Daily Thoughts

2/2/21

Listen. As we move through our days, most of us are so embroiled in our hectic schedules that we rarely take time to listen. We miss the messages that our bodies are telling us, whether it is to take time to slow down from that hectic pace, to take time for healthy eating and exercise, or to work on the project that brings joy to ourselves or others. The Voice of Love is speaking all the time, yet we drown it out with our own inner chatter, letting the “monkey mind” dominate. It’s time to stop, look around, and listen to the inner voice that tells us to love one another.

From where I sit, I open my ears to hear and heart to love.

Daily Thoughts

2/1/21

Input/Output. There is a computer programming concept called GIGO – Garbage in. Garbage out. Entering faulty information results in faulty output. Our lives are much like that – what we put into our bodies, minds, and spirits determines what comes out of us. We have the choice of input in the food that we eat, TV programs and movies that we watch, audio programs that we listen to, books that we read, etc. Each one influences what comes out of us. Choose your diet carefully in all areas of input if you want positive outcomes.

From where I sit, I monitor my input to maximize my output.

Daily Thoughts

1/31/21

Locus of control. With every action and/or interaction, we have the option to retain the power within us or cede that power over to others. Learning how to internalize responsibility is a key factor in living a life that is filled with inner peace and joy. There is only one action that we have full control over and that is how we react/respond to the incidents of life. Are you going to respond with love for yourself and the others involved, or are you going to allow the others to dictate your actions/reactions? It depends on you whether you retain your power or cede it over to someone else. From where I sit, I retain my internal locus of control.

Daily Thoughts

1/30/21

Authenticity. One of the joys of being in education is the interaction with my students as they are exploring who they are and what they want out of life. I am always heartened by the passion and compassion of these young adults. Most of my students are studying to be PK-12 teachers who are doing it because they feel “the call” to do so. I have had multiple students whose parents wanted them to pursue a profession that paid better, yet they remained true to their heart. I have had others who were originally drawn into education, but they pursued other avenues, only to return to teacher prep. All too often, we have pressures to conform to other people’s ideas of who we should be, how we should act, what we should believe, etc. When we try to paint ourselves into someone else’s picture of who we should be or when we try to paint others into our picture, it doesn’t work. I know, because I have tried to do it too often. Authenticity, genuineness, adherence to our “call” are the only choices. From where I sit, I embrace my authenticity.

Daily Thoughts

1/29/21

What you see is what you get. Perception is the key to happiness. If your perception of the world is fearful, you will see fear. If your perception of the world is lack, you will always be wanting more. If your perception of the world is anger, anger is what you will receive. If your perception of the world is to find beauty, you will find it. If your perception of the world embodies peace, peace will manifest. If your perception of the world focuses on forgiveness, your emotional load will be lightened. If your perception of the world embraces love, you will receive love. Perceiving peace, forgiveness, and love will shift the energy around us and allow beauty to manifest. As in everything in this life, perception is a choice. What will you choose? What you choose to see is what will be returned to you. Be mindful of those choices! From where I sit, I shift my perception to peace, forgiveness, and love.

Daily Thoughts

1/28/21

Embracing change. We all have hopes and dreams. Most of the time, those dreams stay in our thoughts and are rarely manifested. A primary reason for many of our hopes and dreams languishing in the recesses of our minds is the fear of change. Unfortunately, change is inevitable. Flowers bloom and die. Babies grow into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood or transition from this life. Winter becomes spring. Spring becomes summer. Summer becomes fall. Fall returns to winter. Everything changes. Letting go of the fear and embracing the change allows us to more readily grow into the people that we are meant to be. Changing habits to live a healthier life – physically, financially, spiritually, emotionally – requires effort. I can tell you from first-hand experience how changing my diet, exercising, sticking to a budget, meditation, and listening to my heart have impacted my outlook on life. They are part of the impetus for me to share these daily thoughts. What arenas are you willing to change? Which habits are you going to release? How will you embrace change, for yourself, family, community, etc.? Change is inevitable. Your reactions and interactions will determine its effect on you. From where I sit, I embrace change, and my life is better for it!

Daily Thoughts

1/27/21

Finding Grace in the ordinary. All too often in Western society, we are encouraged to always be looking for that next, best thing. We are taught that having “stuff” will make us happy. We push ourselves and our children to always aim higher than we are right now. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t continue to strive for self-improvement and encourage the next generations to do their best, because I believe we need to continually grow into the best version of ourselves. However, when our sight is on something in the distance, we fail to see the beauty in the little things around us. We miss the grace of the hummingbird. We miss the opportunities to savor the food that we eat. We walk past flowers in bloom. We rush through life and miss so much. It is time for us to take the time to slow down and find grace in the ordinary things of life. From where I sit, I seek grace in the ordinary.

Daily Thoughts

1/26/21

Accountability. Accountability is the process of taking responsibility for those things we say, do, and think. Placing the blame on others, shirking duties, and avoiding responsibility for what we’ve done are all examples of a lack of accountability for ourselves and for others. If someone has entered into agreement with you, hold them accountable. If someone has made an error, hold them accountable. If they have caused hurt or harm, hold them accountable. If you have agreed to take on a task, do it! If you have made a mistake, admit it! If you say you’re going to do something, follow through. If your words have been hurtful, apologize. If your actions have caused harm, rectify the situation. Integrity requires accountability. From where I sit, I will hold myself and others accountable.

Daily Thoughts

1/25/21

Welcoming challenges are opportunities for growth. Whether those challenges are interpersonal or intrapersonal, they are opportunities for us to figure out who we really are. Establishing an identity, based in authenticity, is the task before us. The only way to achieve the task is to embrace the challenges that face us. In our relationships, we need to release this concept that the other person is the enemy. Labeling them as such is more harmful to us but it is to them. It damages the connection and lessens the internal strength that we need to persevere. When we seek to hurt someone else, we are hurting ourselves first. Challenging our perspectives, both intrapersonal and interpersonal, opens the door to reaching authenticity. From where I said, I welcome the challenge to change my perspective and release others from my expectations of how they should behave.

Daily Thoughts

1/24/21

Expectations. Most of us hold expectations for ourselves and for others. Having expectations for yourself helps to drive you forward into being the best version of yourself. There is a problem with holding expectations for others: it’s not our job! When we place expectations on others, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. When we place expectations on others, we fail to celebrate their uniqueness. When we place expectations on others, we miss the opportunity to let them grow. It’s hard to do, but it’s important that we step back and let people be who they are. Drop the expectations of others and accept them for who they are. From where I sit, I remove my expectations and celebrate uniqueness in everyone.