Author: purposejoyandpositives

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES is a blog created to promote thoughts and ideas about gaining clearer PURPOSE in our lives, JOY in who we are and what we do, and sustaining POSITIVES. We are all on the journey called 'life' which has many paths for each of us. Sometimes, the path is clearer with PURPOSE and more JOY filled than others. Often, there will be crossroads........again we must chose. May our choices be about a fulfilling PURPOSE, JOY in the simple and profound, and abundant POSITIVES to sustain us on the journey. PJP

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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UPROOTED!!

Life is like that isn’t it? Things are going along smoothly or relatively smoothly, and then WHAM, everything changes! I know that I personally have been through quite a few ‘uprootings’ in my life. Some unexpected and some had been coming for awhile. The ultimate thing here is that even our ‘uprootings’ are the result of our own choices. There you have it….our choices.

But look carefully at the picture and what do you see behind and beside all that mass of roots that were pulled right out of the ground? Yes, beautiful, colorful, flowers, green bushes, and even in front of the roots, there is a little bit of new green growth. At some juncture of the chaos, new beginnings are going to evolve…..  unexpected  opportunities for growth and POSITIVES to move us back to JOYful living. It often takes patience and great hope, but it will happen and the ebb and flow of life will continue. That’s just how it works!

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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This sign is taped up on the secretary’s desk at the school where I volunteer, so I am not sure who to give the credit to for the display. But I like it and it certainly rings true.

Words of affirmation are so important, no matter what our age or status in life.  Too often though, we are quick to judge and out of our mouths come negative words/phrases. Sharply or innocently said, those are the words that will be remembered….even if we try to cover up our blunder with ….’oh, sorry, I didn’t really mean that’. Words, once said, can never be taken back. They don’t just get recalled or cancelled out. The delete button is nonfunctional!  No, they can live forever in our listener’s mind and be quite hurtful. The old adage of ‘think before you speak’ is not outdated. Asking oneself if it really needs to be said is a cautionary rule of thumb!

At the end of our day, no matter what our trials have been, it is important that our words to others have been kind and appropriate, rather than short or offhanded remarks. Sometimes, our words can make or break another’s day; we just have to stop and think: how would I feel if someone said___________to me? Do I really need to say this? What is to be gained by my words? Am I just venting to make myself feel better or one up the other?

POSITIVE, affirming words can go a long way in making our day more JOYful and uplifting.  Mother Theresa said: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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I saw this quote not too long ago, and then this morning it popped up again. “If you want to see what you really value and prioritize in your life, look at how you spend your time”  (Jon Leonetti, Mission of the Family).  Today, of all days, it really made me think as tomorrow is not only Valentine’s Day, but it is also the beginning of the Lenten Season.

Life is so busy for all of us, and has no promise of slowing down of its own accord. If I get something scheduled on the calendar, then it usually happens. Not written down……probably it will get lost in the shuffle of other things. If I write it, then I am committed!! But what about all those other things that take time and are not on the calendar? Are they priorities too?

While I do know that things like cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking and the never ending errands do have to get done, lately it seems I spend too much time on these tasks and not enough on the things I treasure doing. So, my new idea is to time order these tasks and allow at least one hour for my ‘priorities’ each day. I will have to get back to you on how well that works.

One of my priorities in life truly is my family and close life long friends.  I want to  give love, JOY, caring and special kindnesses each day, not only on Valentine’s Day.  It doesn’t take very long to make that long overdue call, visit a sick person, stop to chat with a neighbor, or sit down and jot a note to someone who could use an extra long distance hug. These are going to be what I prioritize during that hour each day I have re – designated for myself.

Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you and may the JOY of love, care and kindness be with you!

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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“Find something good in each person you meet and help it to grow” (Matthew Kelly, Mustard Seeds).

When we meet someone for the first time, we quickly form an opinion about how the person presents to us. For me, it is the eyes. Looking directly into the eyes, one can see if there is JOY, pain, something concealed, or sadness. I know when I meet someone ‘who smiles with their eyes’ that I will like them and depending on the circumstance, this person might become more than an acquaintance.

