started. Ask any person who has found their purpose and is now living it. They can concur.
What are you going to do to further your search? It's time to step up to the plate and put action into your plan. No one else can or will do it for you. Years from now, you will look back at today and either wished you had...or be glad you did. It's your choice.
This may challenge your beliefs but in actuality, finding your calling is not necessarily difficult, however, it will take a lot of persistence and determination. Those two items do take energy and focus and maybe for some, that is hard. But finding your purpose is a journey. It is a process. Not a one or two day event.
In the beginning of this series, I shared with you that it will take searching. Remember, this is critical. Anytime we want to achieve something, it takes an internal desire. There needs to be a strong desire because that is what will fuel you through the highs and lows.
Keep in mind that not all of us are called to a specific industry, place or business. In recent conversations, a gentleman told me he gets the greatest joy from helping senior citizens and is looking into moving to
Ancient scripture tells us there is a time and a place for everything under the sun. Without even reading any further, this means each of us have and go through seasons. Seasons are determined by our choices. That means as we grow, as we find, and as we search, we make choices based on our thinking, what we believe and where we’re at mentally and emotionally in our life.
Regardless of what season you are going through today, you can still choose to search. Every time we stretch our neck out and look for those things we have no answers to, we grow as a person. We learn more about ourselves. At the same time, we are becoming someone of higher awareness. Becoming is the essence of life. We don't just one day turn into a business man or business woman. We become a businessman or businesswoman.
It took me 15 years to find my purpose. How long will it take you? God only knows. But I can promise you that if you will get serious about searching, you will find. Finding your calling is not a mystery, it is a process, mostly through trial and error. But don't count the errors as negatives; they are part of the price you must pay to find what you are looking for.
A level of peace, satisfaction and clarity awaits you when you do find it. I can only say this because I have lived it. There is tranquility in the finding, especially after paying the price over a lengthy time.
When you find it, you will never have to work another day in your life. Everything you do is not work, but rather exhilarating. It fuels you, drives you and leaves you with more energy at the end of the day than when you started. Ask any person who has found their purpose and is now living it. They can concur.
What are you going to do to further your search? It's time to step up to the plate and put action into your plan. No one else can or will do it for you. Years from now, you will look back at today and either wished you had...or be glad you did. It's your choice.
Make that call to a coach or someone who can help you. Seek out a mentor, read a book or two, counsel with those who have already found their calling. Take your list (you did make one right?) and keep it in front of you. Read it allowed often. It will be a powerful tool as you search.
By reading this series, you have stepped up to the plate. Are you going to get in the game by swinging at the ball or go back and sit on the bench?
Have a great weekend everyone, be blessed.
By reading this series, you have stepped up to the plate. Are you going to get in the game by swinging at the ball or go back and sit on the bench?
Have a great weekend everyone, be blessed.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Finding Your Calling ~ Part 4
People come in and out of your life for certain reasons. Do you know why?
This week is part 4, Finding Your Calling.
It has been said that coincidences are when God wants to remain anonymous. In my own life, many people have come and gone over the years. At the time it was a mystery as to why this would happen. Looking back it is pretty clear.
Each person who came into my life brought with them (besides their kindness, love and friendship) a uniqueness and qualities I needed. Your life is the same way. If you’re open to see it, you will. If you can't, it could mean you've never looked at it that way.
When people come into your life, they bring with them answers. Those answers are found through the relationship you have with them. Looking even deeper, all that you seek can be found through relationships with the right people. Answers are not found in things, they are found in people.
Yes, you can learn a lot through books, on line courses and audio / video tutorials, I sure did. But relationships were at the core of every corner turned and ah ha moment I ever had.
Who is in your life today that could have answers to what you’re looking for? Maybe it is a co-worker, a boss, a new friend whom you met recently. Wealth, health, influence, mentors and knowledge are not far away, they are more then likely a relationship away.
Like attracts like. That's the way our world works. Those who like to go fishing, hang out with other fisherman. Those who like to give back, invest time with others who also give. When we go into search mode, we also tend to attract others who are searching.
Who is in your life today that could have answers to what you’re looking for? Maybe it is a co-worker, a boss, a new friend whom you met recently. Wealth, health, influence, mentors and knowledge are not far away, they are more then likely a relationship away.
Like attracts like. That's the way our world works. Those who like to go fishing, hang out with other fisherman. Those who like to give back, invest time with others who also give. When we go into search mode, we also tend to attract others who are searching.
