Progress

Henri Frederic Amiel said:

A thousand things advance; nine hundred and ninety-nine retreat; that is progress.

 I have some big projects in front of me. The kind that make you say things like "we'll cross that bridge when we get to it" when you start to get too far ahead of yourself. And,sometimes it's much easier to daydream about how life will be when you get all the projects done, than actually doing the work!

But, here I am! You need to take it one step at a time. Maybe do one little bit today and then a little bit tomorrow. Actually, my husband says I should spend two hours a day on one project and then two hours a day on the other big project. This seems like a good distribution of time and way to prioritize.

I am starting to make progress. Every little progress makes it easier to do the next part of the project, because, well, there is now less to be done (mathematically speaking). But, what do you do when motivation wanes. My favorite thing to do is have a cup of hot cocoa or play on the internet. However, that is not very helpful! I guess the best answer for the question is a timeline and scheduling your time (there goes the math again!). 

Say, "I have a goal and this is how much I need to get done every day to get my goal accomplished by the date I have set". Right now, my wishful thinking tells me that the work will be done well in advance of the set date. And, it may very well be. I have reinforcements on the way to push me to get more accomplished. That is helpful too-enlisting reinforcements or just good company to make tasks more enjoyable. 

Of course, I always must remember-in a few months I will hardly remember the hard work that had to be done (God willing).

 Now here, you see, it takes all the running you can do to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!

- Lewis Carroll

I'm a bit tired of being in the same place, so I better start running faster!

Not today, Honey.

Do you ever feel like you are living a mantra from a book by Dr Seuss. I feel that way today. I should be saying, "Today is my day", but instead, I feel like sleeping the day away. That could partially be due to the fact that I'm sick, but I still feel like I should get something accomplished.

Anyway, thought it would be a good time to discuss procrastination. Here is a great Spanish proverb:

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the year.

I am headed for one very busy day pretty soon if that is true! I cannot even begin to write down my to do list because it is so overwhelming. So, I am at "baby steps". The problem with "baby steps" is that it just doesn't seem like enough for me. I guess that is why I end up doing nothing at all. Way to be productive! And I believe I know my problem. I don't know how much I can reasonably get done, so I don't get started.

Johann von Goethe said:

The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.

Ouch! I am pretty far from perfection. Maybe I don't like how much I feel I will be able to accomplish. I would like to accomplish much more. But, when you don't feel well, you just don't have the energy. I have a hard time telling myself that it is okay to just be sick and rest and get better.
At any rate, Edgar Watson Howe said:

Half the unhappiness in the world is due to the failure of plans which were never reasonable, and often impossible.

So, I will try to be reasonable. I can accomplish a Latte, my kid's dance class tonight, maybe a quick sweep of the house, and my blog. Then I shall call it a day! And, I will be happy, because I have been reasonable, not impossible. Or something like that.

Change

Miriam Schiff said:

On the human chessboard, all moves are possible.

This gives me hope. Sometimes, I can't figure out how to make the move, but it is encouraging to know that the move can be made. I'm endlessly trying to figure out how things work and how to improve processes. I feel now more than ever that you must have some ability to think outside the box to be successful in this world, or even just to stay relevant.
I recently read a quote regarding looking for a job that stated : employers are not looking for someone that can just do the job, they want someone that will reinvent the job. Now, I misquidedly took this advice to heart at a recent job attempt. The office seemed to encourage me to make changes, but really they wanted things to stay the same. However, I think at the right opportunity, employers do want someone that is creative and tries to improve the business as much as they can.

Continuity gives us roots; Change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.

                                -Pauline R Kezer

I think we all have to continually change and increase our knowledge to be the best people we can be. The better we are able to adapt to the changes that are put before us, the more likely we will be to be successful and happy in our environment.

And, always remember, as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it:

We change whether we like it or not.

Let's hope that the changes we make are always for the better.  .  

Could Be Worse

Jack Benny once said: 

I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either.