Once in a while, there are those people you meet in one situation or another that just ‘rub you the wrong way’, so to speak. This is our opportunity to look for the good in the person, find something POSITIVE. If we are in continued contact with the person, one has an opening to encourage this POSITIVE  in conversation and small acts of kindness. Chose to be that quiet model, perhaps of change for the person. At this point in my life, I have come to understand that you just never ever know how your words, your actions, or your concern and care will impact another’s life. Having said that, it is a valued practice to find the good, champion it and never let an option to move it forward pass by.

 

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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EMPTY SHOES!

To fill someone’s shoes is an old idiom that is used in a number of ways. In some situations, it means to step up to the plate and do the job as well as the person before you. At other times, it might be used to denote that someone has performed at a job so exceptionally that it will be difficult to replace them.  ‘He/She has been with the company so long and developed so many strategies that I doubt we will ever be able to fill his/her shoes’. Wow! What a compliment! Sounds like the next person in line will definitely have BIG SHOES to fill!

This could be a scary thought for the person taking over and yet what a challenge! How will you accomplish this? The first important aspect is to be yourself. You are unique and bring your own talents/expertise to the table. You do not want to put yourself in the position of pretending to be ‘just like the one before you…a clone’. Easing into the position, letting everyone know that you are supportive of your predecessor’s accomplishments, that you are collaborative, and then genuinely sharing a few of your own innovations is a good place to start. The operative word here is a few. The team will need some time to adjust to new ideas and ways of doing business. Rome wasn’t built or rebuilt in a day. Time is on your side. Slowing your pace to a steady forward trajection,  finding your allies, and open communication in a collaborative leadership style will go a long way.

In the long run, shoes are just shoes; people are just people; and opportunities are just that……opportunities to do your best and create with PURPOSE.

Have you been in position to fill someone else’s shoes in a job, family or friendship? I think the ideas above apply to any ‘shoe’ situation.

 

 

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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Given that it is a new year, perhaps it is time to take stock of what lies within!

The past is the past and it cannot be changed. We can learn from it, but events of the past will stay there…..in the past. The future is unknown; we often trick ourselves into knowing what lies ahead. However, even the very best plans for the future can go awry. It is exactly that….the future!

The one true thing we can count on is today and what lies within our hearts. Those are the things that we ‘know’ but may not take time out of our busy lives to let the ‘knowing’ bubble to the surface and ACT on it. By acting on what is in our hearts, our PURPOSE gains clarity; we become who we were meant to be. We pull up into our inner strength and hone our untapped skills to become, as Matthew Kelly (Dynamic Catholic) says, ‘the best-version-of – ourselves’. That is the ultimate goal; living with PURPOSE; living in JOY; living today in POSITIVES.

‘”What lies within for you?”

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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Just like the beginning of a New Year: a blank slate with a foggy path emerging in sight.

Starting a new year can evoke moments of excitement and grateful anticipation,  with clarity of your path.  Other times, we may view the new beginning as the path is depicted in the picture: a little foggy, unsure of our next steps, and fear of detours from the path. Perhaps, the view changes from week to week as life unfolds.

If we are starting our new year in a transition mode of life, chances are the path may be foggy with  virtual questions, leading to more questions, about finding our direction on the path. At some point in our lives, I imagine we have all been in transition,  for one reason or another. I would like to suggest that maybe there is a different way of looking at the path. Instead of foggy and unclear, might we think about it as a means to open the door to exploration of ‘what might be’.

Exploration usually takes us out of our comfort zone, but that is not all bad. A mentor many years ago at one of my career jobs told me that I would not be able to grow unless I stepped out of my comfort zone. I had to let go of what I ‘knew’ and walk toward the ‘unknown’, similar to walking down that foggy path. What does lie ahead?  We can stick with the tried and true for another year, or we can let go and reach out to try something we have always wanted for ourselves, but made other choices for what seemed to be good reasons at the time.

Meditating, reading, and talking to others can help in our exploration efforts. Knowledge is power and can move us to take action. We can think about it and dream about it, but until we ACT, there will not be a new path with new beginnings. And so what if there is a detour (wind in the path) on the journey; it is not to be feared. We can alter the plan and ACT according to the new chartered territory. One thing is for sure…….doing the same thing we did last year will definitely not get us to a new place with new beginnings.

I like this quote. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” (Neale Donald Walsh).

What is the first baby step you can take in leaving your comfort zone?

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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2018….a New Year!!

It is a little less than 37 hours until it officially becomes 2018. Time enough to reflect on what 2017 came in with and what it is leaving with. This is different for each of us but I will share mine.

