Everywhere I go I hear people ask, “What did they mean by that?”

That question is trying to fathom the conversation behind the conversation.

Our normal course may be to walk away, head shaking in confusion, and never ask the person a clarifying question. It seems we would rather live with our assumptions then stop and look a little deeper with everyone from a loved one, to a co-worker, boss, client, or friend.

Has this ever happened to you?

I’m suggesting that if you’re walking away confused, see it as a state of pre-clarity. Then simply stop, turn around to face the person, and check your assumptions.

You check your assumptions so they can be authenticated.

This may seem bold, but you can follow your statement with a simple clarifying question, “Is this what you meant?”

With this approach you can:  Read more...

• Determine the facts

The year is just half over and it’s been resplendent with lessons learned.

Some of them came easily, most of them with a deeper challenge to slow down and savor a moment of awareness.

These 10 are especially useful for me.  Read more...

1. Take care of your health. It’s the first part of the often-chanted trilogy health, wealth, and happiness. It comes first, because without it, little else matters.
2. Embrace the liberty of thinking outside the confines of what you already believe to be so. And in doing just that, you may begin to unveil the source of your thoughts. Prepare to be surprised when the source of your thoughts is met with “Wow where did that come from?” Then keep looking.
3. Awareness requires vigilance. Lack of awareness is not an excuse. If you’re tired of paying attention, look deeper into the source of “tired”. What are you doing that you’re covering up with a “have to” instead of the joy of doing.

When I was in my 20’s, I believed that everything happened for the highest good. So I looked for (and found) opportunities in whatever showed up. My motto was keep the faith, stay focused, feet on the ground, and move ahead no matter what.

When I was in my 30’s, I said that I was the source of what happened in my life. I was 100 % accountable for any circumstances good or bad that cropped up. My motto was create what you want, not what you don’t want. Give up blame, take 100% accountability, and persevere no matter what.

When I was in my 40’s, I said that nothing real could be threatened and every problem could be solved. My motto was focus on what’s possible, tell the truth with love. Listen generously, share your vision, keep your word, and never give up no matter what.  Read more...

You are free to think.

You are free to act.

You are free to be … free.

What an exhilarating idea. What will you use your freedom for?

Here are the 10 ways I’ll use my freedom to think, act, and be.

I am free to:  Read more...

1. Throw away my expectations, and replace them with living in the moment with peace of mind.
2. Finish what I start.
3. Stop starting what I won’t finish.
4. Say no, not because I don’t have the time, but because I don’t want to spend the time.
5. Say yes to taking long walks, running, hiking, and being with family and friends.
6. Work from the joy of being productive, building teams, and achieving goals.
7. Solve problems because they need to be solved, and I can do it.
8. Think in new ways, when the old ways are fast becoming obsolete or no longer work.