Nothing Lasts Forever

"When the well is dry, they know the worth of water."
-- Benjamin Franklin

***
Over 30 years have past since the band, Kansas, released Dust in the Wind. The song quickly became popular. On February 18, 1978, Dust in the Wind reached No. 6 on Billboard's Top Hits chart. It’s believed that Kansas lyricist, Kerry Livgren wrote the song after reading the line, "for all we are is dust in the wind," from a native American poetry book.

To me, the most impressive line of the song is "Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky." Oh, so true! The lyrics should remind us to never take anything for granted.

Nothing last forever! Mother Nature reminds me of this lesson each spring with the blooming of lilac bushes. You see, I'm quite passionate about the smell of fresh lilacs. Most likely because I know the blooms don’t last forever. Mother Nature has taught me that lilac blooms, at best, last about three weeks. Hence, my window of opportunity for this sniffing sensation is quite limited.

As a part of my daily routine, I wake up early and go running run with my dog, Coach. Coach just doesn’t seem to share my same fondness for lilacs. Normally, Coach and I make it through our runs without stopping. Not so, when the lilacs are in bloom. I make it a point to stop and smell the lilacs every chance I get. To me, there is no better way to start a spring day than with a run with my dog and the smell of fresh lilacs.

Mother Nature sees to it that my exposure to the smell of lilacs is limited. When the blooms are gone, all opportunity ceases. Mother Nature reminds me that nothing lasts forever. Hence, when it comes to smelling lilacs, I take nothing for granted.

We all have so much to be thankful for. Yet, why is it we take so much for granted; people, places, thing and events? Unlike a lilac tree that produces blooms every year, we can't be certain that what we have today will be here next year, or tomorrow for that matter. There is one thing we can be certain of; that being, nothing lasts forever! If we know that nothing lasts forever, why is it that we take things for granted? Is it because we possess too much? Is it because we are always in search of something bigger and better? Or, is it because we've simply grown too accustomed to something?

Some of the things in our life that have given us the greatest amount of pleasure end up getting cast off to the side. When familiarity sets in, our sense of wonder, intrigue and astonishment fades, often leaving us taking something for granted. The Disney/Pixar animated film, Toy Story, is a classic example of taking something for granted. Woody, a cowboy toy, has been Andy's favorite toy for years. Everything changes when Andy receives Buzz Light Year, a fancy, new space toy. Buzz Light Year takes Woody's spot as Andy's favorite toy; Woody is soon forgotten about and cast off to side. Andy is consumed with the novelty of a new toy and forgets about the happiness and joy that Andy and Woody have shared together for years. Woody is taken for granted and forced to take a backseat to the new toy.

How about you? Do you appreciate everything you have in your life or are you taking things for granted? Often times, the people and things in our lives that deserve the most attention are taking for granted. Are you taking your health, family, friends, freedom, job, or spirituality for granted? How about the necessities of life? There are people who do not have running water, electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, food, clothes. What about the conveniences of life: cars, televisions, telephones, computers, other electronic devices, microwaves, washing machines/dryers, and furniture to name a few? Do you really appreciate all that you have?

We all have so much to be thankful for, yet we tend to take far too many things for granted. If you made a list of everything you have in your life, you would be amazed at the abundance that has been bestowed upon you. Take the time today and everyday to cherish all that you have, including the people in your life, because the truth of the matter is they could be gone tomorrow. Always remember, nothing lasts forever!

For me, I recognize that there are just a few weeks left for me to smell the lilacs. So, if you see a man standing in your yard, smelling lilacs, don't be alarmed. It's just me, truly appreciating what little time I have left getting my lilac "fix."

Its your life: live it, love it, celebrate it!MJD

I Dare Ya

"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have courage to lose sight of the shore."

- André Gide

****

In his book, Paper Airplane, Michael McMillan describes how daring to be different allows a person to tap into their creative spirit and create new opportunities. It is the creative spirit that gives us the courage to set sail for new horizons.

