I have benefitted more from failure than from success.
What is failure? There are probably as many definitions for failure as there are people, and even more examples. Failure is an individual thing and we can all share a few examples from our own life story.
For me failure is defined as my best teacher. It has always been the best motivation for learning. Anytime I encountered what was a failure, my original response was "to try the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Not only would I try the same thing over and over again I would try it harder each time, putting more and more into it. The best failures were the most severe ones. They were the ones where I automatically knew that trying again and again or harder than ever before wasn't going to be the answer.
The failures that taught me the most were the ones from which I walked away knowing that only new thinking is going to fix this. Those failures that were of grandeur proportions that stopped me in my tracks were the ones that forced me to seek new solutions and learn ways that worked. The biggest failures were the best failures.
We have all experienced failures over the course of our lives and what we can do is share the success of our failures for the good of all.
Remember you learn more from failure than you do success.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Breaking up is Hard to Do!
Most of us have been there at one time or another in one form or another. The form is not only the "romantic break up", the addiction breakups are right up there in the major breakups category. I have had my share of breakups and the one on my mind right now the end of my relationship with cigarettes.
My affair with cigs lasted 25 years. It began in earnest when I was a teenager and lasted until I was 40. It is amazing how I felt hostage to the white wand. I had plenty of reasons, even as a kid, to know better. There were no public campaigns against it at the time and it was still socially in vogue. My "should have known better", came in the form of seeing my grandfather, who was a life long smoker, have his voice box removed because of cancer. I even got to see what had been cleaned out of his lungs and was now in large bottles. It wasn't pretty and the word most apt to describe it would be bleeped.
I was totally seduced by cigarettes. Instead of the 2000 chemicals rolled up in a cigarette, I could only see 2000 reasons to smoke. I don't know if I thought they would give me the answers to all of life's questions, guide me in what to do, help me or what, but every time I needed someone or something I would turn to my cigarettes first. And they were always there for me whenever I needed one. Every time I had a cigarette it held so much promise. Whether it was to answer life's most pressing questions, deal with situations or experiences that had arisen, or to choose a course of action in order to change things, I always felt that maybe this time, with this smoke, things might turn out differently. But every cigarette ended as just another dream up in smoke.
Speak about two fold, we all know that cigs are an old friend not a good friend. They displayed their two fold nature in another way - cigarettes provided the way for me to take those moments to stop what I was doing, get quiet, relax and hear the voice within me, but they also provided a distraction so I wouldn't have to listen to the voice.
Over the years my thinking, my lifestyle and my priorities changed. I couldn't say I knew the pros and cons about smoking, since there are really no pros and only cons. It would be more accurate to say that I was well versed in the cons, but "needed" the magic of the next cigarette more. A part of me wanted to quit, but another part of me loved the cigarettes. Yes, actually for most of that 25 years I loved them.
Many people over the years gave me lots of advice on quiting, mostly unsolicited, and generally from former smokers who wanted to reform the world, one smoker at a time and I happened to be the one in the cross-hairs of their scope at the time. It didn't help to hear my father, who quit cold turkey with just one try, say how easy it was. I know some of those people had my best interests at heart but the methods they employed didn't help one little bit. It was actually when most of them had given up on me; stopped nagging, begging and preaching, leaving me to figure things out for myself that I was able to make a good decision.
A couple of times I remember the little voice telling me it is time to quit smoking, the first time was after a relationship break up. I told a wise, non-smoking friend about this urge and she shared her thoughts, which were, "forget about quitting smoking for now, you have enough on your plate to deal with at this time." I was disappointed with her reaction and let the opportunity slip by thinking, oh well maybe it wasn't a good idea. My reaction to this was have another cigarette and mull things over. Maybe my big opportunity would come another time.
