We’re all dying… what are you doing about it?
People talk about what they would do if they were dying – their bucket list, their wish list, their ultimate dreams, or what have you. Things to achieve, things to experience, things to feel with their soul and heart if the time comes.
But you know what?
We’re all dying.
It just matters when.
And sometimes we don’t know the ‘when’.
So I say, we shouldn’t be compiling our bucket list for some future event… rather we should be LIVING it now – and then re-compiling our list to keep on living it NOW, and NOW, and NOW.
When you let go of that internal control and just let yourself live out your innermost desires and hopes, you fully appreciate everything the Universe has to offer; the miracles that kiss your cheek; the joys that LIFE is breathing into your very soul.
And in some amazing way, it extends to you the gift of courage; the ability to reach out and pluck your dreams from the sky and with a deep resonance within yourself say with conviction, “THIS IS MY LIFE!.”
May your bucket list give you continued joy, courage, hope, and above all, motivation to live out the life you deserve.
Much love to you.
(Image credit: http://bit.ly/2enOpw)
Remove Pesky Blocks & Unleash The Hero Within!
We all have them.
Those little saboteurs that sit on our shoulder and whisper into our ear. I’m sure you know what I mean.
It usually happens when you’ve got an idea to do something that is out of the norm – out of your comfort zone – then suddenly, wham! There it appears… like a ghost from the dark of night. Invisible, but there all the same.
Suddenly, your idea that seemed so fabulous two seconds ago has suddenly taken on a dark, odd shape and you are suddenly convinced that no matter what, you are doomed to failure – never mind that your idea two seconds ago was so full of promise.
That little pesky guy sitting on your shoulder is whispering into your ear; telling you all these stories… most of them starting with ‘what if’ that then expand into 300-page novels that would put JK Rowling to shame! In fact, they are such wonderful ‘words’ of art that you start to believe everything the little guy is saying to you.
The truth is, the pesky guy sitting on your shoulder is scared. They’re wondering what’s going to happen if suddenly you have a new life. They like sitting on your shoulder exactly the way it is, so they don’t want you to change and they want to hold you back. They will go kicking and screaming to the bitter end until, finally, you give the pesky guy the flick once and for all.
Harbouring a safe haven for the pesky guy on your shoulder isn’t something unique. You are not alone. If you search for it, you will find that many people throughout history have also faced a pesky guy on their shoulder.
So how do you remove the pesky guy to unleash your hero within?
There are many facets to that question… each person is unique with differing talents, ambitions, and backgrounds. One answer does not fit all.
I have provided some tools I use with my clients in my coaching practice that you may find of benefit in discovering self-limiting beliefs.
Take time to reflect upon them, and be prepared to do some homework and partner with someone you trust to discuss what you find – in an objective, unbiased manner.
Great things do not happen within oneself by reflection alone. Great things do not happen alone.
When making changes and stepping out on a new journey, it is vital you have a cheering squad, an accountability partner, and a truth maker to assist you.
And remember to enjoy the journey.
“No one remains quite what he was when he recognises himself.” ~ Thomas Mann
Wishing you a fabulous journey! And let me know what you think of the tools and how they have assisted you – I would love to know! 
Best wishes,
Circumstances don’t make, but REVEAL you!
Circumstances do not make the man, but reveal him. James Allen.
Truer words have never been spoken. Throughout the ages seemingly great men and great women have been exposed as less than noble, less than genuine and even less than human when faced with challenging circumstances. The reverse is also true – Men and woman who seemed ordinary and average when thrust into the most difficult situations have risen to extraordinary heights of character, leadership and excellence.
Watching this great “revealing” is the stuff history and legends are made of. Observing a person in a challenging situation or circumstance will manifest much about who they are deep, deep inside and what they will likely do in the future. What you are at your core is your center of strength and that ability to do what is right, under pressure or even when no one is looking, is the core of your personal integrity.
Anything that lacks integrity is unstable, as any engineer will tell you. A bridge or skyscraper that has structural integrity simply does what it was built to do. It isn’t necessarily perfect. It could have flaws. But, under stress, pressure and repeated use, it does what it was built to do. Even in extreme circumstances it will do what it was designed to do. If, on the other hand, a structure does not have structural integrity, it will at some point fail, as was the case with the world’s first jet airliner, the British-made de Havilland Comet.
When the Comet was introduced in 1949, the future seemed bright for jet travel and the Comet was the undisputed, front-and-center leader – until three Comets unexpectedly disintegrated in flight, killing all aboard. The planes were grounded as puzzled engineers worked feverishly to understand why they had operated flawlessly at first, only to break apart later in midair. The engineers set up a fuselage in a large pool and pumped water in and out, simulating the effects of repeated cabin pressurization. At first, the experiment revealed nothing, nothing at all. But over time the pressurized circumstances yielded a startling discovery. The repeated stress caused small, microscopic cracks to form around the rectangular windows, cracks that would eventually widened into gaping holes. The planes could not withstand repeated pressure. They lacked structural integrity and the pressurized circumstances revealed what the Comet was at it’s core – a bright shiny pretender that was not secure or safe.
You and I live in a world filled with pressure and pressure filled circumstances – pressure to accomplish, pressure to get ahead, pressure to be smarter than we are, pressure to conform, pressure to be popular, pressure to appear successful, pressure to earn large incomes. None of us are perfect. We all have flaws for sure. How, then, under repeated pressure, can we avoid allowing small cracks in our integrity to form? How can we be sure that our character is structurally sound? How can we stay true to our core regardless of setting or circumstance?
Ultimately this is an exercise of not only looking in the mirror, but looking deep into our hearts and souls and asking uncomfortable questions of ourselves. When you find yourself in challenging circumstances what are you learning about yourself? Do you like what is being revealed? If not, why not? And while we cannot control those around us during difficult time, and it can be devastatingly disappointing to watch false friends or self-serving leaders crumble and reveal their true stripes and identity at such times, ultimately it comes down to ensuring that your own structural integrity reveals your greatness to the world.
© 2010 E.D.G.E. (http://edge.ilearningglobal.tv)
Who You Are Makes A Difference
Many years ago I was honoured to be presented with a blue ribbon that read “Who I Am Makes A Difference”.
Today, some 15 years later, that same blue ribbon has a pride of place on my office bookshelf, and, whenever I feel I am not making ENOUGH of a difference, or things aren’t moving quick enough where I don’t feel I’m able to help as many folks as I would like… all I have to do is glance over at that ribbon to know that even if I only make an impact on one life that day, who I am makes a difference.
A graphical ribbon that was sent to me via email, I never knew the story behind the ribbon. And then the other day, as I was watching a short video on Daily Success Stream, there it was! Funny how our lives can come full circle, huh?
So I was introduced to the beautiful soul of Helice ‘Sparky’ Bridges who spiralled off a whole movement and touched thousands upon thousands of lives.
I want you to know today that who you are DOES make a difference. Please accept this blue ribbon from me. Please print, cut it out and stick it somewhere that you can see it everyday. And while you’re at it, why not print and cut out a few and pass on to people who have made a difference in YOUR life?
YOU are special! Thank you for being you.
Living A High Definition (HD) Life
As I was sitting at my desk this lovely Friday morning, I glanced outside and the sky was vivid blue, the sun was shining and this thought popped into my head… Read more
Touching Another’s Heart
Years ago, one of my suppliers was diagnosed with bowel cancer. As if that wasn’t enough, it was discovered he had a hole in his heart. Something needed to be done, urgently, or he was going to die. He couldn’t get enough oxygen; walking only five paces left him short of breath. Combined with his treatment for bowel cancer he was in a bad way.
Shortly after his operation I sat at the foot of his bed, in awe of the miracle which had drastically changed his life. Very emotional he told me how the surgeon discovered it was worse than they thought – ultimately he required two plastic valves and one metal valve for his heart.
With tears running down his cheeks he told me that the surgeon had held his heart in his hands and placed it onto his chest. And, chokingly, he said again “Held my heart in his hands”.
I cried along with him. Truly, a miracle.
With a sob and a smile, he went on to say that he thought only his wife ever held his heart. We marvelled at the magnificence of surgeons and their procedures and how, literally, they hold our hearts – our lives – in their hands.
Later that day, I reflected on what he had said. And it got me thinking.
You know, we’re all “heart doctors” in our own way. Every day we “touch” someone else’s heart through our kind words, our dreams, our hopes – just for being ourselves! And like a true doctor, your touch may enable someone to “live” again.
I heard the following years ago:
A young boy was walking along a beach strewn with hundreds of starfish. He came across an old man who was picking up one starfish at a time and tossing it back into the sea … but the boy could see that for every one he tossed back in, at least two more were being washed back onto the shore.
Perplexed, he went up to the old man and said, “Old man! Why are you tossing those starfish back in? It makes no difference! Look how many come back in!”
The old man turned to the boy. “Son,” he said, as he tossed a starfish back into the sea, “it sure made a difference to that one!”
It’s all about making a difference.
Article by Tara West © 2000
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