Sometimes, things happen to us that we don't deserve. And for most of us, in the midst of it, we wonder why it is happening to us and think absolutely nothing could be worse. I even feel this way sometimes. And, then, Oh No! You find out how you were wrong! It can always be worse! Hopefully, you find out empathetically rather than it actually happening to you.

It usually makes good sense to try to put everything into perspective. Or, see circumstances relative to what other people are going through. You know the old adage: what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. Well, there you have it! Other people may die by what you are going through, so, lucky you! You have been made stronger!
The only problem is, new things happen to us and we are only as good as our ability to eventually see past it. I have had situations in the past that really stressed me out. I hoped that one day, I would not be as stressed out when similar occurences happened in the future. And, for the most part, I believe I have mellowed a bit and don't react as strongly to adversity as I did in the past. That is one of the few great things about getting older and wiser. You actually see that things could be worse, so you don't react as strongly.
Make it a point to try and see past trials and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Because, it is always there, but it may just be a long tunnel.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

- Oscar Wilde

Ambition

Friedrich Nietzsche said:

Either you reach a higher point today, or you exercise your strength in order to be able to climb higher tomorrow.

Now, it has been a while since I have encountered the name Machiavelli, but the next quote that struck me was by Machiavelli. So, I quickly consulted my friend, Wikipedia, to refresh my memory. I remembered that he wrote "the Prince", of course, but could not remember why it was so significant at the time. I was surprised to find out in my reading that earlier in his life, he was a prominent political figure and later in life, he mostly wrote. He wrote both fiction (even some comedy) and political related works (his attempt to remain in politics).
Anyway, to the point, Machiavelli rejected Christian principles of modesty and virtue. He believed in providence and even saw "ambition, spiritedness, and the pursuit of glory as good and natural things, and part of the virtue and prudence that good princes should have"
Amazingly, in reading, I discovered that a lot of the principles of government he advocated are still true today.
Thankful to the important people who have gone before that believed in ambition and spiritedness, because without them, we may not have the gratification of pursuing our ambitions freely.

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

- Niccolo Machiavelli

Oh, and keep on dreaming and working towards a higher goal.

Unhappy People

Bertrand Russell said:

Whenever one finds oneself inclined to bitterness, it is a sign of emotional failure.

I like that line of thinking. It makes me realize that the bitter person is the crazy one, not you. It is not emotionally healthy to constantly be finding fault in others. I would much rather find the good in people, anyway.

Simone Weil said:

Those who are unhappy have no need for anything in this world but people capable of giving them their attention.

This is advice that could have served me well earlier in life. Even my five year old knows to ignore "not nice" people. Why dignify someone that clearly cannot find reason within themselves to be content in life?

And on a final note, Charles J. Ingersoll stated:    

Anger blows out the lamp of the mind. In the examination of a great and important question, every one should be serene, slow-pulsed, and calm.

 I like that one. Anger makes you dumb. I couldn't agree more! So, stay calm, and don;t let anger or unhappiness be your trademark or people won't be able to take you seriously.

Refill, please.

Helen Keller said:

No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.

 I've been giving thought to the old glass half empty/glass half full debate and decided that it made no sense, because if your glass is only half full/empty, you could just ask for a refill. So, being pessimistic just does not pay off. It is really just based on the premise that you are too cowardly to ask for what you believe you deserve.

Vincent van Gogh said:

Great things are not something accidental, but must certainly be willed.

This type of thinking is probably why Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists. He never made money on his work during his lifetime and he lost an ear along the way, but he still believed that he was doing something great. He willed himself to be regarded as an important artist.

Colleen C. Barrett proclaimed:

Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun.

So, I'm going to end the glass half full debate by saying, that your attitude matters. We can all stand to be a little more positive. And, when you can't, just go get a refill of "positivity". 