The next time I had this little urge was during a similar situation. I had gone on a few dates with someone and discovered it wasn't for me. In the clarity of all that was the little voice, not only telling me to move on but to quit smoking too. I didn't tell anyone this time, I didn't need anyone's permission or approval, I just did it. This was my first serious attempt at ending the "package" relationship. It was on my 40th birthday weekend. I remember flying across the country on my birthday, not seeing anyone that I knew but knowing that this weekend was a change weekend. I wasn't only changing decades I was changing my thinking about various things in my life, what was working for me, what wasn't. I was going home, but not as I had left a couple of days before. I was going back with less, (the habit) but with more, more of me.
I will mention too a couple of not so serious attempts at quitting smoking over the 25 years. I remember a Monday to Friday event once, and the weekend is what ended that attempt. The next time I flipped it around and quit for a weekend. I actually made an entire quilt between the sun down on a Friday night to the sunrise Monday morning. As soon as I finished the quilt and had nothing to do with my mind or my hands I picked up the cigarettes again.
My first serious attempt returning home on my 40th birthday weekend lasted a couple of months and Christmas Eve was my downfall this time. Well if there were no weekends, no Mondays if I quit on the weekend, or Christmas Eves one of those attempts might have worked. Just joking. The good news is that I didn't stay down for long, compared to the 25 years that I had smoked. I smoked for three months after my Christmas Eve slip up, just long enough for me to get to a point of clarity in another relationship. When I let go of the dysfunctional relationship, my dysfunctional relationship with cigarettes went too and this time for good.
I promised myself that I would not be one of those reformed smokers and I would allow everyone their own freedom to choose. I do realize that the cigarettes on some level serve a purpose in everyones' life, or they wouldn't be there. For me, that need was to provide a cover, or smoke screen, for what was going on in my relationships. In all my relationships, from romantic, family, friends, and workplace. With my cigarettes in hand I had to deal with very little. I could ignore most or make myself feel better with a cigarette. I could also kid myself too about my part in things. Cigarettes were my band-aid but the truth of the matter was that I needed healing and a band-aid wasn't cutting it. Until I was ready to heal my wounds I didn't want anyone tearing my band-aid off. I had to be the one to remove it, let fresh air get at things in order to let them heal.
Just as cigarettes are dual in nature, that duality spilled over and created a two part life for me. I now had a "when I smoked life" and a "when I didn't smoke life". I found that there were many things in life that I had never done without my faithful companion cigarette going with me. Wow, it was a little scary to think of going to social events without my cigarettes. Things like comforting a grieving friend totally on my own left me feeling awkward and unsure of what to do, but I showed up much more real. All I could think in that situation was "I have never done this without a cigarette, if I had a cigarette I would know what to do". I didn't fall for my own line. And I started creating a whole new life for myself, similar to learning how to walk for the second time. There were so many things that I had never done without a cigarette and doing them now was like doing them for the first time. I was leaning my walk all over again and I didn't have to walk the same way.
So what does all this have to do with "Do Something Good"? - I had a chance to support someone else in their attempt to quit smoking. I had done this before, but while I was still a smoker. This was the first time I had the opportunity as a non-smoker. And to be completely honest I am not sure how I did. I could tell my friend was going back to her habit and I felt that it was her decision to make. She had enough people telling her what to do, a non-smoker or should I say anti-smoker who was more than happy to give an opinion on the subject and a smoker who would be just as comfortable if she continued to smoke. The anti-smoker and the smoker are a reflection of the inner-self and the ego within us, seeing which one will win. I felt that this was a decision she had to make totally on her own without anyones' interference and having said that I didn't feel that I should interfere by pointing that out. I also didn't want to give a reaction when she told me she had started smoking again, a reaction that might lead her to believe that I was disappointed in her. Any disappointment I have is that the addictive power of cigarettes is so strong and not a disappointment that any one is too weak. Yes I am disappointed that something so small can be so strong and have such power.
From my own experience I know that it is the person who knows when they are ready. It is not just ready to quit smoking but ready to deal with the reason why you smoked. Not everyone deals with the reason why, and for those that don't they are missing out on a golden opportunity to go from the clouds of smoke to walking on clouds. This does take hard work, awkward situations and dealing with things that for, sometimes, years you preferred not to deal with or didn't think you were strong enough to. That was the case with relationships and the role they played in my life.
