By Cat Li Stevenson
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." ~Ghandi
I was raised on competition and excelling. I learned to walk at 10 months, read at age 4, and started taking piano lessons at the same time. By the time I was 7, I was performing at the local university gamage in front of hundreds of people. I also grew up attending 2 schools: the typical American School and then Chinese Linguistic School every Sunday. Here, I competed in linguistic competitions, Chinese chess, and served as student body president for one year. These were only some of the extra-curricular activities that I participated in; sprinkled between my childhood and adolescent years were also weekly private writing lessons, "super workbooks" I completed every summer for the coming grade, and being a straight A student.
From age 4 until I graduated from college 6 years ago, life was pretty easy: it was a road map of one grade leading to the next and one accomplishment proceeding the other. Then I grew up.
I remember graduating college and self-diagnosing myself with "post-college trauma." The real world just wasn't all that I had made it out to be. Somewhere along the path of constantly achieving, my teachers failed to mention that there would not always be a destination attached to every activity. Outside of perfecting a Mozart piece, writing an essay for a competition, and taking final exams, there lied a world that was foreign to me. A world where apparently one could find the most contentment in existing in the present moment without looking forward all the time.
In my previous post, I listed ways of how we could open our eyes to the world as we know it today. While slowing down my forward looking desire remains a tremendous challenge, I have offered a few survival tips on how we can savor a mapless road, how to enjoy the journey, and just for a moment, take our eyes off of the destination.
1. Recognize mini-successes
Our days are filled with accomplishments that we should be proud of. Become aware of the transformations and successes that happen everyday. Instead of reaching for the to-do list and filling the paper with tasks, try writing down all the accomplishments you've had for that month. My aunt bought me a a beautiful, leather 2010 planner for Christmas last year that I use to track my accomplishments. The space in the front of the planner that should be used to keep track of appointments, I instead utilize it to write down all the mini-successes I have achieved. Many of them are simple, such as a new perspective I gained one day by observing a kind man at the movie theater.
2. Get lost in music
My sister recently worked at a less than glamorous job in a call center. She dreaded stepping foot in the call center...and the way she energized herself was to crank the music in her car and jam out before starting her day. There are days where we can't help but look ahead, as our current situation seems to feel dull or stagnant. It's moments like these that we must acknowledge that it is a stepping stone, a temporary state, which we are meant to experience in order to embrace future events. For now, listen to that favorite song on your Ipod, sing at the top of your lungs, get lost in the moment, and let it carry you effortlessly to the next.
3. Let go
The fixation we have on the destination is one that we have been accustomed to by society conditioning. I am a runner and take jogs on the canal behind our home several days a week, in preparation for ongoing races that my husband and I enjoy participating in. In the beginning of my training, I would count down the miles backwards and envision the finishing point during the entire jog. This year, I decided to shift my mentality, unplug from the Ipod, and take in the scenery around me. By letting go of my attachment to the finish line and music that I felt created my experience, I was able to feel the dirt underneath my shoes, and appreciate the scenic nature I often neglected to notice before. It's still easier to let my mind wander to the finish line, but when I let go without the expectations, the world appears softer, gentler, and more alive.
How do you slow down to detach from the destination? Perhaps closing your eyes and feeling your breath in the wind? Or unplugging from all technology to rejuvenate your mind on what exists outside of a multi-tasking day? Or maybe just sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, reveling in today by simply acknowledging how far you've come to be who and where you are.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Writing Your Story: 5 Ways to Discover Your World
By Cat Li Stevenson
"The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment." ~Pema Chodron
This past year has been one of tremendous self-discovery. One day, I suddenly realized after 9 years of a very straight finance paved path, I no longer wanted to be a Corporate Banker. Instead, I longed for waking up each morning with a bigger purpose, a brand of who I was, and what I stood for outside of this corporate lifestyle. Since that day, I seemed to be on a tiresome pursuit in finding my story. I even seriously debated moving out of the country to build character and expand my journey.
While my own story is still one that remains on the preface page, I have realized in several months of contemplation that discovering our personal novel is not formed by rushing the process or constant over analyzing. It is, instead, a compilation of daily experiences, perspective, and the wisdom we receive from these that shapes our meaning.
We all have a truly unique story, but we do not have to be in a hurry to write it or create it. When we start living life, instead of always trying to figure it out, our story, meaning, purpose will present itself in amazing ways.
