I was re-reading an excerpt from John C. Maxwell’s short book titled,“Success One Day At A Time.” In it, he wrote about his friend Zig Ziglar who once told him that he visited the Washington Monument on a trip to Washington, D.C. As he arrived with some friends he heard a guide announce, “ladies and gentlemen, there is currently a two hour wait to ride the elevator to the top of the monument.” The guide paused a moment, smiled and added, “However, there is no wait should you desire to take the stairs.” He used this short story as an example of how life truly is, as there are no elevators in life that take you straight to the top.  Getting there takes a series of steps, some longer and some shorter than others. John ended his example with a statement, “The amount of steps you are willing to take and how long you are willing to climb will eventually determine how high you will go.”  The greatest athletes may have been born with natural talent, however, they put in extraordinary hours of practice, training and eating healthy to keep their bodies in top shape.  If you were to ask any of them I am sure they could tell you how many daily steps it takes them to maintain their top form.  Success no matter how it is defined, begins with taking a step and setting a goal.  We are all capable of doing at least those two things, which provides us with the formidable recipe that can allow us to succeed.  Keep stepping and keep climbing, you will find that your efforts will have taken you closer to the top than you give yourself credit for.

   

Where does one draw their daily inspiration from?  Life is hard at times and some days are tougher than others.  Therefore it is up to us to gather things that can lift our spirits to experience a sense of positive validation.  I look for all types of things that can be my daily dose of inspiration.  From funny pictures to stories of random acts of kindness, I try to fill up my day with anything that can add value to it.  Among the best examples are when I receive personal feedback from someone telling me I made a difference in their life.  When people provide you with a compliment accept it with a smile and thank them for it.  I know a lot of people struggle with accepting a compliment and at times I still feel awkward about it, however, I have gotten a lot better at it.  Depending on how you were raised, many people were taught not to draw attention to themselves, so when someone does, your instinct could tell you to deflect the compliment.  Work on getting better at accepting personal praise and look for things that make you smile or feel good in your heart.  Continue to fill your days with enough small doses of the inspiration around you and help others who need to hear a positive or encouraging word.  Daily inspiration can be acquired, however, it becomes even more powerful when it is shared others.

I was listening to a story on the radio today about a soldier who gave up his life, during a military operation that had gone wrong.  In doing so, he saved the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers.  This story was the epitome of the word "bravery".  It is difficult to determine how many of us would be willing to sacrifice our lives for the sake of someone else.  Most of us would do so for our own children, however, the cost associated with such an act rises very quickly when it is not someone in our immediate family.  The word brave is certainly not enough to describe what this young man did.  There were other characteristics associated with this individual, some of which included:  courage, unselfish, dedicated, heroic and humility.  I am also reminded of the many brave individuals all over the world, who left the security of their home and family in an attempt to seek a better life.  In a similar context, there are people in abusive relationships that get the courage to some how leave, as they reach a juncture in their lives that tells them they are worth a lot more than the situation they find themselves in.  All of these examples are difficult one's, however, they are reminders of the many brave men and women who exist among us.  It is always my hope that an act of bravery does not come at a cost of a human life.  Therefore today I am honoring all of the brave individuals that had the courage to help save a life or lives, including their own.

In a book titled, "Becoming A Person Of Influence", by John Maxwell, there is a section that speaks to what can hold a person back in life.  In particular he writes, "For most people it's not what they are that holds them back.  It's what they think they are not".  That is a profound statement, because I believe that not only is it true, it can become a person's life mission to address who they think they are not.  Our world is filled with plenty of things that are superficial and we get bombarded by the media on a daily basis that portrays people that are completely unrealistic.  We have to work harder at being comfortable in who we are and stop trying to prove to others the contrary.  As young children we heard the phrase, "actions speak louder than words".  That phrase is classic and has stood the test of time.  We can all do a better job at this and if we  start letting go of things do not really matter at the end of the day, we will be a better person for it.  Remember to be authentic with your life and let go of the things limit your ability to be true to yourself and transparent to others.  

