So I'm sitting here at my computer, and my 3-year-old is watching a SpongeBob DVD (I love SpongeBob, btw!), and it's an episode where the Flying Dutchman (a ghost, of course!) is having an identity crisis. Seems he can't scare anyone any more, and it does a job on his confidence and self-esteem. This, of course, leads him to an extended stay at Casa SquarePants, where he and his ghostly buddies end up trashing the place. So SpongeBob suggests and answer to his problems...a self-empowering video called "The Power Within". I'm guessing it's supposed to be a representation of the hype-ish attention paid to self-help books, dvd's, cd's, etc. And this one is TRULY all hype...it just says "The power within, the power within, the power within" over and over for about 20 seconds...and The Dutchman is TRANSFORMED!! Tears flowing down his transparent cheeks, ready to hit it hard again...he's SAVED!! It really makes me laugh...partly because "self-help/personal growth" is actually my current vocation and a great passion of mine!! I can appreciate the jab of humor...but I'm smart enough to know that nothing truly transformational is a quick fix, nor are quick fixes truly transformational in the long haul. True change takes a LOT of work, for an extended period of time, usually for life. In my experience, most people don't want to put in that much effort.
I usually watch SpongeBob just for the entertainment value! Occasionally, though, I find something life-lesson-ish. That's just a bonus!
Have a great evening!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Some thoughts from last night...
I love seminars. I love learning and growing. I think a great career for me would be as a full-time seminar attendee!! The truth is, many concepts and ideas are not new...I've heard them before. But it's always a good idea to hear a different spin...a different take on the information.
Last night I had the privilege of hearing a gentleman by the name of Mike Zundel. Mr. Zundel has spoken and trained in probably every major city in North America. And after hearing him, I can see why those who have worked with him speak so highly of him! He's entertaining, a well of knowledge and experience, and truly an engaging speaker! He spoke at length on the power of choice...something I feel very strongly about! Everything in life is a choice, and we either choose for ourselves or we defer to someone else and let them choose for us. Down one of those roads is our personal freedom; down the other...not so much!!
I think my favorite thing he said was this: While inspiration comes from the outside-in, motivation has to come from the INSIDE-OUT. Now think about that for a minute...how often have you looked to others for motivation? How often have you struggled in your projects or your business, and then deferred to others because you thought they should be doing more to help you? I know I've done that...far too many times!! So I guess I didn't really understand the essence of motivation...and how that's completely, 100% UP TO ME. Hmmm...
Sometimes, taking responsibility for one's results (or lack of!), is a truly uncomfortable thing to do! But think of how empowering it is...if it's up to me, then I can choose to be as successful as I want to be, no matter what anyone else says, thinks or does. That, to me, is truly GREAT NEWS!!
Be your own motivation, and create your own success!
Last night I had the privilege of hearing a gentleman by the name of Mike Zundel. Mr. Zundel has spoken and trained in probably every major city in North America. And after hearing him, I can see why those who have worked with him speak so highly of him! He's entertaining, a well of knowledge and experience, and truly an engaging speaker! He spoke at length on the power of choice...something I feel very strongly about! Everything in life is a choice, and we either choose for ourselves or we defer to someone else and let them choose for us. Down one of those roads is our personal freedom; down the other...not so much!!
I think my favorite thing he said was this: While inspiration comes from the outside-in, motivation has to come from the INSIDE-OUT. Now think about that for a minute...how often have you looked to others for motivation? How often have you struggled in your projects or your business, and then deferred to others because you thought they should be doing more to help you? I know I've done that...far too many times!! So I guess I didn't really understand the essence of motivation...and how that's completely, 100% UP TO ME. Hmmm...
Sometimes, taking responsibility for one's results (or lack of!), is a truly uncomfortable thing to do! But think of how empowering it is...if it's up to me, then I can choose to be as successful as I want to be, no matter what anyone else says, thinks or does. That, to me, is truly GREAT NEWS!!
Be your own motivation, and create your own success!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Growth is GOOD!!
I get to go to another seminar tonight...this one is called "Moving Mountains - The Miracle of Personal Change." I'm awfully excited...I get to learn more about personal and leadership skills, leveraged activities, time prioritizaion, and creating positive personal change! All that in a couple of hours!!
I'm a seminar junkie...I love growing, because if you stop growing, you start dying! And it's too much fun to be alive!!
I'll update with what all I learned later! If there's one thing I love better than learning, it's training others!
I'm a seminar junkie...I love growing, because if you stop growing, you start dying! And it's too much fun to be alive!!
I'll update with what all I learned later! If there's one thing I love better than learning, it's training others!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Go David Cook!!
I have to admit it...after years of avoidance, I finally got on board the American Idol train this year (apparently after most people started getting off the train!!)! And I must say I really enjoyed it! Well, I enjoyed most of it! I wish Michael Johns had gone further in the competition, but I'm SO EXCITED that David Cook won...he was consistent week after week, and I can't WAIT to hear some great music from him!
I know my friend Alicia is bummed...she was pulling for her fellow Utahn (is that what they're called?!). But I'm glad Cook came through! I don't think my one vote made a big huge difference, but it's nice to have had my opinion stated!!
Anyone else? Thoughts? Comments? Feel free to share!
