My Riffs

The closer we are to something the more we tend to forget the value of it. Our spouses, friends, our blessings. All those we can easily start to forget the value of if we're not deliberate. Sometimes we have to lose something to appreciate it. But that's a horrible way to live. Let's celebrate how much we appreciate what we have while we have it. Let's celebrate how important someone is while we have them. Don't let your most valuable relationships and blessings become common place.

I heard it said today, it doesn't matter how much time you have if you don't use it. If you don't use your resources then what good are they? If your talent isn't used then what good is it? What you're given is only good in so far as much as you use it.

If we're not careful we can get sucked into the belief that what's popular is what's right. But that's not the case. There are many times that what's popular isn't what's right. Group think can suck anyone into itself. At some time or another we all have been subject groupthink. But don't accept that what's popular is what's right or acceptable. Some really really bad ideas became mainstays in countries and cultures because people just accepted what was seemingly popular.

Doing the right thing is more important when nobody is watching than even when they are watching. It's important to do right when people are watching, of course. But doing right when nobody is watching is harder and thus more important.

In life you will go through many, many seasons. And you have to learn to be okay with all of them. There’s important lessons to learn and expertises to gain in each of them. Discounting one will only take away the lessons there are to learn in that season.

In our home (and lot's of others from my observation) we've officially entered the holiday season. And it's my favourite time of the year.  (I know it's not this way for everyone, and that thought saddens me. I'm aware there's a lot of sadness and loneliness in the holiday seasons for many) But why do I love this season? The following reasons come to mind: - We focus somewhat more on others. - We're generally more giving. - We spend more time with those who are important to us. - We enjoy the simple things (tea, coffee, family and friends) - Things are brighter and happier with all the decor. - And if done right, we focus and acknowledge the one who made this all possible and give thanks to him. It may be a very commercial season, but maybe we for a brief while we actually look and think about others a bit more than normal. And that's a good thing. Imagine if we thought about others like this (and even more) year round?

What should be the standard with which we judge other peoples journey? In practice we usually use our own journey as the judgement for others. The funny thing is in using our own journey, we seem to forget all our shortcomings when judging others shortcomings. Maybe the best way to judge someone is against themselves and against what direction they're coming from and heading to.

This blog post really only cost me time. That dispute... it cost you time. Your job costs you time. You exchange your time for money. Time is the most valuable resource. So don't invest it in petty things. The older you get the more you should realize the value of your time. Invest your time only in high return activities. Invest in people. Invest in your closest friends. Invest in your family. Invest in your community. Don't waste time trying to solve problems bigger than you can handle if you can't even invest in those around you. Don't make the mistake of thinking that grudge or that competition isn't hurting you. It's costing you valuable time. In good and bad things, you pay with time.

Our biggest problem is always our most immediate problem. And the problem with that is, our immediate problem always seems the same size. Because it's closest we lose perspective on it. It appears to be HUGE. But we need problem perspective. Chances are, if put into perspective, your current problem is barely a problem. Try looking around the world see the problems people are facing. Chances are your problems won't seem so large.

If we don't understand something we often criticize it. Criticism if often the result of not understanding. I'm all for constructive criticism. However, we need to understand something in order to provide constructive criticism. A better alternate to criticizing something is instead saying you don't understand it.

Attitude will take you further than skill alone can. Skill can only take you so far. I’ve seen very skilled people who lacked attitude and didn’t realize their skill to the fullest. If you’re lacking in skills in something you can make up some of that with a good and willing attitude. Attitude isn’t a replacement for skill but it may take you further on its own than skill can.

There are lessons to learn everywhere. You just need to pay with attention. Don't let a day slip by without learning or discovering something. It may be entirely new or it may be a new way of looking at something. Or it just may be a re-inforcement of something you've learned. But don't let an opportunity to learn pass you by.

In today’s social media world people end up getting fixated on their image and neglect the content of their character. We get so conscious of how people will be viewing us rather than being conscious of what type of a person we are. Image is fleeting and unsatisfying. Character is lasting and helpful. It’s very difficult to chase both at once.

