A review of our social media highlight reel makes it easy to recognize how lovable we are. After all, look at all the selfies in just the right light, with the perfect smile. We have curated just the right online profile that shows us at our best.
We may be working on being generous to ourselves, but at least we know how we give and receive love.
What happens when we think we deserve love from those around us and it...
Read More
The conversation flows between you.
The dialogue bubbles as smooth as a leaf dancing down a swift current.
As the exchange deepens, the navigation gets tougher to dodge the whirlpools.
You hear a statement, and the pivotal question springs to your mind. It is the obvious question that will lay bare the situation. Your eyes lock, and you both know the inquiry must be asked. The answer will bring insight at the expense of embarrassment, discomfort or pain.
Do you choose to ask the difficult question and engage, or do you...
Read More
Live long enough, and life is going to hurt.
I have, and it does. However, others have encountered far darker days than my experiences.
Seeing this misery silences the complaining tongue that compares with others. It is easy to be jealous of those with the fancy houses and exotic vacations. But, if we play the treacherous game of comparison, it is appropriate to compare to those...
Read More
A quick Google search of the world's major religions includes some form of blessing children. Jesus blessed the children; Abraham blessed his son's, religious leaders bless children at birth or upon attainment of specified milestones.
Merriam-Webster defines the act of blessing as, "to ask the favor or protection of God for." Regardless of your religious or non-religious tradition, this practice is an opportunity to communicate care and love for our children.
The Bible's Abraham blessed his two sons with specific words of encouragement, details of their inheritance, and prophetic words about...
Read More
Regardless of your station in life, someone is doing worse. Opportunities to connect and make a difference abound. These missions call us out of our little bubbles to a cause greater than ourselves.
A business mentor mentioned, "Everyone expects you to do your job well. Your legacy is based on the sideline projects and causes where you made an impact." Since retiring, this mentor is regularly asked to speak about the causes he championed. His primary job is part of the intro, but he speaks for the causes.
This counsel challenged my view of how to invest in parallel efforts...
Read More
When study subjects encountered themselves through age-progressed renderings, they were more willing to change their behavior and increase their savings. The study found that someone who has engaged with their older self will forego the near-term satisfaction to benefit their older self.
Technologies ability to generate our future self will only become more lifelike. Imagine standing at the Burger King counter and your future-self pops up on the screen and asks you to reconsider the BK triple meat, bacon, and cheeseburger, for the salad. The future-self can morph into how you would look if the trend continues. The extra pounds riding in your mid-section, a few more gray hairs, and your Life Expectancy Indicator drops...
Read More
I was detailing the benefits of a mobility practice to a co-worker and mentioned the material Dr. Kelly Starrett has produced. His response was, "I can always find a doctor that will promote anything." Evidently, my sales pitch needs work, sorry Kelly.
The latest scientific evidence says... only to be overturned a few short months or years later. The average human body is 57-60% water and that we can agree. However, debates will rage about how to feed it, exercise it, and care for it.
Then Seth Godin recalibrates reality again when he says, "when everyone is in favor...
Read More
First, we need to clear the air. Nope, not here to pile on guilt and tell you you're doing it all wrong or deliver 187 quick and easy steps to make everything perfect.
Every parent is aware of shortcomings. I was confident I was going to be the one exception, and I was wrong. I think it will only take each of them one lifetime to get over my shortcomings. Not bad, it could have worse and required two lifetimes.
There will be no trophies or fake Internet points...
Read More
I carpooled with three other guys that had a bit grayer hair than I, and they were each negotiating the treacherous terrain of caring for elderly parents. Broken bones, cancer, elder care, Alzheimer's, downsizing to a retirement community, and estate planning were common topics during the drive. The discussions about parents moving into assisted living were brutal for everyone involved.
These discussions prompted me to consider the choices I will force on my kids when the time comes. Arguably, some would say I have already abandoned my mental capacity.
My utmost respect to those caring for...
Read More
Entrepreneur, Gary Vaynerchuk, found the best marketing strategy is caring. His example of caring for a customer on a snowy evening before Christmas became the standard for how the employees treated customers. We continue to solidify our company values and personal character with each engagement. How does each customer interaction display your care?
What are the legends of customer care where you work? What were the heroic efforts made to care for a particular client? What has been the long-term impact on the company?
Your care of the end user is easier to track...
Read More
The picture is not flashy, but the words are trustworthy. This snapshot is from Seth Godin's new 17 lbs behemoth book, What Does It Sound Like When You Change Your Mind?
This community desires to provide good service, exemplify good leadership, and enjoy a good life through the use of inquiry.
This last week of 2016 is a fitting time to reflect on this past year and look forward our investment in the new year.
What made your list of things you cared about over...
Read More
Apparently, I'm not a good one. I had been talking to a friend about my appreciation of Belgian wheat beers and then started talking about the various Piscos, I had enjoyed. He replied that he was cutting back because he found himself drinking each night and it was impacting the family. It felt like the story went a bit deeper and recounting my enjoyment of adult beverages, was not helping him resist temptation.
Friends listen to each other, pick up on subtleties, and come alongside to help where needed. Each one of us has a laundry list of "yes" or "no" things we should embrace or resist. A caring friend will know what is on each of our lists.
A doughnut on National Doughnut Day is one thing, encouraging your dieting friend to restrict their doughnut intake to only those days of the week that end in "day," is not helpful. Someone trying to regain control of their budget is served by a stroll through the park vice the local marketplace.
Confidence to achieve significant efforts is through small day-to-day decisions building on each other. Reinforcing these decisions defines our role as a friend.
Pause and reflect on your closest friendships. What kind of friend are you? Draw the circle a bit bigger; are you consistent in your care for this next group of friends?
Going Further: How do you specifically encourage your friends in their pursuits? How do you help your friends exercise self-control? When did you fail a friend and what did you both learn? Did the friendship survive? What changes do you need to make, to care for your friends honestly? How would these changes benefit your relationships? What question was missed?