I thought I was doing my best to serve my friend during her attempt at leaving the smoking relationship. One thing I have learned with my friend's attempt at quitting smoking is that I really should have just asked, "how can I serve you best?" For me being of service isn't just if they decide they want to do the big breakup with the habit, but also if they choose to continue smoking. I want to know how I can serve them best in their life, no matter what the state of affairs.
My affair with cigs lasted 25 years. It began in earnest when I was a teenager and lasted until I was 40. It is amazing how I felt hostage to the white wand. I had plenty of reasons, even as a kid, to know better. There were no public campaigns against it at the time and it was still socially in vogue. My "should have known better", came in the form of seeing my grandfather, who was a life long smoker, have his voice box removed because of cancer. I even got to see what had been cleaned out of his lungs and was now in large bottles. It wasn't pretty and the word most apt to describe it would be bleeped.
I was totally seduced by cigarettes. Instead of the 2000 chemicals rolled up in a cigarette, I could only see 2000 reasons to smoke. I don't know if I thought they would give me the answers to all of life's questions, guide me in what to do, help me or what, but every time I needed someone or something I would turn to my cigarettes first. And they were always there for me whenever I needed one. Every time I had a cigarette it held so much promise. Whether it was to answer life's most pressing questions, deal with situations or experiences that had arisen, or to choose a course of action in order to change things, I always felt that maybe this time, with this smoke, things might turn out differently. But every cigarette ended as just another dream up in smoke.
Speak about two fold, we all know that cigs are an old friend not a good friend. They displayed their two fold nature in another way - cigarettes provided the way for me to take those moments to stop what I was doing, get quiet, relax and hear the voice within me, but they also provided a distraction so I wouldn't have to listen to the voice.
Over the years my thinking, my lifestyle and my priorities changed. I couldn't say I knew the pros and cons about smoking, since there are really no pros and only cons. It would be more accurate to say that I was well versed in the cons, but "needed" the magic of the next cigarette more. A part of me wanted to quit, but another part of me loved the cigarettes. Yes, actually for most of that 25 years I loved them.
Many people over the years gave me lots of advice on quiting, mostly unsolicited, and generally from former smokers who wanted to reform the world, one smoker at a time and I happened to be the one in the cross-hairs of their scope at the time. It didn't help to hear my father, who quit cold turkey with just one try, say how easy it was. I know some of those people had my best interests at heart but the methods they employed didn't help one little bit. It was actually when most of them had given up on me; stopped nagging, begging and preaching, leaving me to figure things out for myself that I was able to make a good decision.
A couple of times I remember the little voice telling me it is time to quit smoking, the first time was after a relationship break up. I told a wise, non-smoking friend about this urge and she shared her thoughts, which were, "forget about quitting smoking for now, you have enough on your plate to deal with at this time." I was disappointed with her reaction and let the opportunity slip by thinking, oh well maybe it wasn't a good idea. My reaction to this was have another cigarette and mull things over. Maybe my big opportunity would come another time.
The next time I had this little urge was during a similar situation. I had gone on a few dates with someone and discovered it wasn't for me. In the clarity of all that was the little voice, not only telling me to move on but to quit smoking too. I didn't tell anyone this time, I didn't need anyone's permission or approval, I just did it. This was my first serious attempt at ending the "package" relationship. It was on my 40th birthday weekend. I remember flying across the country on my birthday, not seeing anyone that I knew but knowing that this weekend was a change weekend. I wasn't only changing decades I was changing my thinking about various things in my life, what was working for me, what wasn't. I was going home, but not as I had left a couple of days before. I was going back with less, (the habit) but with more, more of me.
I will mention too a couple of not so serious attempts at quitting smoking over the 25 years. I remember a Monday to Friday event once, and the weekend is what ended that attempt. The next time I flipped it around and quit for a weekend. I actually made an entire quilt between the sun down on a Friday night to the sunrise Monday morning. As soon as I finished the quilt and had nothing to do with my mind or my hands I picked up the cigarettes again.
