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Welcome to AYD, and may this be the start of great things to come.
Pierre

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"What can we do, starting today, to build lasting success?"...."We all want to be part of something. We all want to feel great about the choices we make."

Friday, June 15, 2012

AYD - June 15, 2012 - Use the Little Spoon

A simple change in approach, and I get more conscious enjoyment out of something simple.

If I use the little spoon to enjoy dessert, I take smaller bites but I am more conscious of the flavor and enjoyment of each small spoonful.  The pleasure lasts longer.

Maybe this would work with my goals.  Take smaller pieces and enjoy the task at hand with my mind more aware of this little bit instead of the whole "bucket of ice cream".  And the success tastes sweeter.

Maybe this would work with my chores.  Break them down to smaller more manageable pieces so I could see my progress gradually grow and recharge my focus and momentum as I see myself accumulating my completion of what was a big dreadful anticipation.  And the success feels more satisfying.

Funny how things connect...and one discovery in an unrelated experience can be your teacher to more substantial efforts.

Might that be something to carry forward to your weekend plans.

Just a thought.
Just a little spoonful thought.
Little by little - we shape this masterpiece that is within us.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy on daddy's day, Author, and Hiding from Overwhelming Lists.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

AYD - June 14, 2012 - Little by Little

Little by little.
Just a little commitment, and then the same, a little attention and then the same.  I do not have to take great leaps.  I do not have to apply unnecessary pressures to take big steps that leave me unbalanced, or not feeling ready for my next.
Little by little, and I will achieve my greatness.  I will achieve my goal, and when I do I will gather in more confidence, and this in turn will offer me ... a little more of each of my steps that led me to it.

As I revisit this passion of being here each morning, and as I rekindle my expression and need for it, I find my thoughts once again running on the familiar paths that I had carved out some time ago.  I find I am discussing my beliefs in AYD and in the philosophy we share here.  I am finding my like minded self, which I had hidden behind busy on the second shelf behind urgency and clutter.

Little by little I am reinventing this specific happy place, and once again moving forward to a desire that had shown itself to me.  I feel I am getting stronger, and growing wiser within the dream.  I am able to feel it again, even if it is just for me.

And such it is with any of us, and any of our goals that we may have put on pause.  It just takes a little attention, to a few little details, and slowly you can feel the pieces of the original puzzle start to make their way back to the center of the canvas.  Paint strokes of the pictures we created in our mind start to brighten again, and we pay more attention.  Little by little. 

If you take the time to slowly retrace each element of a dream you just you just let sit to the side, remember each piece of your previous efforts ... you get the enjoyment of the rush again. 

Reliving is fun. Revitalizing is rewarding.

Think not of why you stopped dreaming or working toward that which made your heart beat stronger.  Just pick up where you left off.  Run your mind around it again, little by little.

Now ... no pressure.  No push plans to make up for lost time.

Enjoy the focus.  Feel the passion.  And begin again, with just a little.

Have a wonderful day.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author, And still a believer.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

AYD - June 13, 2012 - When Draining Fast, Reset !

"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
- Robert McCloskey

Somedays start off in a cloud of confusion.
Maybe right out of bed.
Maybe in those first 15 minutes at the office.
It's all the same.
And we find ourselves almost shaking our head in hopes of realigning the puzzle pieces before we have to say, "Can I have a do-over?"

Close your eyes tight, and click your heels together about 42 times. 
Nope...still here.

Okay, so just stop when you recognize things getting carried away. Stop.  Breathe.
And, for a moment, gather up the confusing pieces and quietly, mentally, put them into some sense of order for yourself.  Calmly identify all the things you are trying vainly to focus on at the same time....but do it one at a time. Breathe.

We must take these few moments to get our bearings,  even when we are in the trenches and the battle around us rages on.  We need to pause for Burn Out stages identification.  Connect with the moment, and then retake control of it.

It starts with recognition and awareness, while it ends with you calmly hitting a reset button.

Your morning, your rules.
"Pardon me Mr. Smith, but if we continue like this, I'm going to lose it !  Reset !"

And away we go.
Good morning

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author, Starting Line Painter.

Monday, June 11, 2012

AYD - June 12, 2012 - Hi ! What's new?

Inspiration can find you anywhere.
So I was not surprised today to find it tapping me on the shoulder from a simple moment that we live quite often.

I spoke with a friend today that I had not spoken to in some time.  And, right on cue, the thought entered my brain to ask, "What's new with you?"

As I was reflecting on our friendship this evening, and my question, my mind started to go back over memories of then, and knowledge of my friend's "now".  I smiled at how the changes he has made have made him happier, and opened new doors that he may have missed had he not ventured out and pursued his goals.  I wondered if he thought of who he was just a few years ago.  How things change.

And then the little "Ah hah" moment came to me.  And I asked myself the same question I had posed earlier. "What is new with you?" 

We answer it all the time in convesation, but really, it is just a quick summary that we give to others in a conversation that is meant to be a bullet point response and a few "Good for you"'s and then off to the next topic or on to our destination.

What do you suppose you would say if you could ask yourself the question, and then ease back and relax while you reviewed the details of all that is new with you.

Take a few moments to yourself today, and run a thought or three past the last 5 years of your life.  You need only focus on the accomplishments.   How far have you come?  What bridges did you cross?  What value did you give, and what value do you now recognize all around you? Who are you?

What's new with you?
And please, take your time in enjoying the story you tell.

Good morning.
Pierre Couturier
Happy Husband, Sensitive Dad, Proud Author, and Visitor of Memory Lane

Sunday, June 10, 2012

AYD - June 11, 2012 -

"I am here and you will know that I am the best and will hear me. "
- Leontyne Price

Acknowledge your achievements.
On a Monday morning, the start of the week, the emotional hurdle for many;  dare I, dare you, to say those words to yourself in the mirror before you step forward to greet the day.

Not everyone can be bold and outspoken and portray or express this level of confidence for all to see and hear.  Many of us feel awkward tooting our own horn.  But do not let that stop you totally.

Should you give yourself a pep talk in the mirror or in the car or in your head....who is going to know?  Who will tell on you?  Who will be there to judge you for your own hype? 

Noone.  Just you.  So it then is correct to say, that we stop ourselves from promoting ourselves, to ... ourselves.

Believe your own hype, acknowledge your greatness...but to do it, you have to believe it.

Tell the world, or just tell you.  Loud and proud, or silent and strong within.  Announce you, believe you, and do it again...and again... and again.

Good morning.
"I am here and you will know that i am the best and will hear me."

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy playing Lego, Author, and Personal Announcer