I've always loved Christmas Eve. Mostly because Cubans, like many Hispanics, are too impatient to wait until Christmas to open their gifts, so we wait until midnight (or earlier) to open them. It gives away the Santa Secret maybe, but who cares? I want presents!
I have tried to build my own traditions with my family and for the most part, they've worked fine, but there are some which I love. Noche Buena is one of them. The family will gather, eat, and chat, and watch Christmas movies. Same thing the Gringos do, but sooner. Christmas becomes Boxing Day, when we go visit relatives so the kids can pick up what Santa left in other houses for them. It's when we pass out the socks and the perfume and the books. Speaking of which, last year I got my mom a book and a pair of soft slippers. She asked if I was planning to send her to a home. That crafty old woman was on to me from the start!
The important thing is the fun of being with your family and loving them as best you can. A hug and kiss mean more than the ribbons and bows and what's beneath them. In the end, when fate separates us from the ones we love, it's the hugs and kisses and voices that we'll miss, not the stuff.
Love someone today. And every day. Let every day be a good day and every night be a Noche Buena. Don't be reserved in your emotion; love with reckless abandon. Call a relative who's far away; a sister or brother, an old roommate, someone who may be alone. Wish them a Merry Christmas. Let them know someone is thinking about them. You never know what a difference you can make in a person's life.
God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Showing posts with label Friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friendship. Show all posts
Friday, December 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day # 178 - Friends
I woke up thinking about people I know - and people I've known. My daughters are 8 and 5 and already become a little anxious about their friends. I asked them yesterday if they would like to switch schools and Emily, the baby, said she wouldn't want to leave Mia, who is her BFF since 4K. I think that's precious and I love that my children are already aware of the importance of valuing friendship. I don't know where their friendship will lead. It would be wonderful for them to be one another's maid of honor some day (in the very distant future!)
I spoke to my old friend Kiki on Friday. We hadn't spoken in over a year, although his wife, Thania, and I regularly harrass one another on Facebook. It was as if no time had passed. While there was catching up to do, the dynamic of our friendship had not changed at all. We laughed about the same stupid things, told the same stupid jokes, and I silently marveled at the fact that we will both soon be forty. The other thing I realized is how much I miss him.
I have lots of friends. There are people I am close to and confide in. There are people I maintain contact with, and there are people I meet, enjoy my time with, and never or rarely see again. It's all good. This is part of a rich life, it's part of a complete life.
A friend is someone who matters in all the aspects of your life, who understands, or at least listens to you when you talk and makes you feel understood. We all can use some of this.
So, be a friend. Listen, be there. Share love and hope and your ears and your eyes. Share a laugh or a tear, or just a "remember the time when..."
Remember:
Think where man's glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends. - William Butler Yeats.
God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
I spoke to my old friend Kiki on Friday. We hadn't spoken in over a year, although his wife, Thania, and I regularly harrass one another on Facebook. It was as if no time had passed. While there was catching up to do, the dynamic of our friendship had not changed at all. We laughed about the same stupid things, told the same stupid jokes, and I silently marveled at the fact that we will both soon be forty. The other thing I realized is how much I miss him.
I have lots of friends. There are people I am close to and confide in. There are people I maintain contact with, and there are people I meet, enjoy my time with, and never or rarely see again. It's all good. This is part of a rich life, it's part of a complete life.
A friend is someone who matters in all the aspects of your life, who understands, or at least listens to you when you talk and makes you feel understood. We all can use some of this.
So, be a friend. Listen, be there. Share love and hope and your ears and your eyes. Share a laugh or a tear, or just a "remember the time when..."
Remember:
Think where man's glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends. - William Butler Yeats.
God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Friday, November 19, 2010
Day # 176 - Bridges
We've all walked away from someone or something. It may have been a job, an organization, a relationship, a neighborhood. When leaving a situation for a better opportunity, it's tempting at times to think you'll never have to look back and to therefore leave in a bad, or inconsiderate, manner.
I have witnessed this several times in the last few months, where people, when deciding to quit their jobs, have gone off on management, sending out lengthy, insulting emails, and copying - wait for it - the entire company. It's done in the hopes of taking a parting shot at their now-former bosses, but these people are hurting no one but themselves. We've all been disappointed with a job, we've all been treated unfairly, and we've all wanted to tell someone off.
What I've learned, thankfully, by observation and experience, is that the world is small and the circles of your chosen industry are even smaller. You never know who your next boss will be.
I was once part of a team that followed a director of marketing from one hotel to another. Just about every manager and every quality employee left the hotel en masse. The general manager we were abandoning asked me where I was going and I explained that this seemed like the right opportunity for me. We parted on good terms. A few years later, this man became my general manager again. I was terrified. But the fact that I had been respectful and had given my notice, and done things in a professional manner, left me with nothing to worry about. There were no hard feelings and we worked together fine.
People will come in and out of your life. That's normal. What you want to be sure of, though, is that you leave them all with the right impression, that you never have to worry what you've made someone think of you. I am not suggesting you spend your life worrying what people think of you because this will never lead to success. I am suggesting you behave in a manner which will ensure that you never have to worry what people think of you.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
I have witnessed this several times in the last few months, where people, when deciding to quit their jobs, have gone off on management, sending out lengthy, insulting emails, and copying - wait for it - the entire company. It's done in the hopes of taking a parting shot at their now-former bosses, but these people are hurting no one but themselves. We've all been disappointed with a job, we've all been treated unfairly, and we've all wanted to tell someone off.
What I've learned, thankfully, by observation and experience, is that the world is small and the circles of your chosen industry are even smaller. You never know who your next boss will be.
I was once part of a team that followed a director of marketing from one hotel to another. Just about every manager and every quality employee left the hotel en masse. The general manager we were abandoning asked me where I was going and I explained that this seemed like the right opportunity for me. We parted on good terms. A few years later, this man became my general manager again. I was terrified. But the fact that I had been respectful and had given my notice, and done things in a professional manner, left me with nothing to worry about. There were no hard feelings and we worked together fine.
People will come in and out of your life. That's normal. What you want to be sure of, though, is that you leave them all with the right impression, that you never have to worry what you've made someone think of you. I am not suggesting you spend your life worrying what people think of you because this will never lead to success. I am suggesting you behave in a manner which will ensure that you never have to worry what people think of you.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day # 159 - Friendly Basis
Most of my friends are people I’ve worked with. I met my wife at work, as well as my ex-wife, and my ex-girlfriend. Most friendships of this kind seem to revolve around office gossip or remembering how lousy the boss was if you no longer work there. It almost seems that once you’re done complaining about the boss or some ridiculous policy or your lousy pay, there is nothing left to talk about. Friendships like these are akin to living in the past. Think about the conversations you have with your friends. How much of the time spent talking with them is focused on the future, happiness, dreams, success and goals? How much time is spent complaining about work, relationship troubles, bills, the economy, your lousy boss, your lousy check, etc.?
Is this really what friends are for? I have friends I rarely hear from. I call to say hi and they chew my ear off for an hour about how terrible their life is. After a while, I just stop calling. Everyone has problems, but everyone has blessings, too. If you can’t find something to be happy about, you aren’t trying hard enough. You are enjoying the self-pity and the attention (however negative) your whining is getting you. Move on. I have no time for you anymore.
If you have relationships like this, you should change them. Try to find something more positive to focus on. Don’t piss and moan about work all the time, don’t engage in the kind of talk that elicits eye-rolls and sighs from the other person. Talk about the way you and your friends can make the future better for yourselves. Be an accountability partner for your friend. Encourage each other to strive, to rise, to achieve more. In other words, quit bitching and start growing. Rise higher and bring your friend with you. Put the relationship to the test. Can you survive without the anger and cynicism of the past? If not, if you have no other common ground, it may benefit you to put some distance between yourself and the other person.
This doesn’t apply only to friends. It applies to co-workers, neighbors, and even to family members. Negativity is not only destructive, it’s indiscriminate. It doesn’t matter where it comes from. The person who loves you most in the world can shoot you with a gun. You will still be shot. A total stranger can give you food when you’re starving, and you will still be fed. Eliminate the negative people in your life. If they are family, limit the contact you have with them. You’ll be glad you did.
- Adolfo
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.cakewhimsybyabdaliz.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Is this really what friends are for? I have friends I rarely hear from. I call to say hi and they chew my ear off for an hour about how terrible their life is. After a while, I just stop calling. Everyone has problems, but everyone has blessings, too. If you can’t find something to be happy about, you aren’t trying hard enough. You are enjoying the self-pity and the attention (however negative) your whining is getting you. Move on. I have no time for you anymore.
If you have relationships like this, you should change them. Try to find something more positive to focus on. Don’t piss and moan about work all the time, don’t engage in the kind of talk that elicits eye-rolls and sighs from the other person. Talk about the way you and your friends can make the future better for yourselves. Be an accountability partner for your friend. Encourage each other to strive, to rise, to achieve more. In other words, quit bitching and start growing. Rise higher and bring your friend with you. Put the relationship to the test. Can you survive without the anger and cynicism of the past? If not, if you have no other common ground, it may benefit you to put some distance between yourself and the other person.
