AYD - June 8, 2012 - To Grow or Not to Grow

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

- Anais Nin
Originally posted July 30, 2009

Sadly, many of us do not even know that we are living so tightly in our familar and secure bud.


I am an example of one who wishes he had explored a little more. I do not mean all of a sudden one day I wish I just decided to go bungee jumping or skydive. It is extreme thoughts like that that discourage many people from the simple act of thinking of what "blossom" might mean to them because they see it as a drastic change.

I just wish to encourage you to take some time NOW to grow. Grow in any amount, at any speed that suits you. But Blossom you should...Please.

Take a class.
See something new.
Read a book.
Try new foods.
Learn to swim.

Just open yourself to something you want to experience. Expose yourself to new sights, sounds, smells.

A day, or many days do come.... when we far too often say, "I wish I would have..."

I did it this morning, and now it is time to erase a wish from my "Is it too Late?" list.

Good Morning.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author Self Leader

AYD - June 7, 2012 - Out of the Blue, A Smile

"If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. "
- Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784

I truly love to find advice from a period in life that we have never experienced, and yet the advice is just as true and effective now as it was then.  I feel these are some of our life's absolute truths.

In the last couple of weeks, I have been fortunate enuf to get in touch with no less than 5 old friends and coworkers.  All of these people and I shared moments that are positive reflections to be remembered fondly.

I think today, I will have to skim thru my old email addresses...send out an invitational "Hello, how have you been?", and see if I can brighten a day other than my own.

Whose voice would you like to hear?  Who would like to hear from a memory you created?

Good Morning.

Pierre Couturier
Happy Husband, Blessed Daddy, Author and Long Long Friend

AYD - June 5, 2012 - Better U R, Better U Feel

"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. "
- Pearl Buck, 1892-1973

Maybe we need to start with 'Excellent Patience' so that we might endure our learning curve until we get to doing things well.  Or...and this is just a wild crazy left field thought...we could be aware when we start that to get really good at this thing we will have to put in the time and effort to learn it.  And, stay with me as this might get a little crazy...maybe we could just tell ourselves we are going to .... wait for it... Enjoy learning, and not expect perfection the first time we apply ourselves to it?! 

Kind of a risky way of thinking you might be saying... but... What If it worked? Wouldn't you be surprised?

But silliness aside, professional sports players were not perfect the first time they played.  Famous musicians had to work hard to sound great.  Teachers had to teach, drivers had to drive, husbands had to listen, and so on and so on.

With applied passion, all things we do, we become better at.  With applied passion.
Compare yourself to the first guy who ever had to rub two sticks to make fire in a cold damp cave.
With applied passion, and purpose, you feel pretty good when your efforts produce success.

You may feel uncomfortable doing tasks at a new job, but this will feel better as you learn the ropes.
You may feel discouraged taking on a new sports activity, and if you let yourself enjoy it while you grow your skill, I think you will get better, and enjoy faster.

There are countless examples..and they all count.  "Whatever you are, be a good one."

Apply yourself to the art of Applying Yourself.

I will if you will.  Start now.  I will go to the office and apply my efforts to that Software application.
What do you want to Apply to?  What will make you smile once you have mastered it?

Awaken Your Day - with Mastery on the mind.
Good Morning

Pierre Couturier
Husband, "Daddy do you wanna play cars?", Author and Seeker of Patient Learning Within

AYD - June 4, 2012 - Listen to You Speak

"Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for his competitors, for it is that which all are practising every day while they live. "
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you can master the art of speaking and combine it with a mastery of the art of listening, it would not be vain of you to think you had just increased your chances at assorted fortunes.

So, for Opportunity Monday, may we suggest you simply start by becoming more aware of your listening skills, or lack of.  As well, Listen to the conversations of others, and play a friendly game with yourself in trying to determine how point may have been better made.

And assignment if you wish to accept it.
Do your best to not feel the urge to repeat yourself today.  That's it.  Try to be aware of that one exercise and see how it affects how you get your comment expressed, the first time.

Good morning
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author and Friend.