One of the definitions of the word integrity is: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.  It is a word that carries a lot of weight, as it helps define the type of person you are.  In a book I read recently, they covered this topic by stating up front that integrity is not defined by your credentials.  A highly educated person with multiple degrees does not have any more integrity than a person without a formal education.  The character of the person and their integrity is constant with little deviation.  The interesting aspect of people with integrity is that they are not the one's that seek the spotlight, on the contrary they are the one's that do the right thing when nobody is looking.   These type of people do not need public approval for how they live their life, because if something is done that is out of character for them, they acknowledge it immediately and they correct themselves.  A final thought on the subject is that integrity should not be confused with reputation.  One of the best examples of this statement can be put as succinctly as:  reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; character is what you have when you go away.  If we put more effort into expanding this quality, we would be well on our way to better defining our true legacy. 

When I was watching some news footage recently, they were interviewing people that had survived some torrential storms that brought a lot of devastation and personal losses.  In the midst of this tragedy, they spoke to a few individuals that said defiantly, that they would rebuild.  I admired those people so much for showing that in dire circumstances, they opted to show possibility, when it could have been so easy to speak to the contrary.  As much as I enjoy catching up with the news of the world, nothing makes my evening more than waiting to hear a great story filled with perseverance.  All of us can learn something about people who can weather a storm and live to tell how they became the survivor and not the victim.  If you are facing life storms, remember to stay the course and keep steady.  If there are things in your life that make you feel like you are a ship in the middle of a storm adrift in the ocean, just stay the course.  When you think you cannot hold on another day, you will find a breakthrough moment that will let you know that things will be okay.  When someone does something nice for you without you expecting it, or you receive a compliment of some sort, those are all small blessings that you can string together to remind you that you are not alone and people care about you.  Before you know it your perseverance will pay off and you will see the silver lining in the clouds and the sun will shine upon you once again.

Today I am revisiting a previously published column.

Inventing Your Life

“Live In The Present”

BY

ROB CLAUDIO

I know that last year was a difficult year for a lot of people and for various and different reasons. It is hard to dust yourself off sometimes and reset your mind to think with a new perspective as you aspire to achieve different things during the coming year. I had a relaxing rest that allowed me to catch up on some books that I had been meaning to read. Among them, was one of the most simple, straight forward and yet very powerful books, written by a well known author, Dr. Wayne Dyer. It was, “10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace.” It had so many poignant and insightful areas to it that I will be writing about different topics or chapters within it in the near future. Although it talks about “secrets”, I believe that a lot of these are really well known topics that a lot of us have addressed in various forms among our varied life experiences. The one chapter, or secret as he described it, that I am focusing on is one titled “Giving Up Your Personal History.” In a very succinct manner he speaks powerfully about how some people remain victims of their own personal history. He spoke about how most people live their lives hanging on to personal histories to justify their self-defeating behaviors and the scarcity in their lives. In addition, people hang on to past pains, abuses and shortcomings as calling cards to announce a “poor me” status to everyone they meet within minutes of introduction. How many people like this have you met? Or could you have been the one that exhibited this behavior? The victim mentality is then framed by those calling cards that state: “I was abandoned as a child”, “I’m an alcoholic”, “I am an incest survivor”, “My parents were divorced and I have never gotten over it”. The list could go on and on. However, living in the present should focus on leaving your past behind. By bonding to your past you not only ensure that you’ll be immobilized today, but you prevent yourself from healing. None of this is to say that you do not acknowledge your history; however, you should not be defined by it and how you live in the present. Although a lot of people have lived through many dark periods, accidents, tough episodes, periods of impoverishment, illnesses, abuses and broken dreams, Dr. Dyer asks us to give all of that a new job description and finally retire them or transform them in your own way. Become free to immerse yourself in this moment called the “present”, because it is simply that – a present to open, relish, nurture, play with – and enjoy! Dr. Dyer further expands on this by speaking about how the willingness and ability to live fully in the now eludes many people. While eating your appetizer don’t be concerned with dessert. While reading a book, notice where your thoughts are. While on vacation, be there instead of thinking about what should have been done and what has to be done when returning home. Don’t let the elusive present moment get used up by thoughts that are not in the here and now. He uses examples of how animals in nature do not get hung up on their past. Can you see a dog or a cat in an animal shelter waiting for adoption and incessantly asking themselves, “I wonder why was I abandoned?”, absolutely not. If you have ever adopted a pet, you know that the minute you walk into a shelter, those animals are staring at different people wanting to go home with a beloved family and living in the present. One can blame their beginning in life on their Parents, varied circumstances, or even luck. However, as an adult one knows better and is therefore the one held accountable for the remainder of their life. If you did not have the best beginning, you can be determined to have a great, happy and fulfilled ending. I hope that you choose to live out the rest of your living time by focusing on today and changing your attitude about your past. More importantly, acknowledge what you have gone through, honor it and let it go. You will feel more alive, less burdened and able to enjoy the present as a result!