Time

Benjamin Franklin said:

Does thou love life? Then do not sqaunder time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

This is something that I admittedly have a problem with. Tomorrow is another day. I will do it tomorrow. But, then I end up wasting a lot of time. Others could probably get done in two hours what it would take me all day to do. I guess you could say I'm easily distracted. But, I'm encouraged not to waste time for two reasons. One, I need to find a job. Two, I have a tendency to spend time surfing the internet or watching movies instead of exercising or getting out and soaking up the sunshine.

Of course, we could take the words of Coco Chanel:

There is time for work. And there is time for love. That leaves no other time.

By this definition of time, I have no work, so all the time I have would be for love. And, I do spend some time on that. More than that, I try to spend time being positive and upbeat about the work that will come, soon, hopefully.
I realize that my current situation won't last forever, so I should be enjoying this time, but, also, try to be productive. I will look back on this time and see that it was shortlived and I don't want it to be wasted.


Robert Frost said:

In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on.

So, life will go on. And in the meantime, I plan on collecting some small adventures, soaking up some rays and looking for opportunities.

Living for Today

As a tree emperiously leans into the soft, subtle wind,

I attend to what it may have to say to me.

Gaze at the flower blossoms and the rainfall.

One fine day, they may have all disappeared.

When the ocean roars in the tide,

I break off to embrace the peace it brings.

The calm once the waves have broken,

And the sounds of the water whistfully dashing.

When I have trudged to the crest of a local summit,

there I may find myself without speech.

My head becomes immersed in contemplation.

Up here, life seems so complete.

As the pumpkin vines creep up the wooden picket fence,

I ponder the delicious savorings they will produce.

The tomatoes resting tranquilly in the garden,

Awaken me to the evidence that life refreshes every day.

So, live completely satisfied in the breath of today.

These fortunes may not come again our way.

Thirst of the vitality ahead of you.

And, prohibit youself from skipping to the conclusion of

the book of life that you've just embarked on reading.

Picture originally from Runner's World magazine

Serendipity

Destiny....... Kismet.......Karma.......Imminent.......Certainty.......Predestination

whatever may happen (certainly); as chance would have it; che sara sara ["Whatever will be will be" (Italian)]

We like to think of serendipity as a romantic notion of luck. However, the words that most closely are associated with serendipity don't imply luck so much as a predetermination of events.

When I was younger, I was much more superstitious. I believed that bad luck could be caused by walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror. I was even convinced that since we had broken the corner off of a large wall mirror we suffered some years of bad luck. Everything from financial difficulties to the loss of loved ones.

Now, that I am older, I don't dread "negative" events like I did in the past. I don't view them as bad karma or the result of something I have done wrong in the past. Instead, I view difficult circumstances as a chance to grow and learn. I know that something good and even better than previous experiences will come.  But, you have to be open. Always thinking, how can I use this circumstance. The doors fly wide open to the possibilities.

"--- you don't reach Serendib by plotting a course for it. You have to set out in good faith for elsewhere and lose your bearings ... serendipitously." (John Barth, The Last Voyage of Somebody the Sailor)
I hope to lose my bearings.

And, finally, a romantic poem on Serendipity.

Serendipity by Peter Masters

Two boats that drift through night and day
becalmed by thoughts of what they'll say
what they'll feel and who they'll be
the warmth behind the face they'll see.
For when the moment comes to meet
and you are asked to take your seat,
two souls just waiting to be found
to hear the richness of life's sound
she'll know not what it means to me
to be my serendipity

Friendship

Henry David Thoreau said:

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.

How do you satisfy a friend?

Friend means: ally, affectionate, loyal, advocate, confidant, companion, sympathetic, playful, collaborator, helpful, honest, familiar.

The same actions used in acquiring happiness are indicated in a good friendship.

George Eliot said:  

Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.

A friend will always be there with a smile and ready to pick you back up again at the end of the day. As long as you are honest.

In closing-Oprah Winfrey said: 

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

 I plan on being there even if the limo breaks down.

Living

I opened an email today that closed with:

-Life is a gift-Open Daily-

This, of course, made me think about living and happiness in life.