In the book, 6th grade teacher, Mrs Hackett concludes her week long science lesson on aerodynamics with a paper per airplane contest. The contest is designed to allow the students to gain practical knowledge from the lesson. Mrs. Hackett tells the students that each student will be given one piece of paper, and they will have 15 minutes to construct a paper airplane. All of the students will be required to fly their airplane in the contest. The student whose airplane travels the furthest distance will be declared the winner. All but one of the students, Jeffery, begin measuring and folding their paper. Jeffery was content to sit and stare out the window. Jeffery was a unique student who "marched to the beat of a different drum." At the end of the 15 minutes, all of the students, except for Jeffery, had constructed an airplane. Jeffery had not made a single fold in his paper. Mrs. Hackett, knowing that Jeffery was a unique and creative student, allowed him to remain in the classroom to construct his airplane while the other students began the contest outside. One by one, the students stepped up to line and launched their aircrafts. Some planes flew amazingly well, while others barely made it past the starting point. After the last of the students had launched their aircraft, Jeffery was summoned to the launching line. With his hands behind his back, the class waited in excitement as Jeffery approached the launching line. The class began to snicker when Jeffery pulled his airplane from behind his back. Jeffery's airplane was still the flat piece of paper that Mrs. Hackett had given to all of the students; not one fold or crease had been made. Jeffery ignored the snickers and confidently placed both feet behind the line. Next, he wadded up the paper into a ball and launched his plane. His plane flew further than any of the other planes. His classmates went wild! Nobody knew what to say, not even Mrs. Hackett. Jeffery explained that to his way of thinking, a plane crumbled into a ball would travel the greatest distance because it would travel with more force and with no wing resistance. Jeffery had the insight to look at a problem in a different way and the courage to act upon his vision.

Dare to be different. Conformity robs you of your creativity. Be proud of who you are. Insist on liking yourself for who you are not what others expect you to be. The more you like yourself, the easier it is to be yourself, different as that may be. Life would be boring if we lived a life of conformity. Think how life would be different if our ancestors choose to be just like everybody else. Our greatest inventions and greatest social movements came about because people choose to think differently and had the courage to act upon their vision.

Begin living your life by appreciating your uniqueness. Its your differences that make you special. Be more like Jeffery, have the courage to look at things differently than others and take a risk. The risk just could lead to new and exciting discoveries.

Now go ahead, I dare ya!

Have a TREMENDOUS Thursday

It's your life: live it, love it, celebrate it!

MJD

The Nail

"We all must suffer from one of two pains:  the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.  The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. I

- Jim Rohn

***

Late one afternoon, a package delivery man needed to make a delivery to a farmhouse in the country.  Upon approaching the porch of the farmhouse, the delivery man was greeted by an old farmer.   While conversing with the farmer, the delivery man could not help but notice the farmer’s dog.  The dog was lying on the front porch whining and howling.  The delivery man politely said, "Sir if you don't mind me asking, why is your dog whining and howling?"  The farmer responded, "He's lying on top of a nail."  The delivery man, in a confused tone, asked, "Why doesn't he move?"  The farmer responded, "Best I can reckon, it doesn't hurt that much."

How about you?  Are you like the farmer's dog?  Do you whine and complain about things, yet doing nothing about them?  For most people, it takes a great deal of pain to initiate change in their life.   To them, it's far easier to complain about things then to take action.  Taking it one step further, they have found that pointing fingers and/or playing the victim absolves them from any responsibility.   Just like the farmer’s dog, they would rather lie helplessly on the "nails" in their life than do something about it.

Do you have any bad habits or "nails" in your life?   Far too often, one waits for a tragedy or some other unfortunate event to occur in their life before they get off the proverbial nail.  Perhaps the most telling example of this might be a person who has survived a heart attack.  For them, it takes a "near death" experience to convince them that a change is in order.  For example, one day a person is complaining about being overweight, anxious, fatigued, short of breath, and a host of other ailments.  The next day, by the grace of God, they are fortunate enough to seriously contemplate significant lifestyle changes: dietary changes, exercise plans and smoking cessation.