This means we can learn from those relationships. Both can bring value to the other. Even if it is learning what we don’t want in a relationship, there is value in that.
Right now, there is someone or maybe even a few someone's who can help you find the answers to what you are seeking. You don't necessarily need to go looking. Chances are, they are in or around your life right now, you just don't know it.
Today, observe who is in your life that you may be able to sit with and question. Our society is filled with people who don't care to listen, but only want to talk. Imagine what clues you could hear if you focused on listening more and talking less. What keys might your friends tell you that previously, you had not known?
Lastly, start asking questions. Then listen with expectation. Not for what you want to hear, but what is really being said. There are clues all around you to what you’re passionate about. Ask first, listen second.
Right now, there is someone or maybe even a few someone's who can help you find the answers to what you are seeking. You don't necessarily need to go looking. Chances are, they are in or around your life right now, you just don't know it.
Today, observe who is in your life that you may be able to sit with and question. Our society is filled with people who don't care to listen, but only want to talk. Imagine what clues you could hear if you focused on listening more and talking less. What keys might your friends tell you that previously, you had not known?
Lastly, start asking questions. Then listen with expectation. Not for what you want to hear, but what is really being said. There are clues all around you to what you’re passionate about. Ask first, listen second.
Next week, we will take a deeper look into resources you may not be aware of that can help you find your calling.
Have a great weekend everybody, be blessed.
Have a great weekend everybody, be blessed.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Raising Kids With A Healthy Mind Set Part 2
We can and we should be ready when it comes to raising kids. No, it is not easy. Question is, are you as ready as you could be?
There is one thing we always have control over, no matter what the circumstance. You and I have the choice to deal with our past. No matter what, no matter when, it is our choice!
Last week, I shared the why with you. This week I will cover the how with regard to raising kids with a healthy mindset.
Our kids need us to be the best parent we can be. In a world where negative influences run rampant, we, as parents, must understand it is up to us to set the stage and give our kids the right foundation. It is not up to the schools, teachers or even family. We chose to bring them into this world, so it is us to take responsibility.
Too often, parents go with the flow in terms of style. We have all seen this right? The problem is, when we go with the flow and simply float along with the current, we are susceptible to anything that catches our attention. Going with the flow or even what society says is normal, is risky. This style does not give our kids the tools they need to live a solid, healthy life.
Have you ever recognized what your core values are as a parent? Chances are, they will be similar to what you value as a person. Take a few minutes and write down what those values are. What is truly important to you? When people, business and society shake you up, what is it that you stand for? Write these down before reading on.
Now, read them out loud to yourself. How many do you have? Think about them, ponder them. Have you ever waivered on them? Just so you know, if you have, you have also started the process of diminishing your self image and self respect. The bigger question is, do you want your kids to follow the same suit? What you do and say is the example your kids will follow.
Core values give us a foundation. We need to identify and understand what they are. If making out your list was difficult, this could be an indicator that you need to get in touch with them. Every business, organization and relationship has core values by which they operate. Deviating from them usually means harsh consequences. When it comes to raising kids, it is no different.
Knowing our core values gives each of us a starting place. Without them, how do we know what we stand for? Teach your kids about them, they deserve to live a healthy life.
Next week we move on to part three of this series.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Week 7 of 7 on changing our beliefs.
This is the last week of my 7 part series on how to change our beliefs. Feel free to go back and review over all seven weeks and recap all of this information. Myself, I have found that reading things over and over, substantially increase the rate at which I am able to retain what I read.
A few key points you and I need to never forget is, our beliefs control every aspect of our lives. Everything we say or do, how we act, how we dress, even the people we hang around with. All of this is directly tied to our beliefs, so don’t think it doesn’t matter, because all of it matters. It’s all tied together and directs our lives. Thus having a belief about our self or about our life which is not healthy will cause our lives to have an outcome that is less favorable than what we desire. A great example of this: just recently, a friend of mine came to me and admitted he now realizes that he is not the strong salesman he thought he was. For years, he had believed he was a great salesman so he pursued sales jobs. Over time though, he has found, after having several sales jobs, he was not the dynamic salesperson he thought he was. It was simply his belief about himself that led him down a path which equaled some disappointing setbacks. It took failure from those jobs for him to realize that his belief about himself was doing more harm for him than good.
