CategoriesGratitudeObserve

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.

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CategoriesActionObserveThink 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.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeObserveTime

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.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeThink About ItTime

Appreciate The Process

Posted on March 6, 2022

It’s your discipline, consistency, drive and vision that helps you gets the wins you can celebrate. Success doesn’t just show up. You need to put in the work. The effort you make over time will compound and eventually you will see the benefits.

Don’t delay. Set up your environment to win. Decide what you need to do and get cracking. The results will come if you appreciate the process and work at the process every day.

Pick three things you want to improve on this coming week. What simple and quick things could you do each day to inch you closer to your desired outcome. What will you have to overcome to make this happen? Write these things down. Create a brief plan around them. Then act to make them happen. Review at the end of the week, or even daily! Then celebrate each win. Repeat!

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CategoriesActionReframe your thoughtsThink About It

Nothing To Lose

Posted on March 5, 2022

When you or your group push someone too far, they can get to the point where they have nothing to lose. Are the Allies creating this scenario with President Putin?

I’ve not yet seen the Batman movie, Joker, but I think there may be some similarity here.

President Putin is looking more and more like Joker – nothing to lose if they keep tightening the screws. His choice seems to be a War Crimes trial or thrown out or voted out (and then War Crimes tribunal). Nothing looks good as an end of life legacy. Except doubling down and step on the gas, conquer Europe and live like a Tsar.

He needs to believe his legacy will be elevated if he stops this campaign now and orders his troops home. Or something similar. Otherwise The English Channel beckons.

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CategoriesGratitudeHealth & FitnessReframe your thoughts

Keep Your Chin Up

Posted on March 4, 2022

Life is going to knock you back. It will hit you harder than you expect. And you are likely to notice when you are least expecting it.

Regardless of the challenge ahead, keep your chin up. Be confident. Smile. Laugh in the face of adversity. You’ve made it though everything in life so far. You will get through so much more.

The hardest part can be to not lose your head when it could be so easy to. Be mindful of where your thoughts are leading. Green lights are good. Amber is a warning to adjust now. Red is a concern and the energy needs to be redirected.

The greatest skill you’ll ever learn is how to keep your chin up. Practice today.

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CategoriesGratitudeReframe your thoughts

Enjoy Praise

Posted on March 3, 2022

It may not come often in your life, so revel in it while you can. Date stamp it and celebrate it often!

I’ve had many wonderful and enjoyable comments this past week (and prior) with respect to my new book – Achieve Anything.

Thank you folks.

If you haven’t seen what all the fuss is about, pick up a copy today!

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CategoriesGratitudeObserveThink 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.

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