Personal Slogan for the World

I have a new personal slogan that is not just for me. Steal it and use it.

Actually, it's not mine. The Lord gave it to me this morning when I woke up.

"Live the question mark with gracious uncertainty and help others to do it too."

How will that  change the way you handle change? So many things are changing and realigning and if we don't have a way of being gracious in the middle of it, we could get spun down the center of the whirling to somewhere we don't belong.

"My Day" is "Thy Day". Help me to steward it for you and for others.

"Rage, Rage"

Walking on new to me paths in Fairfax, breathing in cool honeysuckle fragrant air, I heard Dylan Thomas in my ears, “Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

My “reframe” of that plea is, “Do not die inside before your time, Thrill, grow and create in Glory sublime.”

I will not be old, no matter what the calendar says. I will continue to live my life for God and others as long as I breathe.

"Is It A Crime?"

A song from the late 1950's musical "Bells Are Ringing" asks, "Is it a crime to start each day with a laugh and a smile and a song? And is it a crime to end each day with a laugh and a smile and a song?...If I know something and by telling it to someone in distress, I could change that person's life and bring them the bluebell of happiness, Is it a crime to tell them or not to? Is it that you mustn't or you've got to?"

For me, I've got to. What about you?
Remember the musical "Stop the World I Want To Get Off?" Actually the title was better than the production which may be why it's not revived often. Raise your hand if you could be saying that at least once a week!

What can you do now before you quit your job, your lifestyle, your status quo to slow down and be in harmony with your life, not out of sync?

Everything in a 24 hour day is negotiable. Think about it.

When do you wake up? Try earlier or later.

What do you do first: shower, eat, pray, dress, exercise? Mix it up and turn it around.

How much time elapses before you begin your work, commute, daily routine? Lengthen it, shorten it, turn it around.

How do you commute: solo, carpool, hitch hike, public transit, walk, bicycle or other? Make a new choice and try it out.

What's your work schedule? 5 days or worse, Ever try 4 ten hour days or some other arrangement, telework,
flextime, or other? Why not?

What's your MO? When do you return phone calls, emails, texts, etc.? Pick a new time.

How often do you take breaks? Change break times.

What do you do for exercise to stretch and build those muscles, get your heart rate up and get rid of toxins? Change break times.

What's for lunch and snacks? Bring food from home or if you never eat out, do it.

How many days a week do you eat with an old friend or a new friend?

Ever network on a schedule? Do it.

If you are too social at lunch, cut it out and eat alone for change.

What else can you do at lunch? What museums, galleries or historic buildings are nearby? Keep track of your enrichment forays.

What about night times? Are you home 5 out of 7 nights? Mix that up too.

Which has the biggest grip on your time: TV, computer, Iphone, books or bed? Switch it up.

Where is it written that you can't?

Let me know how it's going.

Still Working

Inspired by an article about a woman who just retired at age 102 after working for 84 years, I feel comfortable anew about wanting to work a long time. After all, if I love it, if I am good at it, if I am able to do it, why shouldn't I keep working?

Besides, I don't like every day blending into the next. I want there to be work days and off days, and holidays and vacation days. And I like to dress for work. Suits suit me.

Sarah Gordon, you are a new role model for me.

Here's the story from April 21, 2011.

www.TheOmahaChannel.com

 

LINCOLN, Neb.  — One of America's longest working employees is calling it quits.

Sally Gordon, the longtime assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Nebraska State Legislature, will retire next Tuesday.

At 102 years old, Gordon has been working for 84 of those years. Even then, she said she can't promise she'll stay retired.

“If something comes up I want to do, I'll probably do it. Because, you know, as I say, I love working," Gordon said. "I love being around people, and it gives me a chance to get all gussied up instead of tramping around the house in a robe."

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman said Gordon is an institution around the Capitol and is a model for all of us
Gordon received the Outstanding Oldest American Worker award in 2010.

Your Day is Now!

What do you want to do with your life? Are you too timid to say?

Quit complaining and start getting fired up. Here are some movies to inspire you:

• Something the Lord Made
• Gifted Hands
• Freedom Writers
• Stand and Deliver
• The Great Debaters
• Remember the Titans

And there's the book "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind."

Each is a true story of people achieving seemingly impossible things against great odds. These committed, talented people didn't let public opinion stop them. They were plucky and stuck to their visions and achieved great things.

Let's get started, you and I can achieve great things beginning this day.

My Day Is Today

A few years ago I had a student who thought he was giving me a compliment when he said, "You must have been something in your day." Stunned by the blow to my ego, since I had no idea that someone would think me over the hill, I tried to smile and I said, "I'm not done yet."

I work around 1000 hours a year; I have 6 blogs; I'm writing books, coaching others and engaged in lots of activities that require me to keep learning and growing. How dare anyone think that my day was yesterday.

I'm not done yet. I have books to write, recipes to make, meals to eat, people to help, vegetables to grow, investments to grow, kids to advise, grandkids to adore, and friends to encourage.

That's why I started this blog. That's what it's about. My day is today.

What about you?