This doesn’t apply only to friends. It applies to co-workers, neighbors, and even to family members. Negativity is not only destructive, it’s indiscriminate. It doesn’t matter where it comes from. The person who loves you most in the world can shoot you with a gun. You will still be shot. A total stranger can give you food when you’re starving, and you will still be fed. Eliminate the negative people in your life. If they are family, limit the contact you have with them. You’ll be glad you did.
- Adolfo
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.cakewhimsybyabdaliz.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Day # 132 - Listening and Being Heard
I had a conversation with a friend yesterday. She's a terrific lady. She has a great attitude in spite of the challenges she is facing. She called me for a bit of guidance and we got that part of the conversation out of the way pretty quickly. After that, it was a free-for-all. We talked about different challenges we face and how we deal with them. We laughed and we were serious. It could have gone on forever but I had to get back to work. There will be more conversations with this friend and I look forward to them.
There are times when we need a problem solved, times when we need advice, and other times when we just need to be heard. I am no psychologist, and I don't have all the answers, but I can offer perspective. I'm not particularly proud or impressed with myself because of it. Anyone can be a friend by listening and offering, not advice, but insight.
I once read that wisdom is when we can listen to others' problems without talking about our own. I don't think I'm anywhere near that, but I don't know how accurate that definition of wisdom is. Besides, what's wisdom? It's something that comes with age and I'd like to think of myself as too young to lay claim to anything that comes with age. My children would disagree.
Do you have someone you can talk to? I don't mean someone you call when you have the uncontrollable urge to vent, piss, and moan. I mean someone you just talk to. Hi, how're you doing? Did you hear the one about the armadillo that went to medical school? That sort of thing. It's important that your conversations are well-rounded. If you talk to friends and just complain, soon that friend will roll their eyes whenever you call and soon after that, they will stop answering your calls altogether.
My conversation yesterday covered a lot of ground and I look forward to the next one. There will be no eye-rolling here.
So, what kind of friend are you? Do you give as much as, or more than, you take? If not, you will eventually start losing friends. Be the friend that makes people happy. Be the friend people want to talk to you. Remember that everything you put out into the universe will come back multiple times. Good, bad, or ugly, this law applies.
So thanks again to my friend. You did more for me than you know. God bless you.
Make it your best day yet and make someone else's day better, too.
- Adolfo
http://www.adolfojimenez.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
There are times when we need a problem solved, times when we need advice, and other times when we just need to be heard. I am no psychologist, and I don't have all the answers, but I can offer perspective. I'm not particularly proud or impressed with myself because of it. Anyone can be a friend by listening and offering, not advice, but insight.
I once read that wisdom is when we can listen to others' problems without talking about our own. I don't think I'm anywhere near that, but I don't know how accurate that definition of wisdom is. Besides, what's wisdom? It's something that comes with age and I'd like to think of myself as too young to lay claim to anything that comes with age. My children would disagree.
Do you have someone you can talk to? I don't mean someone you call when you have the uncontrollable urge to vent, piss, and moan. I mean someone you just talk to. Hi, how're you doing? Did you hear the one about the armadillo that went to medical school? That sort of thing. It's important that your conversations are well-rounded. If you talk to friends and just complain, soon that friend will roll their eyes whenever you call and soon after that, they will stop answering your calls altogether.
My conversation yesterday covered a lot of ground and I look forward to the next one. There will be no eye-rolling here.
So, what kind of friend are you? Do you give as much as, or more than, you take? If not, you will eventually start losing friends. Be the friend that makes people happy. Be the friend people want to talk to you. Remember that everything you put out into the universe will come back multiple times. Good, bad, or ugly, this law applies.
So thanks again to my friend. You did more for me than you know. God bless you.
Make it your best day yet and make someone else's day better, too.
- Adolfo
http://www.adolfojimenez.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Day # 117 - The Family That Reads Together
I decided that if I were to write an autobiography covering the first 39 years of my life, it would be called, "The Dangerous Middle." No, I'm not referring to my waistline. I'm referring to where I have spent a great deal of time.
Abby and I have gotten on the same page about our goals and we are setting and woring toward them together. It's a live-in buddy system and it will work great. We talk about our progress and our setbacks, we talk about ideas, goals and dreams. We (gently) critique one another, and we offer feedback.
Accountability is key. Not to say you can't do it alone, but sometimes the goals get too hairy and you have to call in backup. I have gone 117 days without news and almost 100 days without caffeine, my TV watching is down to about an hour a week (not including football, which doesn't count. Why doesn't it count? Because I said so - my house, my rules!) But these are only a few of my goals, a small step of the journey I must complete to become the person I'm meant to be. The road gets rough and it's nice to have someone in the passenger seat holding the roadmap. (Or the GPS - you get the picture.)
So we have set aside an hour every night to read self-help books, or listen to CD's currently "The Compound Effect," by Darren Hardy. We read the bible and discuss our ups and downs, with a greater emphasis on the ups. Moods are like people: if you ignore them, they go away. Continue ignoring them and make them feel unwanted, they'll stop coming around. It helps to have a wingman (or wingwoman) to give you the boost and the strength to make that happen.
So get a buddy - your spouse, roommate, friend, parent, co-worker, anyone you can trust - and get started.
Make it your best day yet (for you and your Buddy!) God bless you.
- Adolfo
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http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
Abby and I have gotten on the same page about our goals and we are setting and woring toward them together. It's a live-in buddy system and it will work great. We talk about our progress and our setbacks, we talk about ideas, goals and dreams. We (gently) critique one another, and we offer feedback.
Accountability is key. Not to say you can't do it alone, but sometimes the goals get too hairy and you have to call in backup. I have gone 117 days without news and almost 100 days without caffeine, my TV watching is down to about an hour a week (not including football, which doesn't count. Why doesn't it count? Because I said so - my house, my rules!) But these are only a few of my goals, a small step of the journey I must complete to become the person I'm meant to be. The road gets rough and it's nice to have someone in the passenger seat holding the roadmap. (Or the GPS - you get the picture.)
So we have set aside an hour every night to read self-help books, or listen to CD's currently "The Compound Effect," by Darren Hardy. We read the bible and discuss our ups and downs, with a greater emphasis on the ups. Moods are like people: if you ignore them, they go away. Continue ignoring them and make them feel unwanted, they'll stop coming around. It helps to have a wingman (or wingwoman) to give you the boost and the strength to make that happen.
So get a buddy - your spouse, roommate, friend, parent, co-worker, anyone you can trust - and get started.
Make it your best day yet (for you and your Buddy!) God bless you.
- Adolfo
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Day # 111 - Bridge Burning
Harvey Mackay says, "If you burn your bridges, you'd better be a damn good swimmer."
I think of all the bridges I've burned in my life. Of course, like most fires, the ones that burn bridges are often caused by carelessness. It's not always done on purpose. Sometimes I have burned bridges because they were structurally unsafe. Other times I burned them because I was acting on emotion rather than intellect.
Not long ago, when I was chair of the chamber of commerce, there were people, part of the old guard, who saw fit to attack me for any decision I made that they did not agree with. They went so far as to sabotage me. Some of these were well-known and (in some circles) well-respected members of the community. Would I have preferred to keep them on my side? Sure, but at what cost? I am not willing to bow to anyone but God.
I have regretted some of my bridge burnings. I have tried to repair some of them, and it has sometimes worked. Other times, the damage is too great and there's no way across the river. So I have lost friends or contacts.
The lesson is that sometimes we will make the mistake of burning a bridge. For the most part, if we are not malicious, if we are sincere in our effort to mend the bridge, we can find our way back. Other times, we may want to burn the bridge (with certain people tied to it.) I would suggest letting the relationship atrophy instead. You are losing a friend or acquaintance or contact but that doesn't mean you need to gain an enemy.
So cross that bridge when you get to it and leave it intact if you can. You never know when you need to get back across.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
I think of all the bridges I've burned in my life. Of course, like most fires, the ones that burn bridges are often caused by carelessness. It's not always done on purpose. Sometimes I have burned bridges because they were structurally unsafe. Other times I burned them because I was acting on emotion rather than intellect.
Not long ago, when I was chair of the chamber of commerce, there were people, part of the old guard, who saw fit to attack me for any decision I made that they did not agree with. They went so far as to sabotage me. Some of these were well-known and (in some circles) well-respected members of the community. Would I have preferred to keep them on my side? Sure, but at what cost? I am not willing to bow to anyone but God.
I have regretted some of my bridge burnings. I have tried to repair some of them, and it has sometimes worked. Other times, the damage is too great and there's no way across the river. So I have lost friends or contacts.
The lesson is that sometimes we will make the mistake of burning a bridge. For the most part, if we are not malicious, if we are sincere in our effort to mend the bridge, we can find our way back. Other times, we may want to burn the bridge (with certain people tied to it.) I would suggest letting the relationship atrophy instead. You are losing a friend or acquaintance or contact but that doesn't mean you need to gain an enemy.
