Ever wonder which one to make? I can imagine you saying "No," I never wonder which one to make. They are always made before they are given to me. That makes my life easy and livable. I don't spend much time mulling over what to do, where to go, or what time should I start. My life is predesigned for me. I picked it, peeled it, and pasted it, and it has been working every since."
In a perfect world, "Yes."
Some of the choices we have to make seem to hurt others as we reach to help ourselves. Sometimes choices we need to make will help those we love but somehow we are emotionally fooled into thinking that they are harmful. Such is the choice I have to make this weekend of moving out of my apartment.
My landlord is so kind and giving that I don't want to loose her. She has been nothing but professional in her treatment of me. Though there were some things she needed to do before I moved in, without having complete knowledge of these things, I moved in anyway.
Because she is a single mom I feel my rent is helping her get her finances in order. Now we have found there is a problem with the apartment itself, and I have to move. Of course we have talked about it and feel when she gets things straightened out that I could move back in. It's just hard to go.
Right in the middle of preparing for my transition in life career wise, developing the new processes I need in place to transition, I am faced with a move. What's even more to think about, my birthday is in four days, January 30, 2008. Since I have been here that would make me 50 years of age. I dream a lot that I came from another place in time. I see castles, and knights, no cars, just horses. My age from that period would have to be about 773.
Wow! If Ben Franklin were alive today he would be about 302 years of age. I would be hundreds of years older than old Ben Franklin. But the choices he made allowed him to stay in our memories for the time past since.
The choices to create lasting benefits are the ones I want to make. Choices that teach good beneficial lessons, choices, that build strong relationships, choices, that show I care about more than "What's in it for me." Choices that, without a doubt, show I love the creator of the universe, my heavenly Father with all my heart.
What are the choices you want to make?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Listening
Hi,
My name is_______________, I heard you talking and wanted to introduce myself. “Congratulations on your award.”... I think what you mentioned is very much needed in the world today.
That was how a conversation started as I introduced myself to a lady Monday. She was just one of the many wonderful people I have had opportunity to meet over the past few days. She is a nationally awarded author, an actress, a coach, a member of the National Speaker’s Association, and a public speaker. Let me share with you a comment written about her book,
“This book could not have come at a more opportune time. A ray of hope amid chaos”...
Arun GandhiPresident, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
When I met Mary Claire O’Neal she was extremely humble. All I wanted to do was listen to her tell me about her book, what she had accomplished, and how I should move ahead in this compassion movement. Instead, she listened. She listened intently. She listened without interruption, (something I find it hard to do sometimes out of excitement). She listened with intent to give. When I finished talking, holding out a book in one hand, and a two CD package in the other, she said, “I have a copy of the book that won the award that I will give you. Which do you want?”
I looked at both titled, “Becoming What You Want to See in the World.” Feeling a humbled by her benevolence, I responded, “The CDs.”
After taking the last few days to listen to the CDs over, and over again, I too say, “This book could not have come at a more opportune time.” It is in perfect timing. It fit right with what I believe. More that that, listening to the book took me back to listening to her, after in fact she listened to me. It brought me to narrow in on the fact that, 'Listening is one of the most valuable tools mankind (and woman kind) has available', but the tool that seems to have been minimized the most in value.
Listening, builds relationships, stops wars, resolves conflict, empowers marriages, educates children, strengthens knowledge, starts corporations, expands businesses, prevents conflict, and so much more. Oh, did I say, builds relationships?
I used to say, “Communication is our most valuable tool.” After meeting Mary, and listening to her CD, I now add, “Listening makes Communication Effective.”
Mary reminded me that compassion is comprised of listening with intent to help, serve, lead, follow, give, teach, preserve, empower, not to punish, but to “LOVE.” If we use it, we all gain. If we don’t use it, we all loose unity. Aren't you tired of the disconnect?
Please listen!
Tony Dollars,
Email: tonydollars@gmail.com
My name is_______________, I heard you talking and wanted to introduce myself. “Congratulations on your award.”... I think what you mentioned is very much needed in the world today.
That was how a conversation started as I introduced myself to a lady Monday. She was just one of the many wonderful people I have had opportunity to meet over the past few days. She is a nationally awarded author, an actress, a coach, a member of the National Speaker’s Association, and a public speaker. Let me share with you a comment written about her book,
“This book could not have come at a more opportune time. A ray of hope amid chaos”...
Arun GandhiPresident, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
When I met Mary Claire O’Neal she was extremely humble. All I wanted to do was listen to her tell me about her book, what she had accomplished, and how I should move ahead in this compassion movement. Instead, she listened. She listened intently. She listened without interruption, (something I find it hard to do sometimes out of excitement). She listened with intent to give. When I finished talking, holding out a book in one hand, and a two CD package in the other, she said, “I have a copy of the book that won the award that I will give you. Which do you want?”
