Times are tough, and It is easy to become discouraged by the impact of the economic, political, and corporate trials we all regularly face. Recessionary living is a way of life and we are learning once again to use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Frugality is at an all time high.
It feels good to voluntarily get the most out of what we have, but when it is constantly forced upon us, we can begin to feel taxed beyond our individual abilities. Sometimes that feeling of fatigue leads to doubt and fear, and those emotions can cause us to wonder if we will ever see a return to prosperity.
Life Is Good!
I believe that we will, so I live with that expectation. I refuse to give in to the shadows that these challenging times evoke. Instead, I walk in faith. I admit, that it is not always easy to do, but I just keep believing that things are going to be better soon, and act as if they will. Consequently, I am often surrounded with lots of movement in the positive direction.
Whenever I begin to feel discouraged, I pause and take inventory of the things that encourage me. All I really need to do, is to ask myself one simple question, “What encourages me?” Continue reading » »
I pretended this morning as I ran that I was running on very thick foam padding. I believed that my knees and feet were stepping on the softest of roads and that each step created a soothing balm to the rest of my body. Believe it or not, it worked. I ran in my brain a different course than my body was actually running and proved once again to myself that each one of us has the ability to invent whatever illusion we want to believe.
Inventing Reality
This caused me to have a deep conversation with myself about reality. An influential person in my life taught me nearly 20 years ago that I can invent whatever reality I want to invent. He told me that when I argue my limitations they become mine and I am stuck with them.
This is quite an amazing thought. Can it really be true? Is the only thing that limits our opportunities our own fears, doubts and/or willingness to accept the status quo? Do we really have the power to accomplish anything we want? What do you believe? Continue reading » »
Last week, the brother of one of my best friends passed away from a massive heart attack. His death was very unexpected. He was only 48 years old and we were all shocked to hear the news.
I had spent time with him on a few different occasions, but I never really got to know him. Today, I attended his funeral and I learned a lot about the mark he made in the world.
Ordinary Lives
He was really just an ordinary guy, just like you and me, just like everyone for that matter. Nothing he did could be considered world changing, yet he regularly changed the world of the people around him. He came from a very large family and many of them spoke about his charitable nature. Continue reading » »
I often find myself associating, on either a professional or personal level, with people who see the world much differently than I do. I enjoy these relationships, because they help me understand things that I might normally reject. I love being with people who know how to share their own view points without disrespecting those that are held by others. It makes it possible for us to talk about things that are normally deemed too delicate or sensitive to discuss.
These relationships seem to lead more often to friendships that are truly capable of lifting and supporting each other. We don’t go around trying to tear each other down. The competition we feel is healthy. It doesn’t matter if our agendas are similar or contrary. Because we respect each other, we are able to stand up and cheer each other on. Continue reading » »
Yesterday, my friend Arya proposed a very fascinating question revolving around the idea of being. He said, “Andrew, you seem to always be about being your best and super positive with your head lifted up to the sky. It’s inspirational and motivating. but i wonder, do you ever just be? with absolutely no drive to do?”
This question, caused me to wonder about the formula for being and several questions began to enter my mind. What does it mean to be? What is the role of doing in that formula? How are doing and being related? Is there any relation at all?
It didn’t take me long to realize that it is possible to do, without being, but I do not believe that it is possible to become, or to be, without doing something. Are you with me on that? Continue reading » »