The year came and went it seems, with lots of happenings in between day 1 and day 365. There were moments of great JOY in time spent with family,  celebrations of special days, reflections of loved ones who are no longer with us,  friendships caught up with and some new friendships built,  a new opportunity for professional growth,  time well spent on my writing and my watercolor painting, and for sure many days spent in enjoyable service to the parochial school where my grandchildren attend. All in all, a PURPOSE filled year. As I looked over the goals I created for myself in the beginning of 2017, I know that I missed the mark on some of them, yet in others, I exceeded the goal. Guess that gives me good starting points in creating my 2018 goals! I am POSITIVE I can continue to work on self-improvement and expand my service to others.

Even though there were experiences in this year that were disappointments and sad moments due to family illnesses and loss, one has to understand that this is part of the ebb and flow of life. The tide comes in and the tide goes out….always;  no matter what happens while the tide is out, it will always come back in. And so it is with life, disappointments come, but they leave, only to be replaced with new experiences that have great possibility. Sadness comes, but healing follows, in time.

The greatest thought about a NEW YEAR is that it is filled with 365 new days of hope.   We can choose JOY, create POSITIVES, and live with PURPOSE. That is my hope for each of you and for myself. May you each have a HOPE filled journey in 2018!

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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ANGELS AMONG US!

Inspiration came from the angel outside the school this morning as I was walking in for my volunteer work.  Angels….they come in all sizes, shapes and forms; but sometimes we are not aware of their presence or their influence on our lives.

I believe we all have angels in our lives, both here and in the Heavenly Choir. Earthly angels are the ones that show up in our lives during difficult times and support us in just the way we needed at that moment. It might be the words they say, or the warm hug they give, or just that knowing smile that says it all. I understand; I get it; I am listening. How can I help?

Sometimes the angels come over and plow your drive or mow your lawn….just because. Angels have been known to show up at your doorstep with groceries or a hot meal during a time of sickness or mourning. I even had an angel once come and fix my smoke alarm that had been beeping for three days!!! I guess the angel heard it too!

The point here is that not only do we have angels, but we can also BE angels. It doesn’t have to come in the form of anything big or heroic that we do. We can just BE for someone by using our talents, expertise, or giving kindness. All we need to do is look around our families, friends, schools and communities. Angels are needed everywhere.

Not only during this Blessed Season, but let us always be angels to others.

“Angels live among us. Sometimes they hide their wings, but there is no disguising the peace and hope they bring.” (Anonymous)

 

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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IT IS ABOUT CHARITY.

A few posts back, I shared with you some thoughts about HOPE and also about FAITH. So, it stands to reason that today’s post is moving on to CHARITY.

The ‘season of giving’ is here as we move toward the Christmas festivities. Of course, we all enjoy getting gifts, and not just at Christmas. However, CHARITY does not always need to come in the form of tangible gifts. I believe that one of the greatest gifts of CHARITY is that of our time. Time is precious and there are only so many moments in our lives! Life keeps us all pretty busy, so time becomes a precious commodity.  Sometimes, it can be difficult to allot time for other’s really in need of assistance.

So, in keeping with the season of giving, I offer some suggestions about how we might give of our time…….making a sacrifice for those, who perhaps just a few minutes from us, can make a significant difference for them.

We could offer some of our time:

  • To those in a nursing home who have no one to visit with them, or to read a special story of the season for their pleasure.
  • To those we work with who might need childcare so they can finish their ‘Santa’ shopping.
  • To those in hospice who could use a cheery greeting or a song of the season.
  • To those in our family who may be in need of our time to cook them a great meal that includes some old family recipes they haven’t had in a long time.
  • To those who are our partners/spouses who could benefit from our time, giving special attention that has gotten lost in the relationship due to busy schedules, like a date night or their special home cooked meal.
  • To those of our friends or family members who have lost loved ones and would appreciate our time of a handwritten note expressing our care and concern for them.
  • To those who have no transportation to doctor’s appointments, our gift of time to take them to the appointment and see that they return home.
  • To any one who is in need of our time of a listening ear to show that we care and we understand.

 

“Time is non-refundable, use it with intention”. (I have heard this many times but it is always listed as anonymous) .

To whom  in your life will you give the charity of time this season?