June 27, 2012
Procrastination
READY… “The best part about procrastination is that you are never bored, because you have all kinds of things that you should be doing.” ~ Anonymous
AIM… I have a confession to make. I am a procrastinator. I don’t intend to procrastinate. I simply have too many things on my to do list and inevitably some of those items get pushed off the to-do list and onto the will-eventually-get-to-it list. Truth be told, I have gotten much better in my wiser days about preparing and organizing things ahead of time and not waiting until the last minute to get things done. However, with the additional demands of my children, it’s difficult to prioritize my schedule around their activities and daily needs. However, there is always room for improvement in this particular area. For now, I need to get this message emailed to my editor so I can publish it for you, my loyal readers. Well, maybe I’ll get to it…later…after I take the laundry out of the dryer…
FIRE! There’s no better time than the present to get started tackling your list of priorities. Someday is NOT a day of the week, so start TODAY and check those items off your list. You’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief when you head to bed at a reasonable hour tonight.
Be Excellent!
Lori
June 19, 2012
Every Day Heroes
READY… “Small boys become big men through the
influence of big men who care about small boys.” ~ Unknown
AIM… I was having a conversation with my neighbor the other day and she was talking about the behavior of some of the kids in the neighborhood being less than stellar. Thankfully, my children are well-behaved (most of the time) and she used them as an example of good behavior. My comment back to her was that kids today have too much time alone because both parents are working to support the family. However, the sad truth is that many of those families don’t have both parents living together at home. The absence of a father-figure in the lives of impressionable children, both young men and young women, is impacting so many behavior choices and relationship issues that it’s frightening. How often do you see a man open the door to a store for a woman to enter first? That gesture is a simple example of common courtesy or, as we used to say, an example of chivalry. It seems that people are so absorbed with themselves that they don’t give those tasks a second thought, but it is more than possible they were never taught those types of courtesies. What tool is available to teach young boys how to be caring fathers and faithful husbands if their own dads aren’t around or don’t care to be involved? Thankfully, several grandfathers have taken up the charge to set a good example for their grandchildren and have developed impressionable relationships where the boys (and girls) have a role model they can emulate. And thankfully, there are still dads out there, who have made commitments to be a loyal husband and to be an involved father and to break the cycle to take back their responsibility as men to be there for their families. These men have recognized the calling that was placed in their hearts to be the man God created them to be. They understand the great responsibility that comes with providing for their families financially by working hard and doing a good job for their employers. They understand they are providing a level of security for their families by protecting their wives and children and making sure they are safe. They understand the ultimate goal is to demonstrate unconditional love in the midst of all of life’s challenges. Some days, the pay is only in hugs and kisses, but the reward is knowing they have made lasting impressions on the lives of future men and women who will hopefully, in turn, do the same. What an awesome responsibility and a super-hero type of job that only a man of valor could fulfill.
FIRE! Give a compliment to dad (or granddad) you know who is walking the walk and talking the talk as an everyday hero with his family. And for the gentleman who chooses to open the door for you when walking into a store, be sure to enthusiastically say thank you so he knows his efforts are recognized and appreciated. We need to acknowledge the ordinary super-heroes in our world today.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM… I was having a conversation with my neighbor the other day and she was talking about the behavior of some of the kids in the neighborhood being less than stellar. Thankfully, my children are well-behaved (most of the time) and she used them as an example of good behavior. My comment back to her was that kids today have too much time alone because both parents are working to support the family. However, the sad truth is that many of those families don’t have both parents living together at home. The absence of a father-figure in the lives of impressionable children, both young men and young women, is impacting so many behavior choices and relationship issues that it’s frightening. How often do you see a man open the door to a store for a woman to enter first? That gesture is a simple example of common courtesy or, as we used to say, an example of chivalry. It seems that people are so absorbed with themselves that they don’t give those tasks a second thought, but it is more than possible they were never taught those types of courtesies. What tool is available to teach young boys how to be caring fathers and faithful husbands if their own dads aren’t around or don’t care to be involved? Thankfully, several grandfathers have taken up the charge to set a good example for their grandchildren and have developed impressionable relationships where the boys (and girls) have a role model they can emulate. And thankfully, there are still dads out there, who have made commitments to be a loyal husband and to be an involved father and to break the cycle to take back their responsibility as men to be there for their families. These men have recognized the calling that was placed in their hearts to be the man God created them to be. They understand the great responsibility that comes with providing for their families financially by working hard and doing a good job for their employers. They understand they are providing a level of security for their families by protecting their wives and children and making sure they are safe. They understand the ultimate goal is to demonstrate unconditional love in the midst of all of life’s challenges. Some days, the pay is only in hugs and kisses, but the reward is knowing they have made lasting impressions on the lives of future men and women who will hopefully, in turn, do the same. What an awesome responsibility and a super-hero type of job that only a man of valor could fulfill.
FIRE! Give a compliment to dad (or granddad) you know who is walking the walk and talking the talk as an everyday hero with his family. And for the gentleman who chooses to open the door for you when walking into a store, be sure to enthusiastically say thank you so he knows his efforts are recognized and appreciated. We need to acknowledge the ordinary super-heroes in our world today.
Be Excellent!
Lori
June 13, 2012
Balancing Act
READY… “Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.” ~ Brian Tracy
AIM… I apologize to all my loyal readers for my unexpected two-week absence. Thank you to all of you who checked in to make sure things were okay and made sure I was going to continue writing my Arrows of Integrity messages for you to read. I needed to take a break to enjoy a few days of fun with my children as summer kicked off, but I also needed to observe how out of balance my life gets from time to time. Life is good; no worries, I assure you. However, I’ve been innately aware of the need to reprioritize how I address my daily activities and my approach to family life. Sometimes you just need to be able to take a step back and look at your situation from a different perspective. I’m happy to say that I have good intentions of moving things around in order to accomplish all I want to do on a daily basis. But I also realize that my life is never going to be perfect, look perfect or have complete and total balance. It is at those moments when the balance is off that I will need to pause, reflect and take action to keep my life in order. Ahhhh…a life in balance is true bliss. Perhaps one day I will feel as such, until then, here’s to my feeble attempts at creating harmony in my heart and home.
FIRE! Make a list of all the things you do on a daily basis. What activities get the majority of your attention? If your priorities are out of balance, start today by adjusting your schedule and redirecting your focus. Feel it? There is peace in a balanced life.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM… I apologize to all my loyal readers for my unexpected two-week absence. Thank you to all of you who checked in to make sure things were okay and made sure I was going to continue writing my Arrows of Integrity messages for you to read. I needed to take a break to enjoy a few days of fun with my children as summer kicked off, but I also needed to observe how out of balance my life gets from time to time. Life is good; no worries, I assure you. However, I’ve been innately aware of the need to reprioritize how I address my daily activities and my approach to family life. Sometimes you just need to be able to take a step back and look at your situation from a different perspective. I’m happy to say that I have good intentions of moving things around in order to accomplish all I want to do on a daily basis. But I also realize that my life is never going to be perfect, look perfect or have complete and total balance. It is at those moments when the balance is off that I will need to pause, reflect and take action to keep my life in order. Ahhhh…a life in balance is true bliss. Perhaps one day I will feel as such, until then, here’s to my feeble attempts at creating harmony in my heart and home.
FIRE! Make a list of all the things you do on a daily basis. What activities get the majority of your attention? If your priorities are out of balance, start today by adjusting your schedule and redirecting your focus. Feel it? There is peace in a balanced life.
Be Excellent!
Lori
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