Strive

We weren’t made to give up.  Bad and sad things happen to all of us – more so when we give up.

How far should you go?  As far as you can.

How much should you do?  As much as you can.

The courage to be different

“In all the woods and forests, no leaf is like any other. People go against nature because they lack the courage to be different.”

“You’re someone who is different but wants to be like everyone else – and that in my view is a serious illness.” – Paulo Coelho, from ‘Veronica decides to die’

Why not you?

Are you doing this, or watching it on TV?

Do not fear

The fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.

What do you fear? 

Isn’t the fear slowly killing you?

Retirement is a leading cause of death

We all need to contribute and help others/be productive to maintain a purpose.

In some way, keep working.

Plan for your own retirement

When Social Security began in 1935, it gave you the program’s full retirement benefits at age 65. Here’s the thing – the average lifespan then was 64. Today it’s 78.6. The program has lots of problems as politicians just didn’t handle it well over the years, and…well, its future is in jeopardy.

We have no choice but to give 6.2% of our paycheck to the program, while our employer matches that same amount. But a wise young person would not count on those benefits being there, and certainly not in such abundance to live out a great life in retirement.

Plan. Save. Invest. Start now.

Stay Open

When we meet people with differing viewpoints and opinions, we often assume there is something wrong with them; “How could they possibly see it that way?!” we say. 

But sometimes critics are people who can’t see the world the way you do. They don’t have the experiences and viewpoint you do. In fact, they have experiences you don’t. If you were twins, you’d likely have the same take on things, but you aren’t.

So next time someone has a belief or viewpoint you don’t, maybe it’s better to appreciate what someone else who has collected information and experiences in a different way than you has to say.

Pioneers of tomorrow

“We are the pioneers of the world, the advance guard sent on through the wilderness of untried things” – Herman Melville

Today we look back at the pioneers of yesterday and see how crude their methods, tools and lives were.  Think about the Model T, the milkman, adjusting the TV antennae for reception.  Think about Compact Discs all over your car, Flip phones, My Space, and Blockbuster Video.  What about your trade?

At the time, they were pioneers, doing things that were novel and cutting edge.  What can you do today to contribute to the progress?  So many people have created all kinds of inventions for you to use.  What idea or combination of ideas and tools can you contrive to make life easier, safer, more fun, or solve a problem?

Effort = Happiness?

Would you be happy if you didn’t work and stayed home?  If you didn’t have to take the garbage out or shop or cook or clean up?  If you didn’t have to do much at all and just sat around – would you be happy then?

When we complain about what we have to do, remember it could be worse. 

We could have nothing to do at all.

WLARRY

I am the program director of my own “Radio” station – W-L-A-R-R-Y.  I control what goes in my ears and in front of my eyes.  I decide and don’t let others decide for me, because I know what I am trying to become and what my plan is, and they don’t.

Do you control the program at W(YOUR NAME HERE)?