Here are 5 activities I have found helpful in discovering my world that you can also try:
1. Share 3 "Grateful Statements" a Day
It's remarkable how your day and life can become instantly transformed by realizing the gifts and abundance that exist all around you right here, right now. Drop a line through BBM, text, email or the good old-fashioned phone call with a sister, bff, boyfriend, or anyone else close to you about something you're grateful for. It can be a simple grateful: about how you have AC in your car, while someone next to you on the freeway does not. While this may be an exercise in the beginning, this gratitude approach to each day will awaken you to see the world that exists in front of you today; leading to happier, brighter, more meaningful days.
2. Explore Contrast Exercises
If you are an evening person like I am, you get a surge of energy at 11PM and manage to find something, anything to keep you occupied way past your bedtime. I recently (and not easily) began going to bed by 10PM in an effort to get up in the morning for a run or a spin class, followed by a morning meditation before I started on my commute. I am in awe at how the day looks and feels different by waking up at a new hour: from the sunrise to the increased productivity level I have by mid-morning. Or, if you are a morning person, try staying up until the midnight hour and notice the difference around you. Or perhaps you enjoy taking walks at night as part of your workout regiment, what happens if you try out a new, hip-hop class at your gym instead? When exploring other parts of your day that you're not aware of by making small adjustments, a whole new discovery and perspective may surface.
3. Commit to 30 Days of Excellence
This year my husband and I have made a fun activity of practicing 30 days of excellence. We've done everything from “30 days of going to bed on time” to “30 days of 5 minute, daily meditation” to “30 days of being mindful about our attitude and what we share.” Committing to 30 days of excellence to form a habit can transcend and improve your world to give you the energy, inspiration, and character building to take on the next step needed to move forward in your discovery.
4. Write an "I want..." List
There are more articles and books out there about affirmations and knowing what it is you want. I am here to repeat this important exercise: Write “I want…” at the top of a piece of paper or your journal and start writing without pausing to think. Keep this list at your bedside and revisit it daily. By tuning into knowing exactly what it is you want, you will be able to identify it when you see it, without it passing by without notice.
5. Create a Board of Inspiration
I have a fascination with cards. Ever since I was a little girl, I would make cards from scratch for everyone around me and every occasion. We constantly had visitors and family members visit from Taiwan when I was younger. I'd always show up at the airport with a personalized card welcoming the guest to town. Now, 20 plus years later, I still love cards. Instead of creating them, I collect them. I enjoy finding meaningful messages and quotes in card shops. Recently, I purchased a blank canvas where I've pasted each of those cards in a square, hung it up in a place in my home office, and I revisit them everyday to stay inspired.
What inspires you? Is it a photo of a place you once visited? A picture from a travel magazine you want to vacation to? Or perhaps a CD cover of your favorite artist? Create a board of inspiration, visit it daily, let it speak to you, and be inspired to discover your world.
"The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment." ~Pema Chodron
This past year has been one of tremendous self-discovery. One day, I suddenly realized after 9 years of a very straight finance paved path, I no longer wanted to be a Corporate Banker. Instead, I longed for waking up each morning with a bigger purpose, a brand of who I was, and what I stood for outside of this corporate lifestyle. Since that day, I seemed to be on a tiresome pursuit in finding my story. I even seriously debated moving out of the country to build character and expand my journey.
While my own story is still one that remains on the preface page, I have realized in several months of contemplation that discovering our personal novel is not formed by rushing the process or constant over analyzing. It is, instead, a compilation of daily experiences, perspective, and the wisdom we receive from these that shapes our meaning.
We all have a truly unique story, but we do not have to be in a hurry to write it or create it. When we start living life, instead of always trying to figure it out, our story, meaning, purpose will present itself in amazing ways.
Here are 5 activities I have found helpful in discovering my world that you can also try:
1. Share 3 "Grateful Statements" a Day
It's remarkable how your day and life can become instantly transformed by realizing the gifts and abundance that exist all around you right here, right now. Drop a line through BBM, text, email or the good old-fashioned phone call with a sister, bff, boyfriend, or anyone else close to you about something you're grateful for. It can be a simple grateful: about how you have AC in your car, while someone next to you on the freeway does not. While this may be an exercise in the beginning, this gratitude approach to each day will awaken you to see the world that exists in front of you today; leading to happier, brighter, more meaningful days.
