From Planting To Harvest

As I made my way home this morning from a much needed walk, I stopped to adjust my sunglasses in front of a home that I pass frequently.  I remember last year they re-landscaped their front yard and there were these small growing ice plants scattered sparsely next to their drive way.  Today, I realized I had not paid too much attention over the course of the last year, until I stood there I realized the beautiful colors of vibrant purple and yellow flowers that were now covering this large area.  The flowers looked like miniature daisies intertwined with a dazzling violet purple stars.  It took me a few minutes to take it all in and as I slowly continued my journey from there, it made me realize how a great harvest can take place if you sow the right seeds.  In our own lives, we are at times in search of finding what we are most passionate about and look in different locations for that ultimate fulfilling purpose that we know is out there for us.  What we fail to consider sometimes is that the life that we are currently living is part of the seeds that we had sowed some time ago.  If you take a moment to reflect on that alone, you can find answers to your own questions about how you arrived at your current state.  Nothing has been an accident that got you to where you are at, if you think of things a little differently and realize that a good portion of the current destination that you find yourself in has to do with the person responsible for the ultimate navigation.  The caveat I have here is for anyone that is faced with a life threatening illness or has been subjected to personal loss, as we all know that none of those could possibly be the results of one's own planning.  What I have also come to realize for my own life is that finding solutions or alternative locations for the place that you really want to be, is an ongoing journey. One must first begin with acceptance of where you are at, in order to realize that if a change is needed then it must transcend from the place that you happen to find yourself in.  Some good reminders of this philosophy lie in finding inspirational material that reminds us that if you can change your thinking, then you can change your life.  I know full well that if you cannot change your inner voice, then it becomes even more difficult for you to believe the actual words that can come out of your mouth.  Aligning your thinking with the right actions, can not only get you to your desired outcome, it can make your life a lot more peaceful.  So if your outside thinking and inside thinking are not matching up, then I say it is a great opportunity to plant some new seeds, that will ultimately yield the right harvest for you.  Do not be discouraged by anything that may have occurred in the past and don't be defined by any of those prior circumstances.  One can transcend far beyond what one can imagine, all you need is some faith in yourself along with the right thinking to get your actions to follow.  Look forward towards the harvest that is awaiting you ahead and consider this time a period of introspective thoughts that will formulate the right solutions for you.

The Season Ahead

Although we still have some remnants of summer like weather, I do notice that time is changing and the early morning crispness is announcing a new season ahead.  Fall is my favorite time of year because it has the best of both worlds for me.  You get cool evenings and mornings along with a dose of midday sun.  One of the best parts of the changing seasons is that it reminds me about the things that I might want to change as well.  I use this period as a time of reflection, because with new weather I believe that the opportunity exists for new thoughts, which can then transcend into new habits.  While changing your thinking and incorporating other alterations to go with it is work, nothing can remind us more about that when we take the time to reflect about a new period of the year.  Our plans can change from one minute to the next depending on our circumstances, however, it is the consistency of our thinking that will provide us with the true direction of where we want to go.  Similar to the changing color of the leaves that signal it is time to look for a new seasonal chapter, we can choose to do the same thing.  Perhaps you have been thinking for some time about a to-do list of things you want to accomplish.  If time has gotten away from you because of the busy day-to-day life schedules, then give yourself the opportunity to put yourself back at the top of the priorities list.  I know too well how we can all shift away from putting ourselves first and with that, we are relegated to an afterthought among the many pressing life priorities.  Sometimes we feel guilty about being on the top of our own list, yet, we cannot achieve much without our ability to put ourselves in a position that can enable better thinking along with better decisions about  our own life.  We get some reminders at times that make us re-evaluate some of our prior decisions with residual consequences.  Recently for me I have had some issues with a knee that has curtailed some of my physical capabilities and I was quickly reminded about how important my own health is.  It triggered my ability to go to my own priority list and make a concerted effort to address this issue.  This became an opportunity moment for me about how having good health is a foundation for everything that we want to do with our lives.  I have been re-evaluating my own inventory of where I am and where I need to go from here.  Ideally, we should be good planners for all things that make up our livelihood.   Whether it is health, family, finances or other key items that are part of our circle of stability, we must pay close attention to all of those important things.  It is easy to forget about how important one's foundation is when things are going well and it is not until one hits a bump in the road that can cause one to go back to re-evaluation mode.  As I continue to marvel outside at the changing scenery with the welcoming Fall changes, I am very much aware about my own to-do list that needs some fine tuning.  My hope for the coming season is that everyone gets to prioritize their own list that they have been contemplating and that everyone utilizes the changing scenery around them to be a catalyst for the new top priorities after thoughtful reflection.  