So cross that bridge when you get to it and leave it intact if you can. You never know when you need to get back across.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Friday, September 3, 2010
Day # 99 - Bottles of beer on the wall
I worked late last night. Got home around 11:00. What was I doing? Hanging around at a bar (a very nice one)with a bunch of Dallas Cowboy fans. It could be worse. It could be Jets fans, in which case I would be writing a "Goodbye, Cruel World" letter. I started off courting these folks, wanting them to patronize my bar. You see, there are fan clubs all over the country and they organize game-watching parties. They fill up your bar with rowdy fans and generally eat, drink and are merry. And noisy. And loud. And obnoxious when they are spanking your team. But there is an obvious business benefit to their patronage.
Growing up, I never liked the Dallas Cowboys. After getting to know these fans over the last few weeks, I am neutral toward the team. I like the fans.
What I witnessed was a group of people gathered to enjoy a sporting event - and one another's company. I saw people who watch football - and ask about one another's family. If anyone there had a sick relative, everyone else knew about it, and that loved one would have been included in their prayers. Oh, and they drink beer, too!
I have met thousands of people over the years and there are many I call friends. There are few I get together with just because someone's broadcasting a football game. Check that, there are none. I have been a member and a leader of organizations dedicated to business, to community, to children, but never one dedicated to just having a good time. If you've never been a part of one, I recommend it.
We all need friends and we all need entertainment. This is a way to get both. I will not advocate for any specific organization on this blog because that's not what this is about, but I will repeat that we all need friends and human beings are social animals so get out there and be social!
Thanks again to my new friends from the (hurts like hell to say it) Cowboy Nation, and thanks to your for reading.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
Follow me on Twitter
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Growing up, I never liked the Dallas Cowboys. After getting to know these fans over the last few weeks, I am neutral toward the team. I like the fans.
What I witnessed was a group of people gathered to enjoy a sporting event - and one another's company. I saw people who watch football - and ask about one another's family. If anyone there had a sick relative, everyone else knew about it, and that loved one would have been included in their prayers. Oh, and they drink beer, too!
I have met thousands of people over the years and there are many I call friends. There are few I get together with just because someone's broadcasting a football game. Check that, there are none. I have been a member and a leader of organizations dedicated to business, to community, to children, but never one dedicated to just having a good time. If you've never been a part of one, I recommend it.
We all need friends and we all need entertainment. This is a way to get both. I will not advocate for any specific organization on this blog because that's not what this is about, but I will repeat that we all need friends and human beings are social animals so get out there and be social!
Thanks again to my new friends from the (hurts like hell to say it) Cowboy Nation, and thanks to your for reading.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
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Monday, August 30, 2010
Day # 95 - Friends like these
I think I'm a pretty nice guy. I do my best to please people. I always have. Sometimes to my own detriment. I was never a "look out for Number One" kind of guy. Sometimes I think that if I were, I would somehow get more respect. But I am not about to trade in my humanity.
A few months ago, I went to work for some friends. They wanted to expand their business and I was looking for a new job after being let go from the bank where I had worked for the previous three years.
To save unnecessary details: it didn't work out. I was seen by people one way, the job didn't suit that image, so getting clients was not easy. My "partners" are semi-retired, so when I did land a client, if I needed help and it was too far away or the deal would be too labor-intensive, I was told to let it go, that it was "not worth it." I disagreed, because I needed to raise money for my family, but what was I going to do?
Now, these guys won't even speak to me. There are a few, minor, loose ends to sew up so if they have a question, I get a text message instead of a phone call. Welcome to the 8th grade, OMG! I am inclined to slap the hell out of people who act this way, but I know it's not productive. So, I pray for them. I pray that the devil will no longer use them in the way he is using them. I would have loved for our friendship to continue in spite of the business arrangement not succeeding, but some people need drama. Don't be one of those people. If you already are, change. Soon enough you will lose friends.
When I mentioned the devil in the previous paragraph, I was serious. The enemy will use people to get to you. All he cares about is hurting God. He's still pissed. The only way he can get to God, is through us. Don't let people take your joy and don't destroy them when they do. Chances are, they're under influences they don't even understand. Anger, jealousy, envy, all of those negative feelings are meant to destroy us and our relationships. Don't allow it.
I apologize if my writing is contrived this morning. I am trying not to give too much away here.
Choose your friends carefully. Remember, if you have a friend who badmouths other people to you, chances are this friend is throwing you under every available bus, too. I should have followed my gut and kept these people as friends. Instead, I missed other opportunities only to be treated like a leper in the end. Always follow your gut. Enough. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
Follow A Year Without News
A few months ago, I went to work for some friends. They wanted to expand their business and I was looking for a new job after being let go from the bank where I had worked for the previous three years.
To save unnecessary details: it didn't work out. I was seen by people one way, the job didn't suit that image, so getting clients was not easy. My "partners" are semi-retired, so when I did land a client, if I needed help and it was too far away or the deal would be too labor-intensive, I was told to let it go, that it was "not worth it." I disagreed, because I needed to raise money for my family, but what was I going to do?
Now, these guys won't even speak to me. There are a few, minor, loose ends to sew up so if they have a question, I get a text message instead of a phone call. Welcome to the 8th grade, OMG! I am inclined to slap the hell out of people who act this way, but I know it's not productive. So, I pray for them. I pray that the devil will no longer use them in the way he is using them. I would have loved for our friendship to continue in spite of the business arrangement not succeeding, but some people need drama. Don't be one of those people. If you already are, change. Soon enough you will lose friends.
When I mentioned the devil in the previous paragraph, I was serious. The enemy will use people to get to you. All he cares about is hurting God. He's still pissed. The only way he can get to God, is through us. Don't let people take your joy and don't destroy them when they do. Chances are, they're under influences they don't even understand. Anger, jealousy, envy, all of those negative feelings are meant to destroy us and our relationships. Don't allow it.
I apologize if my writing is contrived this morning. I am trying not to give too much away here.
Choose your friends carefully. Remember, if you have a friend who badmouths other people to you, chances are this friend is throwing you under every available bus, too. I should have followed my gut and kept these people as friends. Instead, I missed other opportunities only to be treated like a leper in the end. Always follow your gut. Enough. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
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Friend me on Facebook
Follow A Year Without News
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Day # 66 - We all need a boost
I started this project for me. I continue for me. In a sense I do it for my family because what benefits me benefits them. If I am a happier, more productive individual everyone who depends on me benefits. My family is happier, we are all eating better (most of the time) and we are focused on improving our lives.
Of course, putting this out there for the public, I do want it to be read and enjoyed by others. And if it helps someone even just a little, then I am the happiest man in the world. After all, if you want to change the world, you have to start with yourself.
An old friend of mine wrote me some encouraging words last night and I am high on them. She is someone whose opinion of me I truly value so when she paid me a compliment, I felt validation. I didn't even know I was looking for validation, but I guess we all are.
It doesn't matter who you are or how successful you are. We all need to be loved and we all want someone to tell us we are loved. We all want to be appreciated. Study after study has proven that employees are more motivated by rewards and recognition than by money. It's part of human nature.
Do you know someone who needs encouragement? Of course you do. This could be your spouse, your child, a friend, a neighbor, even a stranger or a co-worker. Give them a boost. Smile when you see them. Thank someone who does something for you. If you receive extraordinary service from someone, don't hesitate to tell their supervisor. If we all pitch in and give everyone we can a little shot in the arm, we start the snowball that makes the world better.
Today's Lessons:
- We all need a boost. Knowing this, you should boost someone else today. The good you put out into the universe always finds its way back.
- You can be the difference in a person's life. This works in both ways: positive and negative. Make the right choice.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- I improve my world every day by being an example to others.
- I will encourage those who need to be encouraged. I will discourage none.
Boosting opportunities abound. Keep your eyes open and you'll find countless ways to improve the world, one little boost at a time.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
- Adolfo
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Of course, putting this out there for the public, I do want it to be read and enjoyed by others. And if it helps someone even just a little, then I am the happiest man in the world. After all, if you want to change the world, you have to start with yourself.
An old friend of mine wrote me some encouraging words last night and I am high on them. She is someone whose opinion of me I truly value so when she paid me a compliment, I felt validation. I didn't even know I was looking for validation, but I guess we all are.
It doesn't matter who you are or how successful you are. We all need to be loved and we all want someone to tell us we are loved. We all want to be appreciated. Study after study has proven that employees are more motivated by rewards and recognition than by money. It's part of human nature.
Do you know someone who needs encouragement? Of course you do. This could be your spouse, your child, a friend, a neighbor, even a stranger or a co-worker. Give them a boost. Smile when you see them. Thank someone who does something for you. If you receive extraordinary service from someone, don't hesitate to tell their supervisor. If we all pitch in and give everyone we can a little shot in the arm, we start the snowball that makes the world better.
Today's Lessons:
- We all need a boost. Knowing this, you should boost someone else today. The good you put out into the universe always finds its way back.
- You can be the difference in a person's life. This works in both ways: positive and negative. Make the right choice.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- I improve my world every day by being an example to others.
- I will encourage those who need to be encouraged. I will discourage none.
Boosting opportunities abound. Keep your eyes open and you'll find countless ways to improve the world, one little boost at a time.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
- Adolfo
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day # 49 - Forgiveness
There's nothing like meeting someone who has really faced adversity, I mean real adversity, not the insignificant crap we all whine about, to help you put things in perspective. Today, I found myself in a unique position. I attended a luncheon where the guest speaker was a young man named Patrick Knight. Patrick is an attorney, a former president of the Coconut Grove Jaycees, and an all-around nice guy. He was also the victim of a terrible crime last Thanksgiving - one you undoubtedly heard about.