“Here lies my past, Goodbye

I have kissed it;

Thank you kids, I wouldn’t

have missed it.”

– Ogden Nash

There are many stories throughout history that have unlikely heroes, who may have been under estimated by some, yet not by themselves.  There are stories of people who discovered new worlds, individuals who defeated giants and people so resolved in their beliefs that they changed the world.  Most parents always taught their children to achieve beyond the ordinary. The issue that we run into at times is that we doubt our own ability to accomplish what might appear to be unattainable.  We have to remember that history has shown us many examples of what was actualized by a variety of individuals, who others may have failed to believe in initially.  However, all of those that lacked faith were proven wrong in the end.  Whether it is your ancestors or people in history that you can use as an example, remember that you too can achieve what may be impossible to others.  You have the conviction and ability to attain anything that you set your mind to.  Do not listen to anyone around you that says you can't.  If you have anyone around you that has doubted you, then they are simply not the people you want in your inner circle.  Let your legacy speak for itself as you deserve what you dream.

There is a viral video clip all over the news and on the internet today, about an elderly lady being bullied while working as an assistant on a school bus.  I am not planning on seeing the video, however, I believe that our children can be and are much better than this example.  The lack of respect for someone who is their elder, frankly bewilders me.  I can't believe that some kids today find bullying acceptable at any level.  Somehow peer pressure has evolved into indifference in these types of situations. Kids who are allowed to act in this way, grow up to become adults that can find this behavior acceptable.  We cannot allow ourselves to sit back and let someone else take care of things, when we see something that is wrong.  Perhaps kids need a different type of video that shows the importance of treating others with dignity and respect.  There are a number of people that we will run across throughout our lives that will be in need of someone to speak up for them.  This week it was an elderly person and before that it was a child being physically confronted by their parent in public.  If you were the person needing help, you would want someone to stand up for you.  Conversely, you can be that person that lends a hand to those that may need you in a moment's notice.  I have a much higher expectation of what we are capable of doing as human beings.  I know that the videos of the kids that help others, including elderly people, will not make the news or get to the internet.  I have to remain optimistic that those kids will continue to be the better example of what our future generations are made of.

I read a book recently that used the story of an eagle egg that was found and was put in a chicken's nest to help hatch it.  The baby eagle arrived along with other small chicks and as a result it thought the hen was it's mother.  It did not know it was an eagle and it began living its life like a regular chicken.  It imitated the other chicks in pecking for food, however, it looked and felt out of place.  The issue became more apparent when it began to grow much larger than its fellow chicks. It was not until a day came when it was in the barnyard that it saw an eagle swoop by.  His instinct immediately kicked in and he began running after the other eagle, since it had not flown before.  Out of this innate need to follow the eagle that looked like him, it began flapping its wings and took flight.  Immediately the young eagle felt at home in the skies and realized that this was it was meant to do.  The moral of the story was had someone not shown the baby eagle the way, it would not have realized its intended purpose.  The story allows one to ponder, how many times have we shown others the way?  Through mentoring, coaching or empowering others to think beyond their boundaries and aim for the sky.  Think about the people around you and make an effort to impart your knowledge among those that can benefit from your wisdom, so that they can spread their wings and fly beyond what they believe their capacity is.