2. Explore Contrast Exercises
If you are an evening person like I am, you get a surge of energy at 11PM and manage to find something, anything to keep you occupied way past your bedtime. I recently (and not easily) began going to bed by 10PM in an effort to get up in the morning for a run or a spin class, followed by a morning meditation before I started on my commute. I am in awe at how the day looks and feels different by waking up at a new hour: from the sunrise to the increased productivity level I have by mid-morning. Or, if you are a morning person, try staying up until the midnight hour and notice the difference around you. Or perhaps you enjoy taking walks at night as part of your workout regiment, what happens if you try out a new, hip-hop class at your gym instead? When exploring other parts of your day that you're not aware of by making small adjustments, a whole new discovery and perspective may surface.
3. Commit to 30 Days of Excellence
This year my husband and I have made a fun activity of practicing 30 days of excellence. We've done everything from “30 days of going to bed on time” to “30 days of 5 minute, daily meditation” to “30 days of being mindful about our attitude and what we share.” Committing to 30 days of excellence to form a habit can transcend and improve your world to give you the energy, inspiration, and character building to take on the next step needed to move forward in your discovery.
4. Write an "I want..." List
There are more articles and books out there about affirmations and knowing what it is you want. I am here to repeat this important exercise: Write “I want…” at the top of a piece of paper or your journal and start writing without pausing to think. Keep this list at your bedside and revisit it daily. By tuning into knowing exactly what it is you want, you will be able to identify it when you see it, without it passing by without notice.
5. Create a Board of Inspiration
I have a fascination with cards. Ever since I was a little girl, I would make cards from scratch for everyone around me and every occasion. We constantly had visitors and family members visit from Taiwan when I was younger. I'd always show up at the airport with a personalized card welcoming the guest to town. Now, 20 plus years later, I still love cards. Instead of creating them, I collect them. I enjoy finding meaningful messages and quotes in card shops. Recently, I purchased a blank canvas where I've pasted each of those cards in a square, hung it up in a place in my home office, and I revisit them everyday to stay inspired.
What inspires you? Is it a photo of a place you once visited? A picture from a travel magazine you want to vacation to? Or perhaps a CD cover of your favorite artist? Create a board of inspiration, visit it daily, let it speak to you, and be inspired to discover your world.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Who Are You & What Do You Really Want?
By Tony Schwartz, President of The Energy Project, Author of The Way We're Working Isn't Working
Imagine you called someone you didn't know and reached an answering machine with this away message:
Imagine you called someone you didn't know and reached an answering machine with this away message:
"Who are you and what do you really want? Leave a message at the beep."
How would you respond? Would you have a ready answer?
"Who are you?" as in "What do you stand for most deeply?"
"What do you really want?" as in "What's your purpose in life?"
Deeply held values define who we aspire to be. They provide an internal compass that helps us navigate the toughest choices we make.
A clearly defined purpose ties our values to concrete intentions and gives us external direction - a reason to get up in the morning and a fuel to stay the course in the face of the inevitable setbacks that arise along the way.
As the puppet Princeton sums it up in the musical Avenue Q: "Purpose. It's that little flame that lights a fire under your ass. Purpose. It keeps you going strong, like a car with a full tank of gas"
We derive a uniquely powerful source of energy - call it spiritual energy - from deeply held values and a clear sense of purpose that we embody in our everyday behaviors.
Multiple studies show that people whose motivation comes from within - variously referred to as intrinsic, self-authored and authentic - are more engaged, focused and persistent at whatever they do.
Less than a year after he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 49, Steve Jobs gave the commencement address to the class of 2005 at Stanford. "Your time is limited," he told them. "Don't waste it living someone else's life.... Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your inner voice."
So what inner voice - what deeply held values and clear sense of purpose - was driving the leaders at Toyota, or BP, or the banks at the center of the sub-prime crisis?
Many of these leaders were motivated instead by external pressures and short-term seductions: maximizing quarterly earnings, raising the stock price and building their own wealth.
Figuring out what you stand for, and how you want to behave as a result, requires a willingness to look inward, delay immediate gratification and think longer term.
One reason so many of us resist slowing down is that we're too busy keeping up with urgent demands and looming deadlines. A second reason is that we fear what we might see - or see is missing - if we stop long enough to really look at the choices we're making.
