Last week, work was unusually stressful for me. It was unusual because I rarely get stressed at work. I almost never get to the point of feeling anxious, somewhat panicked, harried and to top it off, have trouble getting a restful sleep.
I looked back at my schedule and counted 39 meetings and I had only worked about 2 hours on Friday. Granted, during some of the meetings, work was actually accomplished. But with that many, they all run together and many small tasks don’t get completed. In addition, there were numerous small “fires” or crises that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, furthering the feeling of not getting done all that needed to be accomplished.
By late Thursday afternoon, I was not doing well. So, I stopped and looked at everything I had to do and used the age old technique of prioritization. It might help to understand that I was leaving for vacation to Edinburgh, Scotland on Friday so I had a lot to do. After making the list, I had to release the need to complete all of the remaining items that would be left undone. My other option was to stay up all night. I didn’t choose the later.
Combining these two techniques allowed me to dramatically reduce my stress level by 9:00 p.m. which permitted me to get a good night sleep before my trip.
When you have too much to do, pick the most critical and do those. The others tend to work themselves out.
Michael
I just bought the 2006 CD called, The Road to Escondido, which is a collaboration between J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton. It’s surprising that these two amazing musicians haven’t worked together before. Especially, since two of Eric Clapton’s early hits, Cocaine and After Midnight, were written by J.J. Cale. I’ve read that they have been good friends for a long time.
The 14 tracks on this CD are full of soul, blues, jazz and the special honky-tonk of J.J. Cale (wikipedia article). I think my favorite track is Hard to Thrill, which is one of the three songs not written by J.J. Cale. Eric Clapton (wikipedia article) and John Mayer wrote Hard to Thrill, a laid back bluesy number. Some other tracks I really like are: Danger, Missing Person, When This War is Over, Dead End Road, It’s Easy, Anyway the Wind Blows, Three Little Girls, Didn’t Cry Sister, and Last Will and Testament. Hmmmm. That’s almost the entire CD.
Their music is a great boost to my happiness level. Their collaboration is long overdue but much appreciated by me. I’ll be listening to this CD for quite some time. I suggest you take a listen for yourself.
Michael
When our light is shining bright, we have the opportunity to make a difference by fanning the flame of another whose light may be dim. – Unknown
I’ve been thinking a lot about Kim’s post, Hang On To Your Dreams. I believe many people have given more to others than themselves, similar to what Kim describes with cultivating your own dreams. As she states, when we only give to everyone else, our “cup” runs out, our light becomes dim and we feel empty inside.
The best thing we can do for others is to have a full cup, to follow our dreams and to give deeply to ourselves. As the quote says, we only have the opportunity to fan another’s flame if our light is shining bright. Our best example to our children is to show them how to be a bright and shiny light. When we give from a place of inner fulfillment, it means so much more to the receiver and we have more to give.
Fill your cup up. Take care of yourself first. Follow those dreams. Love yourself now. The world will be a better place for it.
Michael
My daughter turned 24 today. It really is hard to believe that so much time has passed. One moment you are changing their diapers and the next you are having a discussion about which PhD program they are interested in. I remember many wonderful moments throughout the years, but sometimes the time frame seems so compressed.
My daughter has turned into a wonderful young lady. She is passionate about her interests and has a great heart. She has a world of possibilities at her fingertips. I find it fun to watch where she goes.
My daughter has taught me as much as I hope I have taught her. That was the biggest surprise for me; how much I would learn about myself and grow from being a parent. I was obviously quite naive when I started out attempting to be a father. Slowly but surely I got it. We had some challenging times, especially during those incredible teenage years, but I never gave up. In fact, it never really crossed my mind. And I’m glad she knows that I will never give up on her. I’m her biggest supporter.
Lindsay, I love you. Have a fantastic day, no matter what you do.
Love,
Dad
A work colleague of mine unexpectedly lost their husband over the weekend. Yesterday, I attended the funeral along with numerous people from the company I work for. These are always difficult times for the family involved.
The pastor presiding over the funeral had interviewed family and friends the day before. She recited wonderful stories about this husband, father, brother and uncle. I learned of his love of life and how he was a devoted husband and father. He took joy in learning about history. Apparently, he had become fascinated with airplanes as a young boy. Drawings made by him during his early years were displayed, all showing airplanes in different scenes of aerial delight.
Numerous instances were brought up about his strong sense of humor and how he could always make people laugh with his stories. He was skilled at finding the humorous side of any situation.
I was so glad to see that the service was a celebration of this man’s life. It was apparent that he lived life to its fullest, had a great heart and had many friends. I was thinking how it would have been nice to know this person. But, I was there to support my friend in her time of struggle. That really is the best we can do for each other; be available if needed, ready to support at a moment’s notice.
Most people are too busy living life to ever put life in their living… – Doug Firebaugh
When I got home from work today, I was standing out on my deck. Two bumblebees were hovering a few feet away. They began circling around each other in some sort of aerial dance. It was quite amazing to watch. Grace in motion is the best way I can describe what I was seeing. The buzzing sound was quite prominent. According to Wikipedia, the buzz is not caused by the wings beating but by the bumblebee vibrating their flight muscles. I did not know that.
