Awaken Your Day - May 27, 2009

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
- Albert Camus

We stand and greet a day. Each of us has a feeling brought on from anticipation based on what we already expect from this day.

For some, there is a picture in mind of themselves, standing in a vast field...in two feet of snow, as the temperature hits -30 degrees, and the wind is so strong that it takes the chilling cold deep to the bone. Every step is into the wind, and each step is only one minute of the day before them.

Tough day ahead.

For others, there is a picture ... of a grey day. No sunshine, yet no rain either. No reason to look up and smile, no reason to curse the fowl weather for ruining premade plans. They anticipate this precious day to simply come down to just another X on the calendar. Another day that has come...and gone.

A 'What really matters?' day straight ahead.

And then there is... That Guy.
The forecast is what he decides it to be.

If Bill is knee deep in that snowy field and hating the world, this is the guy that comes by briskly walking ON TOP of the snow with his snow shoes (prepared) and says to Bill, "Come on Bill old buddy, only one more mile to go in this blizzard... and then this meeting will be over and we can go enjoy the warm fireplace. How good will that feel !?"

If Samantha is being smothered by the grey cloud she carries with her, and in her indifference she thinks she left her passion in the romance novel by the bed, this is the guy that comes by and charges up the defibulator simply by changing the batteries in the old seemingly worn out radio. And he reminds Samantha her nice red dress is just the splash of color the day needed. ( respectfully of course).

'Depth of winter' is that phrase that summarizes how you do not want to feel. The mental picture gives you the feeling without need of explanation. It just shows you in a flash of a second...the quicksand of negative emotion that threatens each and every one of us should we let it take over our moments.

Do you have a mental picture for an invincible summer?
Do you have the will deep within you to lay that picture over top of the well copied, winter smotherland image?

Victim or Victor?
Play the Passion card or Fold to the stressors.

How will you respond today...should cold air come knocking?
Will you reach for your gloves and ready yourself for the seemingly inevitable....or will you grab your beach towel and open the door?

Good morning,

Pierre Couturier

Awaken Your Day - May 26

"I do believe it is possible to create, even without ever writing a word or painting a picture, by simply molding one's inner life. And that too is a deed."
- Etty Hillesum

We have said many times, that you are the writer of your destiny. You create the story that plays out before you each and every day.

Like a television drama that keeps you in a state of anticipation, always coming back tomorrow...

What have you set up for yourself that today will have you reaching for more?

Good morning,
The mold is ready to be shaped.

Pierre Couturier
Father, Author, and Entrepreneur

Awaken Your Day - May 25, 2009 - Miracles Happen

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
- Albert Einstein

We could write essays analyzing and debating what we interpret this statement to mean to us individually. I am sure it has been done. But here.... Why?

Point blank, my view
... if you embrace more moments in your life with the same gratitude, and enthusiasm as you would if you had just experienced a miracle,
... if you give more moments the same value as we stereotypically do for the moments held in the presence of a miracle,
... if we forget all of our troubles more frequently because we are so focussed on the good that surrounds something in our lives, just as we do when we witness a miracle
... if you can make this connection, the quality of your life will drastically improve.
Because you chose it to.

If we choose to recognize and appreciate more moments or events with more passion and gratitude and the realization that there is so much in our lives that is a gift ... we expand our awareness to what we value, and our lives naturally become more enhanced in many ways.

It could be the birth of a child, a step toward a dream, the sun shining on a special day, or food on the table for your family ....

"Where there is great love, there are always Miracles." - Willa Cather

Picture something in your life ... and now you decide; will you embrace it with the same emotion as you would a miracle, some spectacular happening... or just view it as another part of life no different than yesterday? Which one adds color to the picture in your mind?

My life has been filled with Miracles these last 3 months; our son being born is certainly the biggest.
But I also felt the joy of a miracle when I heard from all the people that told me to get back to Awakening their day. I had been at a point where I questioned myself and if it really mattered.

I thank those people for helping me change my perception. Together, here, we will make things happen.

Good morning, and may you find a little miracle to lift your day.

Pierre Couturier
Father, Author and Entrepreneur

Awaken Your Day - April 7, 2009

"It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action."
- Al Batt, writer

So often we find a surge of energy, or more like Hype...and we get our engines running. Our thoughts are in motion, our ideas are running wild, and our plans are taking shape.

And then something distracts us from that energy. Almost like revving up your engines and then someone forgot to give the go signal.

Do not look at the finish line and overwhelm yourself. Just stand up and move toward the energy and continue to feel the excitement for all of it's motivating power. Stay in the zone.

Good morning.

Pierre Couturier