Think of spiritual energy as what fuels us at our best. Reflecting on our most deeply held values, for example, helps us distinguish between our survival-based impulses and our higher motivations.
It's our higher motivations that prompt us to ask ourselves "What's the right thing to do?" in any given situation, rather than simply doing what's most expedient, or what other people are doing, or what's most immediately gratifying.
How different would leaders behave if their first priority were adding enduring value to the world they live in rather than increasing their own value, or the immediate value of their companies?
How different would most of us behave if we spent more time every day thinking about how to give more and less about how to get more?
That doesn't depend on having a job that is intrinsically purposeful nor does it require grand gestures. As Marian Wright Edelman puts it, "We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to the big differences that we often cannot foresee."
Here's a counter-intuitive way to get started:
Think for a moment about the two or three qualities that you most despise when you see them in others. Next, think of their opposites. For greed, the opposite is generosity. For arrogance, it's humility. For disingenuousness, it's authenticity.
What you can't stand is an unexpectedly powerful window into what you stand for. Once you've identified the three qualities opposite to those you can't stand, ask yourself which one you could better embody in your everyday behavior.
Finally, choose one action you could take every day to better live that quality. You'll be adding value to someone else, and you'll feel better about yourself. It's a win-win, and we need more of those.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
1000 Marbles
He was fifty-five years old, had a bowl full of marbles, and felt terrific. It was unknown territory for Bill, who for years had been unhappy with his life and didn't see any hope for a brighter future. Today he is a changed man. It doesn't matter what happens to him, Bill responds to it calmly and smiles. Nothing can get to him, and everything makes him feel good about his life and his future.
Back to the marbles...
On average, people live to be seventy-five years old. Some longer, some shorter, but the average person will reach this age. Realizing this, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Bill did some simple calculations to figure out that the average person has 3,900 Saturdays in his or her lifetime.
Being fifty-five, Bill had 1,000 Saturdays left to live. He went to a small toy store in town, and bought every marble they had, 1,000 in all. Later that night, he placed all of the marbles in a large glass bowl that he placed in the living room.
As each Saturday passed, he would take one marble out of the bowl and throw it away. Bill watched as the bowl's contents shrank, and he realized that he didn't have forever to create a happier life. Each day he felt negatively about his life was one less day he had to be happy.
TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN
One day, his last Saturday will come. Bill never looked at his life this way. He never faced the fact head-on that life was short and there is a limited amount of time to make the most of it.
He looked at his current priorities and did some rearranging. At the top of the list he put spending time with his family and friends, appreciating what he had, and enjoying each moment he was alive.
Without changing his external world, Bill's life was completely different. He didn't earn more money, lose weight, or create new relationships. He simply took what he had and looked at it in a whole new light.
After making the marbles a part of his life, his new attitude enabled him to fix the areas in his life that were lacking. Before he felt powerless to change anything, and only wished for things to improve without doing anything. Now he was taking positive actions to create a life that made him feel good.
We all know that we can't live forever, but thinking of it in these terms can really help to put things in perspective. It makes you realize how valuable each day is, and what a loss it would be to not enjoy each one.
Depending on your age, you have a certain number of marbles left in your jar. If you haven't created the life you have always dreamed of yet, at which point will you decide to make the change? How many marbles have to be thrown out before you enjoy your life?
THE TIME IS NOW
Today is the perfect day for change. Today is your day to take one step towards your goals and dreams. Imagine it, living life on your terms, doing what you want, when you want, and loving every minute of it. It's possible. You can have everything you want in life, but you have to take control of motivation and make it work for you.
In this short story lies the secret to living a life full of joy, happiness and fulfillment. It doesn't matter how many things you own, how much money you make, or how important people think you are. If you don't learn how to enjoy your life, no amount of material wealth will bring you the happiness you are looking for.
Follow the stories example and you'll have the motivation you need to improve your life and the outlook that will bring you meaning and satisfaction.
Article by Jason Garcia; Story from the book, "1000 Marbles" by Jeffrey Davis
Back to the marbles...
On average, people live to be seventy-five years old. Some longer, some shorter, but the average person will reach this age. Realizing this, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Bill did some simple calculations to figure out that the average person has 3,900 Saturdays in his or her lifetime.
Being fifty-five, Bill had 1,000 Saturdays left to live. He went to a small toy store in town, and bought every marble they had, 1,000 in all. Later that night, he placed all of the marbles in a large glass bowl that he placed in the living room.