When I found out he would be our speaker,I wasn't sure I could handle it. I am a sentimental and emotional individual and his story is an emotional one. (I will not go into details here.)
I ran into someone at the breakfast whom I hadn't spoken to in a while. Since he fired me, as a matter of fact. The circumstances of my dismissal are irrelevant, but I can say I felt betrayed, hurt, and angry. I said hi to my former boss and we chatted. As it turned out, I sat next to him during the lunch. I had decided a while back that I had forgiven him but I didn't know how I would react when I saw him. I felt no anger, no resentment. When I told him how things are going I told him they were great and I meant it. He told me things weren't the same without me at the office. I smiled. He told me he hadn't been able to replace me. I reminded him that he never would. I am irreplaceable. Someone else could do my own job (not nearly as well as I did it) and they can sit at my old desk (not looking quite as good as I did) but there can never be another me.
I guess God afforded me a unique opportunity to confront what used to be a painful part of my past and compare it to a real challenge. I know now I never had anything to complain about. My life was never bad. I just hit a speed bump.
Today's Lessons:
- Living well is the best revenge.
- When you don't forgive someone who has hurt you, you only hurt yourself. They can't feel your anger, it doesn't hold them back. It only hurts you. Let it go.
- Friends are hard to find, but enemies are hard to lose. Make the better choice and be a friend to everyone.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- I will embrace my enemies (perceived or otherwise.)
- I will love everyone.
Today I regained a friend. We're not moving in together or anything, but it was nice to bury the past and leave it where it belongs.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
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http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com/
When I found out he would be our speaker,I wasn't sure I could handle it. I am a sentimental and emotional individual and his story is an emotional one. (I will not go into details here.)
I ran into someone at the breakfast whom I hadn't spoken to in a while. Since he fired me, as a matter of fact. The circumstances of my dismissal are irrelevant, but I can say I felt betrayed, hurt, and angry. I said hi to my former boss and we chatted. As it turned out, I sat next to him during the lunch. I had decided a while back that I had forgiven him but I didn't know how I would react when I saw him. I felt no anger, no resentment. When I told him how things are going I told him they were great and I meant it. He told me things weren't the same without me at the office. I smiled. He told me he hadn't been able to replace me. I reminded him that he never would. I am irreplaceable. Someone else could do my own job (not nearly as well as I did it) and they can sit at my old desk (not looking quite as good as I did) but there can never be another me.
I guess God afforded me a unique opportunity to confront what used to be a painful part of my past and compare it to a real challenge. I know now I never had anything to complain about. My life was never bad. I just hit a speed bump.
Today's Lessons:
- Living well is the best revenge.
- When you don't forgive someone who has hurt you, you only hurt yourself. They can't feel your anger, it doesn't hold them back. It only hurts you. Let it go.
- Friends are hard to find, but enemies are hard to lose. Make the better choice and be a friend to everyone.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- I will embrace my enemies (perceived or otherwise.)
- I will love everyone.
Today I regained a friend. We're not moving in together or anything, but it was nice to bury the past and leave it where it belongs.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
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http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Day # 27 - Stand your ground
Note: Everything write about is inspired by situations I am encountering in my life. These situations are not unique or particularly difficult. In many cases they are everyday situations that we all experience. The difference is in how I react and handle them. Or rather, the difference is in how I don't react.
I am not a pacifist. I believe we live in a world where the best way to preserve peace is by preparing for war. Could you imagine what this world would be like if the United States didn't have most powerful war machine ever to walk the earth? 9/11 would be a daily occurrence. Who knows what language we'd be speaking? The best defense truly is a good offense.
All my life I was very black and white when it came to confrontations. I would either avoid them completely or come down on my adversary with the fury of hell. I think part of the reason I avoided them is beacuse never could control my response. Better to wimp out than freak out, I guess.
Now, I know Christ taught us to turn the other cheek but I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I may never be, though it is a noble goal to become that way. I will say if someone like me can change, anyone can.
Be thoughtful in your responses and firm when stating your positions. Look the person in the eye. Maintain a level tone of voice. Stand or sit up straight (you should do this anyway) to show you are confident and sure of your argument. Focus on the other person, and smile when you feel like pouncing. The simple act of smiling, even if initially forced, will send a calming signal through your body and to your brain. It will literally change your attitude. It can also throw your opponent off his game. Relax your forehead and your shoulders. Don't cross your arms tightly or wring your hands. Stay relaxed so your eyes remain serene in their appearance. All of these actions will have the effect of making you feel the way you are acting.
It's a fool-proof way of being the bigger person without being a wimp.
My government saga from Monday isn't over after all. I need to speak to one of the bureacrats to resolve one last issue. I've called her twice (once per day) with no response. I will call her again today, and if necessary I will call her again tomorrow. If this doesn't work, I will call her at least twice on Friday. I will increase the number of calls per day until my issue is resolved or I am arrested for stalking, but I will be kind and gentle throughout.
Maybe it's because I am a libertarian, but I have always been hostile when it comes to dealing with the government. I have seen too much corruption and sloth and waste. These things offend me. While I will be persistent in my attempts to contact this lady, I will be polite, never threatening or rude. I represent almighty God, and as His ambassador, I must be on my best behavior at all times. I'll let you know how that goes.
Lessons:
- Be confident. Never walk into a situation without preparing for it as best you can.
- Leave emotion out of it. Bullies are angry. Wimps are frightened. Both suck.
- Relax. Everything comes out better when you are relaxed.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better
- Today I will learn to confront my adversaries and kill them with kindness
- I will always be persistent in pursuit of my goals
Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep the right attitude. Stand your ground. The world is waiting for you, all you have to do is have the confidence to go out and stake your claim.
Make it your best day ever. God bless you.
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I am not a pacifist. I believe we live in a world where the best way to preserve peace is by preparing for war. Could you imagine what this world would be like if the United States didn't have most powerful war machine ever to walk the earth? 9/11 would be a daily occurrence. Who knows what language we'd be speaking? The best defense truly is a good offense.
All my life I was very black and white when it came to confrontations. I would either avoid them completely or come down on my adversary with the fury of hell. I think part of the reason I avoided them is beacuse never could control my response. Better to wimp out than freak out, I guess.
Now, I know Christ taught us to turn the other cheek but I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I may never be, though it is a noble goal to become that way. I will say if someone like me can change, anyone can.
Be thoughtful in your responses and firm when stating your positions. Look the person in the eye. Maintain a level tone of voice. Stand or sit up straight (you should do this anyway) to show you are confident and sure of your argument. Focus on the other person, and smile when you feel like pouncing. The simple act of smiling, even if initially forced, will send a calming signal through your body and to your brain. It will literally change your attitude. It can also throw your opponent off his game. Relax your forehead and your shoulders. Don't cross your arms tightly or wring your hands. Stay relaxed so your eyes remain serene in their appearance. All of these actions will have the effect of making you feel the way you are acting.
It's a fool-proof way of being the bigger person without being a wimp.
My government saga from Monday isn't over after all. I need to speak to one of the bureacrats to resolve one last issue. I've called her twice (once per day) with no response. I will call her again today, and if necessary I will call her again tomorrow. If this doesn't work, I will call her at least twice on Friday. I will increase the number of calls per day until my issue is resolved or I am arrested for stalking, but I will be kind and gentle throughout.
Maybe it's because I am a libertarian, but I have always been hostile when it comes to dealing with the government. I have seen too much corruption and sloth and waste. These things offend me. While I will be persistent in my attempts to contact this lady, I will be polite, never threatening or rude. I represent almighty God, and as His ambassador, I must be on my best behavior at all times. I'll let you know how that goes.
Lessons:
- Be confident. Never walk into a situation without preparing for it as best you can.
- Leave emotion out of it. Bullies are angry. Wimps are frightened. Both suck.
- Relax. Everything comes out better when you are relaxed.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better
- Today I will learn to confront my adversaries and kill them with kindness
- I will always be persistent in pursuit of my goals
Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep the right attitude. Stand your ground. The world is waiting for you, all you have to do is have the confidence to go out and stake your claim.
Make it your best day ever. God bless you.
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Saturday, June 19, 2010
Day # 23 - I am (like) GOD!
Update: I slept. Man did I sleep. I haven't slept like I did last night in years. I got home around eight o'clock and by 9:30 I was knocked out. I just got out of bed a little before seven. Headache gone - feeling like a million bucks. Well, maybe several million.
If you open a tomato, pull out a seed and plant it, what grows? A tomato. Same goes for apples, watermelons, and anything else. You are a part of what you come from. Why does a mother feel the way she does for her child? Because this child was conceived and grew within her body, took its nourishment from her, and the mother is the first person a child touches or is touched by. There is a bond there that cannot be denied. Even if there is something wrong with the mother or the child. A prostitute or meth addict who has children, when asked about her regrets, will speak longingly of her child. She could go years without seeing her child and still recognize her baby's face on a crowded street. It's your parentage that decides your eye color, hair color, height, personality, abilities, tendencies, and everything else that makes you the unique being that you are.
