Stuck in the Moment June 13, 2007

I’m reading a fabulous book now entitled ‘Chasing Daylight’ by Erwin Raphael McManus (a gift from a wonderful friend). It is kind of befitting for me at this very moment too…as I’m currently without a job and have a whole lot of time on my hands.

Now of course, I can choose to feel all upset and angry at my current situation but I have a choice. Being “Stuck in the Moment” can be a dangerous position…and sometimes we do not even realize (or want to admit) that we are in that place. For some, it could be a past that still haunts us everyday…or a regretful situation that keeps playing like a broken down CD player, over and over again.

My favorite band U2 captures this Moment so well…

“I never thought you were a fool but darling look at you / You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight / These tears are going nowhere, baby /You’ve got to get yourself together, you’ve got stuck in the moment and now you can’t get out of it / Don’t say that later will be better, Now you’re stuck in the moment and you can’t get out of it / …..(and the end)…..It’s just a moment, this time will pass” – Bono

Ever felt like being “Stuck in the Moment”? If you are, do not worry, life is not over. In fact, take a new spin to it…and look at it as an Opportunity to be Victorious and become Stronger than you’ve ever been! But you need to first decide to let go…then you are on your way OUT of that negative situation.

As a simple illustration, just take a close look at your “FEET”…your toes are all pointed straight. Believe it or not, you were created to Move Forward!!! All you need to do is to take one step forward at a time…and make a choice to live in your “Defining Moment”.

The Storm June 10, 2007

I am currently at this moment going through a difficult patch where things are not going too well at the work front and with the health of both my wife and I. Must be one of those bad days…where nothing is falling as scheduled. These are days where the madness envelopes you and you wonder if there is ever going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

It is similar to a Storm where everything is chaotic, unplanned and everyone is caught off-guard not knowing what to do. Are you also facing something similar right at this very moment…a difficulty that you are bearing like the blazing winds of a real-life “Twister”?

Take courage…you are not alone. Every occasionally each of us are also faced with a Storm so great that it knocks the socks out under us. Moreover, if we take this Storm with a different perspective, we could actually SMILE at the Storm.

“Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting” – John Russell

We do not need to also fake it and say that “we are enjoying the Storm”, we can simply just accept the Storm as a Friend vs. a Foe. When we begin to see a new learning at every milestone (may it be joyous or challenging) we discover a new aspect of our own tenacity and ability to push forward to another level.

Perhaps, all we need is to allow the Storm to hit us…and just wait…we will soon discover the peace and tranquility sitting in the “Eye of the Storm”.

2 Important Words – “Thank You” June 7, 2007

We live in a world today that is so “me” focused…don’t you think? “What’s in it for me” would be a constant thought in everyone’s mind. Still it is so easy (I must add) to be conscious of self that we forget about others around us, let alone be reminded to appreciate them.

Saying “Thank You” could be the icebreaker, communication bridge, relationship glue and even saving grace to a variety of scenarios. How would you feel if someone came up to you (unexpectedly) and said “Thank You” for what you did or for just being you? Would you feel horrid or simply delighted?

There are many small and simple ways we can think up to brighten people’s day! Saying “Thank You” can occur in different, creative and inexpensive ways too…

• A homemade card, a phone call, an sms or email 
• Baked Cookies with a Thank You note
• Invite someone over for a simple lunch / tea
• Say a good word to their superior…and many more…

Its Fun to be the first to say “Thank You”…and especially to those who are least remembered like the friendly bunch at your local post office, community center, salvation army and volunteers at the school’s children crossing. You have the Power to change someone’s day, by simply embracing the daily usage of “2 Important Words”…

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you’, that would suffice” – Meister Eckhart