Cards

Sometimes life is like playing a game of cards with a group of friends only to be dealt (time and time again) with the worse set of cards. Understanding that old saying “Play the Cards You’re Dealt” can help you turn a seemingly losing hand into a winner.

I am not much of a card player; but, I know that circumstances in life are like a card game. The next time life deals you a lousy set of cards – I suggest you reframe your mind and begin with the one card you believe can change your coarse. Or as the much regarded Catholic Nun and artist – Sister Corita Kent would say: “Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while.” 

A visual way to look at this is imagining that one card, the thing you have available to you is a domino. And with that domino, you can begin an ever-growing sequence of success. That card is in your hand; it’s your gift to create, the domino effect is real, and so is your power to create!!

Rise

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

– Marcus Aurelius

Anything can be transformed into an avenue for success.

Everyone has something to say; to contribute. Many have been told to shut up, sit down and put your dreams away. The words have come from the well-meaning, the meanies and ourselves. Instead of seeking the possibilities and options, the impossible strikes fear and limitations arises.

It’s time to give ourselves a fighting chance, by connecting to the possibilities and options. With just a slight transformation of words, the impossible is possible; the limitations become unlimited. The power of creation becomes ignited, and you rise like a phoenix.

Attention!

“A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Have you ever thought about how much time is wasted by the self-imposed distractions in our life?

It’s easy to blame social media it was built to distract us. Whether it’s the number of likes or that troll in your feed, I am sure that neither one will add anything of value to our lives.

Is our daily need to feed our social media diet becoming an addiction? Are we turning into a person with type-2 diabetes of our mind and soul? It can if we don’t turn it off and turn on the possibilities.

Everyone has the potential to excel in her or his work and in life. We can master our craft, but we have to learn to become focused on the unlimited potential that resides in us.

Ask

Successful teachers don’t ask their students and colleagues to do something different; they ask questions that will provoke their students to become someone different.

Successful teachers ask students to embrace: new values, new skills, new behaviors, new vocabulary, new ideas, new expectations, and new aspirations.

Successful teachers transform their students through the power of awareness and understanding of oneself.

Mess

The very first thing a group of preschoolers will do when they are allowed to play with wooden blocks is to throw them randomly on the floor, creating a big mess. My first impulse as their teacher would be to help them organize their chaos. Luckily for me, I paused to observe their process and was taught a valuable lesson.

First, you hear the tumbling blocks hit the floor, soon, their imagination would kick in, working together the children organize the wooden blocks into imaginary roads. Next, buildings began to appear, and make-believe cars would be driving through their imaginary city.

Proudly I would hear: “Teacher look!!” The children would point to skyscrapers touching the sky, vehicles traveling down city roads, and pedestrians carefully crossing the streets.

Almost everything worth doing begins with a mess. A mess of ideas, a pile of parts, a cupboard full of ingredients. With enough time and patient, the “mess” will begin to send you messages; ideas will begin connecting and the next you know the mayhem will turn into a maybe; the maybes will give way to possibilities, and ultimately your power of creation will turn it all into to the possible. It’s time to make a mess!

Golden

Silence is an interesting sound. It’s the space between a thought and an action. A sudden pause between words; nothingness is heard. The isolation can be quite unsettling and peaceful and profound at the same time. In that moment of silence, an idea may roar, curiosities may fly, cherish this moment of goldenness and discover what an impressive sound it is.