Archives July 2021

Over the years I’ve read some amazing books by some very amazing people. I look at my life at times and take notice of the habits I’ve picked up because of the positive influence they had on me.

I implemented this habit years ago when I was young but I didn’t know the power of it until I read Brian Tracy and later John Maxwell.

The habit is to find some down time to think. I’ve always done this from the time I was a kid. But the thinking wasn’t organized the way it is today.

Your place to think never has to be ordinary.

Some successful people I know of get comfortable in a dark room and just think and wait for an answer to a question they are thinking about.

You can also find other very successful people that do their best thinking in a small crowd of people like a coffee shop or restaurant. J. K. Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” books did some of her best work in a cafe’ and coffee shop. Some people need to have that little distraction to stimulate the thinking process.

It may not be as important where your thinking place is as long as you get to really think.

Thanks.

Lynn Lane

Make This Moment Count.

The majority of people never live a life of purpose because it takes hard work and discipline. Most people just settle for what comes along. They live the life of quiet desperation. They talk about what they should do and dream big dreams, but never go forward. A life without action is a life without purpose. Success has been studied and researched for years. We have more information on success today than ever before and one outstanding similarity is that the winners in life all have a major definite purpose. You see, it’s your purpose that keeps you in a forward motion.

Your purpose gives you momentum. We need to know that we are growing and making a contribution. Each time you reach a goal your self-esteem will grow and then you’ll build on that accomplishment, like an avalanche it will grow as it pushes forward. That’s why winners have goals and a major purpose for their life.
Tony Robbins, life coach and inspirational speaker on leading a successful life, says, “People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals – that is, goals that do not inspire them.” Some people have a goal to get up and go to work.

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few”
― Shunryu Suzuk

Always remain the student. A cup can never receive when it is full…empty the cup for new knowledge. The expert should always be ready to learn new possibilities. That is what it means to be a Master of oneself.

Greek word commonly translated as happiness or welfare. In Aristotle’s works, eudaimonia was (based on older Greek tradition) used as the term for the highest human good, and so it is the aim of practical philosophy, including ethics and political philosophy, to consider (and also experience) what it really is, and how it can be achieved.

Seven groupings of values and strengths that have been universally loved across cultures, religions and history:

•             Integrity

•             Generosity

•             Courage

•             Humility

•             Compassion

•             Loyalty

•             Perseverance

Identify your strengths and virtues. At what do you shine? A literature review of all major religions and philosophies of the last 3,000 years reveals the same seven major categories of 24 virtues (from Seligman, Authentic Happiness, 2002):

I. Wisdom and Knowledge                                                         

1. Curiosity/Interest in the World
2. Love of Learning
3. Judgment/Critical Thinking/Open-Mindedness
4. Ingenuity/Originality/Practical Intelligence/Street Smarts
5. Social Intelligence/Personal Intelligence/Emotional Intelligence
6. Perspective

II. Justice

• Citizenship/Duty/Teamwork/Loyalty
•  Fairness and Equity
•  Leadership

III. Courage

1.  Valor and Bravery
2.  Perseverance/Industry/Diligence
3.  Integrity/Genuineness/Honesty

IV. Temperance

1.  Self-Control
2.  Prudence/Discretion/Caution
3.  Humility and Modesty

VI. Love and Humanity

1.  Kindness and Generosity
2.  Loving and Allowing Oneself to Be Loved

VII. Spirituality and Transcendence

1.  Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
2.  Gratitude
3.  Hope/Optimism/Future-Mindedness
4.  Spirituality/Sense of Purpose/Faith/Religiousness
5.  Forgiveness and Mercy
6.  Playfulness and Humor
7.  Zest/Passion/Enthusiasm

Once you identify what truly matters to you, look at how you express these strengths and virtues in your daily life. Prioritize your values, distinguishing the top three to five that are most important to you today

The psychologist C. D. Ryff highlighted the distinction between eudaimonia wellbeing, which she identified as psychological well-being and pleasure. Building on Aristotelian ideals of belonging and benefiting others, flourishing, thriving and exercising excellence, she conceptualized eudaimonia as a six-factor structure :

1. Autonomy

2. Personal growth

3. Self-acceptance

4. Purpose in life

5. Environmental mastery

6. Positive relations with others.

Three paths to happy lives

Three paths to happy lives.

The core thesis in Authentic Happiness  by Martin E. P. Seligman 2002 is that there are three very different routes to happiness. First the Pleasant Life, consisting in having as many pleasures as possible and having the skills to amplify the pleasures. This is, of course, the only true kind of happiness on the Hollywood view. Second, the Good Life, which consists in knowing what your signature strengths are, and then recrafting your work, love, friendship, leisure and parenting to use those strengths to have more flow in life. Third, the Meaningful Life, which consists of using your signature strengths in the service of something that you believe is larger than you are.