UNIQUE, NOT ALONE

The facts of our uniqueness are astounding.

You and I are mathematical improbabilities.

Unique DNA.

Unique life.

Magnificent in its complexity.

Yet so often we discount ourselves as ordinary, common, average.

Except when we are

struggling,

hurting,

or feeling ashamed.

Then, we think we are

alone,

singular,

an island.

The truth is:

Each person is unique and everyone struggles.

You are unique, a beautiful complexity,

but you are not alone

unless you choose to be.  

From Every. Single. Day. 

SPREAD THE GOOD WORD

We pay inordinate attention to the negative.

So when the service at the restaurant

is poor,

we fixate on it.

Our emotions get fired up.

At these times, we are likely to get on our phones

and write a flaming, one-star review.

Today, I invite you to flip that mentality.

Pay inordinate attention to the good.

Look for where people are doing their jobs

with consistency, regularity, dependability.


Then, spread the good word.

Let them know you appreciate it.

Take out your phone and write

a glowing review.

You may find there’s a lot more good

than you imagined.

And that’s worth getting fired up about.


TOMORROW, YESTERDAY, TODAY

One is more helpful for planning.

One is more helpful for perspective.

One is most helpful for execution.


Focusing too much on one leads to worry.

Ruminating too long on one leads to regret.

Spending most of your time in one leads to fulfillment.


Tomorrow

and

yesterday

are great places to visit.


But you don’t want to live there.


Get your perspective from yesterday

Make your plans with tomorrow.

Live today.


THE EGG PAN

Cooking eggs can be a messy business.


The way the protein of the egg

interacts with the heated metal

of the frying pan

often leads to a

forced scrambling

rather than a nice

over easy.


The best solution:

buy a pan and use it only

for egg frying.


This goes against our nature.

We want items that can do more than one thing.

We joke about the

cooking specialty tool drawer.


We want a multi-tool to do the job

of a dedicated one,

but how often does using a

knife as a screwdriver

turn out badly?


And so it is with our lives,

we want to think we can multitask,

do it all,

do it all well,

and look calm and cool doing it.


But when you cook a steak

in the egg pan,

the next time you cook eggs,

you’re going to get scrambled.


CAPTURING EYEBALLS

Like someone who dropped

a large jar

of marbles

frantically darting

this way

and that

trying to scoop them up --

this is what social media

seems to force us into.


Capturing eyeballs.


We are either the

scoopers

or those being

scooped.


If this is the game

then

I really don’t want to play.


I’d rather we think of it

as

captivating hearts.


Hearts are shy and suspicious.

Eyeballs are shifty and fickle.


So if you want to make an impact

beyond the viral,

you must attract the

heart.


Hearts are best captivated

by standing steadfast

offering something

true

and

worthwhile.


I warn you,

this takes much longer

and

one cannot be darting

all the time.


THANKS GIVING

Life

and

breath,

health

and

growth,

family

and

friends,

movement

and

meaning,

challenges

and

choice --

for these

I am grateful.


I am also grateful for you

who faithfully

read my reflections,

send responses,

and

encourage me

Every. Single. Day.


May today be a day for

thanks giving

that overflows into

all your

tomorrows.