This is a place for me to capture and work through the ideas, worries, and concerns that come to my mind. As a self-diagnosed ruminator, these posts free me from the tiring and unproductive grinding and re-living, that usually happens at 3 in the morning! The posts are an outlet for me, and a reminder to me to stay focused on my core desire – to live the life I was uniquely created to live. Please know that the posts are for my mental well-being – if they benefit the reader in some way that is a bonus. From time-to-time, I may add a reader question or action – I encourage you to give them a shot, since they capture the thought and action I am dealing with at the time.
The Overflowing Teacup
You have likely heard the story of the Zen master and the overflowing teacup. In the story, an important man comes to the Zen master requesting the master to “open my mind to enlightenment.” The Zen master suggests discussing this over a cup of tea and proceeds to pour the tea to overflowing, to the point of spilling onto the table and onto the man’s robe. The Zen master stops pouring and hits the man with the ol’ “You are like this tea cup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”
The question: How full is YOUR tea cup?
Natural Wonder of the World or Fantastic Facade?
The Seven Natural Wonders organization was founded in 2008 to protect and promote the natural wonders of the world. Can you name the 7 natural wonders? If you said Aurora Borealis, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, Victoria Falls, and Paricutin Mexico you would be correct! An on-line poll was conducted to determine what would be the 8th Natural Wonder – what would you choose? The popular choice was…drum-roll please…Niagara Falls.
QUESTION: Is Niagara Falls a Natural Wonder of the World or a Fantastic Facade?
Be Water
“Be Water” is a phrase that martial arts superstar Bruce Lee was famous for saying. In reviewing https://brucelee.com/podcast-blog/2017/6/28/53-meaning-of-life, several life changing ideas were revealed for me. Such as:
“The meaning of life is that is to be lived.” The blog says that “life is meant to be engaged with, present in, taking action toward…” water is…” always moving, always changing, always flowing, and you want to be right in the flow of it.”
CHALLENGE: When you hear “Be Water” – what are your thoughts? What images go though your mind? Are there any initial life implications that cross your mind?
Believe You Can
I am writing this POST in early January and my New Year resolutions are already getting a little fuzzy and need a re-commitment! How about you? A Forbes.com article from Dec. 31, 2018 says “This Year, Don’t Set New Year’s Resolutions. “ “Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them. Don’t be part of the statistic. This year, set goals instead of resolutions.”
CHALLENGE: What are YOUR goals for this year, this month? Write them down in a SMART-Y format. What is your strategy to buck the “8% accomplish them” odds and accomplish YOUR goals?
Lion, Golden Retriever, Otter or Beaver…. or Giraffe?
Have you ever taken a personality assessment? There are many out there, one I like is from Dr. Gary Smalley and Dr. John Trent where they use animals to capture 4 personality types: Golden Retriever, Lion, Otter, and Beaver.
Your challenge: which of these most closely represents your personality and what are the positives and negatives of being this animal in living your best life?
Focus Amidst Tornados!
It’s hard to stay focused and committed to your life purpose amidst the busyness of life. What would be your image to lean on to during the day to stay steady?