We have just two choices when it comes to the "nails" in our lives; both involve a degree of pain.  We can do nothing, which will inevitably subject you to the pain of regret.  The pain of regret generally does not show up for years later.  When it does it manifests itself in anxiety, misery, and depression.  Or, you have the choice to change your present condition, which requires taking action.  Changing your present condition (getting off the nail) requires that you endure the pain of discipline.  The pain of discipline is immediate and requires commitment, hard work and perseverance.  The pain of discipline will eventually manifest itself in happiness, contentment and a sense of accomplishment.

Getting up off of a "nail" requires action and a unrelenting commitment to a better way of living.   Once you commit to action, you may experience significant pain.  The pain may be so intense that you feel compelled to just lie back down on the "nail."  When this happens resist the urge!  Stay focused, knowing a better life awaits you.   When you come to the realization that you're moving in the right direction, the pain of discipline will gradually subside. 

Keep in mind that the benefits from the pain of discipline will always outweigh the short-lived benefits of the pain of regret.   Complaining, finger pointing and avoidance behaviors cause no pain initially; they're evasion tactics.   However, as time progresses, the "wouldas," "shouldas," and "couldas" begin to haunt you and will give genesis to the pain of regret.   Unlike the pain of discipline, the pain of regret worsens over time.  The pain of regret takes it stronghold when a person realizes it’s too late to make a change.   Unfortunately, the pain of regret often leaves a person depressed and embarrassed about what their life has become or not become.  The pain constantly reminds them that things could have been different if they had only made the choice to “get off the nail.”

 

Don't wait for tragedy to strike in order to make a change.  I urge you to examine the "nails" in your life.  What are you complaining about on a regular basis?  Is it a relationship, your health, your job, your finances, your education level?  How much longer are you going to choose to lie on the "nail?"  Today is the day to take action; “get off the nail,"  pound it down, countersink it, and fill it in so that it can no longer cause you any more pain!

It's your life: live it, love it, & celebrate it!

MJD

Who Really Won the Game?

From Fox Sports on MSN:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence. But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury. She crawled back to first, but could do no more. The first base coach told her she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her around the bases. The umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would only count as a single. Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count - an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky. The umpire said there was no rule against it. So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky's legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg. As the trio reached home plate, Tucholsky said, the entire Western Oregon team was in tears.

Central Washington coach Gary Frederick, a 14-year coaching veteran, called the act of sportsmanship "unbelievable." Tucholsky's home run sent Western Oregon to a 4-2 victory, ending Central Washington's chances of winning the conference and advancing to the playoffs.

"In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much," Holtman said. "It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run."

*****
I ask you, who really won the game?

Western Oregon University won the game in the physical plane (4-2). Mallory Holtman and teammate, Liz Wallace score a victory in the game of life. Holtman and Wallace get it! They understand what is truly important in life; unselfishly giving of yourself for the benefit of another. They could have forced Western Oregon University to use a pinch runner, keeping their team in the game, but they choose to sacrifice personal benefit in exchange for doing the right thing.

How about you? Are you willing to sacrifice personal benefit for doing the right thing? All to often we get caught up in our busy and hectic schedule that we miss out or are blind to doing the right thing. We come across people everyday that could use our assistance in one form or another. It could be in the form physical assistance, a listening ear or as simple as a smile. Are we taking the time to recognize people in need? Does our schedules force the things we deem as urgent to crowd out the important things in life? Can we balance the scale by being a little less self-centered and a little more other-centered?

We all can learn a lesson from two collegiate athletes who have taught us an important lesson in life; recognizing what's really important, followed by doing the right thing. Holtman and Wallace recognized that sportsmanship and helping their opponent was more important than winning the game. They not only recognized the right thing to do; they took action.

There is no greater spiritual reward than helping a person in need when there is nothing to be gained from the physical plane. Holtman and Wallace, did the right thing; they helped their opponent even though they suffered a loss in the physical plane. They may have lost a softball game, but their unselfish act of kindness, makes them a champion in a much more important game; the game of life.