Audrey Hepburn said: Finding the small pleasures in every day life and living every moment like your action in that single moment matters is the key to happiness in life. If you wait for something great to happen, it may not ever happen. But keep busy in the moment, and you may incidentally experience true happiness.

Benjamin Franklin said:

Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom.

So, here's to living in the moment! And, treating every single moment and day like a gift and an opportunity to do the right thing.

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; love more, and all good things will be yours.

Swedish proverb

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

Confidence

Susan B. Anthony said:


original graphic from Runners World Magazine



The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball-the further I am rolled, the more I gain.

Well spoken words from the woman responsible for women's suffrage in the civil rights movement of the 19 th century. If she had backed down, women would probably not be where they are now: in positions of power in major corporations, secretary of state, astronauts, supreme court judges, powerful speakers.....

She actually did not have confidence so much as an iron will to succeed at becoming equal to the men of her time in terms of education and acceptance. She was once told when she was a child that she would not be taught math, because she was a girl. (Wikipedia) That would give me the determination to make a difference as well.

Rise above the circumstances to get what you deserve in life. That is where self confidence comes from.

Joan Rivers said:

We Can't Afford to Doubt Ourselves I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door-or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present

Now, I normally wouldn't quote Joan Rivers, but she has a valid point. So let's make a door open for ourselves and see what can happen in life. Even if you have to make the door!

Job Hunt

George Bernard Shaw said:

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends upon the unreasonable man.

I developed this acronym from synonyms of topics that are usually listed on a resume such as: Objective, Experience, Skills, Education and Interests.


Judicial-Weigh the opportunities. You may find that there are more
 open doors than you anticipated.
Open Minded-Prejudices reveal ignorance in character.


Bonus-Try to highlight something individually unique about yourself.

Happening-Technology is evolving everyday. Make every effort to understand the current technology.  


Understanding-There will be disappointments on the road to success. If there was not, you would not be able to value the inevitable success.


Nurture-Maintain networks and professional relationships. Increase your knowledge base.


Target-Every company is different and wants team members to understand their goals. Let each company know that you have taken the time to learn about them.


And, don't forget to be unreasonable or you won't make any reasonable progress!

Live For Others

Albert Einstein said:

Only a life lived for others is a life worth while

I am going to stop right here and say that I do not believe I have lived up to this motto.
Of course, I try my best to provide for my family. And, I try to do community service when I can.

But, How can you measure the degree to which you have lived for others? What does it mean to live for others?

Live For Others

Nothing in the nature lives for itself                                           
Rivers don’t drink their own water
Trees don’t eat their own fruit
Sun doesn’t give heat for itself
Moon doesn’t ever go on honeymoon
Flowers don’t spread fragrance for themselves
Moral:
Living for Others is the Rule of Nature

According to this definition, it would seem almost impossible to live merely for ourselves. If your whole purpose in existing in a natural state is to give of yourself so that others can exist, then you need to find out exactly what you give.

So, here are some ideas of what we can give.....
time, a lending hand, feed a meal, fix a house, race for a cure, smiles, laughter, a dance, projects finished on time, life itself, listening, forgiving, second chances, choices, and hard work.

Origin: Face to the Sunshine

     Helen Keller said:

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow

     She was blind if you remember correctly. But, she was probably right. Let me check.

     The shadow falls from everything else but me.

     I'm talking about perspective. The dictionary defines perspective as: the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship. But, also, defined as: the state of existing in space before the eye. I read that two ways. First, the shadow is running away from you. Second, your perspective is off.

     Albert Einstein said:

I want to know God's thoughts. The rest are details

     Too often, we foctus on the details. Things we perceive to be fact, but forget that their are greater forces at work. Forces such as individual determination, ability, effectiveness, vigor, dynamism, strength and, well, God. So, keep your face to the sunshine, try to see what God sees, and exert all your individual forces and the shadows can't touch you.