Change Your Thinking

I ran across a quote that spoke simple words about one's ability to change their thinking in order to change their circumstances.  Many of us come to those periods in our life when we know that change is imminent and we can already see the glimpses of the world changing beyond our thoughts.  The only issue that a lot of us have is being resolved to move forward with such a change.  For what ever the reason, we all get stuck and at some point we realize we either have hit a plateau or come to a place that we realize we have to move on from. Interestingly, it all begins with a simple thought that then becomes the seed to different thinking, which is the catalyst to all change.  None of us are immune from those instances when we find ourselves knowing that we want to go in a different direction, yet somehow struggle with where and when to begin the journey.  While making the bigger changes later can be quite transformative, it all begins with some very small steps.  I do admire those individuals with the will and the power to change as soon as their mind is made up.  They don't require a lot of self evaluation or the ability to convince themselves about a particular task.  These individuals simply move forward with great confidence and courage, while they serve as a great examples of what all of us are capable of.  Because of our unique gifts and talents those capabilities come in varied degrees depending on the individual.  For me, I always figure that I am ever present in learning mode as there is always something new in what each day brings to me.  We can be complacent at times and we all have to learn to shake ourselves loose and re-awaken that part of us that continues to strive for further transformation.  While we search for better and more efficient ways to use our time and talents, we must be cognizant about that ever present timeline that exists in the totality of our own lives.  None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow and although we get comfortable in knowing that we have a great number of years ahead of us, we have all learned via example of the many instances in which this was not the case.  I have seen many great examples of people who look and feel much younger than what they appear to be and they always have a similar great formula about their lives, where they throw caution to the wind as they live their lives to the fullest while focusing on the present moment.  When you think about how exciting your life could be if you constantly were in anticipation mode about what your next adventure was going to be, it could change the dynamics of your everyday life.  None of us want to want to live with any given type of regret and we certainly don't  want to add to a list of things that we wanted to do, but did not get to.  If you think of the top three things that you want to change about you or your circumstances, begin with those few things that mean the most to you while you embark on how you perceive your outcome to be.  See yourself in the end result of what you really want for your life and complete your day with the affirmation that you are one day along with one step closer to that result.  Nobody ever got to the finish line of a great race without putting their feet in front of the other, while making effort filled strides towards that ultimate end goal.  This is why it is imperative that anyone who expects to change has to do some work, along with  their own their re-thinking.  Remember that all hard work pays off and even if you feel less inclined to achieve so on some days versus others. Remember that all great changes begin with those first few steps and equally as important are your thoughts that go with whatever you set your mind to do.

Being Resilient

As I was taking a walk the other day I was going up a hill near a golf course and I was taking in all of the trees that were along my path.  One particular tree caught my attention as I had seen the branches broken off for a substantial part of it some time ago, where it had taken a beating from one of those unusual summer storms.  I remember walking by it after the storm had passed and it looked like it had lost a considerable amount of life in it.  However, as I looked at it today, it had not only bounced back from the days of wind swept broken branches, it looked more fuller than ever.  It had some strong roots that were peaking over the top of the grass and it stood like it was opening its arms to me as I stared at it straight on.  I did feel like it was inviting me for a hug and I just smiled as I contemplated its wonderful resilience in the aftermath of wild weather.  As I continued on with my walk I kept thinking about how we also weather all of these storms that some times come out of the blue, like a flash flood filled with an element of ominous surprise.  We all have those moments when we are suddenly battling strong winds and uneven currents while we try to keep afloat in the face of those circumstances.  However, just like all storms in this world they all have a time limit and soon enough one can look for the clearing in the distance.  Over the years I have learned to strive for more life balance that would prevent me from feeling overwhelmed by any downpour in life.  It has not been easy, yet, over time I have come into a place that I can certainly feel that all clearings are in the distance, it is just a matter of time to get through any type of surprise conditions.  What has kept me grounded is to immediately think and meditate about how other people face much stronger tests in their lives that I or anyone else would not even want to contemplate switching with my trials for  those of another.  Many of us always think that the grass is always greener someplace else, however, we all know what truth really lies beyond those thoughts.  If we allow ourselves to be more grateful for all of things that are part of our lives, then it is that thinking that will charge ahead as a beacon of light in the middle of any tempest in life.  Many of us have a great network of support that can provide us with additional comfort and reassurance during those periods and there is a lot to be grateful in that recognition.  It can be so easy to forget one's owns dilemmas if you put someone else first and have confidence that all things will work out for good in the end.  When I walked past the same tree on my way down the hill, I gave it another glance and felt thankful for the reminder that nature had brought to my attention by way of its magnificent creations that not only provide us with air to breathe, but can inspire us to be more resilient in all of our moments in our life.