Allow yourself to make the necessary changes you need. Plain and simple: you have to let go of what you know now to get something more than you ever thought you could have. This is essential. I also know it is one of the hardest things to do. The only way change comes easy for us, is when it is our own idea. If I, or your spouse or your boss or your family member wants you to change, it will be difficult. So allowing yourself to change and adapt to a new way of thinking, ensures your success to do so. When doing this, keep in mind that your old belief, the one which you are working on replacing, will try very hard to stay in control and direct your life. In fact, it will throw a big enough fit, that there will be an internal battle take place between what you’ve always known and that which you are wanting. This is where the wanting to change will be your golden key. Without the want, it will be way too easy to lose sight of the goal and turn back to familiar territory.
The last point to know here is that, along with change, opposition will come, especially if there is a big reward at the end. To think otherwise is naive. Mentally, emotionally and physically, all three of these will push back as you make changes for yourself and your life. Expect it, know it and just accept it. Don’t fight it. Fighting it does no good and will only waste your time and energy. Instead, learn how to roll with it. Understanding that with change and challenge, life has a way of testing us and making us prove we want something better, that we are willing to fight for it and not give up. The opposition you will get does NOT mean you shouldn’t do it and it does not mean you are heading in the wrong direction, its just life’s way of testing you to see how serious you are, about
wanting something better. All too often though, people mistake the opposition as a roadblock and so they return to what they have always known, which is their comfort zone. An unfamiliar gravel road is far from a road block, it is just a different-looking road that is not yet paved. Go ahead and take it, don’t be afraid. That new road is there for you. Let it feel weird, let if feel different, that’s ok. There is a great reward waiting for you near the end of this new road so don’t give up too soon.
Now, put some action behind changing your beliefs. Take that next step. Put action into your plan and move forward. You now have what is needed to make the changes you seek. Don’t worry about having everything perfect and all lined out. Start today and as you go, you can make those adjustments or additions along the way because NOTHING will change for you until you take action.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
A few key points you and I need to never forget is, our beliefs control every aspect of our lives. Everything we say or do, how we act, how we dress, even the people we hang around with. All of this is directly tied to our beliefs, so don’t think it doesn’t matter, because all of it matters. It’s all tied together and directs our lives. Thus having a belief about our self or about our life which is not healthy will cause our lives to have an outcome that is less favorable than what we desire. A great example of this: just recently, a friend of mine came to me and admitted he now realizes that he is not the strong salesman he thought he was. For years, he had believed he was a great salesman so he pursued sales jobs. Over time though, he has found, after having several sales jobs, he was not the dynamic salesperson he thought he was. It was simply his belief about himself that led him down a path which equaled some disappointing setbacks. It took failure from those jobs for him to realize that his belief about himself was doing more harm for him than good.
Allow yourself to make the necessary changes you need. Plain and simple: you have to let go of what you know now to get something more than you ever thought you could have. This is essential. I also know it is one of the hardest things to do. The only way change comes easy for us, is when it is our own idea. If I, or your spouse or your boss or your family member wants you to change, it will be difficult. So allowing yourself to change and adapt to a new way of thinking, ensures your success to do so. When doing this, keep in mind that your old belief, the one which you are working on replacing, will try very hard to stay in control and direct your life. In fact, it will throw a big enough fit, that there will be an internal battle take place between what you’ve always known and that which you are wanting. This is where the wanting to change will be your golden key. Without the want, it will be way too easy to lose sight of the goal and turn back to familiar territory.
The last point to know here is that, along with change, opposition will come, especially if there is a big reward at the end. To think otherwise is naive. Mentally, emotionally and physically, all three of these will push back as you make changes for yourself and your life. Expect it, know it and just accept it. Don’t fight it. Fighting it does no good and will only waste your time and energy. Instead, learn how to roll with it. Understanding that with change and challenge, life has a way of testing us and making us prove we want something better, that we are willing to fight for it and not give up. The opposition you will get does NOT mean you shouldn’t do it and it does not mean you are heading in the wrong direction, its just life’s way of testing you to see how serious you are, about
wanting something better. All too often though, people mistake the opposition as a roadblock and so they return to what they have always known, which is their comfort zone. An unfamiliar gravel road is far from a road block, it is just a different-looking road that is not yet paved. Go ahead and take it, don’t be afraid. That new road is there for you. Let it feel weird, let if feel different, that’s ok. There is a great reward waiting for you near the end of this new road so don’t give up too soon.
