Wisdom Wednesdays

WISDOM WEDNESDAYS

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder struggle."

                                                                         ----PLATO------

Kindness is somewhere within us all. However , we often forget to extend a smile or kind word to others as we move through our busy schedules. It takes very little to make a difference in someone's day. People riding in my car when I go through the cash lanes at the toll often laugh or comment at how friendly I am to the toll workers. You would be amazed at  at how little effort it really takes and at the responses you recieve. If you ride a familiar route often , they begin to remember you and who knows.... this may be the one nice gesture for their day where nothing is expected in return. I recall,  many years ago, when I got up to the toll booth and was told  a previous driver had paid the toll for the next few cars. It was only a 25 cent toll, but the gesture stands out in my mind to this day.  In a way, it inspired me to extend a small kindness at the toll booth for many years after. I always greet the workers with a smile and tell them have a nice day. In return, I get a wrm smile and a blessing as well. As you LYM (leave your mark) this week , implement your own act of random kindness to people you encounter daily. It would be nice to share some of the ideas and responses if you care to comment. While we live our dash, we should pay it forward. Until seven sunsets,  live well, laugh often and LYM positively.

Suzanne

Wisdom Wednesdays

 Wisdom Wednesdays

"Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than the words. It is making the time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism."
Anon

 Welcome another week with the idea of commitment. Intention and action are two forces that define why and how you leave your mark (LYM). Intention that is borne of a good heart shapes our actions in positive ways. When we put time and effort into something or someone the importance and value that we place there becomes evident to others. Be clear and ever aware of the messages you put out into the world as people get impressions and make assumptions based on what they see and hear.  You define your beliefs by what you commit to. Remember as you live, to  use your time wisely and prudently as this indicates your cares and priorities. The things we do consistently  shows those around us what we really care about. Of course, priorities are constantly changing. However, we have as our foundation the people and ideas that we hold on to through changing times. The effort we put into commitment to GOD, family and close relationships coupled with the values we hold dear weaves the fabric of  our character and integrity. Consider this as you spend your precious time showing commitment to the people and things that represent the ways in which you want to LYM (leave your mark). Until seven sunsets, live fully, laugh abundantly and most positively......LYM.

Wisdom Wednesdays

Wisdom Wednesdays

"Sometimes events conspire to bring you to a certain place. When that happens..pay attention. There's a lesson there."...........Unknown

  This week as in all weeks provided many opportunities to learn new lessons. We often miss lessons  we need simply because we are not paying attention. If you believe nothing happens by chance, then you may understand the importance of every action and reaction, the role this plays in life, and how it affects what is in store for us along our path. When faced with conflict, tough decisions or unexpected events , many of us ask "why me?" or "how did this happen?" . In our effort to answer these questions, we often waste precious time in finding or attempting a possible solution. We don't realize that there were signs along the way that we either ignored or didn't attend to . We lose sight, if only for a time of how capable we are, how strong we are and especially, how resilient we are. If we focus on the event or sequence of events leading us to this particular place in time .....we would learn the lesson and begin to implement a "fix" or solution in order to move forward. Moving forward is the first step in healing, it is also an important step in "seeing" and lastly, it is an imperative step in progressing.  Healing in this sense, means being able to appreciate what we walk way with in terms of learning while at the same time letting go of what we found to be frustrating at best and painful at worst. "Seeing" is our ability to put enough distance between the event and the solution in order objectively view our circumstance and make a sound decision. Progress comes in when we have come out on the other side and are once again ready to conquer our world and fulfill our dreams. Through all things, have confidence in your ability to weather the storms, because there will be storms. Remain strong in your convictions as this is how you maintain standards in times when you are tempted to cut corners in order to "get over the hump". Most importantly, persevere in your vision to LYM in ways that honor your dreams. Until seven sun sets, leave your mark positively.

Wisdom Wednesdays

Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise,trouble, or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

                                                                        (unknown)
We are inundated with stimuli in our daily lives. We are a society of individuals accustomed to tolerating a bevy of bells and whistles. As a matter of  fact, we often demand bells and whistles. The current state of being , at least for those who consider themselves productive and successful in today's world, requires that we respond to everything ASAP. We often pride our multitasking ability without questioning what the cost is of our frenzied pace and expectation of task completion. We are a species that needs time to reflect, repair and regenerate....yet, we don't build in time for this. The cost of our constant drive to innovate, improve and increase whatever it is we have is our PEACE.  We have convinced ourselves that any pace other than full blast will not yield adequate results. In reality, if we are unable to maintain our balance by attaining peace within, we risk living a life that feels like a constant struggle. How many of us at the core of our "goals" want to be at peace in all we do?  It is like anything else....it requires examination and action. Peace can be attained when we truly know ourselves, remain steadfast to our core values and leave our mark in ways that make us comfortable in our own skin. Consider this as you meander along life's path. Until seven suns set, LYM with peace in your heart.

Wisdom Wednesdays

"There are seven things that will destroy us: Wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; Knowledge without character; Religion without sacrifice; Politics without principle; Science without humanity; Business without ethics."

— Mahatma Gandhi

Embrace a new sunset and examine where you stand on these things. LYM in ways that represent what you want others to remember. Wealth for my house is abundant good  health and the ability to show love to the ones you value. Pleasure balanced with conscience will avoid multiple regrets. Regrets, remember, eat valuable energy that should be spent on opportunity. The informed understand that each sunrise presents infinite opportunity. Information without character as a backdrop, may as well not be gained. Ah, religion... if we truly understand sacrifice we become aware of all the forms it can take.  Don't be alarmed if payment is taken by time, money, energy and heartache. Politics coupled with principle may sound like an oxymoron because of history. We are challenged to fix this marriage which would represent societal gains in ways that would benefit the good of all. Be a part of the process, which represents eventual solution.  VOTE. Humanity is the key to not only scientific study, but to all that we do. The base is human and we are the source that will define how we respond in these times, which will determine what we face in the future. It is truly our responsibility to conduct all our "business" both private and public with ethics of standard of which we can be proud. Ponder these if only for awhile as YOU leave your mark. Until, seven sunsets, live fully, love abundantly and most of all positively LYM.

Wisdom Wednesdays

Wisdom Wednesdays

"To attain knowledge, add things everyday. To attain wisdom, remove things everyday."   

                                                                                                                         Lao Tzu

 The noun wisdom is defined as the quality of  having experience, knowledge and good judgement. Few among us would argue that this  is an asset. Our challenge in this time is to extract some sense from  the nonsense we encounter in our  daily journey.  When we incorporate the learning from our experiences to our skill  set, our world view is broadened. Humans big and small make hundreds if not thousands of decisions between every sunrise. When we strive to expand our view , we deepen the quality of our decisions, our reflections and ultimately our actions. Actions are how you LYM (Leave Your Mark). Lao Tzu referred to wisdom as "removing things everyday". Remove doubt and replace it with confidence, remove fear and replace it with courage , remove obstacle and replace it with opportunity. Contemplate these things as you live your life and leave your mark. Until, seven sunsets, live fully, love abundantly and most of all positively LYM.