Make a Difference

“‎Today is a new day. It's a day you have never seen before and will never see again. Stop telling yourself the 'same crap, different day' lie! How many days has that lie stolen from you? Seize the wonder and uniqueness of today! Recognize that throughout this beautiful day, you have an incredible amount of opportunities to move your life into the direction you want it to go.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

There is a big difference between a a routine and repeating an unproductive pattern.  Often those stuck in a pattern are not looking at their goals and objectives with a plan for accomplishment, or looking to identify and savor the difference!  They are just going through the motions and things feel like the movie Ground Hog Day.

Morning routines by comparison are thoughtful and mindful to set us into a focus train of thought to move forward with a purpose. 

Today's quote from Og Mandino reminded me of the classic Monty Python sketch from the Holy Grail: Bring Out  Dead.

Life can be very brutal and squash dreams, drive and self-esteem.   For some this can be a bad day while others endure this for longer periods.  What I have learned during some these  personal trials is that I have the power to shape my perception of the challenges.

I choose this quote for reflection because death is a very hard reality in our lives, nobody escapes it; but there is no reason that my goals and dreams should succumb to an emotional one unless I choose to allow it. 

Today's fast paced society just wants to know the summary of things in order to decide if we really want to take the time to dig into a concept or discussion.   Out of respect for your time, I offer today's quote from Steve Maraboli for consideration on how to spend some time:

“We are mathematical equations where your life is the sum of all choices you've made until now. The good news is you can change the equation so that you start making a difference in your life.” ― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Today's quote flips that issue around in a great way for reflection:

“What if you were wrong?

What if everything you ever believed was a lie?

What if you missed your opportunity because you didn't know your worth?

What if you settled on familiar, but God was trying to give you something better?

What if you decided not to go backwards, but forward?

What if doing what you have never done before was the answer to everything that didn't make sense?

What if the answer wasn't to be found in words, but in action?

What if you found the courage to do what you really wanted to do and doing it changed your whole life?” ― Shannon L. Alder

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” ― Nelson Mandela

It would seem that making decisions would always stem toward improvement and that fear would not be part of that process.   Yet, I have found that I tend to make decisions in a "play it safe" mode and reduce the reward that I may have received a choice not shrouded through fear of making the wrong choice. 

“If you decide to just go with the flow, you'll end up where the flow goes, which is usually downhill, often leading to a big pile of sludge and a life of unhappiness. You'll end up doing what everyone else is doing.” ― Sean Covey, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens

This quote has merit no matter what your age. There are days we are tired, beaten down, or just plan wiped out. Sometimes, I think it just might be better to "go with the flow". It would be the easy choice and nobody would really notice just one day, right?

“We don’t drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there.” ― Andy Stanley, The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

There is a perception among some that people are just "lucky" and are "chosen" to fall into a position in life.   More often than not, others do not see the work that goes on behind the scenes that lead that person to the moment of opportunity.

Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. James Allen

Today’s quote really caused me to look at alignment in the teams of people I work with and how important the culture between the team and core values is to achievement; this can transfer to your personal life as well.

“It is easy to decide on what is wrong to wear to a party, such as deep-sea diving equipment or a pair of large pillows, but deciding what is right is much trickier.” ― Lemony Snicket, The Slippery Slope

A simple metaphor on choice always help focus me on the real decisions at hand.   The obvious choices are not often the ones that I struggle with, its the choices where both options have merits and drawbacks.   The real issue is that it may not become clear like wearing the deep-sea suit to the party until much later down the line.   

This is why I enjoy a good game of chess, and I believe that it is a great analogy for life.

The player makes choice upon choice that evolves to a position where you have to commit.  A good player is not only evaluating the individual choices but also the over all position.  It can be challenging not to get lost in the weeds, or get caught up in the details where your still able to see the big picture.

“You have two choices in life...Choice one is to be the same and be like everyone else...Choice two is to be yourself and be a difference-maker.” ― Jazlyn Roehl

Consider identification of your strengths and make sure you are bringing the best you have to offer.

https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx