If You Want to Leave a Footprint, Don’t Drag Your Feet I came across today’s theme by accident while looking for information about leaving a legacy that I spoke about last week. If you want to leave a footprint, don’t drag your feet. —Arnot L. Sheppard This quote just stuck with me, so much so that I couldn’t shake it to work on something else. There is just something about the phrase that makes me stop and think…probably because I am very mindful that we will all leave a legacy of some sort. Still, in addition to that, the […]
Life lessons
Take A Chance
The poster headline is “Take A Chance,” and each ticket says: “Chance.” I’ve seen this poster a hundred times on school bulletin boards, coffee shop information boards, and the community board at Whole Foods. It was just recently, though, that, for some unknown reason, it finally caught my attention. It’s an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, and the bottom of the sheet is clipped so you can “pull a ticket.” Interesting to see how many little slips of paper just hang on the sheet, waiting to be taken. I guess some folks don’t see it as anything they’d be […]
People Will Kill You
“People will kill you over time, and how they kill you is with tiny, harmless phrases like be realistic.” Dylan Moran I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate it when people give backhanded, up-front, or behind-the-back slights to one’s life, dreams, hopes, and ambitions. And yes, I used the word “hate” because, like you, I heard these phrases from others as I wandered through my early work years. And because it frustrated me so much, I made a mental note to stay away from those who would be so bold as to say something so ridiculous to me […]
The World Needs You to Share Your Gifts
“The world needs you to share your gifts and go for your dreams. There aren’t enough people who have the courage to go for it.” Lewis Howes As your friend, I want to ask you a question: “Do you have courage?” I mean, really, do you have the courage to do the thing you keep talking about, wishing for, or hoping one day will come true? I sincerely hope you do, and I celebrate your success if you are living the dream. That being said, I also know by watching countless people run to the edge of success, look into […]
Dreams are Free
Dreams are Free But you have to start dreaming I have a lot of great opportunities, but one I’m privileged to be part of is TEDx, where I am the speaker coach. TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, and today it covers almost all topics—from science to business to global issues—in more than 100 languages. For several years, every Sunday, it was my practice to choose and watch five […]
Everyone Thinks of Changing the World
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself Change is a funny thing. We all want it for about a week, then it loses its shine, and we’re back to being the same. Not that being the same is all bad–we seem to revel in it since that is “who we are” –but remember that for a fleeting minute, we dreamed a bit higher and considered the option of being a bit more noble and a bit more… well… better, but, alas, it was just a quirky consideration best left for another day. How is […]
Be Impeccable With Your Word
“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” ~ Don Miguel Ruiz I would dare say that you know how to wield the power of words in the lives of those you love, those you like, and those you’d like to knock down a peg or two…or three. We all have a favorite phrase or word that we know with certainty can slay the mighty, uplift the broken, or […]
What is Taking Up Space?
What is taking up space? The parable of the fig tree During the Easter weekend, I came across a reading about the parable of the fig tree, and it got me thinking about the truths in the story and how they relate to me, and perhaps to you. (Mark 11:12-14) The story recounts the incident of a fig tree with leaves but no fruit; since it was not producing, it had no value. Was it a beautiful tree? It had a larger purpose: to bear fruit. How disappointing to see and assume the tree produced the fruit it should, and […]
Opportunity is Everywhere
Opportunity is everywhere if you know where to look…. The funny thing about opportunity is that it seems to follow other people and not those who seem to need it…or does it? I have been pondering that thought for some time now. Why does it seem that some people just seem to luck into the best jobs, the best relationships, and the best opportunities more than others? Or do those who come across opportunity seize hold of it and make more out of it, so it seems effortless and looks as if they tend to win over and over in […]