Observe Archives - Page 47 of 78

Consider The Decades

Posted on March 16, 2022

1-10 Born, rapid growth both mental and physical.
11-20 Education. Physical transformation.
21-30 Explore. Income. Partner? Children?

31-40 Accelerate career. Promotions. Family?

41-50 Career growth. Relationship. Parents challenges. Kids big moves. Empty nest. Friends. Travel

51-60 Top of your game. High earnings. Big titles. Considering retirement. Grandchildren. Parents passing. Inheritance. Kids on property ladder.

61-70 Golden years. Travel. Activities. Fun. Financial understanding.

71-80 Health Focus. Legacy. Finances. Children. Grandchildren. Great grand children. Financial help. Guidance.

81-90 Independence. Reflection. Activities. Enjoyment. Health challenges.

91-100 Less independence. More consideration of what’s been and what’s next

101-onwards. Well done ???

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

Action Observe Reframe your thoughts Time

Keep Things Calm

Posted on March 12, 2022

Be careful how you speak and what you say. When you get a bit excited, anxious or passionate, it’s easier to say things that alienate others, even while you might be trying to get them on your side.

Stay away from name calling and moral superiority. Stick to the facts and know they may interpret the same facts differently. Be kind. Understand your intent.

It’s too easy to lose family, friends, partners and others by chastising them or saying things that aren’t very kind, just because they have a different view of things.

Otherwise you become part of the problem, not the solution.

Keep things calm.

Gratitude Observe

Maps Fascinate Me

Posted on March 11, 2022

I love looking at maps. I always have. They hold the magic of adventure, new discoveries, exciting places and people and fun challenges unknown.

I just found myself looking at the maps of Ukraine, Norway and Russia. It reminded me how much I enjoy it now and I enjoyed it when I was 10, 12, a teen and beyond.

I used to pull out our Encyclopaedia Brittanica Atlas of The World and while away my time reviewing topography, population figures, mountain ranges and city details.

There were so many places to go, to see, to visit. There were gorgeous vistas to enjoy, boundaries to observe, squiggly border lines to consider and weather patterns to understand.

My parents saved and sent me on a school trip to Italy when I was 16. That was a long way from rural Canada, or the Capital, Ottawa, that I had recently moved to. First, we landed in the then Czechoslovakia, with its strong military presence and gray barrenness.

Then we spent a couple of weeks travelling the length of Italy, including Milan, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento and Venice. Amazing.

Even on my return, I would review the route we took and see the topography we traversed. I would do this for places I wanted to go to and after I’d been. Like when I lived in Bolivia, Australia, or Mexico. And still now when I travel in the U.K., Europe or back in Canada.

Maps fascinate me.

Action Observe Reframe your thoughts

Lead By Example

Posted on March 10, 2022

Quite simple. Demonstrate leadership through your own actions. Less talk. More action. People are watching. Demonstrate before you castigate.

Action Observe Think About It

Diversity Of Thought Or Appearance

Posted on March 9, 2022

Which is better? Are they both good but for different reasons? Should we focus on improving one, the other, both or neither?

Should we be trying to engineer things or let them take their natural course? Think about the forced path meandering across a green space in front of a university or other building. Then notice the well worn path in the grass that is the direct route across the space that so many people clearly take.

Diversity of appearance can help people see themselves in the position of that admired person one day, as outward appearance is a quick identifier.

However, if you take the Bible and wrap it with dozens of distinctly different looking covers, the text inside will be the same. If a book club selects all the different books based on their cover, when each review is given, the content will be strikingly similar and monotone. There may be little diversity of thought or intellectual diversity.

On the other hand, a person could look very similar to a few dozen other people and have very different views, experiences, thoughts and perspectives on a variety of topics. This would demonstrate diversity of thought.

So, as always, it depends on what your intent is and what you are solving for.

However, don’t argue for diversity of thought while only seeking diverse appearances. Likewise, it’s best not to think you’re getting diversity of thought when you are really just keeping up appearances.

Action Gratitude Observe Time

Impact On Others

Posted on March 8, 2022

You may not ever know how much you have impacted other people’s lives. But if you ever find out, it can be an incredibly overpowering feeling.

Imagine that your comment inspired a child to study medicine and find a treatment for a disease. Or perhaps, given your confidence during a fire drill, a teenager decided to dedicate their life to firefighting and saving lives.

Or your kindness in a tense situation made other people aware it was possible and they multiplied this treatment of others, forward, for decades.

Usually we don’t get to see the depth of our wake. But in those rare moments when we are shown, or we have the good fortune to catch a glimpse, it can make the world seem so valuable and our lives worthwhile.

Gratitude Observe Think About It

Making Profound Choices

Posted on March 2, 2022

What are the tough choices you have to make daily? What to buy for lunch? Which clothes to wear? Where to meet up with friends?

Sometimes we have to make far more difficult choices. Occasionally we have to decide whether to have an operation or not? Or what to do with an aging parent. Other choices may involve divorce, having a baby or going on a unique holiday.

Hopefully you never have to make a decision about who to execute or whether to evacuate a war zone. May you never have to say goodbye to your spouse or children as you go off to war. These are the types of decisions millions of people are having to make right now.

We all have bad moments, days and even years. Spare a thought today though, for all the people caught up in this very challenging time in Ukraine. Many have to make life and death decisions, some do so several times in a day.

Gratitude Observe Think About It

What Makes A Favourite Book?

Posted on March 1, 2022

Is your favourite book fiction or non-fiction? Was it written recently or is it a classic? Was it written by a famous author or a relatively unknown one?

Is it a favourite from childhood or later in life? Is it a children’s book? Why is it your favourite book? The cover, content, story or just the right time and place for you?

I have many questions ?.

Some of my favourite books are: Encyclopaedia Brown, The Celestine Prophecy, One by Richard Bach, Achieve Anything and Atlas Shrugged.

Let me know yours below ?

Gratitude Health & Fitness Observe Think About It

What Makes A Wonderful Day?

Posted on February 27, 2022

Sunshine? Warmth? Health? Family? Friends? A purpose? Winning at something? A kind word said to you? Kind action from another person? A flower? Good news? A phone call from an old friend? Completing a task? A cease fire? A peace treaty? A favourite song?

You don’t need 24 full hours of wonderful to declare, and feel, it’s a wonderful day. It can be one simple thing.

I had a wonderful day today. Gorgeous sunshine. Warmth from the sun. Blue skies. Freedom. Confidence in our institutions and law. Coaching and watching my son’s rugby ? team. He scored a try and played very well.

Then I went to watch my other son play field hockey. He scored a goal and helped his team to victory in the England Hockey quarterfinals. On to the semis!

There have been other lovely moments today too. But those really made it wonderful. Being healthy and able to enjoy children having fun, with some competitive tension, can make one blissful.

My wish for you is many, many wonderful days in your life. Keep it simple, observe and enjoy.