I know my friend Alicia is bummed...she was pulling for her fellow Utahn (is that what they're called?!). But I'm glad Cook came through! I don't think my one vote made a big huge difference, but it's nice to have had my opinion stated!!
Anyone else? Thoughts? Comments? Feel free to share!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Does this thing really work??
If I understand correctly, I can send blog posts from my CrackBerry. If that's true, that's great news!! Now everyone can be subject to my random thoughts and typos!!!
Stupid tiny keys!!
#end
Quiet People
I went to a funeral today for a very quiet man. No, not quiet in volume, quiet in "splash" -- know what I mean? He was a member of my church for 18 years, and I think he was there EVERY WEEK of those 18 years! He was a nearly permanent fixture in the lobby...until a sudden and massive heart attack left a gaping hole in the world.
Probably the most fascinating thing about Wilbert Hood was the fact that although he was familiar to everyone who came to our church, hardly anybody knew his name. It's actually quite sad...and I have to 'fess up and admit that I didn't really know his name either, even though I've been going to that same church for as long as he has. Over the years I've learned his name a couple of times, but then allowed it to slip away from my memory. I don't think I'll forget it again.
When word began to spread about Wilbert's death, his description served as the primary identifier for him...he was the black man with the great suits and the huge smile! And he always had his clicker -- he was in charge of tracking attendance from week to week, so every weekend he made his rounds clicking away...clicking, clicking, clicking...and as faithful as he was with his clicker, he was more so with his smile and his words of encouragement. He was a reason people remembered our church, a reason they came back.
I wasn't at church last weekend, so I didn't get the opportunity to see his usual spot without him in it. I heard it looked very strange, and very sad, and I'll get to see for myself this weekend. My church has been left with a big smile and big spirit to fill...and although we number nearly 2000 members, I don't think there's any one person who will be able to do what Wilbert did.
The words I heard over and over today...humble, smiling, caring, friendly, Christian, beloved. He wasn't one who demanded or called a lot of attention to himself...he was just quiet. Quiet and fully committed to God. Our Senior Pastor commented during the service that when he heard Wilbert pray, it was clear that this wasn't just a prayer, it was a conversation between dear friends. Incredible.
There's a song that's been running through my head this afternoon -- it's a song by 4Him called "Measure of a Man". Pardon me if I miss a word or two, but if my aging memory serves, this is the gist of the chorus:
"I found the measure of a man is not how tall he stands, how wealthy or intelligent you are. I found that the measure of a man God knows and understands, for He looks inside to the bottom of the heart. And what's in the heart defines the measure of a man."
Based on that description, Wilbert, quiet and caring, was the tallest measure of a man.
Do you know any quiet people? I have an assignment for you: find out their name, and commit it to memory today.
Probably the most fascinating thing about Wilbert Hood was the fact that although he was familiar to everyone who came to our church, hardly anybody knew his name. It's actually quite sad...and I have to 'fess up and admit that I didn't really know his name either, even though I've been going to that same church for as long as he has. Over the years I've learned his name a couple of times, but then allowed it to slip away from my memory. I don't think I'll forget it again.
When word began to spread about Wilbert's death, his description served as the primary identifier for him...he was the black man with the great suits and the huge smile! And he always had his clicker -- he was in charge of tracking attendance from week to week, so every weekend he made his rounds clicking away...clicking, clicking, clicking...and as faithful as he was with his clicker, he was more so with his smile and his words of encouragement. He was a reason people remembered our church, a reason they came back.
I wasn't at church last weekend, so I didn't get the opportunity to see his usual spot without him in it. I heard it looked very strange, and very sad, and I'll get to see for myself this weekend. My church has been left with a big smile and big spirit to fill...and although we number nearly 2000 members, I don't think there's any one person who will be able to do what Wilbert did.
The words I heard over and over today...humble, smiling, caring, friendly, Christian, beloved. He wasn't one who demanded or called a lot of attention to himself...he was just quiet. Quiet and fully committed to God. Our Senior Pastor commented during the service that when he heard Wilbert pray, it was clear that this wasn't just a prayer, it was a conversation between dear friends. Incredible.
There's a song that's been running through my head this afternoon -- it's a song by 4Him called "Measure of a Man". Pardon me if I miss a word or two, but if my aging memory serves, this is the gist of the chorus:
"I found the measure of a man is not how tall he stands, how wealthy or intelligent you are. I found that the measure of a man God knows and understands, for He looks inside to the bottom of the heart. And what's in the heart defines the measure of a man."
Based on that description, Wilbert, quiet and caring, was the tallest measure of a man.
Do you know any quiet people? I have an assignment for you: find out their name, and commit it to memory today.
Well...it's official!
I've joined the blog world!! I'm truly excited to be able to connect this way with so many friends, family, and associates all over the country...it is my hope that, by giving others a glimpse into my world, I can be a source of encouragement, support, and (at the very least!) entertainment!! I've found that life is far more fun when lived in connection with others, and I plan to use this space to do that! Feel free to post comments, questions, or suggestions...I'm new to BlogVille, and will appreciate the experience that others have to offer!!
Thanks for visiting...I look forward to sharing my life with you!
Thanks for visiting...I look forward to sharing my life with you!
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