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.

AYD - Jan 11, 2013 - 400 Defining Moments

Today is a defining moment for me. 
400 times I have sat and shared with you my thoughts, philosophies and moments to Awaken Your Day.
Before the blog I used to send AYD out by email.  More than another hundred, I have to count to make sure.
But for me, this number is a nice defining moment.  A marker really.  A pin on my map outlining my path.
I confess to you that we should have shared this post a long time ago.  At least 2 years ago, had I been true to myself, and the message I have to share.

But ... we are here Now.  We still got here and we still get to reflect on this moment as it represents a point I enjoyed working toward.  As I look back thru the archives, I feel that welcome satisfaction of messages and philosophies that still hold true, that are still relevant to my life, my journey and my voice. 

I get the pleasure of not only the meanings again, but the recollection of the journey that each of those posts carried me on.  The self surprise at how my own expression came out on some days...and the self administered kick in the butt over some of the days where I can see now my heart may not have given it's all that day.

What is my point?  Reflection.  Remembering. Reenergizing the power and the value in your milestone moments..your defining moments that have carried you on the river.  The places you have seen.  The stories you have to tell.  Raging water moments, and calm still water moments.  "I earned this!" moments, and, "I can do this !" moments.

Obstacles you overcame.
Tears you shed for joy.
Successes...set backs.
I did it ... and I have to try again.

You get the idea.
You were there.  You lived each and every one.

So now... you need to understand something, just like I did.  Every one of those defining moments that mark your course ... they are our very own renewable resource.  Available whenever needed. They are our power center when batteries are low.  They are your secret weapon, against future tests.

Use your defining moments as a resource tool to identify all those hidden attributes you often forget you have. 
Tough times you have already had, and you stood tall again.  You have tasted success after working hard on something that mattered, and you earned it.

Defining moments, they may just be the blueprint we had tucked away, for the chapter we have yet to write.

Good morning.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author... and very fortunate man.

AYD - Jan 10, 2013 - Thursday Upgrade, Be Nice

"There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. "
- Muhammad Ali

You have something to do today.
Change a moment.

Should you encounter a time today when someone out there does something incorrect, or makes a mistake that they should know better on, or just plain gets on your last nerve because of something they do ... trade the next moment for a new one. 

"I'd like to exchange this emotion please.  Yes, yes. Can I have that one there, the one that is more relaxing, accepting and 48% more useful?  Perfect.  Just my size. I have seen it advertised alot but have had a hard time finding it.  Thank you.  I will be back for more, I am sure."

You do no one any good if you choose to attack or berate or give your best impression of hostility.  They get embarrassed, you have a moment of a release valve but as soon as you close your lips the pressure mounts again because you have not addressed the cause of the intensity.

Breathe.  Nothing comes out well riding an emotional wave into the wall.

Task Thursday.  Trade in one useless emotion, for a better one.  Call it upgrading.

Here forth known as Thursday Upgrade.  A day you choose to consciously seek a self betterment moment.

I  will be honest... I may need to make more than a few trades today. 
And now, I look forward to it.

Good morning. 
Pierre Couturier
Lucky Husband, Proud Daddy, Happy Author, and now a new kind of Daytrader.

AYD - Jan 9, 2013 - I Cannot Think "Can't"

"When someone tells you that you can't do something, perhaps you should consider that they are only telling you what they can't do."
- Sheldon Cahoon, Author

Did you awaken today and struggle to remember the fleeting details of that incredibly vivid dream you just had?  Did you open your eyes to a sunny day, the smile of a child wanting breakfast, a family pet licking your face to wake you up?  All of these may have allowed you to greet the morning with a ready made smile. 

Or... shame on you, did you wake up dwelling on something someone said; A lack of belief;  a stalled momentum, and a doggy bag of self doubt that you clearly told the universe to leave off your itinerary?

No one knows your inner drive.  They do not know your inner design or what kind of engineering marvel you are.  Energy drainers and self belief stealers know nothing of all the events that brought you to be in the here and now.  But like Sheldon says... they know their events...and their present issues apparently need company, so they are trying to recruit your doubts to be "Just Can't"'s together.

So hear the words, thank them for sharing, and take your next step, feeling secure that they, and their uneducated opinion on the Inner Workings of Fighters and Achievers, will be below you ... trying to yell up and convince you, that you cannot do it. 

The secure feeling I am referring to is that, as long as they stay with you, reminding you of what you cannot do while they are always one step below you on the climb, well it seems to me you will then always have a shoulder to step on to help you keep on reaching for your next secure hold.

Good morning.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author, Keeper of my blueprints, and Apprentice of Selective Hearing.