Remember there will never be another May 27, 2008 so make it your best!
It's your life; live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD

A Little Leaguer

I know of a little leaguer who is having a difficult time adjusting from the pitching of the minor league to the pitching of the major league. For several little leaguers who make the transition from the minor league to major league, the pitchers just seem to be too overpowering. Struggling at the plate causes the little leaguers to begin to question their ability. This questioning leads to doubt, which ultimately leads to weakening of self-confidence and in some cases, if not put in check, a deterioration of self-esteem.

It is important to understand the differences between self-confidence and self-esteem. Self-confidence comes from mastery of a skill through repeated trials. The more you do something, the better you get; the better you get the more self-confidence you gain. Self confidence is event specific. Self-esteem, however, is not event specific. Rather, self-esteem is a general perspective of how you view yourself as a person.

Can you have high self-confidence and low self-esteem? In the professional sports world it's not uncommon to find athletes who possess a high degree of self-confidence but suffer from having low self esteem. Athletes with a high degree of self-confidence, but low self esteem are generally noticeable because of their cocky behavior. Their cockiness demonstrates their need to draw attention to themselves. The attention gives the athlete a sense of being valued. Sadly enough, the value is placed only on their success as an athlete and not as a person. These athletes, through talent and repetition, become extremely self-confident with their athletic ability, but generally don't like themselves as a person. No athlete demonstrates this dichotomy more so than former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson excelled in boxing. He was known as "Iron Mike" and "The Baddest Man on the Planet." While Mike Tyson was extremely confident in his abilities as a boxer, his personal life was in shambles. Tyson's first marriage ended in divorce, after allegations of violence and physical abuse. In 1992 he was convicted of rape and served three years in prison. After making more than 300 million dollars during his career, he filed for bankruptcy in 2003. Mike Tyson constantly did things to sabotage his personal life. Simply put, "Mike didn't like Mike." Tyson's self-confidence in the ring wasn't enough counteract his negative self-esteem. In 2005 Tyson was quoted as saying, "My whole life has been a waste. I've been a failure. I just want to escape." Mike Tyson's self confidence made him a champion is the ring; his self-esteem made him a loser in life. Because of his low self-esteem he was not mentally, emotionally or spiritually fit to handle the rewards, notoriety or pressures of being a sports icon.

How about you? Are you doing things to sabotage your life? If you find that you have low self-esteem, today is the day to begin developing a greater awareness of yourself. Begin by doing a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Find ways to maximize your strengths and improve in areas where improvement is needed. Be easy on yourself; you can't be great at everything. Although you may be good at some things; do not allow those things to define you. Look at your life from a universal perspective. Do not allow one aspect of your life to dominate another. Live a balanced personal, professional, social and spiritual life. Begin today by saying "I'm a worthy person and I like myself." Make it a point to say this affirmation a minimum of 30 times a day. At first, it may seem odd. However, the more you do it, the more comfortable you will become, and the more comfortable you become, the more confidently you will be able to say it. Eventually, you'll find that you really do like yourself. The more you like your self, the more you will appreciate your strengths and accept your limitations. This is turn leads to a happier and more fulfilling life.

As far as the little leaguer, we will work on his self-confidence by taking a lot of extra batting practice. As far as his self-esteem goes, he will be reminded on a daily basis of the following, none which have anything to do with baseball:

How much he is loved;
How special he is;

How much talent he has;

How much potential he has;

All of his accomplishments, be them big or small;

And, most of all, that he is a gift from above!

Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

It's your life; live it, love it & celebrate it!

MJD

A Best Seller

“What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our life. Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today."
- Jim Rohn

***
Jim Rohn eloquently states our destiny is created by the choices we make in life. Since we are the one making choices, we are the one who must accept responsibility for our choices. Plain and simple, we are where we are at in life because of the choices we've made. All too often we find people pointing fingers at others or blaming circumstances for their “lot in life.” Until one comes to realization that the current state of their life was scripted solely by them, there is little chance for change. When we refuse to accept responsibility for where we are at in life, there is no need for us to make a change; after all, “It’s not my fault.” It is only when we accept the fact that we are responsible for our “lot in life” that we can begin to engage in some serious introspection and make the necessary changes. We need to look at our choices, past and present, and their consequences. Additionally , we need to think about those choices that lie before us that can lead to a more fulfilled life.

