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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?

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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The Tree of Thanksgiving!

This tree was made by one of the teachers at the school I volunteer at and students contributed the various ‘Thanksgiving Leaves’: teachers, principal, friends, food, parents, pastor,  faith, school, freedom, earth, education, and loved ones in Heaven. As I looked at this, I was in awe of the depth and broad array of gifts the young students listed.

I am grateful for all the parents, extended family, friends, teachers, religious leaders and significant others in these student’s lives who have taught and inspired these young people to understand what it means to be ‘thankful’ for the important things in life. No one said ‘my toys’!

It is really encouraging to see the students thinking in this manner as youth, building the foundation for continuing an attitude of gratefulness as young adults. Unfortunately, sometimes, it takes us adults a long time journeying through various experiences to reach down and find that attitude of gratefulness we were in touch with as young children. I know my own level of gratitude has changed over the years to include daily active statements of gratitude, each morning before my feet hit the floor.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”  (Melody Beattie)

What leaves would you put on your ‘Thanksgiving Tree’?

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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FAITH……

The last post was about  HOPE, which prompted me to think about today’s post of FAITH. Thus, the picture of the Swiss Alps Mountains (2016) because it has been said that ‘FAITH can move mountains’ (Matthew 17:20).

The first thought that comes to mind about faith is belief in doctrines of a specific religion.  Yes, for sure that is one definition of faith. Today, I wish to write about another facet of faith…….faith in ourselves.

Faith is defined as: “a firm belief in something for which there is not proof” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).  Achieving  our goals  or even our personal wants in life requires having faith, great faith in ourselves, that we CAN reach that goal and have that which we aspire to.  It doesn’t mean that this will happen overnight or that it won’t take some hard work and soul searching. At times during the journey, it may seem just as overwhelming as climbing the mountain pictured. If doubt plays a role for too long, we may give up, or  worse yet, not try again.  Faith  in our own strengths, abilities and fortitude is in jeopardy of being replaced by negative thoughts of weakness, lack of skills and determination to complete the process. Not a good place to find ourselves, which requires quick action in order not to get mired in this spot.

There are ways to help ourselves if we find that we are counter productive to having faith in ourselves. Here are a few thoughts:

  1. Develop a personal POSITIVE short mantra that you say each morning and night out loud. Write it down and keep it with you.
  2. Visualize through picture/pictures what your goal/want is. Put it up in your work area so you look at it everyday. Memorize what it feels like to accomplish this.
  3. When the negative thoughts come in, immediately tell yourself to STOP and replace it with your POSITIVE mantra.
  4. If you find yourself out of your comfort zone, push through it, and let your comfort zone expand.
  5. Above all, give your self credit for the little steps or tasks accomplished on the journey in creating greater faith in yourself. This motivates you positively in the right direction.

 

“Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier”  (Thomas S. Monson).

What do you need to do to increase your FAITH within yourself today?

 

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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HOPE IS ALWAYS THERE AS A CHOICE!

Life happens. There is good, less than good, and lots of things in between. It certainly could be easy to become despondent or feel like giving up, especially when several events happen in succession in our lives. It can feel oppressive, burdensome, and may even bring about resentment. ….…like why me. Indeed, it is exactly at these times that we must peek through the forest to see that the sun has begun to shine, therein, the POSITIVE of hope is within grasp. We only have to chose hope, optimism, and bring the JOY back in to life.

Finding that hope can bring us strength to move through dark times and focus on the possibilities of what is yet to come.  The probability is that we cannot  know at that moment in time  where the journey will take us; we only have to believe that there is light on this path, holding on to the hope of better things to come, and knowing there has to be some element of trust on our part….trusting in the hope that is always there for us to touch and hold on to.  Trusting that tomorrow the sun will rise again.

Robert H. Schuller said: “Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future”.

What is your greatest hope at this moment in life?

 

 

 

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES

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Multicolored Vision:

Recently, I was sharing with a friend that I don’t really see things as either black or white. My perspective is usually ‘multicolored’;  it is often this perspective that helps me to understand and deal with people or issues that I may not agree with, or for that matter, may not  totally understand.

At first blush, it might seem that something can only be understood if viewed in a particular light. However, when I ponder and look at various options,  I can bring myself to a point of multiple perspective….. using what I call multicolored vision. Just like perspective in art forms, the farther away an object (situation) is, the smaller the form and the opposite is true for things closer to the forefront. This suggests that my vision of a particular situation can change as it moves farther away from my immediate being.

Individual perspective is shaped by our experiences, our belief system, and in some ways what works for each of us. Even with those givens, I find that if I apply POSITIVE spins, flexible interpretations, invite other evidence which might be below the surface facts, and avoid judgement, multicolored vision is before me. Then I can move to a more peaceful point in my thinking.

Once someone told me that it is much healthier to take the words ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ out of the vocabulary. Good advice! In addition, this is another factor in using multicolored vision.

“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” (Robertson Davies, from Tempest-Tost, Salterton Trilogy, #1)

What can you do today to encourage a multicolored vision about someone or a situation?