Now, put some action behind changing your beliefs. Take that next step. Put action into your plan and move forward. You now have what is needed to make the changes you seek. Don’t worry about having everything perfect and all lined out. Start today and as you go, you can make those adjustments or additions along the way because NOTHING will change for you until you take action.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Timing...it really is everything
Almost four years ago, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a gentleman who planted seeds of greatness into my life. This is someone I looked up to and respected. I am sure you know what I am talking about, that many of you at some point have had someone you looked up to, to give you a critical key to life which helped you make a difference. For me, this was a much needed “piece of the puzzle” I was needing.
Steven Fulmer, a life coach and the Creator of LifeQuest Mapping, gave me something at just the right time in my life when I was ready to hear it. He said this:
If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got. If you always get what you’ve always got, then you’ll always think the way you’ve always thought. Then if you always think the way you have always thought, you will always feel the way you have always felt. So if you always feel the way you’ve always felt, then you will always do what you’ve always done and so finally, you will always get what you’ve always got.
Yes, it is Socrates and not only did it make a lot of sense to me, it brought me to a whole new level of awareness. Maybe some of you have heard this statement before - it is profound. What I find most interesting about this quote is not just the message it holds but the timing of it and how hard it hit me just when I was ready to hear it.
Since then I have learned that timing truly is everything. I have no doubt that many, many times the right message has been given to me, but I was simply not ready to hear it or know it was the right message or that it was for me. I believe many of us, everyday, are given critical “keys to life and the life we desire” but are simply not ready to hear it. We have all heard the old cliché, “when the student is ready the teacher will appear.” There is a lot more truth to that than most of us realize. Many times throughout my life, the right people have been near and/or around me. Although it was so obvious, I just wasn’t ready mentally or possibly even emotionally.
The more I see, the more I want to see and the more I realize that throughout each of our lives, the timing of certain events are critical. Have you ever heard that opportunity knocks on every door? I believe that statement to be very true. The best and greatest opportunity in the world could be right in front of you. If you’re not ready and aware, it won’t manifest itself in your life and you will miss it. The good news is, it could possibly come back around at some point. However, if you’re not ready, it won’t matter, you will miss it again.
Starting today, look around you and pay attention to who it is that is in your life and who it is that will come into your life over the next 30 days. If you watch closely and seek answers for what your heart truly wants, you might find the keys you need to unlock the next door are closer than you realize.
Have a great Friday everyone and be blessed.
Steven Fulmer, a life coach and the Creator of LifeQuest Mapping, gave me something at just the right time in my life when I was ready to hear it. He said this:
If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got. If you always get what you’ve always got, then you’ll always think the way you’ve always thought. Then if you always think the way you have always thought, you will always feel the way you have always felt. So if you always feel the way you’ve always felt, then you will always do what you’ve always done and so finally, you will always get what you’ve always got.
Yes, it is Socrates and not only did it make a lot of sense to me, it brought me to a whole new level of awareness. Maybe some of you have heard this statement before - it is profound. What I find most interesting about this quote is not just the message it holds but the timing of it and how hard it hit me just when I was ready to hear it.
Since then I have learned that timing truly is everything. I have no doubt that many, many times the right message has been given to me, but I was simply not ready to hear it or know it was the right message or that it was for me. I believe many of us, everyday, are given critical “keys to life and the life we desire” but are simply not ready to hear it. We have all heard the old cliché, “when the student is ready the teacher will appear.” There is a lot more truth to that than most of us realize. Many times throughout my life, the right people have been near and/or around me. Although it was so obvious, I just wasn’t ready mentally or possibly even emotionally.
The more I see, the more I want to see and the more I realize that throughout each of our lives, the timing of certain events are critical. Have you ever heard that opportunity knocks on every door? I believe that statement to be very true. The best and greatest opportunity in the world could be right in front of you. If you’re not ready and aware, it won’t manifest itself in your life and you will miss it. The good news is, it could possibly come back around at some point. However, if you’re not ready, it won’t matter, you will miss it again.
Starting today, look around you and pay attention to who it is that is in your life and who it is that will come into your life over the next 30 days. If you watch closely and seek answers for what your heart truly wants, you might find the keys you need to unlock the next door are closer than you realize.
Have a great Friday everyone and be blessed.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Losing someone we love
One of life’s many guarantees is that, at some point, some day, we will pass on and leave this earth . We are not immortal (although MANY teenagers think otherwise). It’s by design this should take place, as it is part of the bigger plan.