It's amazing how easily we can lose sight of what's important. Here's something I see often with my kids and their cousins... They will all be together and suddenly one of the cousins picks up a toy that hasn't been touched in weeks or months... Next thing you know, that's the most important thing in the world for all the kids. They're suddenly all wanting it. Fighting over it. Whining over it. Crying over it. Here's what's really funny. I don't think adults are all that much different by default. We see something someone else got, or got to do, and suddenly our whole life is measured by that single thing. Our life may be going just great but suddenly gets worse simply because we lose sight of what's important. We somehow see that one thing that our friend or foe got, and that's suddenly what's important. When we take our eyes off of what's important we will inevitably be disappointed.

Sometimes you have to go slower in order to go faster. I've learned this with many things. You can't keep up a top speed pace all the time. Sometimes you have to slow down to rest. Slow down to re-learn the fundamentals. Once you get those things down, then you can go fast again.

We success and people who have accomplished big things, and we're impressed.  We wonder, how did they do that? And we want to do big things too. That big thing though was only accomplished through many smaller things. They didn't just get up one day and do something big.  They got up many, many days and did lots of small things. If you get the small thing right, you will get the big things right.

In helping someone, you wanna make sure you’re not doing something they can do on their own. At least if it’s something you will be helping them with numerous times. Because then, you’re not really helping them. When you take away the activity you take away the benefit too. So help can be harmful at times. Help someone who can’t help themselves. Or help someone with something they can’t do themselves. But don’t take away what they can do and gain from doing. But random acts of kindness are still good and encouraged :) Sometimes it’s just nice to help someone by shoveling their sidewalk or doing their dishes.

Some many people can DIY (do it yourself). Taxes, oil changes, wash machine repairs, etc. All because of the internet. We can get thinking we're quite independent. But we may easily forget that we needed other people to show us the way. When we start thinking we can truly DIY we're in big trouble. We need others. We need them to keep us straight. To help us to become better. Without others we quickly get off course and crash.

You won't find doers arguing with someone about whose method is better. That's because they're too busy doing. You will find people arguing and trying to convince people of their abilities, and those people aren't doers. So in finding someone to emulate, try finding that person with your eyes rather than your ears. The loudest talkers are often the least capable of doing.

I've heard it said that culture trumps vision. And it's true. The best vision can be ruined by the wrong culture. You have to get your culture right before you can execute the vision.

Here is one simple thing that many of us don't do, but should... Think before we speak. We often blurt the first thing that comes to out minds. But that isn't always the wisest thing to say. Sometimes the first thing that comes to mind is the most emotional thing, not the best thing. Listen, think, speak. One simple change can make us much better communicators and much wiser. Think before you speak.

Thinking things will make us happy is a lie we tell ourselves. No matter what we get, we always end up wanting more or something else. The best "thing" to get would be contentment. Contentment is the only "thing" that won't come with a let down.

Think of the people you trust. Why do you trust them? They’re not perfect. They make mistakes, yet you trust them. Why? Because almost assuredly they’re honest. They’re going to stand for truth and speak truth. Those are the people you can trust.

Real strength is often shown in lack of "retaliation". Real strength is often shown in giving grace or mercy. Strength isn't crushing the people we COULD crush. Strength is in exercising wisdom and showing benevolence. Sheathing the sword can be mightier then wielding it.

If you have good health you have MUCH to be thankful for. What good would excess money do if you didn't have health? It was my birthday today, but the greatest gift I have was a new son, my family and my health. That's richness right there. And I'm grateful for it. And also grateful for all the beautiful people in my life. Thank you to everyone who is part of my life and thanks to those who reached out with kind words today.

Sometimes dealing with the problem(s) you know is better than dealing with the one you don't know. Sometimes we think all we need is a new job. Or a new "whatever". But sometime what we think we need ends up being worse. We underestimate the challenges of moving onto something else.

If you’re not grateful for what you have, you will likely lose it.

You can teach by talking or by exampling. It seems exampling is the more effective way. People seem to remember and value what you do over what you say. Being an example is more important than explaining how to be an example.