Living Fully

LIVING FULLY

Do you feel your life is all it can be? Do you yearn for life to be fuller? A friend of mine recited a poem to me. There was once a cautious gal, Who never romped or played; She never enjoy; From the path she never strayed. So when she passed away The insurance was declined; For since she never really lived They claimed she never died. Of course I don’t think these behaviors describe quality of living, but I do think most people want to experience life as fully as possible. This has always been the case. There is a universal yearning for living life fully and passionately. And, of course, “romping”, “playing”, and “straying from the path” have little to do with how fully one experiences life. Abundant living is more about how we love the other people in this planet, how we care for ourselves and how well we honour God. It has to do with joy and laughter, kindness, forgiveness and peace. It means taking time for what is truly necessary. One man was asked if he believed in life after death. His wife spoke first. “Life after death?” she said. “He doesn’t even believe in life after dinner!” I believe in life after death.
But I also believe in life before death, abundant and full and beginning today.

Have A Wonderful Day and Wonderful Weekend Ahead.

Short Course in Thinking

A SHORT COURSE IN THINKING

1. Be honest with yourself – Avoid temptation of self-delusion.
2. Confront problems, don’t evade them – Growth comes through facing reality.
3. Widen your interests – Stretch your mind by reading, conversation, listening.
4. Write out the problem – Positive action depends on clear thinking. Writing helps.
5. Keep first things first – Focus on the main issue; don’t be confused by non-essentials.
6. Don’t oversimplify – If a problem is serious enough to bother you, it’s worth pondering.
7. Get beyond fault finding – People know what’s wrong. They want to know what to do about it.
8. Keep an open mind – The best solution may not be your solution.
9. Retain your sense of humour – Humour can reduce prejudice and put things in right perspective.
10. Develop insight – Listen to what the other person means not merely what he says.
11. Focus on positive – Emphasize points of agreement while admitting differences.
12. Pray for solutions – God is the creator and source of all good things, right desires and just works.

- Courtesy to iquote.in magazine for above lists.

Have A Wonderful Day ahead..

Are you Peak Performer?

PEAK PERFORMER

One of the wonderful by-products of high self-esteem and zestful living is that you become a “Peak Performer”. Everyday you become more aware of your abilities and recognize that opportunities to stretch your capabilities are limitless. You desire change, growth, and challenge, and a healthy self-esteem and passion to perform provide the energy. Peak performers have more than goals; they have a vision of what their life will mean to themselves and others. Peak performers do not live in the future. They make sure each step taken in the present keeps them on the road toward their goal. Peak performers exhibit excellent communication skills. They are able to communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and non-verbally. They are able to express themselves and get the point across in fewer rather than more words. They listen carefully and watch their articulation when they speak. Look at what Mary O’Connor has to say about ‘busy’ people, “It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.” Many of us are busy day in and day out, but what is the outcome? What if we don’t do as much? For success comes not from doing so much but from knowing what to do and what not to do.

Have A Great Day Ahead...

Just A Moment Please

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.

– Groucho Marx

DON’T REST ON YOUR LAURELS

DON’T REST ON YOUR LAURELS

One day, a field marshal requested an audience with Napoleon, and Napoleon knew what was coming. But as every good leader must, Napoleon agreed to hear him out. The field marshal brought news of a great victory he had achieved. He talked for a long time about his accomplishment, piling detail upon detail. Napoleon listened closely throughout the entire narration but said nothing. The officer was disappointed. He had hoped for a more enthusiastic reception as well as Napoleon’s congratulations. Neither was forthcoming. Summing up, the marshal repeated much of what he had already stated. As the officer rambled on, Napoleon continued to listen politely, and the marshal interpreted this as encouragement. Surely, he thought, Napoleon will now give me the praise I so richly deserve. When the marshal finally stopped talking, Napoleon asked him one question, “What did you do the next day?” The field marshal was speechless. But the lesson was not lost on him. From then on, the officer understood that he should never rest on his laurels.

Illumination In the lamp of heart; Put the oil of dispassion, Insert the wick of devotion, And kindle the light of knowledge, By constant meditation; The darkness of ignorance will be Dispelled and you will be fully illumined.

– Swami Sivananda

Have A Wonderful Day and A Wonderful Weekend.

It is easy to excel

IT IS EASY TO EXCEL

A young man was eager to learn archery. He wanted to become the champion archer in the district. So he purchased the finest bow and arrows that money could buy.
But he proved utterly inept; if he aimed at a tree, his arrow might hit a nearby hedge; if he aimed at a hedge, his arrow might fly past the nose of a nearby cow. Eventually he came to the sage in despair, and he asked how he could improve.
The sage said to him: “Whenever you wish to accomplish something, you must consider how best to prepare yourself.” “How do I prepare for archery?” the young man asked. “Go to a local weaver and lie under his loom every day for a month. As the shuttle passes to and fro in front of your eyes, strive not to blink.” The young man did as the sage suggested and returned to the sage and asked: “Am I now ready to resume archery?” “No,” the sage replied. “You must catch a flea each day, and attach it to the hair from a horse’s tail. As the dusk approaches, hang the flea over the window facing west; and watch the flea with the sun behind it.” The young man did this every evening for a month.
He returned to the sage, and the sage told him he was now ready for archery. The young man took his bow with great excitement; and he found he could hit the target, he could focus his eyes on it without blinking; and it seemed so large that it filled his vision. As a result he won every contest.
It is easy to excel if you have passion, practice and perseverance.

Wonderful Day ahead..

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To Live

TO LIVE

Author Greg Vance in his book Live a Better Life shares what he means by ‘To Live’. For him it encompasses values and visions that go well beyond the mere ordinary business of living: To work hard at delivering successes that provide me with abundant financial rewards, capable of offering me and my family financial independence. To contribute value to others through my work. To enjoy beautiful things – the beauty of our coastline and country, and of the world at large – and express my ‘feel’ for this beauty through creating beautiful photographs; and to occasionally ‘smell the roses’. To relax and enjoy peace and quiet and just think. To improve and maintain my health through deliberate diet and exercise measures. To passionately pursue my hobbies and special interests. To enjoy the company and friendship of others.

Have A Wonderful Weekend Ahead.