Water Under the Bridge
It seems that just about every week people share stories with me about past unpleasant experiences that they’re holding onto for dear life. These “tales of the past” most likely change every time they relate them, but the endings are always the same--they’re not talking to or associating with that person because of what was said or done many years ago. Unfortunately, the shunning is usually directed at family members or even good friends that said or did something that was considered offensive. It’s regrettable that those incidents aren’t confronted immediately since many times the meaning of a person’s words or actions is misinterpreted by the offended person. However, even if you haven’t “cleared the air” in the ensuing years, I can assure you that time will indeed heal the great majority of wounds, if only you’ll allow the mending to take place. I believe there are many paths beyond the hurt and strain in any relationship.
There is no better time than today to move beyond your “hold ups” and let those hurts move on down the stream of life like just so much water flowing under a bridge. If we don’t let go, our minds will gradually make these perceived offenses appear much worse than they really were. Often the person toward whom we bear a grudge wasn’t being mean-spirited at all; it was merely a slip of the tongue or an ambiguous statement or action that was misinterpreted. Always try to understand that the other person might’ve been in a bad place at the moment those unfortunate remarks were made. Forgiveness can be face to face, long distance, or just a mental release of the incident. Life is short and well worth whatever effort it takes to repair a relationship. There’s no substitute for letting unpleasant experiences in our past become just so much water under the bridge.
“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”--Anonymous
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Trust Your Journey Journal
Trust Your Journey Journal
We recently added a new Trust Your Journey journal to our product selection. Below is the entry page of each journal. Enjoy!
Journals are reflections in words of our journey through life. This book will eventually be a story about you. The story will unfold when you put pencil to paper and write about events and emotions that are shaping each and every step of your journey through life. You’ll occasionally flip the pages back not only to remember but also to learn and understand. The epiphanies will completely overwhelm the peaks and valleys of yesterday. At some point you’ll become aware that you are on a very unique journey that seems to be enriched by the people and events, good and bad, that cross your life’s path. A journal is not about reliving your life; it’s about personal growth through a profound belief that your mission was custom-made by you. The end result will be a realization that the only action required from you is to Trust Your Journey.
We recently added a new Trust Your Journey journal to our product selection. Below is the entry page of each journal. Enjoy!
Journals are reflections in words of our journey through life. This book will eventually be a story about you. The story will unfold when you put pencil to paper and write about events and emotions that are shaping each and every step of your journey through life. You’ll occasionally flip the pages back not only to remember but also to learn and understand. The epiphanies will completely overwhelm the peaks and valleys of yesterday. At some point you’ll become aware that you are on a very unique journey that seems to be enriched by the people and events, good and bad, that cross your life’s path. A journal is not about reliving your life; it’s about personal growth through a profound belief that your mission was custom-made by you. The end result will be a realization that the only action required from you is to Trust Your Journey.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Bookmark
The Bookmark
On a recent trip I was seated next to a man who was engrossed in a book. At one point he closed it, lay it on his lap, and the part of the bookmark that was exposed caught my eye. It read “We the people,” and it brought me back to sixth grade where we had to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution. That led to thoughts of key events in my life since that grade-school assignment.
In the last couple of weeks I had reconnected with my sixth grade teacher via Facebook. After 41 years it was a great treat to have the chance to thank her for having been such a wonderful teacher during a crucial, formative part of my life. This lady is on a short list of teachers who made a measurable impact on my journey. She was a true educator who taught with a firm hand yet a kind heart. Every student in her class seemed to feel as I did.
I realize that times have changed, but school teachers are still invaluable because of their many opportunities to become an important part of any child’s journey. They play many roles in our lives but none more important than educator and life coach. With their wisdom and experience they usually see more potential in us than we are able to see in ourselves at that stage of life. More often than not they help shape the general direction that our journey will take. The rest is up to us. It’s not a coincidence that so many of us relish the opportunity to thank our mentors for having cared enough to set us on the right path while giving us some of the tools needed to make it a fulfilling journey.
“That is the difference between good teachers and great teachers: Good teachers make the best of a pupil’s means; great teachers foresee a pupil’s ends.”—Maria Callas (1923-1977)
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On a recent trip I was seated next to a man who was engrossed in a book. At one point he closed it, lay it on his lap, and the part of the bookmark that was exposed caught my eye. It read “We the people,” and it brought me back to sixth grade where we had to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution. That led to thoughts of key events in my life since that grade-school assignment.
In the last couple of weeks I had reconnected with my sixth grade teacher via Facebook. After 41 years it was a great treat to have the chance to thank her for having been such a wonderful teacher during a crucial, formative part of my life. This lady is on a short list of teachers who made a measurable impact on my journey. She was a true educator who taught with a firm hand yet a kind heart. Every student in her class seemed to feel as I did.
I realize that times have changed, but school teachers are still invaluable because of their many opportunities to become an important part of any child’s journey. They play many roles in our lives but none more important than educator and life coach. With their wisdom and experience they usually see more potential in us than we are able to see in ourselves at that stage of life. More often than not they help shape the general direction that our journey will take. The rest is up to us. It’s not a coincidence that so many of us relish the opportunity to thank our mentors for having cared enough to set us on the right path while giving us some of the tools needed to make it a fulfilling journey.
