AYD - May 31, 2013 - I Carry Many Torches ...

"We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark."
- Whoopi Goldberg


I came across this just this morning.  I love how within us, we can be stammering along knowing we have something to say, not knowing what it may be, but knowing it is there...and we move on like the horse and carrot ... and then ... bang! 

I was not looking for the Meaning of Life today, but finding this little quote somehow was exactly what I needed to align a few cluttered building blocks.

If we can help just one person, to see the footprints that we might have made to get through a hard to navigate part of their chosen path... it feels tremendous.  To give the help we wish we would have had, but now so graciously offer because WE KNOW HOW IT FEELS... and we remember that IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS HARD.

When we talk dreams, and goals and life long desires and PASSIONS... we always acknowledge that so many people give up on any and all of them... because they lost their way in the struggle...the return on investment looked like it was never going to balance on the Happy and Successful side.

What if you and your little torch came along at precisely the defining moment?  What if your torch...words, gesture, encouragement, belief in this person.... BELIEF...in their ability, in their dream...what if your torch was the lite they needed to see exactly the final stretch ?

And all for the cost of remembering how you felt, and offering someone an opportunity to lean on your experience to cross a difficult moment on The Path.

Please ... throw a little torch today to someone that needs it.  Guide one and make them a shining torch for many more.  Pyramid the success.

Good morning, becomes a great day.
And a greater you, shapes the environment around you for others to touch and carry forward... LIKE SPARKLES ON A GREETING CARD !!

Pierre Couturier
A lit up Husband, A shiny Daddy and Author by Torchlite... of my day, and maybe yours.

AYD - May 30, 2013 - One step forward or ....

"How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time. "
- Fred Brooks


How does you honey do list get to be huge?  One "I'll do it later"  at a time. How does your passion get behind schedule...one "I'm afraid I might fail"  at a time.   You have heard the expression, two steps forward and one back. What is often more discouraging and hard on the heart, is two mental steps forward...and our feet don't move... no effort... stuck on pause.   Today, while we may be in the overthinking part of our goal mission... stop thinking...stop procrastinating and make one gesture of action.   Maybe a phone call to a contact. Maybe some research on the net. Maybe some quiet time to get the thoughts in order.   One step at a time...starts with a step.   Good morning, great day. Greater you, is a greater environment for all others around you.   Pierre Couturier Husband, Daddy and Author of the step I will take today.  

AYD - May 29, 2013 - Lead a Good Day, In a Decent Way

How is it that some can be so talented, and blatantly arrogant .... while others are gifted and humble?

Be gifted.  And recognize the effort it took to develop and appreciate your talents. 

Be humble in your presentation and rejoice at the opportunities to share your gifts. . Others may find their path to their talent by following your lead, and your genuine nature.

Lead a good day, in a decent way.

Good morning, Great day.
Greater you, is an example many others can follow.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my day.

AYD - May 28, 2013 - Your Courage, Your Voice

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, 'I'll try again tomorrow.'"
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Courage does not mean what we see in the movies that tends to be the template we try to fit ourselves into.  It is not some moment of intense action backing us into a corner, followed by our face getting all twisted as the adreneline takes over and we make some Bellowing yell as we jump up and run into gunfire.

It can be simple.
It can be accepting a moment for what it is, and recognizing that the task is not lost. 
Accepting that we did not fail, but that we have to practice, or try some more to achieve our next forward step.

It is not giving up.  Even, on simple things.  These moments help us create more moments, with each and every achievement.

Skipping a rope.
Catching a ball.
Tying a shoe.
Changing a tire.
Asking her on a date.
Passing that course.
Applying for that job.
Asking her on another date.
Asking her to marry me.
Buying a home.
Cutting the grass.
Painting.
Building a deck.
Writing a book.
Saying sorry to a friend.
Speaking your mind.
Finding confidence for anything...and everything.
Changing a diaper.
Facing a memory.
Being a dad.
Raising my son.
Being the best husband because that is what she deserves.

There will be moments when you feel like you have mastered them all.  After finding the courage to step forward you will feel more at ease... and then, just like that, one of those may still test your courage.
This is okay.  You will be okay.  Because you have the trust in you,

To try again tomorrow, with Courage.

Good Morning, Great Day.
Greater You, means a better environment for all of those around you.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my Courageous Day.

AYD - May 27, 2013 - Go On...Pull Your Weight.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. "
- Calvin Coolidge

I call upon your Persistence today. 

We call this Opportunity Monday, but we also understand that Monday still brings a host of cloudy distractions all listed neatly in our brains, but in no particular order, under the one main Heading off to the left of center on the calendar. 

Rolling from the left to right we often load up our cart so that as we begin to dig in our feet to launch our shoulders forward we may liken our weekly starting line to strapping ourselves to a locomotive engine and giving it the old heave ho.  We create the dramatic visual, we open the valve to release all positive energy at the mere thought of such a task and low and behold we have let the idea of the start...thoroughly exhaust our Positive feed before we have even begun.

Persistence.  Opportunity Monday.  Persistence in our thinking preceeds our persistence in our actions.

As you think, so it shall be.  OPPORTUNITY.  BEGINNING. PERSISTENCE

I know you can.

Good Morning, Great Day.
Greater You, is a better influence on everyone around you.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of My Opportunity Monday.