The Wikipedia bumblebee article also talks about the myth that scientists using the laws of aerodynamics discovered that bumblebees shouldn’t be able to fly. Apparently one of the sources of this myth used simple aerodynamic calculations, but when a more advanced aerodynamic analysis was performed, bumblebees indeed can fly. Thank goodness. I’m not sure what the bumblebees would have done if they were forced to stop flying. 
For me, stopping to watch these small moments in nature are a great way to practice being in the moment, increase my observation skills and just enjoy the beauty of nature. Nat talks about noticing the small beauties around us. I agree. Most of the time, we are too busy getting from A to B, to notice the magnificent things happening all around us.
Take some time out today to notice the small things happening around us.
Michael
The article on CNN, Scientists find most Earth-like planet, describes a planet circling a star system with a red dwarf (20.5 light years away) that is the most earth-like planet found outside of our solar system. The star is called Gliese 581 and is in the constellation Libra. Scientists estimate the planet is 1.5 times the Earth’s radius, has temperatures between 0o and 40o C. (32o -104o F) and is probably rocky with liquid water. About 200 exo-planets have been found since 1995, but all of been the size of Jupiter. This is the first one close to the size of earth, the right distance from its star to potentially have water and thus life as we know it.
I’m always fascinated and uplifted by stories like these. The sense of discovery. The potential for finding something that has never been found. The chance of changing the way we view the universe and coming one step close to the possibility of obtaining proof that we are not alone in the vast expanse of space.
I think that events like this discovery can be a reminder to keep our minds open to new things. We never know what is just around the corner waiting to be discovered or experienced for the first time. If we stay open, we’ll be ready to get the most out of the unique moment when it happens.
Michael
6 Billion Others, which began in early 2003, is a project unlike any I have ever seen. It was started by the photographer Yann-Arthus Bertrand, well known for his book, Earth from Above, Third Edition.
While in Mali, grounded because his helicopter was not working, Yann began to talk with a villager about his life. Later in the evening the man talked in more detail about his life, his wishes and ambitions. Yann said the man’s life could be summed up in four words – “to feed my family”. This changed Yann deeply and he now looked at the world differently.
So began the idea for the 6 Billion Others project. Yann and his team of directors want to “create a sensitive and human portrait of the planet’s happiness.” The team of directors travels the world interviewing people on video and asking questions on what makes people happy, how people learn lessons from struggle, the meaning of life and etc. So far, they have interviewed 6000 people in 65 countries. The team has accumulated 4500 hours of filmed interviews and has translated/subtitled 450 hours of video.
I’m completely fascinated by the project and I feel that it really portrays how similar we think, how our emotions are common, how laughter is universal and how many connections we all share. This is a celebration of humanity in all its diversity and similarity. Fantastic!
You can view many of these testimonials, portraits, and road books on the 6 Billion Others website. I strongly urge you to go and peruse the videos yourself. Enjoy. I surely will for quite some time.
Michael
I woke up early this morning not too long after sunrise. It was somewhat cool, probably in the high 40’s. I took a walk to a pond close to where I was staying. My interest had been captured the day before when I drove by it.
On Saturday afternoon, the image of the still, mirror-like surface of the water was in my imagination as I visualized how things would be very early the next day. As I walked to the pond before 6:45 a.m., everything was very still and quiet. I knew that there would be no ripples on the pond as the light wind from the day before had diminished.
As I rounded the curve in the road, I was rewarded with an idyllic vision of calmness. I was surprised to see the beaver lodge as it had somehow escaped my attention when I had passed by on Saturday.
What inspired and infected me was the absolute calmness of the scene. It immediately had a positive influence on my mood and I drank in the relaxation. I slowly walked around the pond, taking a few photos, but mostly enjoying what I was seeing and glad that I had not slept in today.
Moments like these are therapy for me and I make a concerted attempt to not miss them when they arrive. I’m always grateful for the experience and look forward to more.
Have a wonderful day!
Michael
The trouble with many plans is that they are based on the way things are now. To be successful, your personal plan must focus on what you want, not what you have. – Nido Qubein
I wish someone had taught me this concept when I was in my 20’s. I didn’t learn it until much later. I believe that the idea of “focusing on what you want” as opposed to “what you don’t have” is a critical factor in being happier and more successful in one’s life.
Focusing on what you have may actually focus your attention on what you are lacking in your life, whether that is a lack of money, an unfulfilled relationship, a job you hate or etc. When we are concentrating on what we are deficient in, we actually limit our creativity, narrow our future choices, set up negative emotions, increase our feelings of hopelessness and foster the idea that the world is against us.
When our plans reflect what we want, all of a sudden the world opens up for us. Our attitude increases. Unlimited possibilities seem to flood the mind. Our mood is elevated which makes us happier and healthier.
So, be grateful for what you have, while making plans based on what you want. You’ll be much happier, plus you’ll eventually find that you get what you want. At that point, what you wanted now becomes what you have and the cycle starts over again. It’s a great system that really only takes a little practice on your part.
Have a great day!
Michael
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