3 Easy Steps to Re-energize Your LIfe

How often have you thought about doing something new or completely 

different in your life?

Perhaps you thought about writing a best-seller, starting your own business, moving to a foreign country, run a marathon, or fulfill a lifelong dream.  When you think about a new adventure is there an uplifting feeling welling up inside of you?  If the answer is YES then read on.


If you've been putting off pursuing your dream, your vision because there is so much going on in your life let me recommend that you STOP...now!  Call time out.  You may think that your so busy or at least that's what you tell yourself, that you've gotten to the place where you believe what you hear.


How often do you begin a conversation with someone and you ask how they are doing and the response is, "I've been so busy."  Granted we all have responsibilities, jobs, families, but maybe its more an issue of good time/life management skills than just so much 'stuff' going on.   Both my Mom and Dad worked full time, raised a family, had yard and house work and yet there was always time at the end of the day or weekends.  And all the wonderful time saving conveniences  of today did not exist then. 


So let me share with you the following steps that will lead you out of "busy" and help you re-energize your life so you can pursue those dreams and goals that always seem out of reach.  Soon you'll find the path that is best suited  to your purpose and passion.


Step One:  Make YOU a Priority!
In our "crazy busy" lives it's so easy to take care of everyone and everything else with little or no time left for ourselves.  By the end of most days are you spent with little or no energy for you?  The good news is YOU change that and make yourself a priority.
I challenge you to set aside 5 minutes every day to do NOTHING.  Doing nothing means just that...5 minutes without using a cellphone, computer, checking email, Facebook, watching TV...NOTHING!  And do NOTHING with NO ONE else.
What's interesting is most people don't think they can afford just 5 minutes a day to do nothing and to be quiet, think, meditate.  How about you?  Are you up for the 5 minute DO NOTHING Challenge?


Step Two:  Discover Who You Are
Take a moment to notice your response when you hear a friend, workmate, neighbor say they are going on a great vacation, change jobs, retire, or switch careers.  You'll quickly receive clues to your whereabouts by paying attention to what you feel.  Is there a sense of excitement, dread, curiosity, wonder or overall fear?
Remember to achieve what you desire, you'll have to want it more than your afraid of it.  I read once "to feel alive in our hearts we must also allow vulnerability."  Can you afford to be vulnerable and take the chance to discover what makes you feel alive?  Can you afford not to?


Step Three:  Learn What Makes Your Heart Sing
Begin simply and simply begin.  If you're uncertain about what makes your heart sing begin by being kind to yourself.  Take one step at a time and be open to new possibilities.  Notice what puts a smile on your face and lifts your spirit.  Carry a small notepad with you to jot down those things.  Never underestimate YOUR POWER to change and re-energize your life.  It's never to late to start a new chapter!

ON SECOND THOUGHT

On Second Thought

Welcome to my second article in a series entitled, "On Second Thought".  These articles deal with life issues that I believe all of us deal with from time to time in our lives.  Sometimes they're personal.  

Today "On Second Thought" tackles the question of 'who is my best friend?'  Just how important is it to be able at any age to call someone your best friend?

I have a survey on my blog site that asks followers: "Do you have a long lost friend that you would like to get in touch with?  Overwhelmingly the answer has been YES!  Maybe for many of us that long lost friend is or should I say was our best friend...or at least we thought they were.

The founder of Facebook has become a billionaire thanks to people asking other people if they can be their "friend".  I mean honestly, Facebook is nothing more than Mable and Gertrude back in the 1950's listening on the party line to other people's conversations. (If you were born in the last 30 years its a different kind of party line than you're probably thinking).  Today's  Facebook friends share such crucial information.  I say that in jest.  I really don't want to be a friend and hear that you just picked your nose or your baby had its first fart.

Maybe...just maybe things like Facebook, Twitter, Texting and other means of "communication" have diminished what it means to have a best friend. I was intrigued to read what a best friend is in other cultures.  In Russia, very few people have the status of 'best friend'.  These friends are entitled to call each other by their first name alone!  In India, having a friendship is a form of respect.  Friends are people who are equal in most standards.

In Central Asia, friends are allowed to give the other a nick name but only one's best friend.

To the ancients, friendship was the happiest and most fully human of all loves.

According to the American Sociological Review, Americans are thought to be suffering a loss in the quality and quantity of close friendships.  The report goes on to say that modern American friendships have lost the force and importance they had in the past.  Can we afford to allow that and still get through life?

My mother once told me if I had ONE best friend that would do.  I thought she was nuts...just one?  

On Second Thought I think she was right.  I had a best friend.  We knew each other from kindergarten all the way through college together. How many people can say that?  He did everything at my house growing up. My parents spent a good amount of time raising and feeding him. When we went to the lake for the weekend he was there. In high school, I went to his wrestling matches and he came to my basketball games. We were college roommates and started on the college basketball team in the backcourt for 3 years.  We could look at each other and know what the other was thinking.  Then we left college.  The end.  NO really 'the end'.  Repeated attempts to reach him have been ignored.  Then by one of those "holy cow moments" in life, I met my best friend's cousin.  He tried to make a connection that was soundly denied. I then had the opportunity to speak with our other best friend who told me, "yep I've tried but he won't talk to me either."  Friends in college have tried...no contact.  