The term compassion has at its core the strong desire to alleviate the suffering.  We have many examples of people in history that showed this characteristic in such large volumes that they achieved a status far above their regular peers.  I watched a video on the life of Mother Teresa last year, who was asked to describe her mission of helping the poor and the less fortunate.  Her response is among my most favorite quotes I have ever heard.  She stated, "I am am simply a pencil in God's hand".  There are have been very few people like her that embodied the true meaning of this word.  I believe that we can all aspire to achieve more of this trait.  There is always someone in need and we can do a multitude of things that could demonstrate some of the compassion inside of us.  This is one quality that I firmly believe that we all have in our make up.  We can demonstrate compassion for people, children or even animals.  There plenty of opportunities for us to exercise this quality and you can begin at any time if you have not already done so.  Volunteer some time to your favorite charity, house of worship or a shelter that can benefit from your talents.  Bringing harmony and peace to yourself can be as simple as showing compassion for someone else in need.  We can demonstrate to the future generations that we were kind and good to one another, no matter what the headlines chose to say.

Today I am revisiting a previously published column.

Inventing Your Life

“Abundance”


By


Rob Claudio

As we have begun a new year filled with hope and anticipation, its daily reminders weave in some threads of apprehension. If you read the newspapers or go on-line to see the headlines of the world, you will find plenty of stories that can make you feel like your issues or problems are small and unworthy in comparison. How do we begin to pick up the pieces when so much has transpired over the last year? We do it one day at a

time. If you were to go back over the last year over the periods of time that you found were to be the most challenging, most people would think to themselves that they cannot believe they got through as much as they did. Just ask someone who has lived through a life threatening illness or perhaps experienced it within their family. Time for those individuals appeared to have stood still as the days slowly turned the pages of their lives.  In reading Eckhart Tolle’s best selling book, “A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose,” there are many chapters devoted to the peeling of layers we need to do as human beings in order to live in the moment and not dwell so much in the past. One of the great lessons for me in the book was in relation

to the topic of abundance.  In it, he describes that for those that

seek it, they must be willing to see the largest amount of abundance in the smallest of things. Most would think that abundance comes in the form of financial well being; however, when you ask someone who has been ill for some time, they can tell you that an abundance of good health would be on the top of their list. In order for me to demonstrate how this topic showed its relevance in my life, I have to tell you a quick story about an iris. Almost ten years ago, I received as a gift a large iris bulb to plant outside my house. I had seen these flowers before and I had always thought they were pretty majestic and very colorful. I was excited and planted my iris with much enthusiasm, with hopes that it would bloom in the spring later that year. Spring came and turned into summer, which then brought me back to the fall when I started this process. Still no flower emerged.  I lost track after the second year and then I had to move to Orange County for a new job. I was intent on leaving the iris in the flower bed in front of my house as the moving truck was busy loading my furniture. However, I thought about it long enough and decided it should make the trip with me and proceeded to dig it up. In my new home I planted it again and several long leaves emerged giving me hope that it’s time had come… but still no bloom. I figured, it would at some point decide when it was time and this would be my own personal test in patience with nature. After five years at that location I moved once again and I took my iris with me, since I figured it was now a lifetime commitment. Since my last move, it has been almost two years and the many plants on my patio surround the planted iris. Well, earlier this week when watering all of them I almost fell back when I noticed a long stock growing and three small bulbs attached to it… after all of these years, it was finally time. The colors are vibrant purple and blue as it now towers over the rest of the plants. I have taken a moment each day since then, to admire the abundance in this flower that has been with me now for so long. I am not sure how long it will continue to bloom and if it will multiply like most do, in the future seasons to come. What I do know is that I had to learn to appreciate it over the years, even when it did not bloom and never losing hope that it would some day. I hope that the New Year 2009 brings you renewed hope in all that transpires around you and my best wishes that you have all of the abundance that you seek on a daily basis!

 

“Do not anticipate trouble, or

worry about what may never

happen. Keep in the sunlight.”

– Benjamin Franklin

Today I am revisiting the topic of being consistent.  Keeping steady with what you are doing and not deviating from your intended goals.  Consistency can range from how you treat others to how you maintain your composure.  Ideally we should treat everyone alike in the same manner that we would like to be treated.  How we react to things should not be so different from day to day, that people wonder if you are the same person all the time.  Adding consistency can mean that you are achieving more balance in how you approach everyday living.  When you practice this you will find that things that would have normally overwhelmed you, no longer have that effect.  What was irritating once, can now be a simple bump on the road or an opportunity waiting to be discovered.  Consistency does not mean you have to be boring, it means that you are unwavering and resolved to maintain a standard that defines who you are and what your legacy will be.