“That is the difference between good teachers and great teachers: Good teachers make the best of a pupil’s means; great teachers foresee a pupil’s ends.”—Maria Callas (1923-1977)
Click "Comments" below to share your opinion or thoughts.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Fresh Cut Grass
Fresh Cut Grass“Let’s be honest—there is something special about the smell of fresh cut grass! I don’t know why but it is always in the middle of winter that I truly start to look forward to the aroma of spring and the memories I have of cutting grass.”--me
I wrote these words in a journal long ago. Back then, I found great comfort in expressing my thoughts and feelings on paper, and it truly helped me to work through life as I was growing up. Looking back at some of my early journal entries, it’s clear that I’ve always had an inner awareness and love of nature. Nature continues to uplift me no matter what type of day I’m having.
If you’ve never kept a journal because you’re burned out from all the writing you had to do at school, or you’d rather spend your time enjoying the electronic age, I urge you to reconsider. Make a commitment to try it for a week or two, and you’ll be rewarded immediately by learning things about yourself that come out unexpectedly. Years later, as I’ve experienced in rereading my journal entries, you’ll get a true revelation about how much you’ve changed as a person--usually for the better. It’s an exercise in personal growth that isn’t practiced nearly enough nowadays.
I wrote these words in a journal long ago. Back then, I found great comfort in expressing my thoughts and feelings on paper, and it truly helped me to work through life as I was growing up. Looking back at some of my early journal entries, it’s clear that I’ve always had an inner awareness and love of nature. Nature continues to uplift me no matter what type of day I’m having.
If you’ve never kept a journal because you’re burned out from all the writing you had to do at school, or you’d rather spend your time enjoying the electronic age, I urge you to reconsider. Make a commitment to try it for a week or two, and you’ll be rewarded immediately by learning things about yourself that come out unexpectedly. Years later, as I’ve experienced in rereading my journal entries, you’ll get a true revelation about how much you’ve changed as a person--usually for the better. It’s an exercise in personal growth that isn’t practiced nearly enough nowadays.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
I Can Only Imagine
I Can Only Imagine
“Live every day as if it were your last. Treat everybody else as if they were you.”
-Author Unknown
Does anyone out there know who the ‘Unknown’ author is of that very profound quote? The first sentence is one we hear or read many times each year. Occasionally we spend a minute or two trying to imagine what our last day would be like and then instill that thought into our life for that particular day. But these two sentences together are just incredible. What would our world be like if we treated everyone else as if it were their last day? I can only imagine…
Click "Comments" below to share your opinion or thoughts.
“Live every day as if it were your last. Treat everybody else as if they were you.”
-Author Unknown
Does anyone out there know who the ‘Unknown’ author is of that very profound quote? The first sentence is one we hear or read many times each year. Occasionally we spend a minute or two trying to imagine what our last day would be like and then instill that thought into our life for that particular day. But these two sentences together are just incredible. What would our world be like if we treated everyone else as if it were their last day? I can only imagine…
Click "Comments" below to share your opinion or thoughts.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Freedom
Freedom
At this time each year, a local business places a flag at the entrance to all the homes in my community. It makes me grateful to be a part of such a wonderful country. Recession or not, we’re blessed with so much abundance in the U.S. that it’s easy to understand why people in foreign lands the world over want to come to the land of opportunity, where all things are possible.
On this July 4th we owe a special thank you to all the men and women in uniform, past and present, who have put some real meaning into Independence Day. Not only have they fought and died for our own freedom, but they have also helped liberate people from tyranny all over the globe. That’s the American spirit I’m so proud of and grateful for. Hopefully one day their efforts will finally lead to a real and lasting peace in the world where we can all enjoy the beauty and wonder of our very special planet.
“For it isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work for it.”—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Beginning and Endings
Beginning and Endings
A few days ago I spoke with a friend who had just been diagnosed with colon cancer. Dave will be undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and then more chemo. I was a bit shocked by his attitude toward his cancer diagnosis. I could feel the energy coming through the phone as he talked about beginning this unexpected journey, a journey that would change his life forever. He was positive, strong, and seemed to have an image of wellness firmly planted in his soul.
I often wonder why the word “cancer” is associated with an ending instead of a beginning. Dave reaffirmed with me that no matter what kinds of obstacles are thrown in our path, we can make a conscious decision to label those challenges as beginnings, not endings. I’m grateful to Dave for having shared that lesson with me this week and send him heartfelt blessings as he heads down the path to his new beginning. Trust Your Journey!
“All endings are also beginnings, we just don't know it at the time...” – Mitch Albom
A few days ago I spoke with a friend who had just been diagnosed with colon cancer. Dave will be undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and then more chemo. I was a bit shocked by his attitude toward his cancer diagnosis. I could feel the energy coming through the phone as he talked about beginning this unexpected journey, a journey that would change his life forever. He was positive, strong, and seemed to have an image of wellness firmly planted in his soul.
I often wonder why the word “cancer” is associated with an ending instead of a beginning. Dave reaffirmed with me that no matter what kinds of obstacles are thrown in our path, we can make a conscious decision to label those challenges as beginnings, not endings. I’m grateful to Dave for having shared that lesson with me this week and send him heartfelt blessings as he heads down the path to his new beginning. Trust Your Journey!
“All endings are also beginnings, we just don't know it at the time...” – Mitch Albom
Click "Comments" below to share your opinion or thoughts.
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