Blind people have better . . .

In the book Eavesdropping: A Memoir of Blindness and Listening by Stephen Kuusisto, Stephen talks about entering a hotel lobby. Upon entering he stops and listens in order to identify his surroundings. He hears the chimes on the elevators. Sometimes he hears the wings of a bird that has flown into the lobby. He is doing what he calls "creative listening" where he just listens to all the things happening around him, in great detail, and basically paints a mental picture of his surroundings.

Stephens view of the world comes from a very different perspective than yours and mine. And in reading his book I discovered that we are missing a lot. The sounds a horse makes when he's standing quietly in his stall, his breathing and swallowing. The sounds of ice as it shifts or breaks under our boots. Or the sound of pills dropping on the linoleum.

I think we can use these ideas when it seems like things just aren't working in our own lives. The new project isn't taking off. Our relationships feel strained. Or we just aren't happy with the way things are going, but we can't identify the "problem".

What if that is because we are trying to "look" for a solution when we need to "listen" for one? What if it just takes a different perspective?

Action: Take something you are working on and try to understand it from a different perspective. If it seems like a work issue look at the personal perspective ~ how you could be affecting things. If it seems like a financial issue look at the spiritual perspective. If it seems like someone else's actions are the problem look at your actions. Be open, do some "creative listening" and let another possibility open itself to you.

Listen to your momma!

"Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit".

Even Napoleon Hill says it. At some point in your life someone probably encouraged you to give it your best shot. They may have even come out and told you "Don't Quit". And you've probably heard a poem, listened to a song, or had your mom tell you that success comes to those who don't quit. And it's true.

For some reason, we think that following our dreams should be easy. It "should" be fun, and it "should" come to us on time. But the reality is, as we move toward our dreams, as we fulfill our purpose and live our passion, there will be times when we question whether or not it is worth it.

It's almost like a test to make sure that we want it bad enough. And when you say that you do, when you push through the moments that are difficult and when you don't quit, the reward is so much sweeter.

Action: The next time you are thinking of throwing in the towel because things aren't unfolding according to your plan, remember what your mom always told you...winners never quit!

Lose that E.....

The other day on a webinar I heard the presenter make a statement that really made so much sense. She said "Take the E out of emotion and get into motion"...

So often when things aren't getting us the results we want we get emotional. We question why, we stress over little things and we end up in a twhirl. But what if emotion was replaced with motion. What if instead of stressing we just got busy and got ourselves into action. Things would turn around twice as quickly, and for 2 reasons....

1. We get out of our own heads
2. We actually DO something that will move us forward.

When we get into motion, we tend to stop thinking about whats going on and create the change we desire.

Don't get us wrong, there is a place in our lives for emotions, and dealing with them is important, but when they become the stumbling block or huge wall that prevents us from achieving our goals it's time to shift our focus.

Action: The next time you find yourself stuck and emotional, consciously drop the E and get into motion! Go for a walk, pick up that phone or finish that to-do list you may be surprised what a little action can do!