Now is the time to begin accepting responsibility for you life: accept responsibility for your past, accept responsibility for the present and accept responsibility for your future. When you understand and accept this responsibility, you'll come to realize that you are the sole author of your life. Being the sole author, you get to determine how your book will end! Hence, now is the time to get out there and become an author of a best seller!

It your life: live it, love it, celebrate it!
MJD

Gold Medal Performance

"Success is a state of mind.  If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success."

— Dr. Joyce Brothers

***

Nine months before the 1984 Summer Olympics, U.S.A. Gymnast, Bart Connor tore his right bicep muscle while competing in Japan.  Most people believed the injury was so severe that Connor would not recover in time to compete in the Olympics.  Connor recovered indeed, he won two gold medals.  He earned a gold medal on the parallel bars, scoring two perfect tens. He earned a second gold medal as a member of the U.S. team, which won the all-around competition.

When asked in an interview how he overcame such insurmountable odds, Conner attributed his success to his parents.  Connor said, "Every night before bed, my parents would ask me what my success for they day was.  So I went to bed a success every night of my life.  I woke up every morning a success.  When I was injured before the Olympics, I knew I was going to make it back because I was a success every day of my life."  Connor's parents realized that reinforcing success daily, even the smallest of successes, would positively impact their son's self esteem.

Learn from the Conners!  Make it a habit to recall your successes daily.  Before bed each night, take some time to reflect upon your successes from the day.  The size of the success really doesn't matter.  What matter is that you make the time of reflection a daily/nightly habit.  Be thankful for those people who in some way, directly or indirectly, contributed to your success.  Day by day, you'll begin to perceive yourself as being successful and realize that your capable and worthy of even more success.

Remember, success builds confidence and confidence leads to more success. Or, put another way, confidence builds success and success leads to more confidence. Either way you put it, success and confidence go hand and hand.

Life is a contest; there is a beginning and an end. I can only hope that at the end of my contest, people can say, "he certainly gave a gold medal performance."

It's your life: live it, love it, & celebrate it!
MJD

Rainy Days & Mondays

“Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude.”
-- Dale Carnegie

***

As I look out my office window it is raining!  Better yet, it’s Monday morning and it’s raining.  Despite the rain and the start of the work week, I’m choosing to be happy.  I will not allow the weather or any other circumstances beyond my control to dictate my state of happiness.  I’m the one who will dictate my state of happiness.

Watching the rain, I can’t help but think of the number of pop songs that give rain a bad rap: songs like Here Comes that Rainy Day Feeling Again; Rainy Night in Georgia; and Kentucky Rain. Perhaps, no pop song epitomizes the association between rain and negativity more so than The Carpenters 1971 hit, Rainy Days and Mondays. The lyrics state:

"Hanging around, nothing to do but frown. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down."

The Carpenters’ song is actually a love song.  It is about finding comfort in being with the one you love.  The lyrics however strike a chord with many people that rainy days and Mondays are depressing events.

Granted, Monday is the day of the week that most people look forward to the least.  Research has demonstrated that Monday is the day that most people are likely to call in sick.  Author Jon Gordon, in his book the Energy Bus, states that more people die Monday morning at 9:00 am than any other time of the week. 

So there you have it rainy days and Mondays get a bad rap.  Why are rainy days and Mondays so depressing? Could it be our attitude?

As I write this it’s still raining!   I’m wondering why so many people allow a rainy day to affect them so negatively?  After all, rain is just Mother Nature's way of bathing the earth.  Sure, events have to be rescheduled, some even cancelled, but when you keep things in perspective it is not the end of the world!   Rain is necessary for the sustenance of life.   Therefore, whenever it rains it is a good thing.  The only problem with a rain shower is the timing of it.  Since we know that we can't control the weather, we need to focus on what we know we can control; that being our attitude about an event or circumstance.   If we choose to perceive a rainy day as negative event then we are choosing a negative attitude.  Consequently, our negative attitude will adversely affect the outcome of our day. 