This week is the nineteenth anniversary of when I lost my Mom. It was a Monday night and I had stopped in to have dinner with my folks. As I was getting ready to leave and head home for the night (I remember it very clearly, just as if it were yesterday), I told her, “Mom, I love you.” I then hugged her and walked out the door. I had no idea this would be the last time I would get to see or talk to my Mom.
Death is never an easy thing to deal with. The loss we feel of losing someone we love hurts us to the core. To some, it paralyzes them, making any task or chore near impossible. I have even heard stories of people who not only became paralyzed from the loss they felt initially, but were never fully able to recover. That deep, hard-hitting sense of “why” and “disbelief” are very real and very powerful and can leave a sting that dwells within for years and even decades.
The twenty-two years I had with my Mom will always hold a special place in my life. I feel blessed that I was close with her, that we always communicated, hugged and loved often. The biggest thing I am grateful for is not necessarily that we were close, but that I have no regrets of the time I had with her. I am able to look at her picture on the wall, smile and know there is nothing I wish we would have done differently. We loved, laughed and lived life as much as a mother and son could have.
I do however, like many people, wish that she could have been able to see, hold and play with her granddaughters. In fact, there is not a day goes by that I do not wish this had happened. I am sure many of you reading this have had your own similar situation. The feeling that you were “cheated out of time” with them is fairly common. I know I have felt like this many times. Is this redundant because you already said “not a day goes by”?
Through the loss of my Mom, I learned that not only is life too short, it is very precious and fragile. We are not given a guarantee for tomorrow, we can only hope and believe it will come. We cannot control when it is our time or the time of someone we love. What we can control is making the most of the time we have with them in our lives. Take today and make being with them a priority. In fact, put them at the top of your list. Don’t wait for next month, next year or until the next convenient day. Today is a gift. Use today to tell and show them you care about them. That way, you will never have to say, “I wish we could have...”
In the last days of a person’s life, I have never heard anyone say, ”You know, I just wish I would have put in a few more hours at the office rather than with my family.”
To all of you who have lost someone close to you, this Friday’s Thought is dedicated to you. I am sorry for your loss and my heart is heavy along with you as you deal with the pain.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness.
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
This week is the nineteenth anniversary of when I lost my Mom. It was a Monday night and I had stopped in to have dinner with my folks. As I was getting ready to leave and head home for the night (I remember it very clearly, just as if it were yesterday), I told her, “Mom, I love you.” I then hugged her and walked out the door. I had no idea this would be the last time I would get to see or talk to my Mom.
Death is never an easy thing to deal with. The loss we feel of losing someone we love hurts us to the core. To some, it paralyzes them, making any task or chore near impossible. I have even heard stories of people who not only became paralyzed from the loss they felt initially, but were never fully able to recover. That deep, hard-hitting sense of “why” and “disbelief” are very real and very powerful and can leave a sting that dwells within for years and even decades.
The twenty-two years I had with my Mom will always hold a special place in my life. I feel blessed that I was close with her, that we always communicated, hugged and loved often. The biggest thing I am grateful for is not necessarily that we were close, but that I have no regrets of the time I had with her. I am able to look at her picture on the wall, smile and know there is nothing I wish we would have done differently. We loved, laughed and lived life as much as a mother and son could have.
I do however, like many people, wish that she could have been able to see, hold and play with her granddaughters. In fact, there is not a day goes by that I do not wish this had happened. I am sure many of you reading this have had your own similar situation. The feeling that you were “cheated out of time” with them is fairly common. I know I have felt like this many times. Is this redundant because you already said “not a day goes by”?
Through the loss of my Mom, I learned that not only is life too short, it is very precious and fragile. We are not given a guarantee for tomorrow, we can only hope and believe it will come. We cannot control when it is our time or the time of someone we love. What we can control is making the most of the time we have with them in our lives. Take today and make being with them a priority. In fact, put them at the top of your list. Don’t wait for next month, next year or until the next convenient day. Today is a gift. Use today to tell and show them you care about them. That way, you will never have to say, “I wish we could have...”
In the last days of a person’s life, I have never heard anyone say, ”You know, I just wish I would have put in a few more hours at the office rather than with my family.”
To all of you who have lost someone close to you, this Friday’s Thought is dedicated to you. I am sorry for your loss and my heart is heavy along with you as you deal with the pain.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness.
