Tag Archives: #leadership

#inspiration

Perspective

We celebrated Valentines Day a few days ago. Restaurants, florists and candy manufacturers got a healthy boost of cash flow, allowing them to survive until Easter and Mother’s Day. I believe if we care for someone, we should show them regularly. But before I start sounding like Ebenezer Scrooge, let’s take a look at where this big day comes from.

Saint Valentine was a 3rd century bishop who cared for Christians who were persecuted during the Roman Empire. He is associated with courtly love, and was martyred on February 14, 269 AD. We honor his memory on Valentines Day every year.

I want to encourage you to take a moment every day to show your loved ones that you care about them. Maybe it’s a quick phone call, a short note left where they can find it, or flowers for no reason at all. People need to know they are in your thoughts, and in your heart…

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#inspiration

The Past

Have you ever made a mistake? That’s a loaded question, I know, because all of us have made mistakes. A better question is, what have you done with past mistakes? We can either learn from them, or be stuck in them.

When we learn from past errors, we change our behavior and we grow. Repeating old, unhealthy patterns usually leads to the same results. Change can be hard, I know, but change is required for different outcomes. Embrace the change and move forward. Be focused and be fearless.

One last point about past mistakes. Leave them in the past. You don’t live there anymore…

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#inspiration

Ownership

Take ownership of your life. None of us are victims of our circumstances. If we give up on our dreams and desires, then we become a prisoner in a cell we created.

Our circumstances will change, but our dreams don’t have to die unless we allow them to perish. And that prison cell I mentioned? You hold the key to unlock it. Every day…

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#inspiration

Inside Job

All of us have “stuff” we need to work through. Trauma from the past or pain from the present, when left unresolved, don’t just magically disappear. We can even try to hide it by making ourselves look good from the outside. That doesn’t work.

We must work on ourselves from the inside. Get to the heart of the problem. Self-work sucks when you’re doing it, no doubt. If it was easy, everyone would do the work. But the life and peace that await you make it so worthwhile…

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#inspiration

Praise

Praise is good. We all love to be recognized for a job well done, and we derive great satisfaction in doing it.

False praise sends a harmful message. Children build resilience when they bounce back from a screw up. If they are given praise for not doing their best, they begin to accept that second best is enough. Participation trophies say “everyone’s a winner,” rather than allowing kids to experience the sting of defeat.

Praise others often when given the opportunity. But only offer praise that’s deserved…

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#inspiration

Why Forgiveness is Important

Have you been hurt by someone else? Most of us have, and we will be hurt and disappointed by others again. Why should we forgive them? After all, they are the ones who caused the damage.

When we choose to hold onto the hurt and not forgive, it damages us, not the offender. Unresolved conflict becomes bitterness and resentment. We focus on what we have lost, not what remains. Having a strong sense of gratitude reminds us of how much we have. Our focus goes from distressed to blessed. We recognize and remember all of the good in our lives.

Forgiveness is hard, and it takes time. If you try to force it, forgiveness won’t last. You will know when you are ready…

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