Why not choose to view a rainy day with a positive attitude?   When you really think about it, even when it’s raining the sun is still shining.  That’s because, the sun never stops shining.   Just because you can't see the sun doesn't mean it's not still shining brightly.  Know that in due time the rain will stop, the clouds will dissipate and sun will be visible again.  A positive attitude would recognize and appreciate rain for all the good it does in nature.

Rain can be used as an analogy in life.  Rain represents the problems you encounter; the temporary setbacks and disappointments.   Just as rain is necessary for the sustenance of life, problems are necessary for us to learn and grow.   The degree of impact that life’s rainstorms (problems) will have on you will ultimately be determined by your attitude. Never allow life’s rainstorms to dictate your attitude.  You dictate your attitude. Remember, it’s a matter of perspective and your perspective is derived from your attitude.  The good news is you choose your attitude – nobody else!   

I’m not letting a little rain dampen my spirits.  Besides, I'm thinking about taking advantage of the opportunity the rain has provided; another chance to be a kid and splash in a puddle or two!  How about you?

LET IT RAIN! 

It's your life; live it, love it & celebrate it!

MJD

The Roller Coaster of Life

“Life is like a roller coaster.  It has it ups and downs; but it is your choice to scream or enjoy the ride.”
- unknown

***
Life is like a roller coaster and we are all are on the same ride.  All of us experience life's ups and downs; no one is immune.  You might ask, “Why must we endure a roller coaster life?”  It is because our roller coaster life is prescribed by law.  Everything in nature is obedient to law, including behavior.  A roller coaster life is dictated by one of nature’s law; the Law of Opposites. The Law of Opposites dictates that there are "two opposing sides to everything in nature; "there is no "in" without an "out." You can't have a "left" without a "right."  There is no "up" without a "down."

Roller coasters are designed with lifts (ups) and drops (downs).  The up and downs are referred to as "hills."  Navigating a hill requires both an upward and downward movement.  Remember, nature does not allow an up without a down.  Just like a roller coaster, your life will have its fair share of “ups” and “downs.”  The “ups” are the good times; the “downs” are the bad.  The Law of Opposites prescribes that “ups” give meaning to the “downs” and vice versa.  One can never truly know the feeling of an “up” without having experienced the feeling of a “down.”  Hence, it is the “downs” that give the “ups” the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.  One can never experience true happiness until that person first experiences sadness.  One must experience failure in order to experience success.   You get the picture!

The roller coaster of life is intended to provide us with an opportunity to understand and appreciate what excitement and fulfillment really mean.  It is the “ups” and “downs” on a roller coaster that make the ride exciting.  Just think how boring a roller coaster ride would be if there were no “ups” and “downs.”  Try thinking of riding on a roller coaster that simply traveled on a straight plane.   Similarly, imagine how boring your life would be if your life traveled on a straight plane; no “ups,” no “downs.”

It's quite obvious that the “ups” in your life make your life exciting and fulfilled.  Lest not forget that the “downs” play a role in the excitement factor too. The “downs” are intended to signal to us that something is not right in our lives; that we are heading in the wrong direction; toward the opposite end of the continuum.  The “downs” should serve as a catalyst that something needs to change.  It is through change that growth takes place.  Growth affords us new opportunities and new opportunities offer us a chance for excitement and fulfillment.

The “downs” are intended to teach a lesson(s); a lesson about the situation, and more importantly, a lesson about you.  Unfortunately, there are way too many people that play the victim role or are so busy complaining about their “downs,” they fail to see the lesson that is being offered.  Hence, they don’t have enough insight or wherewithal to get their coaster moving back toward the top.  For them, it is easier to blame someone else, the economy, or the situation itself.   It might appear to be easier initially, but rest assured, they’ll miss the thrills and excitement on the roller coaster of life. 