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
Friday, July 30, 2010
A new way of thinking
The other day I was reminiscing about a fun past time I used to take part in. In my early twenties, some friends and I would take our four wheel drive trucks and head for the mountains. We would then find some old logging roads and trails to drive on and go do a little exploring. Combine that with a little skeet shooting throughout the day and all of us would have a great time! Sometimes, we would find ourselves on dirt / mud roads and our four wheel drive would be a must.
I recall back to a certain time when our small group came across a steep muddy. Several of us tried to climb the hill but had very little luck because it was just to slick. After about fifteen minutes or so, I noticed a friend of mine was letting some of the air out of his tires on his Ford Bronco. As several of us witnessed this, we began to laugh at him asking him why he was letting the air out of his tires? He said he was flattening his tires. He took our criticism well and just told us to watch him.
Minutes later, we were in shock and awe as he was the only one able to climb that steep muddy hill and, he did it with ease! I have to admit, I was in a bit of disbelief. There was no way he could have just done that... he made it look easy! Several of us tried the hill again but still could not get up it. In our way of thinking and what we knew to be true, simply letting some of the air out of your tires could not make that much difference.
Even though a handful of us witnessed this, we still could not believe it. Primarily (looking back on it) because it did not line up with what we believed to be true. We had never tried this, nor had we ever heard of it. To the majority of us, this just could not be true. Quite the opposite though… this was in fact a great way to get more traction, we had just never known it.
Today, as I look around our society, I see many people who hold the same old belief day in and day out. They are going by what they have always known and continue to do things the way they have always done them. Truth be known, often times, there is a better way out there but very few people are open minded enough to entertain a new idea. This was me back then. I thought I knew the best way. In my mind I had all the answers, so why consider knew ones? After all, my parents always did things the same way over and over again. So I was just going off of what my parents taught me.
Aside from principles, morals, values and ethics, a new way of thinking or doing things is not very far out of reach. In fact, often it is lurking just around the corner. Being willing to listen, consider or entertain a new way of thinking can very well be the seed towards living a more fulfilling life. It is those old ways of thinking that like to hold us captive and keep us from a higher level of understanding. If you and I can allow ourselves to listen more and resist less, we might just find that we don’t have all the answers.
Like the old saying goes: “Your mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open” could very well be the gateway to getting more of the things we want in life and I personally, believe that having an open mind is the best way to go through this life. Then, let your gut feeling or your discernment be your guide to what you should believe.
Have a great Friday everyone.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
I recall back to a certain time when our small group came across a steep muddy. Several of us tried to climb the hill but had very little luck because it was just to slick. After about fifteen minutes or so, I noticed a friend of mine was letting some of the air out of his tires on his Ford Bronco. As several of us witnessed this, we began to laugh at him asking him why he was letting the air out of his tires? He said he was flattening his tires. He took our criticism well and just told us to watch him.
Minutes later, we were in shock and awe as he was the only one able to climb that steep muddy hill and, he did it with ease! I have to admit, I was in a bit of disbelief. There was no way he could have just done that... he made it look easy! Several of us tried the hill again but still could not get up it. In our way of thinking and what we knew to be true, simply letting some of the air out of your tires could not make that much difference.
Even though a handful of us witnessed this, we still could not believe it. Primarily (looking back on it) because it did not line up with what we believed to be true. We had never tried this, nor had we ever heard of it. To the majority of us, this just could not be true. Quite the opposite though… this was in fact a great way to get more traction, we had just never known it.
Today, as I look around our society, I see many people who hold the same old belief day in and day out. They are going by what they have always known and continue to do things the way they have always done them. Truth be known, often times, there is a better way out there but very few people are open minded enough to entertain a new idea. This was me back then. I thought I knew the best way. In my mind I had all the answers, so why consider knew ones? After all, my parents always did things the same way over and over again. So I was just going off of what my parents taught me.
Aside from principles, morals, values and ethics, a new way of thinking or doing things is not very far out of reach. In fact, often it is lurking just around the corner. Being willing to listen, consider or entertain a new way of thinking can very well be the seed towards living a more fulfilling life. It is those old ways of thinking that like to hold us captive and keep us from a higher level of understanding. If you and I can allow ourselves to listen more and resist less, we might just find that we don’t have all the answers.