That bond can be stretched, strained, and stressed, but never ultimately broken.
Now, let's talk about this in a more spiritual sense.
We come from God, do we not? Deny it if you wish, you're only fooling yourself. I know I came from God. If a tomato seed cannot grow into a pineapple, then I must be a part of what I came from as well. How can I not be a part of God? How can I be less? Why would I want to be? Why would I settle for being something as run of the mill as one of six billion human beings on this planet, when I could be God, Jr.?
Please understand, I am not suggesting that I am God or even a god. I am, however, suggesting that it is my duty to my heavenly father to do my best to be godly. Even an atheist would have to agree that the Ten Commandments are a fine way to live. I can see them having an issue with the first one, but no one in their right mind would argue for lying, killing, stealing, coveting, etc.
I had a very unpleasant conversation with a person yesterday, who says she is a woman of God. I am a bit under the weather and as I was about to answer her, I cleared my throat. She asked if I was about to lie to her. I smiled and let her know that I don't lie, but if I chose to, she would never know. She is the leader of a small church and is a charismatic "educated" woman. Education doesn't come from books - training does. Education comes from life, your parents, and experience. She thinks the alphabet soup that follows her name makes her my superior. This is one high school dropout she doesn't want to mess with!
Religion gets a bad rap when those of us who are a million light years from perfect presume to judge, when we behave like rich brats and look down our noses at others. It's not godlike. It's nonsense. I say, "we" meaning "them." I see things I don't agree with, but I know the best I can do is pray for the best, send people my blessing, and hope the way I'm living is pleasing to God. If it's not, I ask him for his forgiveness.
As you go on your own quest to discover and improve yourself, do not forget where you came from. Do not forget that although your goal may be God, you are merely human, and not fit to pass judgement. I am not trying to convert anyone. I don't feel that particular calling in my life at this point. I am preaching to the converted. Show humility, like Jesus did. Leaders do not stand on the hill, they go into the valley.
Lessons:
- I come from God. I must be like what I came from.
- This body I am occupying is temporary. My life has barely begun.
- I am not fit to judge. Therefore I will not.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- Today I will be more like God.
- Today I will not pass judgement, rather I will look on others with love and compassion.
Get closer to God, and God will come closer to you. There is nothing wrong with living a good life. Imagine, relying on a perfect being instead of elected "leaders" who at every opportunity prove how inadequate they are. Cast your cares on a higher power. You won't be disappointed.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
- Adolfo
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If you open a tomato, pull out a seed and plant it, what grows? A tomato. Same goes for apples, watermelons, and anything else. You are a part of what you come from. Why does a mother feel the way she does for her child? Because this child was conceived and grew within her body, took its nourishment from her, and the mother is the first person a child touches or is touched by. There is a bond there that cannot be denied. Even if there is something wrong with the mother or the child. A prostitute or meth addict who has children, when asked about her regrets, will speak longingly of her child. She could go years without seeing her child and still recognize her baby's face on a crowded street. It's your parentage that decides your eye color, hair color, height, personality, abilities, tendencies, and everything else that makes you the unique being that you are.
That bond can be stretched, strained, and stressed, but never ultimately broken.
Now, let's talk about this in a more spiritual sense.
We come from God, do we not? Deny it if you wish, you're only fooling yourself. I know I came from God. If a tomato seed cannot grow into a pineapple, then I must be a part of what I came from as well. How can I not be a part of God? How can I be less? Why would I want to be? Why would I settle for being something as run of the mill as one of six billion human beings on this planet, when I could be God, Jr.?
Please understand, I am not suggesting that I am God or even a god. I am, however, suggesting that it is my duty to my heavenly father to do my best to be godly. Even an atheist would have to agree that the Ten Commandments are a fine way to live. I can see them having an issue with the first one, but no one in their right mind would argue for lying, killing, stealing, coveting, etc.
I had a very unpleasant conversation with a person yesterday, who says she is a woman of God. I am a bit under the weather and as I was about to answer her, I cleared my throat. She asked if I was about to lie to her. I smiled and let her know that I don't lie, but if I chose to, she would never know. She is the leader of a small church and is a charismatic "educated" woman. Education doesn't come from books - training does. Education comes from life, your parents, and experience. She thinks the alphabet soup that follows her name makes her my superior. This is one high school dropout she doesn't want to mess with!
Religion gets a bad rap when those of us who are a million light years from perfect presume to judge, when we behave like rich brats and look down our noses at others. It's not godlike. It's nonsense. I say, "we" meaning "them." I see things I don't agree with, but I know the best I can do is pray for the best, send people my blessing, and hope the way I'm living is pleasing to God. If it's not, I ask him for his forgiveness.
As you go on your own quest to discover and improve yourself, do not forget where you came from. Do not forget that although your goal may be God, you are merely human, and not fit to pass judgement. I am not trying to convert anyone. I don't feel that particular calling in my life at this point. I am preaching to the converted. Show humility, like Jesus did. Leaders do not stand on the hill, they go into the valley.
Lessons:
- I come from God. I must be like what I came from.
- This body I am occupying is temporary. My life has barely begun.
- I am not fit to judge. Therefore I will not.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- Today I will be more like God.
- Today I will not pass judgement, rather I will look on others with love and compassion.
Get closer to God, and God will come closer to you. There is nothing wrong with living a good life. Imagine, relying on a perfect being instead of elected "leaders" who at every opportunity prove how inadequate they are. Cast your cares on a higher power. You won't be disappointed.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
- Adolfo
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Friday, June 18, 2010
Day # 22 - Slow down.
It's just after 5 AM. I've been awake for a little while. My headache has calmed way down and it's practically gone. A good friend, someone whom I love and respect immensely, called me yesterday and asked me what was wrong with me. She told me I was trying to do too much and that's not healthy. She ought to know, she's a doctor.
I offered up the weak argument, often heard at workaholics anonymous meetings: At my age, I need to hurry up and get things done. She was right, I was wrong. She's a woman and I am a man so this is not a surprise. It always turns out the same way.
There's a thing about good friends: we see ourselves in them. I don't mean the way we see ourselves in our children. I mean friends hold up the mirror so we can see our true selves. After our chat, I felt energized and renewed.
With friends like these, who needs caffeine?
So, I left work, picked up my girls and had dinner with them. We got home and I did nothing at all. I plopped down on my bed and watched TV. (Did "Burn Notice" jump the shark? - I think they might have.) I brought home my laptop but it sat on the kitchen table like an unwanted plate of leftover something or other.
Sometimes you have to slow down. Personal growth is a lot like working out. I do myself no favors by lifting weights three hours a day every day. If you don't allow the muscles being worked out (the brain and soul in this case) you will burn out. I wasn't aware of this until my friend called me yesterday.
This is why she's my friend and I love her.
As a result of my "slow day" I have little to share. I am listening to an audio recording of "The Richest Man in Babylon." What's with these self-help books being set in the middle east? But today might just be music.
Today's lessons:
- Slow down. It does you no good to go at a thousand miles per hour just to hit a wall.
- Some times it's okay to just veg-out in front of the TV.
- Have friends. Listen to them. Be good to everyone and never burn a bridge.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way, I am getting better.
- I will work hard, but I will remember to stop and smell the roses.
- Thank you lord, for blessing me with such wonderful friends.
Today is a new day. I look forward to it being headache-free but if not, I keep reminding myself that this is a growing pain. It benefits me in the long run. And the long run is all that matters.
Make it your best day ever. God Bless You.
- Adolfo
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I offered up the weak argument, often heard at workaholics anonymous meetings: At my age, I need to hurry up and get things done. She was right, I was wrong. She's a woman and I am a man so this is not a surprise. It always turns out the same way.
There's a thing about good friends: we see ourselves in them. I don't mean the way we see ourselves in our children. I mean friends hold up the mirror so we can see our true selves. After our chat, I felt energized and renewed.
With friends like these, who needs caffeine?
So, I left work, picked up my girls and had dinner with them. We got home and I did nothing at all. I plopped down on my bed and watched TV. (Did "Burn Notice" jump the shark? - I think they might have.) I brought home my laptop but it sat on the kitchen table like an unwanted plate of leftover something or other.
Sometimes you have to slow down. Personal growth is a lot like working out. I do myself no favors by lifting weights three hours a day every day. If you don't allow the muscles being worked out (the brain and soul in this case) you will burn out. I wasn't aware of this until my friend called me yesterday.
This is why she's my friend and I love her.
As a result of my "slow day" I have little to share. I am listening to an audio recording of "The Richest Man in Babylon." What's with these self-help books being set in the middle east? But today might just be music.
Today's lessons:
- Slow down. It does you no good to go at a thousand miles per hour just to hit a wall.
- Some times it's okay to just veg-out in front of the TV.
- Have friends. Listen to them. Be good to everyone and never burn a bridge.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way, I am getting better.
- I will work hard, but I will remember to stop and smell the roses.
- Thank you lord, for blessing me with such wonderful friends.
Today is a new day. I look forward to it being headache-free but if not, I keep reminding myself that this is a growing pain. It benefits me in the long run. And the long run is all that matters.