Finding Harmony

Today I am sharing a future column that will be published next month. 

Inventing Your Life

“Finding Harmony”

By

Rob Claudio

I just completed attending a series on mediation, which I found quite enlightening and more inline to where I want to be in my life.  There were different topics that were explored, which all led towards finding a better balance, inner peace and striving to live a more joyous life.  One of the meditations centered on how to live with more harmony at the center of your life and I decided to do some exploring of this topic.  When I looked up the definitions for harmony I found a few and most of them contained the words consistent, orderly and congruity among them.  I thought for some time about the capability of living a consistent life, where there were less ups or downs while striving to live on a more balanced spectrum.  I am well aware of how we all have those moments when we were humming right along with the rest of the world and then something happens that causes our balance to be thrown into a chaotic spin.  I know that when I was younger I tended to have more of those periods, because I myself had not discovered the need for finding balance in my own life.  When ever I had a peak of some type, I felt like I was on cloud nine and as I floated in that moment of excitement or invigoration, while I was less conscience of what was going on in my immediate surroundings.  Then of course I would also get to a place where all of sudden things became more complicated and I would place lots of pressure on myself to find the right solution for each issue.  I was very good about ensuring that I did not ask for someone else’s assistance, because I always felt that I could come up with the best possible answers on my own.  In retrospect when I think about those moments now, I just smile and laugh at my own ambivalence about those periods and how immature my thinking was in respect to some of the decision making of my youth filled days.  What I have learned with age is that I have to define what that balance is, along with creating the environment that will enable me to thrive rather than feel depleted. I also left that fragmented thinking that I had all of the best answers far behind in the rearview mirror of my youth, as life taught me many lessons about having a strong circle of support.  I know now that all of us have to get better at mapping our own destiny and although the work can be challenging at times, we owe it to ourselves to feel that we are purpose driven.  I recommend looking for the things that you are involved in that bring true joy to your heart, as they become the compass point for where you should be heading towards.  When you find an activity that does not feel like work and it can reinvigorate you by doing it for a short period of time, it is a sign that perhaps you should be paying some additional attention to this.  Some call it the search for passion while others may simply label it their true calling.  I find that anyone of those definitions usually leads you to being more of who you really want to be and that can add much more satisfaction to your own life.  When you think about the written chapters that have transpired in your life, also ponder what the rest of your life’s book will have in it.  Remember that we are the author’s of our own life and as such, we can determine what the rest of our lives will entail.  Think about the things that you do that can attract more harmony and peace of mind, as you look towards achieving the right type of balance among your busy life schedules.  You will have much more fulfillment knowing that the life you intend to finish will be filled with only those ingredients that you determine are the most important.  Finally, remember that harmonious living can be achieved if we pay attention and plan accordingly.    

“I have no methods; all I do is accept people as they are”.