My first serious attempt returning home on my 40th birthday weekend lasted a couple of months and Christmas Eve was my downfall this time. Well if there were no weekends, no Mondays if I quit on the weekend, or Christmas Eves one of those attempts might have worked. Just joking. The good news is that I didn't stay down for long, compared to the 25 years that I had smoked. I smoked for three months after my Christmas Eve slip up, just long enough for me to get to a point of clarity in another relationship. When I let go of the dysfunctional relationship, my dysfunctional relationship with cigarettes went too and this time for good.
I promised myself that I would not be one of those reformed smokers and I would allow everyone their own freedom to choose. I do realize that the cigarettes on some level serve a purpose in everyones' life, or they wouldn't be there. For me, that need was to provide a cover, or smoke screen, for what was going on in my relationships. In all my relationships, from romantic, family, friends, and workplace. With my cigarettes in hand I had to deal with very little. I could ignore most or make myself feel better with a cigarette. I could also kid myself too about my part in things. Cigarettes were my band-aid but the truth of the matter was that I needed healing and a band-aid wasn't cutting it. Until I was ready to heal my wounds I didn't want anyone tearing my band-aid off. I had to be the one to remove it, let fresh air get at things in order to let them heal.
Just as cigarettes are dual in nature, that duality spilled over and created a two part life for me. I now had a "when I smoked life" and a "when I didn't smoke life". I found that there were many things in life that I had never done without my faithful companion cigarette going with me. Wow, it was a little scary to think of going to social events without my cigarettes. Things like comforting a grieving friend totally on my own left me feeling awkward and unsure of what to do, but I showed up much more real. All I could think in that situation was "I have never done this without a cigarette, if I had a cigarette I would know what to do". I didn't fall for my own line. And I started creating a whole new life for myself, similar to learning how to walk for the second time. There were so many things that I had never done without a cigarette and doing them now was like doing them for the first time. I was leaning my walk all over again and I didn't have to walk the same way.
So what does all this have to do with "Do Something Good"? - I had a chance to support someone else in their attempt to quit smoking. I had done this before, but while I was still a smoker. This was the first time I had the opportunity as a non-smoker. And to be completely honest I am not sure how I did. I could tell my friend was going back to her habit and I felt that it was her decision to make. She had enough people telling her what to do, a non-smoker or should I say anti-smoker who was more than happy to give an opinion on the subject and a smoker who would be just as comfortable if she continued to smoke. The anti-smoker and the smoker are a reflection of the inner-self and the ego within us, seeing which one will win. I felt that this was a decision she had to make totally on her own without anyones' interference and having said that I didn't feel that I should interfere by pointing that out. I also didn't want to give a reaction when she told me she had started smoking again, a reaction that might lead her to believe that I was disappointed in her. Any disappointment I have is that the addictive power of cigarettes is so strong and not a disappointment that any one is too weak. Yes I am disappointed that something so small can be so strong and have such power.
From my own experience I know that it is the person who knows when they are ready. It is not just ready to quit smoking but ready to deal with the reason why you smoked. Not everyone deals with the reason why, and for those that don't they are missing out on a golden opportunity to go from the clouds of smoke to walking on clouds. This does take hard work, awkward situations and dealing with things that for, sometimes, years you preferred not to deal with or didn't think you were strong enough to. That was the case with relationships and the role they played in my life.
I thought I was doing my best to serve my friend during her attempt at leaving the smoking relationship. One thing I have learned with my friend's attempt at quitting smoking is that I really should have just asked, "how can I serve you best?" For me being of service isn't just if they decide they want to do the big breakup with the habit, but also if they choose to continue smoking. I want to know how I can serve them best in their life, no matter what the state of affairs.
Friday, May 9, 2008
When it feels right, Give!