Like the old saying goes: “Your mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open” could very well be the gateway to getting more of the things we want in life and I personally, believe that having an open mind is the best way to go through this life. Then, let your gut feeling or your discernment be your guide to what you should believe.
Have a great Friday everyone.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
Friday, July 16, 2010
Kids and Gifts
The more I watch my daughters with what they say, how they act and how
they respond to others, the more I realize how much I am blessed. Just
watching kids be themselves and interact with other kids and adults can
say a lot about them. Currently, my oldest is seven and my youngest is
four. Both are obviously at different places of learning and interaction but
there is one thing that just touches my heart that they both do at this stage
of their young lives and that is, what and how they give gifts to those they
care about.
Children this age are so pure and innocent. They do not understand this
big old world could very well one day beat them up and spit them out.
Because of this, their actions and thoughts mostly follow the same way. I
am not counting sibling influence here or the influence of other kids but
they really do not know yet about materialism or what money can do. (Last
year, though, I did start teaching my oldest about money.)
As adults, we tend to give gifts to our spouses or family members that
usually cost money. Of course this is not a bad thing. This is the way of
our society. Kids, who do not yet understand about our society and how it
works, use their natural God-given abilities - their hearts and imagination.
My girls can create the most amazing homemade cards for my wife and
me. The time they spend on them, the colors, their imagination, the way
they think and see us as a family. All of these things they use to draw on
an "I love you card." Anyone who has or has had young kids understands
what I am talking about.
They just know how to make you smile with these
kinds of gifts. I have to admit, after receiving several of these, I did find
myself becoming a bit numb and almost irritated. But I think the main thing
we have to remember here is that this is the most pure, heartfelt gift a child
could give! There is no ulterior motive behind the gift and it is simply
because they want to. I believe little things like this are also a way in which
God reminds us not all gifts need to be big and expensive. Even the
smallest things sent from the heart, can have the most meaning in showing
someone how we feel about them. Grandmas and Grandpas also know
what I am talking about here when they receive these gifts.
Yes I know eventually, we as parents will have boxes full of things that our
kids have made for us. I am one of those parents. I also know those items
my daughters share with me or make and give to me show they love me
and they are happy. Kids don't always know how to voice how they feel,
that is something they have to learn along the way. But to make something
from scratch and give it as a gift could very well be the highest form of
showing love.
Have a great Friday everyone and an even better weekend.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness.
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
541-343-3614
they respond to others, the more I realize how much I am blessed. Just
watching kids be themselves and interact with other kids and adults can
say a lot about them. Currently, my oldest is seven and my youngest is
four. Both are obviously at different places of learning and interaction but
there is one thing that just touches my heart that they both do at this stage
of their young lives and that is, what and how they give gifts to those they
care about.
Children this age are so pure and innocent. They do not understand this
big old world could very well one day beat them up and spit them out.
Because of this, their actions and thoughts mostly follow the same way. I
am not counting sibling influence here or the influence of other kids but
they really do not know yet about materialism or what money can do. (Last
year, though, I did start teaching my oldest about money.)
As adults, we tend to give gifts to our spouses or family members that
usually cost money. Of course this is not a bad thing. This is the way of
our society. Kids, who do not yet understand about our society and how it
works, use their natural God-given abilities - their hearts and imagination.
My girls can create the most amazing homemade cards for my wife and
me. The time they spend on them, the colors, their imagination, the way
they think and see us as a family. All of these things they use to draw on
an "I love you card." Anyone who has or has had young kids understands
what I am talking about.
They just know how to make you smile with these
kinds of gifts. I have to admit, after receiving several of these, I did find
myself becoming a bit numb and almost irritated. But I think the main thing
we have to remember here is that this is the most pure, heartfelt gift a child
could give! There is no ulterior motive behind the gift and it is simply
because they want to. I believe little things like this are also a way in which
God reminds us not all gifts need to be big and expensive. Even the
smallest things sent from the heart, can have the most meaning in showing
someone how we feel about them. Grandmas and Grandpas also know
what I am talking about here when they receive these gifts.
Yes I know eventually, we as parents will have boxes full of things that our
kids have made for us. I am one of those parents. I also know those items
my daughters share with me or make and give to me show they love me
and they are happy. Kids don't always know how to voice how they feel,
that is something they have to learn along the way. But to make something
from scratch and give it as a gift could very well be the highest form of
showing love.
Have a great Friday everyone and an even better weekend.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness.
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
541-343-3614
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