greatness

Nine words

“Never forget the 9 most important words in a family:

“I love you.”

You are beautiful.”

“I am sorry”.  H Jackson Brown Jr.

These are important keys to creating and solidifying relationships.  Our large family is spread across several states and time zones.  Our schedules don’t often jive and it’s hard to get together even for a phone call.  I treasure those times when we do join for a family dinner in a home or at a restaurant, gather around a phone for a few minutes to “catch up” on the news – or even better with technology being what it is, using Skype® to conference with the kids, the folks, brothers and sisters.

While texting seems to be a great way to get messages back and forth — it seems to lose something. I really do like some “face” time and seeing who I am talking to and seeing how the grand-kids are growing and changing from week to week or month to month.  We really do need to visit more frequently — HINT HINT!

And one more thing, I still treasure, is the old fashioned card or letter — although I don’t write many, I still enjoy sending a beautiful card and letter filled with a handwritten sentiment – and I hope the recipient enjoys the same.

a blank page

florencegrisworld.com

“… The future is an empty canvas or a blank sheet of paper, and if you have the courage of your own thought and your own observation, you can make of it what you will. ”   Lewis Lapham

Where and what are you going to do with your blank canvas today? Will you fill it with bright colors, pastels? Or muted, earthy tones?  Will come back and add layer upon layer as go throughout the day?

You are the artist, the author.  It is your choice.  This is truly your canvas to fill or leave blank.  What will you choose?

Growing Inner Wealth

“Your presence and unique style makes an enormous difference in the
world. Raise your gifts for all to see, as an inspiration to others to
be all they can be. Your authentic life inspires others to soar.”
Soulseeds

Take a look at this short clip.  Do you see the gifts of greatness in each of these two teens?  Do you feel  the teacher might have been inspired in pairing these two together?  Did the teacher see their gifts and how they complimented each other?  AND how they might give back to each other even more greatness and build even more inner wealth in each other?

What gifts can you share today?

a new pathway

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed
to help you discover who you are.”  Bernice Johnson Reagon

It sure can be uncomfortable, and unnerving yet — that “fear” you feel can be just that nudge you need, that extra bit of “fuel” to get you out of the comfort zone.  Use it to move you forward.  Let those challenges also be part of your “education” and then share your experiences with others so they may not have to go down those same pathways.

Change is inevitable in this journey of greatness.  Clear the path you want to take — discover where you want to go and take the that next step forward.  Honor the person you want to be!  BE YOU!  Stand in YOUR GREATNESS – and while you’re doing that, keep moving forward.

 

Blooming!

“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer somebody else up.” Mark Twain

It’s not always easy on a gloomy day to find a lot to be cheery about. But I love to remember the scene in Singing in the Rain where Gene Kelly is dancing in the rain.  And it reminds me of the many walks I have taken in the rain and the joy I found walking and jumping in puddles — maybe not the ones I brought home with sopping wet clothes… but I thought about things I could do and worked through things and often felt a whole lot better by the time my “walk” was done — and then a plan was usually hatched as well. I know was usually smiling by the time I walked through the door at home again.

I have learned over the years if you choose to lose yourself in the service in others and you can’t help but find a smile on your face and the faces of those you serve.  Your heart will definitely grow in the process.  Remember it doesn’t have to be something big — or even cost a lot of money if you’re strapped for cash.  Often, it’s those “gifts” from your heart that make the greatest difference.

Take a few minutes to watch  the clip.  Be sure to notice the last few seconds of the video clip – what do you notice?  Did you see it?  As many times as I’ve watched this movie before, how many times has that act of kindness escaped my view? It won’t again!  There was a new rainbow born in the movie for me this week.  How about you?

Happy Spring!

cherish now…

“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided,
but for the feeling that you cherished them.”  Richard L. Evans

While it may seem important to keep up with the Jones’ and get the latest and greatest in technology or style — the greatest gift you can give your child is a treasured, nurturing relationship. It’s never too late.  Start today.

 

be courageous, stand in your greatness

“It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been
before… to test your limits… to break through barriers.”  Anais
Nin

Whether it’s a new goal or something just happening in life that requires you to step beyond the so called “comfort zone,”  your fearlessness is being tested to the limits on a daily basis.  Are you reaching the boundaries or beyond?

There are a myriad of self-help books on the market and motivational seminars we can attend or buy to watch or listen to.  All tell us they can make us “better,”  give us more skills in the  market place or help us with our relationships at the workplace or interpersonal relationships.

Standing in your greatness isn’t always easy. However, since I’ve learned the Greatness Practice that Howard Glasser talks about in his book, You Are Oprah, Igniting the Fires of Greatness (2009);the practice is becoming much easier – it’s definitely worth the “greatness boost” every now and then – you can’t help it!

Set your intention today.  Where are you headed?  Are you self-limiting?  Are you breaking the limits with greatness choices?   Is the journey one of Greatness?

Today, be courageous!  Set your intention and find the gems of greatness that are yours.  It’s a new day – Be Fearless!

Gifts from the heart

“Aim high and consider yourself capable of great things. Lend your talents to the world to make it better.” –Van Cliburn

We have all been blessed with great gifts and talents — many of them lay dormant or idle as we pursue other things in our lives due to priorities or commitments we choose to “survive” these days.

What are those talents or gifts you’ve once had a passion for?  Could they be in the realm of music, painting, cooking, sewing, needle arts, listening, humor, reading, compassion, writing, carpentry, creativity, or any other pursuit you may think of …. Is it time to develop one or more of them again? Create an hour or more a week and enjoy watching the colors flow again as you dip your paintbrush in the medium and then on the canvas.  As with anything that is important enough — we find the time… so make it happen!  Develop those gifts — March is National Craft Month here in the U.S.  Celebrate your gifts (of greatness) and talents this month — then do the next best thing — SHARE IT with someone you love!

photo credit: Jan Hunter

possibilities

“Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle.”  Unknown

photo credit: Jan HunterWhat will I make of today?  How will I use it?  Will I see the potential of a miracle or two or will I let them slip by because I’m too busy to notice?  Ah, there’s the rub!  Do we get too caught up in the daily hub-bub and forget to smell the roses? Stop to make a phone call or send a note?  I fear I’m just as guilty as the next person at times, but today, I choose to stop, take a deep breath, smell the roses, make two or three phone calls;  even send a couple of  handwritten notes and drop them in the mail.  Today’s the day — will I be someone’s passing thought “It’s a miracle, someone cares about  me?”

Every new day brings new possibilities our way — what will you choose to do today?  Tomorrow or the next?  Have you been the recipient of a miracle recently?  I know I have… more than just a few!  It’s time to give back!  Today’s my day!

“When you wholeheartedly adopt a “with all your heart” attitude and go all out with the positive principle you can do incredible things.”  – Norman Vincent Peale

The Nurtured Heart Approach™ brings us to a new level of recognizing who we are and who others are more powerfully and consistently if we choose to look at them with our “new” eyes and  hearts of greatness.  As we do this — you’ll begin to notice so much more in the way the universe holds GREATNESS out to you.  It’s yours to behold.