Many years ago I utilized a training video call "FiSH".  It is a video that depicts the workers at a famous Seattle fish market. As simple as this video was, it always generated a lot of positive response from people.  If you think about a fish market it may not be the first place that comes to mind when you are thinking about an ideal work location.  Working in a fish market means you have to be there before the sun rises, you must get used to the fish odor and because it is fresh fish the temperature is always cold, so the conditions are not the most ideal.  These workers showed you the best attitude, while being present with their customers, they made people's day and they chose to have a positive attitude when they showed up for work.  Depending on where you are at today, perhaps you may not be enjoying your job or maybe you are looking for a new one, conditions are not always perfect.  Strive to be present in your day regardless of where you are at and choose a good attitude, while trying to make someone's day.  The philosophy behind this now world renowned fish market is something that we can all learn from.  Work within the conditions that you find yourself in and seek to make the best of your circumstance while you await a needed break through.  In due time you will see the fruits of your labor.

Living is learning.  I was contemplating this today as it reminded me that we are never done learning.  We may complete high school or college and attain a degree that says we have achieved a higher education. However that is just the beginning for a lot of us and we still continue on the road to learn more.  I know there are a lot of graduates recently that have achieved a milestone and I am sure their first thoughts relate to not studying anymore.  This is true to an extent. As books are not necessarily their next course of study, it becomes life that must be learned.  When you begin a new job, you learn the role and responsibility that comes with that.  Life is one of the few things that there is no road map for or a manual in particular.  We walk forward with the knowledge and guidance achieved in life, school and the wisdom our parents imparted to us.  I believe we learn a lot by trial and error, much the same like we did when we were very young.  The exception is that the consequences can be greater as an adult.  Therefore we must be diligent in being careful about our choices and remember that we continue on the learning curve as we grow older.  I enjoy learning new things, as there is much I have not yet discovered.  It is part of why life remains interesting for me and why when I get up in the morning I am determined to add a little more knowledge while enjoying the wisdom that I have attained thus far.

In the world of sports, coaches are held in a high regard as they are the one's that are acknowledged for a winning season or can be blamed for mediocre results.  In our daily lives, we assume this role for our children, friends, family or peers who may need some guidance and encouragement.  I am a firm believer that if you have over come something, that you need to share your knowledge with those that may need your assistance, as we become part of the natural balance when this occurs.  A coach can be firm and goal oriented, while allowing a player to reach the intended target with their own talent and skill.  I think the role can be interchangeable in that we can all use a coach at any given time and we can also lend our talents to coach others.  Some of the best coaches in history focused on leading with little fanfare and fostering talent to become great.  We can all learn a lot from this method of leadership and I encourage you to continue to coach when needed while allowing yourself to grow in the process.

A news story today highlighted a woman who is 80 years old and now in high school, pursuing the diploma she was not able to achieve in her youth.  Her story is the epitome of why I began writing this blog, as I have always felt that you are never to old to change or re-invent yourself.  For what ever the reason, we sometimes take a turn in life that prevents us from achieving a goal.  Time goes by a lot quicker than we think and before we know it, we are left wondering why we may not have attained a particular objective.  Life is like that, as it is anything but predictable.  I am also reminded by a famous saying that speaks to us making God laugh, when we tell him our plans.  This woman is a prime example of not giving up on a dream.  She also is an inspiration to a new generation of young people that exemplifies how one can get side tracked in achieving a goal, however, we can be resolved to attain it.  No matter what your age, remember that we all have the tenacity that can be helped by faith, which allows us to accomplish what we set our minds to.  Choose to make the right decisions on a daily basis and see what happens when you plant those seeds in your life as a result.  