I miss my "Best Friend".  We did everything together.  I'm not sure what happened.  Thankfully I still have my other Best Friend.  If you saw one of the three us you always saw the other two.  It was always the three of us. We both miss the other. We have both tried and tried.

Best friends...life changes people.  Sometimes we don't know why.  As best friends we make every attempt to be there for the other.  Stuff happens.  Best friends don't care.  We love each other no matter what comes down the road.  It's been said that a best friend knows what you do in the dark and still loves you.  The three of us are now in our 50's.  And we've each certainly go down different paths. 

Time, distance and events don't need to separate best friends.  To my long lost friend who lives in Wisconsin think back to 5th grade and our teacher Ms. Miller.  Think back to one of our spelling classes.  She was teaching the three of us and our classmates that day when does "i come before e."  Then Ms. Miller said, "Here's the best example I can give you about this rule.  When spelling the word 'friend' remember that  "a friend is a friend to the end...f-r-i-e-n-d."

On Second Thought maybe my mom was right...

MAKE 2011 THE "YEAR OF YOU"

If you're old enough you remember the "Etch-A-Sketch".  The cheap little black board with the 'magic' film that laid on top and the hard plastic pencil used to write or draw with on the pad.  If you wanted to start over, do something different, draw a new picture all you had to do was lift up the film and ta-da everything vanished like magic!  (OK so you had to be there when you got an Etch-A-Sketch in the 60's.)


I've heard from many people that 2010 was not the greatest.  So its time to lift the Etch-A-Sketch film and write how we'd like to see 2011.  Here's a few tips to help you plan for a fulfilling and exciting year.  Keep in mind...it's your choice.  This brand new year can be rewarding or regretful.  Make it rewarding by setting goals for yourself and resolve not to give up by the first week in February.  Be able to say, "Look how much I accomplished this year!


1.  Write it down.  You've heard it before, but the truth is writing down your goals forces you to get clear about what you want.  Use a pen and paper, not a computer.  Hand writing your goals makes you think!


2.  Tell someone.  Talking about your goal(s) even if it seems huge and impossible allows others to encourage and help you by providing resources and information you may need.


3.  Take baby steps.  Even small steps taken towards your goal(s) consistently will move you into the right direction.  Once you've experienced a few small wins, taking bigger steps will be easier.


4.  Take some BIG steps.  Don't take all year to do what you can accomplish in a day.  Once you've written down your list of goals for the year, figure out which goals could be accomplished this month - or even today.


5.  Decide and act.  Mental hurdles may keep you from making decisions and taking actions.  Get over it!  Make a list of all the reasons you want to accomplish your stated goals.


6.  Team up.  Having a success buddy can keep you accountable.  Meet regularly and discuss where you're at and any obstacles that need avoided.


7.  CELEBRATE Your successes.  Every time you reach a milestone, acknowledge your accomplishments in a positive way.  Celebrating your success will keep you focused on the larger goal.


Now go out and make 2011 the best year of your life!

ON SECOND THOUGHT

"On Second Thought..."

Would Christ Recognize Christmas?

If you read my introduction to "On Second Thought" last week you have an idea of what's coming.  


"On Second Thought" is purely my opinion and editorial about a particular topic that may get you to think about an issue in a different light.  Maybe form a new perspective.  


Have you been asked yet how your Christmas went?  Funny how people are curious about what we did, where we went, what we bought, and what we received isn't it?  One gentleman told me about how much he ate over the holiday?  Funny to hear someone tell you that he ate too much goose!


I can remember being in elementary school and you and your friends compared what you got and how many things you were given.  There was a certain amount of "one-ups-manship" as to who got the most or the coolest toys.


Then we become adults.  Our toys get bigger and more expensive.  Like the guy in the commerical who goes to the living room and sees a new Mercedes Benz!   My my he must have been a good boy!


Personally, I'm not a big fan of Christmas.  Now don't get me wrong I had a good one this year.  I had fun with all my loved ones, received some cool gifts, did some fun things, heard Mannheim Steamroller, played with my grand kids...good stuff right?  I'd say so.  Now if it was left to these things, I'd be pretty good with the whole concept.  


But On Second Thought...


I was thinking would Christ recognize His own birthday celebration?  Gosh I wonder.  He wouldn't with the jerk I encountered in a Trader Joe's store.  Hey I know you're still out there weasel boy.  Or the dope who thought the stop sign didn't refer to him.  Or the sheer madness that Christmas has become.  Stop and think about it.  The greatest nation in the history of the world bases its economy on its Christmas sales and yet more individual families will go into debt buying things they can't afford.  Go figure.


 I think Jesus for the most part would be His courteous and gracious self with Christmas.  Appreciative for the recognition.  But maybe He would think that things had gotten a bit out of hand since the manger in Bethlehem.  Ever notice when you read about the Wise Men bearing gifts that they didn't turn to Joseph and say, "what did you get us this year?"  