Make it your best day ever. God Bless You.
- Adolfo
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Day # 20 - Making the moment count.
So, here I am. It's 1:46 AM as I begin to write this. I am exhausted so I hope this will be coherent. If it's not, apologize do truly I. Okay, so exhaustion doesn't make me witty. I get it. Let's move on. I have had insomnia for years. I have a hyperactive mind and it screams during the small hours. Often I supress it and get my five or six (or more) hours and all's good. Other times it becomes too much work to sleep and well, here we are...
I could lay in bed, staring at the darkness, allowing my mind to wander, but I am not at a point where a wandering mind would necessarily be a good thing. I am still learning to master my thoughts and train my mind. So, until I learn to calm the voices in my head, I let them tell me what to write.
I am making these moments count.
I started a new job on Monday and it's, shall we say, challenging. I know the stress and pressure of the new job have to do with it, and it will pass as I settle in, but since I can't fight it - I embrace it.
You may be wondering, so I'll answer: because I don't like taking pills. MaybeI should have had a cup of tea. I will definitely start the tea thing. Chamomille, perhaps.
But what I am doing with these hours is something we should do with every moment in our lives. Don't waste your time. You never get it back. Don't watch the news - again. Don't stare at the TV when there's nothing on. Of course you do that. We've all griped that there's nothing good on TV while sitting our butts on the couch and continuing to watch the nothing.
Pick up a book, for God's sake! It will not kill you, I promise. Unless you pick it up while driving or operating heavy machinery in which case it could kill you, or injure you. But seriously. I know most of you reading this read books - or have in the past. If you've gotten out of that habit, get back into it. Ease into it with an old favorite. I recommend "Green Eggs and Ham," by Dr. Seuss. I mean it. One of the best books I've ever read and I've read thousands of them.
Please understand, I am not talking about any time you can't sleep. I am talking about finding time where you think you don't have any. And I don't mean the only way to spend this time is by reading. Spend time with your family. Take a walk. Work out. Have a conversation with someone you love. Make the moment count.
NEWS FLASH: You ain't gonna live forever. You hear it all the time. No one lays on their deathbed wishing they had watched more TV or spent more time in the office. They would all trade everything they had for more time - with family, friends, lovers, hobbies. The good news is that you don't have to wait until you're on your way out. Make the choice now.
I don't want to die with regrets. Do you? I don't want to wonder what could have been. I don't want to look at my kids and wonder where the time went. I want to look at them and remember how we spent the time.
Lessons:
- Live each day to the fullest.
- Make time for what truly matters. Who cares about the damn oil spill?
- In real life, there are no reruns. If you miss something, you've missed it forever.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Today, I will begin making each moment count.
- Today, I will align my time with my priorities.
- Today, I will take time wasted on the banal and invest it in tomorrow's memories.
I think I'll read a bit and try to get a few hours of sleep. Very few. I don't want to miss anything.
Make it your best day ever! God bless you.
- Adolfo
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I could lay in bed, staring at the darkness, allowing my mind to wander, but I am not at a point where a wandering mind would necessarily be a good thing. I am still learning to master my thoughts and train my mind. So, until I learn to calm the voices in my head, I let them tell me what to write.
I am making these moments count.
I started a new job on Monday and it's, shall we say, challenging. I know the stress and pressure of the new job have to do with it, and it will pass as I settle in, but since I can't fight it - I embrace it.
You may be wondering, so I'll answer: because I don't like taking pills. MaybeI should have had a cup of tea. I will definitely start the tea thing. Chamomille, perhaps.
But what I am doing with these hours is something we should do with every moment in our lives. Don't waste your time. You never get it back. Don't watch the news - again. Don't stare at the TV when there's nothing on. Of course you do that. We've all griped that there's nothing good on TV while sitting our butts on the couch and continuing to watch the nothing.
Pick up a book, for God's sake! It will not kill you, I promise. Unless you pick it up while driving or operating heavy machinery in which case it could kill you, or injure you. But seriously. I know most of you reading this read books - or have in the past. If you've gotten out of that habit, get back into it. Ease into it with an old favorite. I recommend "Green Eggs and Ham," by Dr. Seuss. I mean it. One of the best books I've ever read and I've read thousands of them.
Please understand, I am not talking about any time you can't sleep. I am talking about finding time where you think you don't have any. And I don't mean the only way to spend this time is by reading. Spend time with your family. Take a walk. Work out. Have a conversation with someone you love. Make the moment count.
NEWS FLASH: You ain't gonna live forever. You hear it all the time. No one lays on their deathbed wishing they had watched more TV or spent more time in the office. They would all trade everything they had for more time - with family, friends, lovers, hobbies. The good news is that you don't have to wait until you're on your way out. Make the choice now.
I don't want to die with regrets. Do you? I don't want to wonder what could have been. I don't want to look at my kids and wonder where the time went. I want to look at them and remember how we spent the time.
Lessons:
- Live each day to the fullest.
- Make time for what truly matters. Who cares about the damn oil spill?
- In real life, there are no reruns. If you miss something, you've missed it forever.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Today, I will begin making each moment count.
- Today, I will align my time with my priorities.
- Today, I will take time wasted on the banal and invest it in tomorrow's memories.
I think I'll read a bit and try to get a few hours of sleep. Very few. I don't want to miss anything.
Make it your best day ever! God bless you.
- Adolfo
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Day # 19 - Don't go back... not even for a running start.
I began a new project yesterday. One that will be taking a lot of my time. I am working in the hotel business again, something I haven't done in five years and something I swore I would never do again, unless the deal met certain criteria - this situation meets those criteria.
This is a situation that requires me to draw on my experience - far back as it may be. As I looked through files, BEO's, contracts, and reservation requests, it all started coming back to me in spite of the fact that I haven't been active in the hotel business in so long.
The point I'm trying to make is that I didn't have to live in the past to remember the value of my experiences. I had good and bad times in the hotel business. Many of my close friends are people I met while working in the industry. I met my wife while working in the industry. I learned valuable life lessons and my children also benefited as I became a more savvy traveler. When traveling, I know what to look for to ensure we get the best accommodations possible.
This is not to say that I didn't have bad moments. I had awful moments. Getting hired away from a secure corporate job just to be laid off 13 days before Christmas was a bad moment. And it made me stronger. I decided to switch careers, earned my Series 7, became a financial advisor, and now I've come full circle.
My mother always tells me, a dog has four legs but only follows one path. It's her way of telling me to focus. I appreciate her more than she'll ever know. She is my greatest mentor.
So here's my thing. I have been hurt - like you. I have been cheated, mistreated, and all that bad country music song nonsense. But I have also been loved. I have been loved so deeply and extraordinarily that if I never saw another soul again and lived to be a thousand I would feel like I took more than my fair share.
And I have suffered my share of heartbreaks and disappointments but they pale in comparison to the good things God has blessed me with.
Lessons:
- I remember the good times with fondness.
- I remember the bad times with gratitude because they made me stronger. Of course, I don't think of them often and I never dwell on them.
- I take the good and leave the bad.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Today, I am letting go of the past. the past is like a footprint, left behind and only there when I turn around and look at it. And like a footprint, my past cannot affect me.
- I am living in the moment.
- My experience makes me the person who I am and I thank God for it.
Let go of the past. Let go of the pain. If someone did something to hurt you, forgive them. Even if you don't really feel it in your heart, say it out loud and repeat it over and over. Do it every day. Forgive them. Confess it with your mouth and you will believe it with your heart. Until you let go of the pain, it will affect everything you do. Is it worth it? Of course not. Forgive and move on.
Make it your best day ever! God bless you,
Adolfo
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This is a situation that requires me to draw on my experience - far back as it may be. As I looked through files, BEO's, contracts, and reservation requests, it all started coming back to me in spite of the fact that I haven't been active in the hotel business in so long.
The point I'm trying to make is that I didn't have to live in the past to remember the value of my experiences. I had good and bad times in the hotel business. Many of my close friends are people I met while working in the industry. I met my wife while working in the industry. I learned valuable life lessons and my children also benefited as I became a more savvy traveler. When traveling, I know what to look for to ensure we get the best accommodations possible.
This is not to say that I didn't have bad moments. I had awful moments. Getting hired away from a secure corporate job just to be laid off 13 days before Christmas was a bad moment. And it made me stronger. I decided to switch careers, earned my Series 7, became a financial advisor, and now I've come full circle.
My mother always tells me, a dog has four legs but only follows one path. It's her way of telling me to focus. I appreciate her more than she'll ever know. She is my greatest mentor.
So here's my thing. I have been hurt - like you. I have been cheated, mistreated, and all that bad country music song nonsense. But I have also been loved. I have been loved so deeply and extraordinarily that if I never saw another soul again and lived to be a thousand I would feel like I took more than my fair share.
And I have suffered my share of heartbreaks and disappointments but they pale in comparison to the good things God has blessed me with.
Lessons:
- I remember the good times with fondness.
- I remember the bad times with gratitude because they made me stronger. Of course, I don't think of them often and I never dwell on them.
- I take the good and leave the bad.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Today, I am letting go of the past. the past is like a footprint, left behind and only there when I turn around and look at it. And like a footprint, my past cannot affect me.
