AYD - Jan 29, 2014 - Smile Loudly So Everyone Can Hear

“A boo is a lot louder than a cheer.”
- Lance Armstrong

Sadly, a negative comment will outrun a supportive comment almost every time.

Negative will knock on more doors in an election campaign, it will generate more emotional response and it will  most certainly sell more copies of some tabloid magazine that Mr. Happy Ending, White Weddings or World Peace.

For me, it is the 8th Wonder of the World.  To put it simply .... Why?

There was a time in my heart when I fought to understand the complexity of why the masses could not adopt the simplicity "one random act of kindness at a time, can change the world."  Why do so many thrive on unnecessary drama, or why do we look to find the dark cloud in a blue sky, just so we can feel correct when we say, "Ain't gonna last."

All great mysteries have a simpler beginning.  Or at least, today I say they do.  I have often said that it is very intimidating when we look at our goals in their entirety for they appear to be a Mountain when we have but just stepped up to the starting line.  So again, let us find the end of the string right here, well within in our capabilities to tackle and win over.  Let's grab the shirt tails of Negative as it tries to push us aside in the hall at work to win over our day ... to get to our Start before we can.

" A boo is a lot louder than a cheer."  So .... don't "boo".  Really.  Don't just turn the volume down.  Don't just close the door to Mary's office while you "Boo" Bob in accounting.  Instead ... Don't Boo. 

Don't Boo.  Don't Boo Hoo.  Don't whine, don't bitch don't moan.  About someone, something or what you shoulda , coulda, woulda.  Don't hit the Play button and others won't have to deal with "Boo" drowning out The Sound of Music. 

Today - make one conscious effort to stop before you start, or catch yourself at the beginning of a Boo, and stop it.  Turn it around. Yes this is a two part challenge.  Stop the Oops, and then think or recite something more of a cheer.  The old Switch-a-Roo.  You Boo me and I cheer you. ( yes...a little cheese goes a long way... shhhh).

You do not have to like everyone or everything, but you do not have to give up Cheer energy by expressing Negative for no good or gain.  We boo, because it is easy.  There is a ton of support for it, so we are comfortable joining in the with the Choir and raising the sound level.  We might only be one voice, but if not part of the solution....

We don't cheer as much because we often feel like the only one.  So ... how do we reverse that?

Hello.  Good Morning.
A greater you ...( fill in the blank).

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author to my day.  Cheering section captain for my wife, son and all those things I sometimes take for granted.

AYD - Jan 28, 2014 - A Moment Keeps the Years

“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” 
- A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Life gets busy.  It is busy.  At times, it is always busy.
Take a moment.  Pick a name.  Now... call, write, email, text.  Make contact ... old friend.

I was reminded this morning about the simple truths in life... and where to find some of them.

Keep it simple, and don't be so grown up as to remember to just reach into your heart for the simple goodness that comes from your inner child.  Express yourself, and feel the expression.

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?”
- A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Good morning, will lead to a greater day.
And a greater you, might just bring greater to someone else.

Pierre Couturier
Husband thinking of the friend I have in Her, Daddy thinking of the buddy he is to me, and Author to a Moment of my day, remembering yesterday.

AYD - Jan 27, 2014 - Success is What You Make It

“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.” 
- Bessie Anderson Stanley

One of my favorite quotes to get me thinking, when I lose sight of all I have been able to achieve.

Success is yours to define.  I fear though that often we judge or grade ourselves far too harshly;  and well before we have taken full account of what we have done along the way.

Think of a life you have touched, and move forward today with that little success tucked neatly in your pocket like a lucky penny.  Think of it fondly - you have earned a moment in the sun.

Good Morning, Greater day.
Greater you - is a little success shared with everyone.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my Day

AYD - Jan 24,2014 - Word of the Day ... Relief

Relief ... now that I type it I start to question if I have spelt it correctly...it looks wrong...because it has been out of my vocabulary for what feels like a long time.

When you have a number of unfinished, yet all important tasks, that need your attention all at the same time.  When you feel as though none of them are getting closure, and they all somehow have started to feel difficult.  When you are not sure where to start one or finish another.  When you start to pile on other items in your calendar, to the deadlines associated to the Existing Unfinished and you cannot seem to connect two thoughts together.  When all of it clouds your vision, and you feel tired.

When you complete one of the items.  Breath in feels deeper. 
A sense of relief.
You complete another, and you realize ...  that was not so hard.
Relaxing exhale.  Relief.
You face another, and now you see there was only a handful, and not a mountain. 
The chains fall, and focus is more centered.  Relief.

I realize I am the only guy that can take the WORD of the day and turn it into a run on sentence ... but painting the picture that wipes away the dew on the windshield is as much for me as it is you.

I can see.  And more so, I can feel.  I am relieved after having finally completed a couple of important tasks.  Now I feel momentum.  I have stretched before the big race so to speak.

And only a couple left ... I can do this.  "I think I can...I think I can... "

Good Morning,
Greater Day.

Relieved you, is a productive you.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author to My Day.