As each Saturday passed, he would take one marble out of the bowl and throw it away. Bill watched as the bowl's contents shrank, and he realized that he didn't have forever to create a happier life. Each day he felt negatively about his life was one less day he had to be happy.
TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN
One day, his last Saturday will come. Bill never looked at his life this way. He never faced the fact head-on that life was short and there is a limited amount of time to make the most of it.
He looked at his current priorities and did some rearranging. At the top of the list he put spending time with his family and friends, appreciating what he had, and enjoying each moment he was alive.
Without changing his external world, Bill's life was completely different. He didn't earn more money, lose weight, or create new relationships. He simply took what he had and looked at it in a whole new light.
After making the marbles a part of his life, his new attitude enabled him to fix the areas in his life that were lacking. Before he felt powerless to change anything, and only wished for things to improve without doing anything. Now he was taking positive actions to create a life that made him feel good.
We all know that we can't live forever, but thinking of it in these terms can really help to put things in perspective. It makes you realize how valuable each day is, and what a loss it would be to not enjoy each one.
Depending on your age, you have a certain number of marbles left in your jar. If you haven't created the life you have always dreamed of yet, at which point will you decide to make the change? How many marbles have to be thrown out before you enjoy your life?
THE TIME IS NOW
Today is the perfect day for change. Today is your day to take one step towards your goals and dreams. Imagine it, living life on your terms, doing what you want, when you want, and loving every minute of it. It's possible. You can have everything you want in life, but you have to take control of motivation and make it work for you.
In this short story lies the secret to living a life full of joy, happiness and fulfillment. It doesn't matter how many things you own, how much money you make, or how important people think you are. If you don't learn how to enjoy your life, no amount of material wealth will bring you the happiness you are looking for.
Follow the stories example and you'll have the motivation you need to improve your life and the outlook that will bring you meaning and satisfaction.
Article by Jason Garcia; Story from the book, "1000 Marbles" by Jeffrey Davis
Monday, April 26, 2010
If I Had My Life to Live Over
The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck
after she found out she had a fatal disease.
If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.
© Erma Bombeck
after she found out she had a fatal disease.
If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.
© Erma Bombeck
Friday, April 23, 2010
Handbook for 2010
**Writer Unknown**
HEALTH
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
PERSONALITY
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive
present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum
that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
SOCIETY
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
LIFE
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
HEALTH
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
PERSONALITY
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive
present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum
that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
SOCIETY
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
LIFE
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Ipod-less, 2 lessons, Thanks Pat.
By Catherine L. Stevenson
I had the honor to run in the 6th annual Pat's Run today. It was a race that my husband had pushed me to sign up for at the last minute...and I wasn't overly excited to run in it. I have this competitive spirit and whenever I feel less than 100% prepared, I prefer to sit out and prepare to be fully ready for the next race.
After getting less than 5 hours of sleep this morning, I found myself standing in the porta potty line @ Pat's Run at 620AM, inching my way forward before my bladder would pop. My husband had taken off to go check in our bag, while I was in line, when I realized that my Ipod was in this backpack. I asked a woman in line that we had been talking to during the line inching process to hold my spot...and I went to find Eli. Given the 28,000+ participants, I couldn't find him...
So I got back in line and was hopeful that Eli would remember to take my Ipod out of the bag. Here I was, 10 minutes before the race would start, waiting in line fidgeting with the combination of needing to using the bathroom and thinking what I would do without my Ipod. My usual routine 10 minutes until start would be playing with my Ipod Shuffle to ensure I had the perfect "start line song" ready to go.
At that moment, I'd dropped my race number that I was holding in my hand, and a guy with a pleasant smile behind me, in this fabulous porta potty line, had picked it up to give back to me.
I said, "thank you" and given my Ipod-less moment, I started to talk to the 2 men. I noticed the 2 men were in the Army by the patches on their shirts. They were telling me how they came from San Diego for the race. One of the young men mentioned that he would be running in the Coronado Bridge 4 miler in a few weeks, then the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon in June. His friend said that he had just finished in a 240 mile 5-man relay in Cali. I was so impressed with the dedication to running these 2 friends had together, and at the same time, felt a very unassuming energy to them. Both men were very much gentleman, humble and held a different demeanor than most young men I'd come across that were around my age.
