All the things I didn't say…

If you want to say something smart, you had better not say everything that comes to your mind.

Be your own self screener; because we all think dumb, selfish, wrong, emotionally charged thoughts that are not useful to anyone, including ourselves.

Don’t let all your thoughts make the verbal cut.

Hope or Help?

Is it better to provide hope, or help?

Help – everytime.

Dreams are easy

Dreaming is easy, and it’s free.  You should do it.

But making dreams come true is hard work.

Are you willing to do the work?

Change the way you look at it.

When you change the way you look at a situation, the situation changes.

What is bothering you lately?

What new thought about the situation can you create to turn it into something you are happy about, or at least something that doesn’t bother you?

Should we aspire to be dependent?

If children do not grow up with character, discipline, and examples of positive ambition around them, it will be very difficult for them to thrive as productive self-actualized independent adults.

What can you show or tell children that will become a productive part of who they become?  

The Purpose of Your Life

Without a purpose we can feel aimless.  Chose a path that feels good and right, that makes sense to you, doing something you love. Then set your sights on a goal in that path that is bigger than you are now, and pursue it.  Give it all you’ve got.

When you have a purpose, your life blossoms.

What is your purpose? 

What do you think of you?

People will take you at your own assessment of yourself.

That is, if you don’t think much of yourself, others won’t either.

What do you think of you?

Strengths can be weaknesses

We all have different (“talents”) strengths and corresponding weaknesses.  This is by design because different roles and jobs require different strengths.  However we may have a strength that becomes a weakness when over applied in given situations.  

We are easy to get along with – we let people take advantage of us.

We are detail oriented – we don’t think big enough.

We are great at starting things – we don’t finish.

We are hard working – we work too much.

If we fully understand what our strengths are, we can keep ourselves in tasks, jobs and situations where our strengths are valued.  At the same time, we must be aware that there are situations where our strengths, or the over application of them is a weakness, and avoid putting ourselves in those situations for long.

What are your strengths, and how or where have they become weaknesses?  What can you begin doing where your strengths are strengths again?

Everyday is precious

I told you to make your bed, but you didn’t.

I told you to get good grades, but you didn’t.

I told you to take the trash out, but you didn’t.

I told you to listen when I said not to bring any pets home, but you didn’t.

I told you to save for a better car, and to hold off buying that one, but you didn’t.

I told you we’d go on that trip when you returned from Iraq…but you didn’t.

"One day" is not a day

“One day” you say.  

Look at a calendar.  You will not find “one day”.  

How about today?