One day, about 3 years ago, I got a call from a lady named Lisa. She told me she was with the New England Aquarium. Lisa was looking for a house on the island where I lived, that was furnished, could hold 6 people and was available for one month in the summer. She was part of a team of scientist coming to Cape Sable Island, and they were using this location as a base to continue their work with Right Whales, the rarest whales in the world.
Lisa told me this team had visited the island about 20 years ago as part of their research. I asked where they had stayed at that time - that might be a place to start looking. She informed me they didn't have any place to stay 20 years ago and had to stay aboard their boat. I knew that 6 people, living for one month on a boat, without showers and facilities, would not be a good situation and they were staying into September with the possibility of some pretty cold nights.
I agreed right away that I would try to help but told her it would be extremely difficult to find accommodations for that number of people. Even trying to find a regular rental property could be difficult, let alone the additional requirements of completely furnished and all the extras like dishes and utensils that they would need.
I made some inquiries and was coming up empty handed. When I was running out of possibilities I thought to myself "the only way you are going to be able to help her is to give her your house" and right behind that thought was one that was a sarcastic "Right". Then I thought why not, after some discussions and reassurances on their part that things would be looked after I agreed. People told me that I was crazy, I had such a wonderful house, in such good condition and what would I find when I returned. I didn't listen to the critics and kept my word.
I made arrangements to go to my mother's cottage in the woods. I did hit the panic button just before I had to leave. I had never been away from the ocean for that long. I loved the ocean, it was my life line. How would I manage? Maybe I could stow away in my bedroom. Would that work?
It was time to go and I went hesitantly. What a wonderful surprise awaited me. Lisa and her crew were the catalyst for one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I loved the quiet, the absolute solitude, the woods, nature and communion with the natural.
The crew from the New England Aquarium gave me one of the best gifts in my life and it come about all because I was willing to give. When you give - you get. Let your giving come from your heart and it will touch your heart in ways that are wondrous.
Lisa told me this team had visited the island about 20 years ago as part of their research. I asked where they had stayed at that time - that might be a place to start looking. She informed me they didn't have any place to stay 20 years ago and had to stay aboard their boat. I knew that 6 people, living for one month on a boat, without showers and facilities, would not be a good situation and they were staying into September with the possibility of some pretty cold nights.
I agreed right away that I would try to help but told her it would be extremely difficult to find accommodations for that number of people. Even trying to find a regular rental property could be difficult, let alone the additional requirements of completely furnished and all the extras like dishes and utensils that they would need.
I made some inquiries and was coming up empty handed. When I was running out of possibilities I thought to myself "the only way you are going to be able to help her is to give her your house" and right behind that thought was one that was a sarcastic "Right". Then I thought why not, after some discussions and reassurances on their part that things would be looked after I agreed. People told me that I was crazy, I had such a wonderful house, in such good condition and what would I find when I returned. I didn't listen to the critics and kept my word.
I made arrangements to go to my mother's cottage in the woods. I did hit the panic button just before I had to leave. I had never been away from the ocean for that long. I loved the ocean, it was my life line. How would I manage? Maybe I could stow away in my bedroom. Would that work?
It was time to go and I went hesitantly. What a wonderful surprise awaited me. Lisa and her crew were the catalyst for one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I loved the quiet, the absolute solitude, the woods, nature and communion with the natural.
The crew from the New England Aquarium gave me one of the best gifts in my life and it come about all because I was willing to give. When you give - you get. Let your giving come from your heart and it will touch your heart in ways that are wondrous.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
He Made A Difference
Today I went for a walk on the beach, not an uncommon thing to do this time of year. I grew up on an island and spent most of my life there. I have many fond memories of being on or near the water. Today as I was walking, with the wind brushing my skin and the feel of salt in the air, one of my beach memories floated through my mind.
