RESOLVE to Live Forward

Are you having a GREAT DAY! Perhaps not. Growing up I once thought enthusiasm was something that happened in response to exciting news, people, places, things, etc. Although we can be stimulated into feeling enthusiastic, life has a way of draining our enthusiasm from us. Which begs the question; "Can we choose to be enthusiastic, and if we can then how do we best do that?" Over the next few episodes, we'll talk about the ANCHOR word in our RESOLVE acronym, "E" for Enthusiasm and the choive to Live Forward. 

Interesting concept. "Vision gives today a destination." I remember reading the book, "How to Live In The Now". The author spoke of the power of focused living in the moment. It's the classic message of yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, and that's why we call it the PRESENT. Do we visualize how great we want to make today become? Visionary Mindset is far more than seeing what we can become in the future. it's about visualizing TODAY. 

Your personal visionary mindset give each day a "Destination." Let that soak in. Please don't confuse your visionary mindset with your EGO. Selfish thinking and living are not Forward Living best practices. A visionary mindset is at the heart of a definite, firm plan of action. It builds clarity of purpose and awareness of moment-by-moment growth. Today, we chat about the action of Visionary Thinking in the Life-Building process. 

I once heard it said, "The day you stop learning is the day you start dying." Why do we learn? What's in it for us? Why does it matter? I've asked all these, and more, questions. I love to learn. I need to learn. I LIVE TO LEARN. 

The definition of RESOLVE is, "... one having a definite, firm plan of action." The middle letter in RESOLVE is the "O". It stands for organization. The traits of good organization touch all facets of our day-to-day lives. Some find this habit early, while other struggle to grasp it. I always struggled with organization in my personal and professional life. Perhaps you have too. Let's discuss the personal best practices we can benefit from through a good organizational plan. 

So much anger in our world today. Everyone is screaming to be heard, but they're not willing to listen to differing viewpoints. This is NOT NEW. Throughout the recorded history of mankind, there have always been conflicts that erupted because neither side, or only one side, would agree to a civil conversation while seeking, not just to be heard and understood, but to hear and understand the other side. The act of intentional listening and watching is a gift of service and a surrender of personal self-gain. The RESOLVE mindset can play a role in creating understanding and equity. Let's talk about the need for selfless service through intentional listening and watching.

The best practice of service is done without the expectation of receiving anything in return, and yet it is full of blessings that pay dividends throughtout the course of our lives. There will always be service opportunities that provide reimbursement, and that's not a bad thing at all. Selfless service pays a very different benefit or asset. When you learn the JOY of GIVING, you learn the greatest wealth giver possible .... Grateful hearts and life-long relationships. 

When we experience a tragic loss, living forward becomes one of the most difficult things we can do on a day-by-day basis. That's just the first step in Living Forward. The second step is to get out and engage LIFE & PEOPLE. I felt the need to stay inside, alone, and taken hostage by my grief, but because of my RESOLVE, I "got busy living." If you exercise the ciurage to to engage each day, the things you do, the people you meet, and the opportunities that are waiting for you, life will become more rewarding, and you will make a positive impact on all that you encounter. Our letter in RESOLVE is "E for Engagement."

By now, you know that my PowerWord is RESOLVE. It is defined as "one who has a definite, firm plan of action." The first letter, "R", is for Resilience. We are in a new year. Having a definite, firm plan of action is not about resolutions. It's about a clear process that leads to a definite end result. The tools, or personal best practices, for successful daily living are not about randomness. Yes, there are the unexpected situations both good and bad. Living forward is a choice, and living forward takes behaviors that lead to the best outcomes. Today, we build a plan of action that leads to your best outcomes. We'll start with the letter "R" for resilience. I Respond, not retreat.

Growth is the only evidence of life, therefore in order to experience positive growth in 2026, we must take charge of our lives and do what helps us grow in every aspect of our life on a day-by-day basis. It doesn't matter whether we use resolutions, powerwords, year-long themes, etc. It only matters that we are intentional in choosing to live forward each day.