Pausing to Begin and with Purpose (post by Kirk Weisler)
“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.” Ashley Montagu
Friend Floyd Sheets offered me the above quote along with some wonderful feedback yesterday . While graciously thanking me for my noble efforts to share bits of inspiration and wisdom, he offering this bit of wisdom and perspective that had to do with not getting so focused on “Seizing the Day” that we don’t create space, possibility by pausing and being open to the ‘day seizing us.”
Happiness and success and other important outcomes in our lives need not be solely the result of pursuit. We must remember that many of the most important and memorable things in our life didn’t come during or in the moments of our dogged and determined pursuit of them.. Rather they manifested themselves in the moments when we paused. Taking us almost totally by way of a most pleasant and welcome surprise.
“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.” Ashley Montagu
Pause with Purpose
Kirk out
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How the Cincinnati Bengals Showed Heart to a Young Boy with Heart Worries
Tissue may be needed!!
One of the greatest times in my life has been the day I found out I would be a grandmother. When our youngest grandson, Collin, was born with a heart condition, the joyous moment also came with worry. Not understanding completely what would occur, we focused on the fact that our little baby boy had arrived.
Still, we knew the time would come when we would have to face the reality that Collin has to endure some concerning procedures and surgeries.
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The Mark of An Educated Mind (post by Kirk Weisler)
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. — Aristotle
Some people seem to live in a place of perpetual disagreement. No matter what is said they feel a need to disagree with it or at the very least add some bit of correction to it. It’s almost as if their carry a “Yes but” or “What you probably don’t know…” on the end of their tongue and are ready to drop them like a hammer on anyone else’s expressed idea or thought.
Their need to be heard, to say something, and ultimately to be right or to appear to know is not just unattractive. It’s in many ways repulsive and causes people to want to keep a distance. Often they don’t understand why people are keeping a distance…and I have heard more than once a person express their belief that people avoided them because, “They are intimidated by my knowledge.”!!
On the other hand when someone expresses an idea and the listener receives it with interest instead of criticism something much different can happen, in part because a most basic need is beginning to be met. The need to be understood.
In receiving the idea, one does not have to accept it or agree with it. Just like I can receive a person into my circle of friends or even into my home for an evening who may have a different philosophy and lifestyle. I can entertain them, enjoy their company and be considerate of their views without adopting them for myself.
Statements I have learned from the Aristotle’s in my own life as they responded to another’s idea have sounded like this…
“That is an interesting idea, please tell me more about it.”
“Yours is a viewpoint that I hadn’t considered…I am glad you have shared it with me.”
“I now understand just a little bit more about your world view and am better for it, thank you.”
“Yours is an idea I have never considered I want to take some time to think more about it. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
These types of statements can go a long way towards creating a meaningful dialogue that seeks true understanding rather than a debate where the chief focus is on winning by proving which idea is better or which person is right.
I have always loved Covey’s teaching. ”Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
In our seeking first to understand…. we are not obligated to seek for agreement… just understanding.
And it’s been my experience that there is seldom agreement without understanding. Even the kind of agreement where we agree to disagree.
Do you agree? 🙂
Kirk Out
Pedestals
Avoid putting people on pedestals because when (not if) they fall, they fall hard.
People are just people. ~rochellegriffin.com
Random Acts of Kindness You Can Start Doing Today
We can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we often forget to think of others. But a small gesture of kindness can not only make someone else’s entire day, but it can also make you feel good. So why not spread the love and try a random act of kindness today? Here are 109 ideas to get you started:
1. Help an elderly person cross the street.
2. Help a younger sibling with homework or college and scholarship applications.
3. Let a car merge in front of you and do it with a smile.
4. Participate in a beach cleanup.
5. Adopt an animal from the shelter.
6. Help rebuild destroyed homes and communities.
7. Pay the toll for the car behind you.
8. Introduce yourself to neighbors and bring baked goods or sweets.
9. Buy an extra cup of coffee in the morning and give to a co-worker.
10. Wash your roommate’s dishes for them.
11. Smile at people.
12. Open the door for someone.
13. Help someone with their bags or luggage.
14. Offer to take a picture for tourists.
15. Leave a nice note for your partner.
16. Pay for the coffee for the person behind you.
17. Share your class notes with a classmate.
18. Help a friend move.
19. Talk to someone new and make a new friend.
20. Make your roommate’s bed for them.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/109-random-acts-of-kindness-you-can-start-doing-today/ar-AA7Szq5
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