About one year ago I was in a European country, sitting on the beach, being a good student and doing my lessons, when the actions and looks of a gentleman drew my attention. What were the actions - he was picking up garbage on the beach, and the looks - he looked like he spent alot of time in the elements and his clothes were not in the best condition, could he be homeless? In many places it would not be a strange occurance to pick up garbage, but in this particular country it was not uncommon to see people throw things on the street, litter and littering was a problem. When I would see paper blowing, or other litter, pick it up then put it in the garbage, residents would look at me like I was part of a sideshow at the circus. So why was this man picking up garbage - was he being forced to, was he part of a "chain gang" or maybe he was fulfilling probation terms. This man was prepared for the job, complete with garbage bags.
Everyone has a story and I wondered what his was. I watched in hopes of getting some answers, but didn't arrive at any conclusions. I decided to ask, while I still had my opportunity. I was in luck, the gentleman was from England and spoke my language. He told me he was "just walking" and that as he walked he picked up garbage wherever he went. At one point in the conversation he looked down and he said "you know tomorrow it probably won't make a difference. You will see garbage here again and no one will even know that I was here." I assured him that it did make a difference.
I admired so much what he was doing that I wanted to do something for him. I wasn't sure what he did for food or where he was getting meals. All I had with me was my lunch money, which I gladly gave him. I could go without one meal and he could have lunch and maybe even replenish his garbage bags.
The next morning I was prepared to help this man again. I rushed to the beach only to find that the tide had brought more garbage in and the person I think of as the "I'm just walking and I pick up garbage wherever I go" man was gone. He was wrong about "tomorrow it probably won't make a difference...and no one will even know that I was here." If you ever happen to be in Europe and see a man just walking and picking up garbage as he goes, let him know he did make a difference and I will remember for a long time to come that he was there. I beleive in leaving things a little better than we find them, whether they are places, situations, or interactions with people and this man truly exemplified this - he certainly left everywhere he went better than he found it.
About one year ago I was in a European country, sitting on the beach, being a good student and doing my lessons, when the actions and looks of a gentleman drew my attention. What were the actions - he was picking up garbage on the beach, and the looks - he looked like he spent alot of time in the elements and his clothes were not in the best condition, could he be homeless? In many places it would not be a strange occurance to pick up garbage, but in this particular country it was not uncommon to see people throw things on the street, litter and littering was a problem. When I would see paper blowing, or other litter, pick it up then put it in the garbage, residents would look at me like I was part of a sideshow at the circus. So why was this man picking up garbage - was he being forced to, was he part of a "chain gang" or maybe he was fulfilling probation terms. This man was prepared for the job, complete with garbage bags.
Everyone has a story and I wondered what his was. I watched in hopes of getting some answers, but didn't arrive at any conclusions. I decided to ask, while I still had my opportunity. I was in luck, the gentleman was from England and spoke my language. He told me he was "just walking" and that as he walked he picked up garbage wherever he went. At one point in the conversation he looked down and he said "you know tomorrow it probably won't make a difference. You will see garbage here again and no one will even know that I was here." I assured him that it did make a difference.
I admired so much what he was doing that I wanted to do something for him. I wasn't sure what he did for food or where he was getting meals. All I had with me was my lunch money, which I gladly gave him. I could go without one meal and he could have lunch and maybe even replenish his garbage bags.
The next morning I was prepared to help this man again. I rushed to the beach only to find that the tide had brought more garbage in and the person I think of as the "I'm just walking and I pick up garbage wherever I go" man was gone. He was wrong about "tomorrow it probably won't make a difference...and no one will even know that I was here." If you ever happen to be in Europe and see a man just walking and picking up garbage as he goes, let him know he did make a difference and I will remember for a long time to come that he was there. I beleive in leaving things a little better than we find them, whether they are places, situations, or interactions with people and this man truly exemplified this - he certainly left everywhere he went better than he found it.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My Secret to Feeling Rich
The times that I have felt the richest aren't necessarily those times that I have had the most money. Often times it has been quite the contrary. So what is my secret to feeling rich, and yes I will add feeling rich has a pretty good feel to it.
I feel the richest when I am able to give and let go of what I am giving freely, knowing that the universe will support me and I will have whatever it is I need. I feel more because of the giving and not less because of what is gone. I have come to realize that I am not my stuff. I am a Being not a having.