I looked at both titled, “Becoming What You Want to See in the World.” Feeling a humbled by her benevolence, I responded, “The CDs.”
After taking the last few days to listen to the CDs over, and over again, I too say, “This book could not have come at a more opportune time.” It is in perfect timing. It fit right with what I believe. More that that, listening to the book took me back to listening to her, after in fact she listened to me. It brought me to narrow in on the fact that, 'Listening is one of the most valuable tools mankind (and woman kind) has available', but the tool that seems to have been minimized the most in value.
Listening, builds relationships, stops wars, resolves conflict, empowers marriages, educates children, strengthens knowledge, starts corporations, expands businesses, prevents conflict, and so much more. Oh, did I say, builds relationships?
I used to say, “Communication is our most valuable tool.” After meeting Mary, and listening to her CD, I now add, “Listening makes Communication Effective.”
Mary reminded me that compassion is comprised of listening with intent to help, serve, lead, follow, give, teach, preserve, empower, not to punish, but to “LOVE.” If we use it, we all gain. If we don’t use it, we all loose unity. Aren't you tired of the disconnect?
Please listen!
Tony Dollars,
Email: tonydollars@gmail.com
Monday, January 21, 2008
Your Last Day
Hi,
Today is the last day you will ever have.
You have lived your life, and you have used choice times for yourself.
Reflect on the time you have spent. Ask yourself, "Was my time productive, loving, kind, compassionate, considerate, caring, profitable, investing, challenging, fun, and explorative? Did you learn to apply growth in those particular areas?.
If your life wasn't what you expected, you have today to rewrite your plan for the rest of your life.
Generally, or specifically, after you write your plan today, or tonight, take a moment and share what you write as your plan to change.
Include:
Specific Goal(s):
Obstacle(s):
Tools you need:
Time Goal:
Finances needed to achieve your goal(s):
Type of people, (functions) you need to make it work:
Target market (people you want to benefit from your goal):
Presentation Emparts Power.
When you present your vision to others it empowers you and your plan. How does this work? It's just how God works. I don't know how, I just know Him. This is the reason He wants us to start with a prayer. Then the scripture says, "And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by." Habakkuk 2:2
So write your plan, talk about it, then work it.
Also know for yourself how will reaching this new place in your life effect you?
Today is the last day you will ever have.
You have lived your life, and you have used choice times for yourself.
Reflect on the time you have spent. Ask yourself, "Was my time productive, loving, kind, compassionate, considerate, caring, profitable, investing, challenging, fun, and explorative? Did you learn to apply growth in those particular areas?.
If your life wasn't what you expected, you have today to rewrite your plan for the rest of your life.
Generally, or specifically, after you write your plan today, or tonight, take a moment and share what you write as your plan to change.
Include:
Specific Goal(s):
Obstacle(s):
Tools you need:
Time Goal:
Finances needed to achieve your goal(s):
Type of people, (functions) you need to make it work:
Target market (people you want to benefit from your goal):
Presentation Emparts Power.
When you present your vision to others it empowers you and your plan. How does this work? It's just how God works. I don't know how, I just know Him. This is the reason He wants us to start with a prayer. Then the scripture says, "And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by." Habakkuk 2:2
So write your plan, talk about it, then work it.
Also know for yourself how will reaching this new place in your life effect you?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Loneliness
The title sounds like a song doesn't it.
There are times we all get a little lonely. I find myself working a bit harder when I get lonely. I have also discovered that working a bit harder is a prescription for loneliness. The truth is, life partners, family members, and friends don't want to see you work; they want you to spend time with them.
I heard T. D. Jakes say the other day, "Show me a parent who is always at the games with their children, always at the family events, and always makes time to go when friends invite them out, and I will show you someone who is broke."
It takes time to make a living, and if all one does is, go to work and come home to the fun, well; that may leave some things to be desired. There is a choice, a balance. I wonder how many see the need for compassion in the balance. Personally, I feel the need to see it exists in every aspect of our lives.
What do you think?
There are times we all get a little lonely. I find myself working a bit harder when I get lonely. I have also discovered that working a bit harder is a prescription for loneliness. The truth is, life partners, family members, and friends don't want to see you work; they want you to spend time with them.
I heard T. D. Jakes say the other day, "Show me a parent who is always at the games with their children, always at the family events, and always makes time to go when friends invite them out, and I will show you someone who is broke."
It takes time to make a living, and if all one does is, go to work and come home to the fun, well; that may leave some things to be desired. There is a choice, a balance. I wonder how many see the need for compassion in the balance. Personally, I feel the need to see it exists in every aspect of our lives.
What do you think?
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