So there you have it: life will always have it ups and downs.  The Law of Opposites states that for every negative there must be a positive.  Consequently, every event in your life can be viewed as either positive or negative.   Those that enjoy the roller coaster of life allow their “downs” to become a positive occurrence.  Their “downs” don’t hinder them; they serve them.   Remember, a negative attitude which is manifested by complaining, finger pointing and/or doing nothing prevents you from learning the lesson(s) necessary to begin moving in the opposite direction.   So today, if you are experiencing a “down,” embrace the down and look for the lesson it has to offer.  Many people have attested that it was the lesson(s) they've learned from their “down” periods that provided them with the impetus to make it to the top of a hill that they never dreamed imaginable.

Life will always have ups and downs. The Law of Opposites says that for every negative there is a positive. Hence, every event in your life can be viewed as positive or negative. Allow your downs to be a positive event by serving you instead of hindering you. A negative attitude which is manifested by complaining, pointing fingers and/or doing nothing prevents you from learning the necessary lesson(s) to move in the opposite direction. Embrace the downs. Who knows, the lesson(s) learned from the lowest down in your life may be the start of climbing to the top the highest hill possible.

Yes, life is like a roller coaster - Enjoy the ride!

It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD

Sticks & Stones

“A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword.”

--Robert Burton

***

It is likely that children at one time or another, have professed, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  When said, a child is admitting to his/her aggressor that they recognize that physical injury may be eminent, but emotionally they’re as solid as a rock.  They profess that the mean and nasty things being said about them doesn’t affect them.  Unfortunately, the idiom is just that, an idiom.  Words do hurt! 

Indeed, being struck by a stick or stone may cause physical injury.  The injury will likely heal in a short period of time.  However it’s words, not the sticks and stones that have the potential to create the most devastating type of injury.  Mean-spirited words are intended to cause harm and are damaging to the spirit.  Even unkind words said in jest can damage another’s spirit. 

The human body is a remarkable organism.  It is capable of performing a multitude of complex functions without any conscious intervention on our part.  One of these functions is the body's ability to heal itself.  After a physical injury and in due time, the body will attempt to recover to its pre-injury state.  A physical injury may leave a scar, but the scar does not inhibit the body's ability to function.  Over time, even a scar begins to fade. 
 

In all likelihood, one would recover from an assault caused by the hurling of a sticks and stones;   not so with an assault caused by insults, criticism, and rejection.   Mean-spirited words damage the spirit.  The spirit, unlike the body, does not have the capability to heal itself without intervention.   The spirit requires active intervention on our part.  Unlike the body, scars to the spirit often do not fade with time.  If the damage from a verbal assault goes unchecked, lifelong emotional scars may develop.  It is these scars that often lead to a self-fulfilling prophesy of inadequacy, resulting in a lifetime of discontentment and unhappiness.

Remember that mean-spirited words come from mean-spirited people. Mean-spirited people say mean-spirited things because they are discontented and unhappy.  Think about it – do happy people say mean things?  Generally mean-spirited people are insecure and have a low self-esteem.   They call you names, insult you, and ridicule you in an attempt to feel more adequate.  Instead of addressing their "issues," they displace their negative thoughts and feeling about themselves onto you through hurtful words.  Remember, it is the name caller that has the problem, not you!   Why take on their life of discontentment and unhappiness.  So forget about what Uncle Bob said to you years ago or the names the neighbor kid use to call you.  Chances are they’re still unhappy and saying mean things to others.  Food for thought: if you don’t respect someone, why worry about what they have to say about you or anyone else for that matter.   And, if they are a mean-spirited person, they’re not worthy of your respect. 

If you're one of those people who are injuring others with hurtful words, remember the words you choose to utter perpetuates your dislike of yourself, which is perpetuating your discontentment and unhappiness.  Matthew 15:18 tells us, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.”  So, instead of making comments to others about what don't like about them or their inadequacies try holding your tongue.  Do yourself a favor and address what you don't like about yourself.  For when you do, you’ll find you have less and less to say about others.   

Life is about choice - choose your words wisely!

It’s your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!