I had a paperweight once that said, "Autograph Your Work With Excellence".  I had this for many years, until one day a friend stopped by to see me and they admired it, so I ended up giving it to them.  I have not forgotten the words which for me always  transcended work.  The reminder for me was that I should autograph my life, not just work, with excellence.  Quality is something that you can associate with excellence as it speaks to the level or grade that is above average.  The walk towards this for me began with doing little things right.  You don't have to take giant steps in order to show great advances in excellence.  Other elements associated with this can include being; genuine, kind, humble, or respectful.  There are many more characteristics and some people are better at exercising some versus others.  We have to remember that we are unique human beings and that means unique traits that come with us.  It can be a rocky road at times, as we may lose a step or perhaps step backwards.  However, once you have begun the journey, it continues and you will find that you can never go back.  If we had more people emanating some of these characteristics on a consistent basis, we would be so much more balanced.  Take small steps on a daily basis and before long you will find that you have in fact made large leaps forward.    

Sometimes we need time to replenish our energy.  With all of our busy schedules and the lack of time everyone seems to have, I believe it is imperative that we pay attention to this.  There are many examples such as; meditation, exercise, going for a walk, sleeping or sitting next to a beach or lake and taking all of the scenery in.  If you have issues with setting time aside, plan for it.  Put into your calendar and stick to your own regimen or schedule.  I know of people that go on vacation and then return, only to need time to recover from the busy schedule they held to while on a trip. To me that somehow seems to defeat the purpose of a vacation.  It would do all of us and those around you a lot of good if we were to feel refreshed and energized.  This can only come from maintaining balance and it is something we should all strive to achieve.  I know that work, children, school or caring for somebody can be draining.  Remember to set some time and invest in yourself.  Good health, both physical and mental are at the core of our foundation.  In working towards this accomplishment we should be able to achieve piece of mind that everything else will fall into place.  

Are you going to be bitter or better?  When I heard this recently, I immediately stopped to hear what followed.  The discussion centered on how people navigate their lives after having a rocky start when they were children.  I don't believe any of us had the perfect parents as they all learned their roles through lots of trial and error.  Perhaps if someone had five children, by the time they got to the fifth one, they may have been better prepared. Most parents worked with small complex human beings called children, so there could not have been many easy answers.  The rest of the conversation centered on whether people hang on to the bitter memories of how they grew up or focused on not repeating the errors that they witnessed to become better.  I believe that hanging on to bitterness and resentment takes so much more energy.   You end up being a martyr of sorts and I also feel that energy may repel others.  We would all be much better off if we could focus on being better.  Not everyone may have gotten the best start in life, yet, one can determine the type of ending they will have.  Look forward to being better, let go of anything in your past that caused you resentment and take ownership of writing your own ending to your your story.

Another year older, that is where I find myself today.  It is hard to remember everything that transpired over the last year.  When I think about it in the sense of an inventory, I remember lots of happy moments, some inspirational ones and others that had a sad moment or two.  Luckily, I have gotten a lot better over time at holding onto the memories of things that add fulfillment to me.  I have worked on letting go all of the things that I have little or no use for.  When I think about a time that was not so pleasant, I remember the lesson and feel resolved to move on.  Some days it is easier than others to do this, however, age and wisdom has given me less tolerance for the things that are less important.  I am thankful for the many friends and family that are part of my life along with their wonderful support.  I wish others that seek this, would know how it feels like.  If I were a kite, I believe that there would be a number of people holding onto the string as they saw and encouraged me to fly.  To those people that have held the string for me over the years, I am deeply grateful to all of you.  Birthday wishes come but once a year and I have many to keep me thinking happy thoughts for at least another 364 more days.

There is a video on YouTube (third video on the video bar) that is part of my blog this week that highlights the friendship between an elephant and a dog .  The pair is quite unconventional and after viewing this I agreed with the narrator.  At the end of the segment the narrator speaks to the fact that we can all learn a lot from this relationship in accepting people along with their differences.  In contrast, when I read about the many places in the world were human conflict exists, a lot of it has to do with people refusing to accept each other.  Whether it is race, religion or political views to name a few, this can cause such strife among us that it can cause an entire nation to fall apart.  I don't believe that we all have to be right, because if we did, the world would be a lot less interesting.  What I believe we must learn is to acknowledge the contrasts among each other and respect that we are not all the same.  We as a people can all do a lot better at tackling this and helping pave the way for our children to live in that type of world in the future.  Let's take a cue from the elephant and the dog as we strive to let go of the visible differences among those around us and embrace the human spirit that brings us all together.  Our legacy can be defined by a lot more than a headline in a newspaper that highlights how another conflict erupted because we could not get along with someone else.

