AYD - Jan 18, 2013 - Compounding Returns

"Never wish that life were easier, wish that you were better."
- Jim Rohn

You have heard me mention that many inspiring comments find us over and over again in life, but I believe that we all have our moment when we are finally ready to receive the idea, and interpret it the way we need to.  You can hear the same message, but in different words and delivered from a slightly different medium, and then finally connect all the dots and have that, "Ah ha!" moment when it all becomes so clear.

I like those moments.  Like in the movies with special effects...they show the eyes of the character and you can see, they made the connection, and then the rush of images and events that shows the viewer how it all comes together... and we find ourselves inching forward until the rush comes back to the Magic Moment and we exhale loudly and fall all the way back into our chair.  Ah, it all makes perfect sense...and what a ride!

Relief, Joy, Understanding and a list of other momentary emotions join hands and we feel... connected. We feel enlightened.  And we feel empowered. 

Much like Mr. Rohn's words today.

My first thought was the age old, "Give a man a fish and he eats for the day.  Teach a man to fish and he ..."

If life were easier, we would not have reason to explore our boundaries and truly find out what we can do.  We would not chase a rainbow, nor strive for better in all we do.
60% might be good enuf, and our potential would stay hidden inside collecting dust.

But, if we become more, or become better at our passions and dreams, life gets easier in many connected ways.  And when elements that we forced, touched and shaped become better and easier, we once again taste passion and drive.  Our previous success at making ourselves better, shows us the path is already made for us to venture into something else... more easily.  Our betterment serves a consistant purpose and allows us to reach new goals because we have the experience and the skills already in place that put us well past the starting line before we have taken our first step. 

And that sounds to me ... like life just got easier.

I don't have to wish life were easier.  I simply need to look into my self, and clear away some dust on a pile of achievements.  Reread an old paragraph under the Success I Have Found chapter.  And remember, I once became better so that I could face difficulty much easier.

We know how to do this.  We have done it many times before.

Good morning.  Good weekend. 

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author... and Thinker.

AYD - Jan 16, 2013 - Who Might You Be?

Originally posted Dec 18, 2008

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."

- Sam Ewing

As soon as you mention "hard work" most people picture immediately some form of manual exersion. Hard work... is all around us.
Relationships are work.
Your job is work.

Raising a child, keeping a home, maintaining family values, making new friends, keeping old friends, becoming all you can be with your own personal development ...

All are work.

All can be listed under, "Hard Work".

And so I ask you - Who might you be in each of the catagories we mentioned?
Do you roll up your sleeves and do what must be done, for you are the better for it?
Do you turn up your nose, and turn your back for whatever reason?
Do you put any thought into it at all?

And, are you better off in your definition.
I know in some, I have had to change my response and my action.

Good morning.

Pierre Couturier
Husband Apprentice, Daddy Apprentice, Author Still Working at it, And Working on Work Ethic

AYD - Jan 14, 2013 - I Read Somewhere...

"Hold a book in your hand and you're a pilgrim at the gates of a new city."

- Anne Michaels

Opportunity Monday.
Really, if every Monday was like an exam... you would have nothing to worry about. 
It is not like I suggest something complicated.

"Hold a book in your hand and you're a pilgrim at the gates of a new city. "
As you open the cover of a story book, and turn to page one, a new unfamiliar tale begins to unfold. 
We lose ourself in a story just to see where it will take us, and before long it is as though we are not reading at all.  It appears like a movie, playing in our mind.  We forget we are reading, for the picture becomes vivid, high def, and beautifully colored.  We are right there, and we cannot put it down.

Now, how is it that we do not approach growth reading the same as we do entertainment reading? 
One demands we think and one just plays a movie, yes..yes, I know.  That was a silly question.  My wife tells me often that I just need some casual enjoyment reading to allow my overthinking mind to embrace, "Lights Out!"

But, have you ever considered it?  Should you browse thru that section of the newspaper that you never do, and instead of just skimming the headlines, you took literally two minutes to read something you normally would not know exists, might it not flick a switch inside you and shine a light on some new interest?  Or, watch one of those movies that wins on those big award shows.  You know the one.  That one you never heard of, never saw advertised, and don't know any of the actors.  Try it.  You may say just once, " I never knew that", or "That was a surprisingly good story."

I can easily admit, I will walk thru a clothing store and really dislike a shirt I see on the rack.  Won't go near it or give it a second thought.  And then, because she asked so nicely, I try it on.  And... wait for it... He likes it ! He really likes it !  And this is always followed by my confession, " I never would have known...."

Opportunity Monday says, pick up a book, read a magazine article, go blindfolded thru the movie listings, pin the tail on the clothing rack... and nomatter what your choice, step outside of your comfort zone and see from a different angle. 

I read somewhere, that this just might teach you something you never knew... about you.

Good Learning,
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author ... and Collector of things I should be reading.