AYD - March 19, 2013 - Value at what cost?

"Nothing is to be rated higher than the value of the day."
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

There can be only one.
One...today.
Many Tuesdays will come, and go. 
This one, will only be here once.

It is a day.
A valuable resource.
So what will you trade for it?

Will we let yet another day pass, without bargaining for some value in exchange?  Will we wake up and follow our standard routine, just to close out another day and transfer one unit over on  the balance scale, not even realizing it?

We all do it.  Hard to focus on the value in a day, each and every day...right?
Yes.  Life has many distractions and we do not always grab hold of the treasure that greets us every morning.  But... if we could grab onto even a few more...if we just became better negotiators.  If we maintain some more awareness of the value of our day even a little more consistantly...I believe we would demand a little more for the trade we make. 

Just a little more consciousness.

And we would retain a little more touch on the moments we experience.

This is where friends come in.  Life experiences.  Moments of success, shared, and planned. 
Legacy's are made.  Footsteps logged in a journal.  Decisions take on new design.

This morning, I will look upon my child, and know that in this life, I achieved greatness the day I became the husband I feared I could not be...and a daddy I prayed I would.  I will see the value of what I have been given, and in the glow of these great days I will think more clearly on what I can do inside of this hourglass that is my day... MY day ... to make myself richer in experience or action or growth or skill or wisdom or to add value to my wife and son's day by being the best of me. I have purpose and value to gain and add.

There is an amazing part of my day waiting to be discovered.  It will show itself within the boundaries of this very day.
And now, because I know it ... I will not let it sneak by.

Great morning, great day.  Great you, a better day for everyone else.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author... and working on my DayTrader Negotiation Skills.

AYD - March 18, 2013 - Hey, What's Up There?

"When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters - one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity."
- John F. Kennedy

I have seen this written twice in the last couple of days.  Must mean something.  Must be some kind of message to me.  At least... I can choose to believe that, and run with the benefits that accepting that explanation brings.

It is Monday after all...and I see that inspiration and opportunity can find me anywhere... especially if I have opened up shop for the week.

Crisis has a chance to be a good thing.

I guess that is sort of like when people say, 'When you are at the top, there is no where to go but down.'

I think, and this is just me, that when I get to the top ... instead of thinking that I have reached the fullest potential... I could just as easy CHOOSE to continue looking up ... way up ... and say,

"Hey!  How do I get up there?"

Opportunity Monday - turn that crisis upside down.

Great morning, Great day.  Great you, better day for others.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy trying to be a great role model, Author ... and finally looking more often at the beauty of the stars.

AYD - March 15, 2013 - Your Best is a Gift

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
- Steve Prefontaine

One of the most effective and appreciated ways that you can "Pay it Forward" is to honor the gifts you have, and show them to the best of your ability.

By making the effort, you put out many signals that are teaching all on their own. Visually, and subliminally.

You lead by example and you show the results of your journey; the goals, the steps, the success and very importantly, the rise after any set backs.

You have the opportunity, to influence and motivate and inspire.... without having to say a word.

Action tells a story.  Thankfully, it does not distract anyone by focussing on negative scapegoats.

Have a great weekend.  Give your gifts freely, and often, and generously.
You have alot to share.

Great morning, great day.  Great you, a better day for everyone else.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author... and ready to learn more about my best.

AYD - March 14, 2013 - Fortune Cookie Says

Your forune cookie says -

You will do something nice for someone today.  Without expectation of any return gesture from them.  Become rich with the feeling it gives you.
It is not Rocket Science.  Just do it.


Inspiration and Paying it Forward does not have to be some grand event.  Sometimes, it is the smallest of moments that create the largest impression.

Great morning, great day.  Great you, better day for everyone else.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author... and I like fortune cookies for the moment they give me to stop and consider the obvious.