This morning I had to attend a funeral of a long time employee.  The occasion is never expected and I always feel for those that have to go through that experience.  Undergoing loss whether you had time to prepare or not, is still one of the most difficult things one has to endure.  When I was very young growing up with my grandmother, she would talk about the day she would no longer be here.  I always felt that there was a morbid tone to those conversations, however, she was just preparing me in her own way for the inevitable and more importantly she conveyed how this was just another part of life.  It took many years after those conversations when I finally lost someone close, that I realized how much she tried to teach me during those poignant long talks.  The loss of life differs in many cultures and the grieving process is different for all.  At the service this morning, there were funny stories, tender memories and great examples of the love that was shared for this individual.  This person lived a great life and was one of those privileged to have lived long enough to see great great grandchildren.  Not everyone gets that opportunity, yet, we wish that for everyone that we hold near and dear to us.  Today I said goodbye to a wonderful lady named Celia and I wish her much deserved rest, joy and laughter as she moved on to a well earned retirement in the sky.†

I am reviewing a previously published column today which focuses on everyday passion.  

Inventing Your Life

“Everyday Passion”

By

Rob Claudio

As I have been traveling to different areas in the state speaking about leadership, the word passion came up several times when discussing goals.  The ability to do something and feel like it is second nature to you and not consider it work, is one of the best ways to describe what passion feels like.  Finding the passion in your everyday life can be an exercise at first, however, once you realize what it is, it should be the foundation for what you strive to achieve on a daily basis. Other signs that describe what passion feels like are:

A burning desire or hunger	A feeling in the pit of the stomach
A feeling of inspiration	A sense of excitement
A clarity of vision	A feeling of limitless energy
A sense of caring deeply	A feeling of contentment

  

So why is everyday passion important?  I find that once you identify what this is for you, it brings you much more fulfillment in your everyday life.  It is hard to imagine, getting up in the morning and not being very excited about what you will be doing the rest of the day.  Going through the motions of living is not what you should opt for, rather getting as much out of a day as you possibly can.  By saying this, I don’t mean filling your days with so many things to do, that you barely get through the day because you are exhausted at the end.  What it should look like, is a well balanced meal. A day filled with some; concentration, reflection, contribution, inspiration and laughter.  A well balanced day should provide you with enough energy to keep your body satisfied and feeling good about what you have accomplished.  If you find that you are out of balance and your passion for things has lost its way somehow, then take some time to reflect.  Conduct some self inventory. Some of that self inventory may begin with some poignant questions such as; Where am I with my life?  Should I be setting goals? Should I check some goals off of my last list? What are the things that bring me the most joy and how can I continue to add those to my life on a daily basis?  Also, make sure you document and write things down.  A lot of the time we lose momentum when we think about things and they are left to our thoughts and not concrete enough as a written word.  There is tremendous power in written words.  Once you have made some assessments and perhaps set or reset some goals, then take action.  Don’t put things off until after the holidays or the next year, time is a lot shorter than what we all realize, so make the most of it. My wish for everyone is that you find your everyday passion, so that it adds to the quality of your life. Finally, I leave you with the words of the best selling author Dr. Robert K. Cooper, who has a set of videos called “Priorities For Life”, that I utilize quite often when I do training.  At the end of each video he ends with the following;  “It’s your life.  It’s your time.  If not now, when?”.

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.

It’s the life in your years.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Sometimes, we need to lose the fear of what we are not comfortable with, in order to peel another layer away of something that you no longer have use for.  We are all very complex individuals and it has taken a lifetime of experiences to get us to where we are today.  I am of the firm belief that if something no longer works for you in your life, you can certainly change it.  It all takes time and some discipline, however, I think a lot of people get stuck in the planning and contemplating part of transformation versus looking at what the end result will be.  I know that living in the known chaos for some is more of a comfort than living in the potential unknown.  The question is, for how long?  I have asked attendee's at prior training sessions that I have conducted to take inventory of their lives and begin the process of choosing that which is important to you and letting go of what is not adding value to you.  Be determined to tackle one of the items in your self inventory to finally put in your past.  We can all benefit from transformation at one time or another.  May this be your opportunity to engage in the process and become closer to the person you want to be.