-Joan Rivers

Memories In The Making

I just returned from a long road trip that took me up through the California coast.  There was a part of it that was dedicated to business, however, I decided to make it part of my existing vacation plans.  I made a concentrated effort to take in everything as if it was the first time I had ever seen things.  Even those instances where I had been there before took on a new and interesting meaning for me.  I took my time in being present in the moment wherever I happened to be.  In years past, I believe that I would have leaned to complaining about how long my drive was or about some other item of little significance.  I was amazed at how my entire trip took such a different outcome, as I really enjoyed the entirety of the journey.  I recall that at one point I was stuck behind other tourists traveling slowly through highway 1 in Big Sur and I had a moment to myself where I realized if I had been driving faster, I would not have enjoyed the beautiful scenery that was unraveling before me.  I was in awe at the beauty of our coast in this wonderful state and how diverse our geography is, along with how grateful I am to live in such a place.  When I had the moments to stop and take things in even more deeply, I would take in a deep breathe of the crisp and chilly ocean air as I saw other people stop and pull over to take pictures to memorialize their trip as well.  In different parts of the state, I would always run into someone who was friendly and gracious either with directions or just a warm hello as they were familiar with the journeys of the weary travelers going through their town.  Whether I was in a gas station or at a restaurant, I listened and took the moments in with deep visual bites that were similar to the meal that I had just eaten.  I laughed at the familiar site of people sitting at a table quickly scrolling through their phones and returning texts or other messages as we all seem to be preoccupied with multi-tasking, even when we are trying to eat a meal.  Our ways of communicating to each other and the rest of the world have changed so dramatically, as I remembered my trips of long ago when I was a young child.  Back then we were a captive audience and there were no smart phones or other means of communicating instantly with our friends and family.  We simply had to talk to each other at our own table along with the waiter or waitress that was bringing us our food.  As I sat on a bench in the Monterey Peninsula, I watched as people jogged by with their phone and music device in hand as they wound their way through without paying much attention to their familiar scenery.  In San Francisco, there was a multitude of construction that caused plenty of time delays as I crisscrossed through the spectacular hilly streets.  I also did not mind waiting through multiple lights as I saw all of the buildings that had so much character along with age old architecture that made the city shine even brighter.  At the Golden Gate Bridge, I snapped pictures along with the busload of tourists that stopped for the familiar picture with the backdrop of the bridge behind them.  I smiled as people hurriedly unpacked their cameras and threw on a sweater to brave the whipping cold winds under an overcast and chilly day.  I particularly paid attention to the French tourist, who sat and smoked her cigarette as she chatted in her native language with another lady, while the rest of the group darted from one pose to another at the famed Vista Point.  All of it was spectacular in its own way and I was completely grateful for the moments that I was allowed to experience through out this period of time.  This week seemed to whiz by and yet my memories are completely etched and recorded in my mind and via the use of technology with beautiful pictures along the way.  I was reminded about the many ways in which we can make our own memories that captivate our senses and give us a perspective to think about a moment in time.  The next time you take a small trip somewhere, even if it is a familiar place, try to record new memories for yourself and for your future.  At some point in the years ahead, you will think about the many places you have been and the different people that you met along the way.  Hopefully your memories will bring back a smile as you think about the great moments that you witnessed during a lifetime of travels.  

Planting Seeds

I was reading a quote the other day by the great businessman and entrepreneur Warren Buffet which stated, "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago".  My thoughts drifted to those of being grateful for the many things that people before me have done, that were the catalyst for who I am today.  It is interesting when I think about my life growing up as part of a minority group in a place that did not necessarily make me feel like a minority to begin with.  My era was indeed a much different experience than those brave men and women that paved the way for me to have been able to grow up without the many indignities that most minorities endured long before me.  My grandmother told me stories when I was a child of her experiences as an immigrant, with a 3rd grade education, who left her country in search of a better future for her and the four children that were left without a father when he tragically died in his thirties.  Her stories felt like fiction to me, as I envisioned  what she was telling me was part of a great novel that captivated my attention,  as I was left clinging to find out how the story ended.  What she shared with me ended up being like seeds of strength that were planted firmly inside of me, as I grew up awaiting the day for which I would know when to use this generational power.  I am always amazed at how much was given to me by way of a story growing up, as it was the way that a person with an elementary school education could best communicate her struggle and perseverance in the eye of some of the most challenging instances in a person's life.  One day all of these stories will have to make their way into a book of some kind and as I step my way towards that goal, I am grateful to be able to share and impart any wisdom or observation that can help someone else in their own personal journey.  As in today's observation of that quote, I thought long and hard about the many people that not only struggled, but also died, in their effort to change the world and how their future generations of children would be able to live as a result of that truth and courage that was lived.  I often wonder what great lessons our children of today and those born tomorrow, will be reading about that will give them what we were imparted with so many years ago.  I also often think about who the new change makers will be as we grow older that will capture a generation of people and also help inspire them to be better and do better.  I now think of what I can do to make small and meaningful changes that will continue to inspire me to be more present in every moment as I look for the opportunity that may exist to be able to leave some form of example or inspiration for others.  Remember that all of us were provided with our own seeds via those that nurtured us over the course of our lifetime.  Look for the blossoms that have now grown into existence awaiting for you to realize your true self.  We all have much to be thankful for in those special individuals that sowed those seeds for us so many years ago.  Think about what has been planted in you that can be shared with others as you move forward to self actualization or redefining who you really want to be for the rest of your life.