My Riffs

Your word is only as good as the last time you’ve kept or broke it. 

If you’re not thankful for something you likely will lose it. 

I keep learning this lesson, it’s a good policy to follow. MYOB (mind your own business). It’s an easy way to stay out of trouble. Or at least keep trouble to a minimum. The only times we should mind someone else’s business is when there’s a need and you can be a help or strength. Otherwise, MYOB when it comes to spats, dramas and controversies. 

Here's some of the things that are true freedom: - A heart without bitterness and grudges, a heart of forgiveness - Being debt free - Not worrying about what other people are saying or thinking about you

Maybe the greatest test of one's character or person is their love for other people. Specifically their love for those who can't benefit them. For those who may not have anything to offer in return. People who can love like this have character and understanding above most.

It’s interesting where value is found. Real value is generally not found in things or money. Value is usually found in behaviours. 

What's interesting about those who find good is... they're the ones who are looking for it. The ones looking for bad will only ever see bad.

Your beliefs show in your actions much more than in your words. So if you want to change your actions, change your beliefs.

When you begin compensating for something you can prolong the issue. Compensation should only last as long as it isn't increasing a disability. It's better to address a shortcoming rather than keep compensating for it.

One way to speak better is to listen first. Like really listen. Your speech will be much more effective.

Write the good down in permanent ink. Write the bad in the sand.

Words are important but talk is cheap. There's never been more chatter and noise. It's made talk cheaper than ever. That doesn't minimize how important words are though. Words can build and destroy. But with the amount of words and opinions being thrown out there, it cheapens them. Words are so important, but actions are louder than words. Pay less attention to what is said and more what is done. That will lead you to what is the truth.

You can do a lot when you're motivated and willing to work hard. But you can do much more than double the work with two hard working, motivated people.

Being aimless is a sure way to sink yourself. Purpose is one of the most important thing to find in life. Even children need purpose. Aimlessness leads to trouble beginning at a young age. In adulthood aimless leads to much worse ends. Have an aim and make it a high realistic one. 

We often judge things are they are, not as they're gonna be. Meaning, we look at then things of today as final and forget things are always in flux. We get tunnel visioned when things aren't going well and assume this is how it will always be. But that isn't the truth. Life is full of ups and downs. When down don't forget it will get better. When up don't forget that there will be troubles ahead.

If you can find your why, you will find you way and find out how.

Two time efficiency thoughts hit me today. 1. Only engage in high value activities. This can include rest and relaxation at times too. 2. Don't engage in fights to which you don't belong. Often though social media, we get pulled into fights that we don't belong in.

Any time spent living in the past is a waste. Are there lessons to learn from the past? Most definitely. But once learned, move on. The past can become a rut and you end up stuck in it. The past is gone and can no longer be accessed. Only we can keep it activated by living in it.

Love is simple, but not easy. Love is putting others before yourself. Love is listening. Love is sacrifice. Love is being willing to be hurt.

The things that divide us are fewer than what unites us. We can allow the divisions to build up so much larger than they need to be. Divisions should be kept in perspective. Certain things should divide, but what divides us often shouldn't. 

Your life will bend toward your weakest point if you don’t intervene.

The higher the quantity, the harder to keep the quality. When the focus is on too many things, the quality is very difficult to maintain. Quite often, less is more. Divided focus equal lessened quality and higher probability of mistakes.

The last year and a half has shown that the experts can’t often agree. Where does that leave us? Today with all the access to information we have, we can make educated decisions better than ever. We may not be considered an expert, but the experts themselves can’t come to consensus on much. 

A sign of wisdom and maturity is the ability to let things go. Not important thing, but things that can't be changed. Like the past, or present circumstances that can't be changed. A wise person learn to let it go instead of torturing themselves with what they can't change. An easy way to practice this is learn to ask yourself, "can I change this?". If the answer is no, practice letting it go. 

It's a truth that most people accept what they hear, and the first thing they hear is their truth. Truth has to be dug out though. Sometimes it's not the first thing you hear. Sometimes it's not the common narrative. Truth requires digging for it rather than waiting for it to come to you.

What is normalized is usually the lowest common denominator of what the general public will accept. The lowest denominator, not the highest. We normalize things one person at a time by not speaking out. Many bad things are being normalized right now and may be here to stay if people don't start speaking out fast. Use your voice in kindness, but be firm and knowledgable about what you speak of. Darkness quickly gives way to light.

Some of the best things in life are in the unexpected. Sometimes you set off on an adventure and allow the unexpected to happen. A couple months ago we set off for an afternoon adventure and unexpectedly found a splendid restaurant that otherwise we never would have found. The fact it was unexpected made it even better! When we embrace the unexpected we can use it to our advantage and use it for some real great surprises and pleasures in life.

How to succeed in your job: - Show up, and do so on time. - Work hard, but work smart. - When called on to do a good job, do a great job.

Sometimes bigger is better. But sometimes it isn’t. Bigger expands the talent pool. But bigger can also water down the talent. Sizing up is a huge challenge and has to be done with the right skill sets in place.