I saw one of the guy's motion where he leaned back a bit and I couldn't help but look down to notice that these 2 friends, these 2 men that were no older than 27, each had a prosthetic leg...The moment spoke for itself and I smiled, thanking them for their service, and wishing them the best in all their races.
I made it to the restroom, Eli came back with my Ipod, and we were off to corrale 3 to start the race.
About 800 meters into the race, my Ipod decided to go out on me. I ended up, for the first time in my running history, music-less.
As soon as the Ipod went out, the diversity, camaraderie, dedication, and humility of the day suddenly became very apparent. In front of me, alongside me, behind me--2 boys that were about 7 years old running side by side with matching "42" shirts they'd made; next to me I had a veteran with all prosthetic arms and legs; behind me was a teenage girl I'd met that had less than 2 hours of sleep because she was up all night for the Relay for Life that ended the morning of this race.
To think that I almost didn't come to Pat's Run because I was consumed with the finish line results: my preparation that was not 100% where I wanted it to be and a fear that my time wouldn't be 'good enough.'
It is in these humbling, defining moments when I'm able to interpret a few of the mantras of life I've come across the past several years that I've sought to understand, but in truth, only were empty words to me.
I will remember today as a moment when I understood that (1) Happiness is a journey and not a destination (2) Events happen beautifully, gracefully when you allow them to.
I had the honor to run in the 6th annual Pat's Run today. It was a race that my husband had pushed me to sign up for at the last minute...and I wasn't overly excited to run in it. I have this competitive spirit and whenever I feel less than 100% prepared, I prefer to sit out and prepare to be fully ready for the next race.
After getting less than 5 hours of sleep this morning, I found myself standing in the porta potty line @ Pat's Run at 620AM, inching my way forward before my bladder would pop. My husband had taken off to go check in our bag, while I was in line, when I realized that my Ipod was in this backpack. I asked a woman in line that we had been talking to during the line inching process to hold my spot...and I went to find Eli. Given the 28,000+ participants, I couldn't find him...
So I got back in line and was hopeful that Eli would remember to take my Ipod out of the bag. Here I was, 10 minutes before the race would start, waiting in line fidgeting with the combination of needing to using the bathroom and thinking what I would do without my Ipod. My usual routine 10 minutes until start would be playing with my Ipod Shuffle to ensure I had the perfect "start line song" ready to go.
At that moment, I'd dropped my race number that I was holding in my hand, and a guy with a pleasant smile behind me, in this fabulous porta potty line, had picked it up to give back to me.
I said, "thank you" and given my Ipod-less moment, I started to talk to the 2 men. I noticed the 2 men were in the Army by the patches on their shirts. They were telling me how they came from San Diego for the race. One of the young men mentioned that he would be running in the Coronado Bridge 4 miler in a few weeks, then the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon in June. His friend said that he had just finished in a 240 mile 5-man relay in Cali. I was so impressed with the dedication to running these 2 friends had together, and at the same time, felt a very unassuming energy to them. Both men were very much gentleman, humble and held a different demeanor than most young men I'd come across that were around my age.
I saw one of the guy's motion where he leaned back a bit and I couldn't help but look down to notice that these 2 friends, these 2 men that were no older than 27, each had a prosthetic leg...The moment spoke for itself and I smiled, thanking them for their service, and wishing them the best in all their races.
I made it to the restroom, Eli came back with my Ipod, and we were off to corrale 3 to start the race.
About 800 meters into the race, my Ipod decided to go out on me. I ended up, for the first time in my running history, music-less.
As soon as the Ipod went out, the diversity, camaraderie, dedication, and humility of the day suddenly became very apparent. In front of me, alongside me, behind me--2 boys that were about 7 years old running side by side with matching "42" shirts they'd made; next to me I had a veteran with all prosthetic arms and legs; behind me was a teenage girl I'd met that had less than 2 hours of sleep because she was up all night for the Relay for Life that ended the morning of this race.
To think that I almost didn't come to Pat's Run because I was consumed with the finish line results: my preparation that was not 100% where I wanted it to be and a fear that my time wouldn't be 'good enough.'
It is in these humbling, defining moments when I'm able to interpret a few of the mantras of life I've come across the past several years that I've sought to understand, but in truth, only were empty words to me.
I will remember today as a moment when I understood that (1) Happiness is a journey and not a destination (2) Events happen beautifully, gracefully when you allow them to.
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