When we are feeling poor, or poor in spirit, we often mistake our stuff for ourselves. The thought of giving or letting go of "our" possessions, which we translate as letting go of ourselves, leaves us with the feeling that we will be less than we are now if we give. We could have all the possessions in the world and still feel poor.
Being rich is feeling rich. The next time you have a chance to give, in whatever way is best for you, do so from that place of richness and feel just how good feeling rich can be.
How the Right Kind of Giving Fuels You!
Giving is Giving - Right? Wrong! How do you know what the right kind of giving is? That is simple - the giving that has the most effect is that which fuels the giver as well as the receiver.
Some of you already know what kind of giving makes you feel great and you mainly stick to that. Wonderful, keep enjoying what you are doing. What about for those who aren't sure? First know that there are no mistakes, and second that there are many ways to give. You can give of your time, skills, knowledge, manpower, ideas, money or other resources. You just have to find the way that works for you. For anything you may have tried that wasn't right, it is not a mistake but a road sign pointing you in the right direction.
If you are giving of your time, know what it is that you like to do. Some people get involved in an organization or a cause and then think they are in the wrong place. When in fact they may be in the right place, just doing the wrong thing. Know what your skills are and what you have to offer, but also know what it is you like to do. For some people their skills, or what they are good at, and what they like to do are the same, for others, no. You may be good at keeping paper work in order, but dislike doing it and what you really like doing is writing. If you were to help an organization or cause handling paper work, you would become drained, not liking what you were doing and think that you were helping with the wrong thing, when actually you would just be helping in the wrong way. What ever it is you like to do and want to do, know that it can be used for a force for good and a way to give.
You are not always in a postition in your job to draft your own job description, but when it comes to what you give, you are. Create your own giving plan that adds zest to your life and joy to others. This is the high performance fuel you run best on and is the best quality giving.
Look at the Good Deeds on http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ and see which ones would fuel you!
Some of you already know what kind of giving makes you feel great and you mainly stick to that. Wonderful, keep enjoying what you are doing. What about for those who aren't sure? First know that there are no mistakes, and second that there are many ways to give. You can give of your time, skills, knowledge, manpower, ideas, money or other resources. You just have to find the way that works for you. For anything you may have tried that wasn't right, it is not a mistake but a road sign pointing you in the right direction.
If you are giving of your time, know what it is that you like to do. Some people get involved in an organization or a cause and then think they are in the wrong place. When in fact they may be in the right place, just doing the wrong thing. Know what your skills are and what you have to offer, but also know what it is you like to do. For some people their skills, or what they are good at, and what they like to do are the same, for others, no. You may be good at keeping paper work in order, but dislike doing it and what you really like doing is writing. If you were to help an organization or cause handling paper work, you would become drained, not liking what you were doing and think that you were helping with the wrong thing, when actually you would just be helping in the wrong way. What ever it is you like to do and want to do, know that it can be used for a force for good and a way to give.
You are not always in a postition in your job to draft your own job description, but when it comes to what you give, you are. Create your own giving plan that adds zest to your life and joy to others. This is the high performance fuel you run best on and is the best quality giving.
Look at the Good Deeds on http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ and see which ones would fuel you!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Ask High Quality Questions
I have heard it said that every time we ask a question the answer is already contained within the question. When I started asking high quality questions then I got answers that corresponded to the level of the question.
One such question I asked was, "What can I do to make a difference, where I am, with what I have?" The answer was really clear http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ The answer was concise and came pretty quick - I asked the question for just a couple of days. The answer was fast, but the doing took a little longer.
Over the course of a few months everything fell into place. I had the idea but didn't have the technical know how to create a website. I shared my idea with my cousin, Linda Symonds, who right from the start wanted to be involved in making a difference, and her first good deed on the project was a big one, she was the technical person and wonderfully put it all on the web. My many, many thanks.
The next time you are faced with a situation of any kind put some thought into the question and know that the answer is already in the question, waiting to unfold.
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