- I am living in the moment.
- My experience makes me the person who I am and I thank God for it.
Let go of the past. Let go of the pain. If someone did something to hurt you, forgive them. Even if you don't really feel it in your heart, say it out loud and repeat it over and over. Do it every day. Forgive them. Confess it with your mouth and you will believe it with your heart. Until you let go of the pain, it will affect everything you do. Is it worth it? Of course not. Forgive and move on.
Make it your best day ever! God bless you,
Adolfo
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Saturday, June 12, 2010
Day # 17 - Glass houses. Friends as mirrors. Boundaries equal priorities.
I have to admit, I am sluggish this morning. I told myself that if I didn't write no one would care. That may be true in a way. Maybe no one else will care if I skip a day or if I quit altogether. But, sorry for the way this will sound, this isn't about you, it's about me. I made a commitment to see this thing through and I will. To take a day off would be failure. So, if you're reading this, thank you. If it's not my best work, know that it is my best effort.
I spoke with an old friend yesterday. We spoke for close to an hour and it was probably one of the best conversations she and I have had in our relationship. We're talking 15 years. I realized how alike she and I are. I would always give her a hard time because she would have a victim mentality. I thought she had an overall negative outlook on life, and although I never told her this, I believed she brought these things on herself. Now, I know she brought these things on herself.
I also realized how alike she and I were (are.)
Where she would allow the negative things to bring her down, I allowed them to amp me up - in a negative way. My angry to her sad. Neither is productive. Both are destructive. I came to realize the things that disappointed my about my friend were things that exist in me. I was projecting.
The conversation we had yesterday was unlike any I can remember having. We talked about my blog and what this exercise means to me, we talked about how I'm changing. And we talked about how she's handling her feelings and how she's changing. Go figure. We had to grow up in order to start growing up.
I realize I was judging her and I know that I am no one to judge. That's up to God and people who were black robes and take themselves seriously. It's time to rebuild my glass house.
People, friends in particular, serve as mirrors. Sometimes, we need to examine the way we may feel about a friend or relative in order to take a look inside ourselves. Are we seeing the person as they are, or are we seeing them as we are? If there are things about your friends that you don't like, you should maybe examine why you're still friends. Is this person more messed up than you are? If so, you might hang around them to feel bigger. If this is the case, it is your obligation as human being and a friend to help build this person up. Tell them why they are special to you. I am not a believer in the "everybody is special" politically correct nonsense. But I do believe that we are all blessed with certain gifts and talents and we sin against our Creator when we let them go to waste.
She mentioned something in our conversation about her job that I want to share with you. Now, I have always known her as a workaholic. She is a very talented, educated person and she works very well. She was my boss on two different occasions so I witnessed firsthand the passion with which she approaches her work. When we spoke yesterday (Friday) she was home with her kids. That was impossible way back when. She was always glued to her office.
She is with a new company now and she said one thing she did right off the bat was set boundaries. She is, barring a catastrophe, out the door by 5:00 to go pick up her kids and take them home to have dinner as a family. She used to try to find an alternative for the kids. Now, she finds an alternative for her work. She shifted priorities by setting boundaries. She sounded happier than she ever had before. I could even hear it in her kids' voices.
I'm proud of my friend. She is doing well. I'm afraid she may be growing up (I will never make that mistake.) Most of all, I feel good because I know she is getting better. I know that if she keeps changing her attitude, she will receive the blessings which have eluded her for so long.
Lessons:
- When you make a commitment, keep it. Even if you don't feel like it.
- Old friends (and new ones) are not only there to listen, they are there to be heard.
- If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones. Oh, and invest in a robe and curtains.
- If you're having trouble prioritizing, set boundaries, it's a great first step.
- Kids grow up. Enjoy them now.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Today I will not judge others.
- Today I will be a friend to someone who needs one.
- Today I will sort out my priorities by setting boundaries in my work, social, and personal life.
There's an old poem, I don't know who wrote it, which says:
Think most where man's fortune begins and where it ends
And think mine was that I had such friends
Nobody does it alone. You and I are no exception. You have a friend who needs your help. You know who it is. Pick up the phone and call this person. Listen to them. Build them up. Be there for them. You will be doing more for yourself in the process than you can imagine.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
Adolfo
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I spoke with an old friend yesterday. We spoke for close to an hour and it was probably one of the best conversations she and I have had in our relationship. We're talking 15 years. I realized how alike she and I are. I would always give her a hard time because she would have a victim mentality. I thought she had an overall negative outlook on life, and although I never told her this, I believed she brought these things on herself. Now, I know she brought these things on herself.
I also realized how alike she and I were (are.)
Where she would allow the negative things to bring her down, I allowed them to amp me up - in a negative way. My angry to her sad. Neither is productive. Both are destructive. I came to realize the things that disappointed my about my friend were things that exist in me. I was projecting.
The conversation we had yesterday was unlike any I can remember having. We talked about my blog and what this exercise means to me, we talked about how I'm changing. And we talked about how she's handling her feelings and how she's changing. Go figure. We had to grow up in order to start growing up.
I realize I was judging her and I know that I am no one to judge. That's up to God and people who were black robes and take themselves seriously. It's time to rebuild my glass house.
People, friends in particular, serve as mirrors. Sometimes, we need to examine the way we may feel about a friend or relative in order to take a look inside ourselves. Are we seeing the person as they are, or are we seeing them as we are? If there are things about your friends that you don't like, you should maybe examine why you're still friends. Is this person more messed up than you are? If so, you might hang around them to feel bigger. If this is the case, it is your obligation as human being and a friend to help build this person up. Tell them why they are special to you. I am not a believer in the "everybody is special" politically correct nonsense. But I do believe that we are all blessed with certain gifts and talents and we sin against our Creator when we let them go to waste.
She mentioned something in our conversation about her job that I want to share with you. Now, I have always known her as a workaholic. She is a very talented, educated person and she works very well. She was my boss on two different occasions so I witnessed firsthand the passion with which she approaches her work. When we spoke yesterday (Friday) she was home with her kids. That was impossible way back when. She was always glued to her office.
She is with a new company now and she said one thing she did right off the bat was set boundaries. She is, barring a catastrophe, out the door by 5:00 to go pick up her kids and take them home to have dinner as a family. She used to try to find an alternative for the kids. Now, she finds an alternative for her work. She shifted priorities by setting boundaries. She sounded happier than she ever had before. I could even hear it in her kids' voices.
I'm proud of my friend. She is doing well. I'm afraid she may be growing up (I will never make that mistake.) Most of all, I feel good because I know she is getting better. I know that if she keeps changing her attitude, she will receive the blessings which have eluded her for so long.
Lessons:
- When you make a commitment, keep it. Even if you don't feel like it.
- Old friends (and new ones) are not only there to listen, they are there to be heard.
- If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones. Oh, and invest in a robe and curtains.
- If you're having trouble prioritizing, set boundaries, it's a great first step.
- Kids grow up. Enjoy them now.
Today's Declarations:
- Day by day in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Today I will not judge others.
- Today I will be a friend to someone who needs one.
- Today I will sort out my priorities by setting boundaries in my work, social, and personal life.
There's an old poem, I don't know who wrote it, which says:
Think most where man's fortune begins and where it ends
And think mine was that I had such friends
Nobody does it alone. You and I are no exception. You have a friend who needs your help. You know who it is. Pick up the phone and call this person. Listen to them. Build them up. Be there for them. You will be doing more for yourself in the process than you can imagine.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you.
Adolfo
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Saturday, June 5, 2010
Day # 10 - The Wisdom of Yogi Berra, swimming with girls, spaghetti
Yogi Berra was up to bat. The catcher told him, "You've got to be the ugliest guy in baseball. Yogi looked at him and said, "Who cares. You don't hit the ball with your face." In true Berra fashion, he proceeded to whack the ball.
Yogi was small and a little on the uncoordinated side. He played in the era of great players like Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams. Yet, against the odds and in the presence of greatness, the little Italian kid from New Jersey managed to set over 20 Major League Records. He played on eight world series teams, something not even Babe Ruth did.
The cynics would say he got eight rings because he was in the right place at the right time. Now, I am not one to discount serendipity, but never call it luck. Besides, you are more likely to be in the right place at the right time if you have the right attitude all the time. When that catcher called him ugly, Yogi could have gotten worked up and started a bench-clearing brawl, but he chose the high road. He chose to speak with his bat. No one remembers the catcher who made the remark, but no one has forgotten Yogi.
My daughters are on summer break and all they want to do is swim. They went in the pool three times yesterday. Why three? Because I pulled them out when it rained. I know, they're getting wet anyway so why bother? I guess it has something to do with lightning. The beauty of watching them, and most kids, is that they find fun in the simple things. No need to complicate matters. This is fun. I am going to enjoy it.
When My son, Steven was a baby, he got an electric car one Christmas. Everyone was sure he would love it and eventually he did. Although the first thing he did was play with the enormous box the car came in. Does this mean there was something wrong with the child? Of course not. What it means is that he could see the big picture. A car is car, no matter how cool it is. A big box can be a car, a fort, a spaceship, a house. It has no limits. A one-year old knows this.
Why don't we?