Our celebration with Christmas has gotten to the point where I read a news story where the following is so unusual it made the internet.  A family decided to fore go their gift buying, kids included, and took the money and used it to help less fortunate families. Imagine that!  


So it got me to thinking.  Can you imagine if a minister announced to his congregation that he was going to promote that every family for just one year, donate the money they were going to spend on gifts and as a church, use the money to make a difference in the community they serve?  Would you like to know how long he'd be preaching there?  OK so he softens his approach and says to his flock, "how about we go 50 - 50 next Christmas?  After all we'll be blessed for doing so."  Sorry but I don't think these sheep are following their shepherd down this path.


But On Second Thought...I bet Jesus would be alright with it.  After all it's His birthday.




Next week's On Second Thought:  Best Friends

On Second Thought

ON SECOND THOUGHT...


You're having a conversation with a friend, family member, or neighbor when they say; 'but on second thought."  


WHOA!  Time out.  Weren't they just sharing a 'first thought' about the conversation you were having with them?  You hear a change in their voice and notice a difference in their body language.  They've had a second thought.  It's as if this second thought negates their first thought.  "Never mind what I just told you".  This second thought will offer a different point of view from what they had just shared.  It's the other side of the coin. 


Second thoughts may reside down the road less traveled.  We may visit a second thought but not long enough to introduce it to anyone else. We just think about it on the inside.  They may at times seem to come from out of the blue.  Sometimes a second thought surprises not only the person who hears it but even the person who speaks it.  Second thoughts may be seen risky as in, "did I really say that? Where did that come from?  What do these people think of me now?"


At times we may have wished we had kept a second thought to ourselves and simply stuck with our first thought.  My mother put it this way: "You know you don't have to say everything you think."  Translated from mom speak: "Please don't say anything that will embarrass either your father or me."  Sorry Mom...well not really.  See having a second thought is that easy.  My first thought was 'ya she's right'...but then on second thought 'why not say what I'm thinking'?


On Second Thought is my new blog dedicated to sharing with you my second thoughts on a variety of topics ranging from; family, politics, life, friends, work, entertainment...really just about anything.  No need to agree with me.  Just hear another person's viewpoint beyond that acceptable first thought.  To see that possibly 'first thoughts' aren't necessarily 'final thoughts.'


And if you are so moved to have a thought of your own on any of my second thoughts, then email me at: rdcreek@cox.net or go to www.thelifeworkscoach.com and tell me what your thinking about on the topic at hand.  I may print your response in future articles.

My Second Thought for this week is sure arouse more than a passing thought:  

Would Christ Recognize His Own Holiday?

What do you think?

What Will Your Legacy Be?

I am fascinated with cemeteries. There are countless stories on the headstones at any cemetery. I love to read the markers and headstones and wonder about the person it speaks to. I mean wouldn't you love to ask, "well how did you end up here?" Well maybe not that one. But at least the general type questions. What did you do in life? What were the times when you were alive? Tell me about your family. Did you have any unfinished business? Wow you didn't live very long...what happened?

To be honest wouldn't it be cool to have a little audio player where you could record your own story and epitaph. I mean think of it. Someone walks up, pushes a play button, and there you are telling them who you were and what you did in life. Just think of the possibilities!

Some people call what you did in life and with your life, a legacy. And whatever your legacy is going to be has to be fashioned while your alive. So if you haven't started...well its time right?

You don't have to build a school or start a foundation to make a difference with your life in the world. And you don't have to be influential. Each of us is influential in our own ways.

With a small act of kindness, we can impact a friend's or co-worker's day. By taking time to share our knowledge, we can improve someones chances for success. Gretchen Rubin writes, "One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy."

Beyond your immediate circle, you can make a difference by linking up with an organization that serves the less fortunate or those who have been challenged in life. There are dozens of worthy causes to serve. Who could you be making happy?

Don't wait to make a difference - your legacy begins now.

PUSH PLAY...beeeep..."Hi thanks for stopping by today. I'd say its nice to see you but...anyway alittle about me....and hopefully the difference I made while I walked on the earth."

Excuse Me...What Time Is It?

Anyone ever ask you what time it is?

Of course they have...all through life people are asking "What time is it?" We have watches on our wrists, clocks in almost every room of where we live, clocks on our computers...banks have signs that tell us the time. Songs are written about time. We measure time by calendars. We measure time by events in our lives. We may hear a song on the radio that takes us back to a 'time' in our lives.

Time. There's one more way I'd like you to look at time. Talk to any elderly person and they will tell you they can't believe how fast the time went! They'll start a sentence with, "why it was just yesterday...my goodness where did the time go?"

You see for many of us the tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. Time gets away from us before we even realize it.

For many of us in life it's time to action. Time to live with your priorities in mind and stop wishing things were different. Time to stop smoking, start exercising and eating right. Time to make that appointment, hug your child (even if they are older and now bigger than you), tell your friends and family members how much they mean to you, start that business, read that book, take that trip, make a difference.

What time is it?

It's time to start living and stop waiting.