High Notes

Reading ideas of inspiration is always uplifting. But, being human means that it is easier to read than to do what we read…which often doesn't happen unless we are intentional.  Linda

MEDITATION

We are all different, but in whatever style, we do need to allow time every day to read or meditate on some value or belief that helps us to grow in positive ways. It doesn't matter if we are in the car or in the kitchen, or maybe just falling asleep. Everyone has a favorite uplifting phrase. It might be: All is well. It will work out. It will be OK. I am loved. Be at peace. Fear not. A very small shift, or recalibration as I am prone to say, makes a huge difference. A small amount of time daily in meditation and focus makes a difference in our lives…for the better.

BOOK INSPIRATION

A trip to the library with children often means bringing home a stack of books. This grown up kid reads in stacks, too. A snowed-in winter has surely contributed to this process.

I promised more. Perhaps the part I liked best about Stephen Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, is reflected in the testimony given by Ken Blanchard. He recognized that in this book, Covey integrated what he knew and believed about living a successful life. Stephen Covey believes in integrity and in using communication tools for healthy positive relationships with others, at home and at work. So, this is my take away for anyone: learn, be inspired and motivated to live the high road, and then pass it on.

SPRING

The calendar and spring list both say it is time to get outside and move. Maybe the weather will be enough to stir up the "gung ho" in you. One of my reading adventures was a book by Tom Rath called Eat, Move, Sleep.


Research shows that many people are sitting too much because of watching TV, using computers at work or at home, or movie watching on any variety of tech tools. Maybe we have been unsuccessful with organized exercise programs, but setting our iPhone or mental timer to move every 20 minutes can be a manageable recalibration. Starting is the hardest part of implementing any new plan, but maybe awareness can get us off square one. In spite of ourselves, we may just continue our commitment to MOVE.

April snows bring flowers.

New day, new dreams...

Pick a new dream!
Impossible it did seem.
Yet, time has dried
The tears on my face.
I'm stepping out
in God's grace...

Dreaming!

Silver Linings

FAMILY

LOVE

Faith
Future
Adventure
Unknowns
Wisdom
Wit
Discovery
Growing
Celebration
Gratitude
Fun
Tending
Sharing

FOREVER

Investing in love...

It was only a phone call, but I could hear the raised eyebrows in her voice as she said,  "Oh, you're one of those!"  Yes, I'm an investor!

What does investing mean?  The dictionary says it means to use resources to participate in an enterprise that offers the possibility of gain.  I think it means pouring one's heart, soul, and mind into something you care about.   It also involves money, time, and knowledge.    And it happens at its best over the long term.  It's really about LOVE.

Ask a parent:  he or she will tell you that this is true with growing children.

Ask a spouse:  he or she will tell you that the long road is the one treasured in the world of relationships.

Ask a banker:  he or she will tell you that this definition is true with money.

Ask a Realtor:  he or she will tell you that it is also true with property values.

I love the story of the Velveteen Rabbit.  Read it if you haven't ever.   Investing will mean losing some of your fur because your cause will require ALL of you.   But you won't care.  Because over the long term in the seeming imperfection, the goal is met!

How will you invest in 2014?

Happy 2014

In five years you will be changed by what you read and whom you meet.    Linda

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, suggests that we read differently if we are planning to teach others what we have just read and learned. Sounds like a good New Year's habit to me! It does change how we read. It is also a very powerful way to teach children. Empower him or her to teach someone or something else that's inanimate, the very skill or behavior we want him or her to learn. I first read about this strategy in a favorite book for two year olds written by Azrin and Fox many years ago. It is obvious that I have been around lots of children this holiday. While I am culling my historical library shelves, let me tell you about another favorite book written by Smith and Smith. This is appropriate for the New Year and reading about habits.

Most of us evaluate some part of our life that we want to improve when the New Year rolls around. We may resist New Year's Resolutions, but there is quietly some behavior that we hope to improve slightly in the New Year. I bring you two new ways of looking at this resolution process.

New habits build in twenty-one days if we actually engage in a daily small change behavior. The earth is not flat. Life is not flat. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson says we curve upward or downward in our life process depending on our daily choices. Here's the second thought that comes from Smith and Smith. Brushing your teeth daily probably happened because you learned event time. This is different from clock time. Brushing your teeth happened before the event of going to bed. Which brings me to the event time of new behaviors for 2014.

Before I go to bed I will….
Before I leave the house I will….
Before I have breakfast I will…
Before I shower I will…
Before I whatever, I will….

I love choices. I also know that accountability builds with commitments. I can't tell you what I will be doing every morning at 9 a.m. but I can tell you that my unconscious mind will not let me leave the house unaware of a commitment to a certain behavior….before I go.

So, that is my challenge and new thought for you. Add EVENT TIME to your lives and resolutions for slight changes for the better in 2014. Slight changes give you the slight edge and make a difference over time. Everyone likes to experience success. I think that using event time aligns all personal resources to master a commitment.

Now for Seven Habits…you'll hear more about what I have learned as I finish the book.