I made spaghetti in pink sauce with chicken last night. Sounds good doesn't it? It wasn't. The pasta was good, but the chicken was bland. I guess I didn't prepare it properly. It looked good. I used garlic, salt, black pepper... you know, the standards. And yet it didn't taste right. It wasn't bad, but it was somehow incomplete.
Why?
Because the right ingredients mean nothing if not prepared properly. Thinking about it now, I realize the pan I used was too small. I didn't season the chicken properly. I threw it into the pan and then sprinkled the salt and pepper on it. (I sauteed the garlic in olive oil so that was correct.)
The kids ate, Abby and I ate. Baxter (our dog) approved of the chicken. But it wasn't great. It will be next time.
The negotiations are over pending paperwork. Let's see how that goes. Then, maybe I will reveal what that was all about. It's not personal, it's business.
Today's lesson.
-Like Yogi, do not listen to your critics. If you want to understand why they criticize you, look at their life. Did they fail at something your succeeding at? Are they, in some way, your adversary? Are they trying to get in your head? Of course, it's better to let it slide. People will always criticize you. Take it as an ugly stamp of approval and move on.
-Find your imagination. Get reacquainted with your childhood friends. Forget outside the box. Forget what's inside the box. The whole point of the thing is the box itself.
-Preparation is key. Having the right ingredients is not enough. Year after year, the Yankees spend tons of money on players. You may recall the lowly Marlins whipping them in the 2003 World Series. Despite the fact that the Yankees had better ingredients (players) the Marlins beat them in six games because they were better prepared.
Enjoy your Saturday. God bless you.
Adolfo
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Yogi was small and a little on the uncoordinated side. He played in the era of great players like Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams. Yet, against the odds and in the presence of greatness, the little Italian kid from New Jersey managed to set over 20 Major League Records. He played on eight world series teams, something not even Babe Ruth did.
The cynics would say he got eight rings because he was in the right place at the right time. Now, I am not one to discount serendipity, but never call it luck. Besides, you are more likely to be in the right place at the right time if you have the right attitude all the time. When that catcher called him ugly, Yogi could have gotten worked up and started a bench-clearing brawl, but he chose the high road. He chose to speak with his bat. No one remembers the catcher who made the remark, but no one has forgotten Yogi.
My daughters are on summer break and all they want to do is swim. They went in the pool three times yesterday. Why three? Because I pulled them out when it rained. I know, they're getting wet anyway so why bother? I guess it has something to do with lightning. The beauty of watching them, and most kids, is that they find fun in the simple things. No need to complicate matters. This is fun. I am going to enjoy it.
When My son, Steven was a baby, he got an electric car one Christmas. Everyone was sure he would love it and eventually he did. Although the first thing he did was play with the enormous box the car came in. Does this mean there was something wrong with the child? Of course not. What it means is that he could see the big picture. A car is car, no matter how cool it is. A big box can be a car, a fort, a spaceship, a house. It has no limits. A one-year old knows this.
Why don't we?
I made spaghetti in pink sauce with chicken last night. Sounds good doesn't it? It wasn't. The pasta was good, but the chicken was bland. I guess I didn't prepare it properly. It looked good. I used garlic, salt, black pepper... you know, the standards. And yet it didn't taste right. It wasn't bad, but it was somehow incomplete.
Why?
Because the right ingredients mean nothing if not prepared properly. Thinking about it now, I realize the pan I used was too small. I didn't season the chicken properly. I threw it into the pan and then sprinkled the salt and pepper on it. (I sauteed the garlic in olive oil so that was correct.)
The kids ate, Abby and I ate. Baxter (our dog) approved of the chicken. But it wasn't great. It will be next time.
The negotiations are over pending paperwork. Let's see how that goes. Then, maybe I will reveal what that was all about. It's not personal, it's business.
Today's lesson.
-Like Yogi, do not listen to your critics. If you want to understand why they criticize you, look at their life. Did they fail at something your succeeding at? Are they, in some way, your adversary? Are they trying to get in your head? Of course, it's better to let it slide. People will always criticize you. Take it as an ugly stamp of approval and move on.
-Find your imagination. Get reacquainted with your childhood friends. Forget outside the box. Forget what's inside the box. The whole point of the thing is the box itself.
-Preparation is key. Having the right ingredients is not enough. Year after year, the Yankees spend tons of money on players. You may recall the lowly Marlins whipping them in the 2003 World Series. Despite the fact that the Yankees had better ingredients (players) the Marlins beat them in six games because they were better prepared.
Enjoy your Saturday. God bless you.
Adolfo
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Day # 8 - Nobody does it alone
In ten days my chairmanship of the Dania Beach Chamber of commerce will end. It's been two fantastic years that have taken forever and have passed in the blink of an eye. Yesterday I sat down to write my comments for this week's newsletter, in which I will talk about the accomplishments of the last two years. While those accomplishments are irrelevant to this conversation, thinking about them helped me realize something that I always knew but never thought about: Nobody does it alone.
I don't care who you are, you cannot do it alone. You need people in your corner guiding you, helping you. You need them to tell you when you are right and, more importantly, when you are wrong. There are no friends in the good times, just guests at the party. Friends are there to pick you up when you fall. Friends remind you of your abilities, and they remind you of your shortcomings. Anyone can praise. It's easy and it's comfortable. True friends remind us of our humanity; they criticize with love.
Anyone can come to your housewarming party, but it was your friend who helped lug your piano up the stairs. (I'm the guy with the piano.)
Today is the ninth day of this project and already I feel changes in my life. I am learning and this is becoming my new addiction. I am not as interested in the misery in the world. I know longer feel the urge to read about human suffering and get worked up about it. I am rediscovering what matters.
Yesterday, an old friend e-mailed me about what I have been writing. It moved me in a way nothing has moved me in a while. She reminded me of what I could be like and I realized that we sometimes lose the better parts of ourselves along the way. They are not lost forever, we can always go back and pick them up. And that's what I intend to do.
She told me about the things she learned from me. I am flattered. She is one of the most intelligent people I know, she is highly intelligent and possesses the kind of intellectual curiosity that ensures she will never stop learning and bettering herself. When someone like that tells you they learned something from you, it is a compliment. She's also a cutie, but that's irrelevant.
Her note reminded me about the great times we shared and the positive feelings her presence always gave me. I wondered why we drifted apart. We know that good friends are hard to find but we seem to forget they are easy to lose. The bible tells us to tether them to our hearts with hoops of steel. I intend to do just that. I will not let the people I love get away anymore.
I went to the library to read for a while. I had two hours and I spent it reading a small book on positive thinking. I took four pages of notes, which I will eventually transcribe and parts of which I will incorporate into my own philosophy. I listened to a summary of a book called the Master Key System. The book was written in 1912 and it helps me realize that the truth has always been there. I was just too busy to see it.
Today's Lessons:
-Freedom is everything. Forget security. When given the choice, choose freedom.
-Injustice, in all its forms, is to be fought.
-Good friends are hard to find, but easy to lose.
-Nobody does it alone.
Thanks for reading. More tomorrow.
Adolfo
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I don't care who you are, you cannot do it alone. You need people in your corner guiding you, helping you. You need them to tell you when you are right and, more importantly, when you are wrong. There are no friends in the good times, just guests at the party. Friends are there to pick you up when you fall. Friends remind you of your abilities, and they remind you of your shortcomings. Anyone can praise. It's easy and it's comfortable. True friends remind us of our humanity; they criticize with love.
Anyone can come to your housewarming party, but it was your friend who helped lug your piano up the stairs. (I'm the guy with the piano.)
Today is the ninth day of this project and already I feel changes in my life. I am learning and this is becoming my new addiction. I am not as interested in the misery in the world. I know longer feel the urge to read about human suffering and get worked up about it. I am rediscovering what matters.
Yesterday, an old friend e-mailed me about what I have been writing. It moved me in a way nothing has moved me in a while. She reminded me of what I could be like and I realized that we sometimes lose the better parts of ourselves along the way. They are not lost forever, we can always go back and pick them up. And that's what I intend to do.
She told me about the things she learned from me. I am flattered. She is one of the most intelligent people I know, she is highly intelligent and possesses the kind of intellectual curiosity that ensures she will never stop learning and bettering herself. When someone like that tells you they learned something from you, it is a compliment. She's also a cutie, but that's irrelevant.
Her note reminded me about the great times we shared and the positive feelings her presence always gave me. I wondered why we drifted apart. We know that good friends are hard to find but we seem to forget they are easy to lose. The bible tells us to tether them to our hearts with hoops of steel. I intend to do just that. I will not let the people I love get away anymore.
I went to the library to read for a while. I had two hours and I spent it reading a small book on positive thinking. I took four pages of notes, which I will eventually transcribe and parts of which I will incorporate into my own philosophy. I listened to a summary of a book called the Master Key System. The book was written in 1912 and it helps me realize that the truth has always been there. I was just too busy to see it.
Today's Lessons:
-Freedom is everything. Forget security. When given the choice, choose freedom.
-Injustice, in all its forms, is to be fought.
-Good friends are hard to find, but easy to lose.
-Nobody does it alone.
Thanks for reading. More tomorrow.
Adolfo
Start building your Success Library!
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
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