Sharing excitement...a path to success!

I was reflecting on my fortunate life and looking at the successes and failures I've had. The best things in my life have occurred as a result of being excited about something.  I look back on my life and find that this is true even for the things that seemed difficult. Learning to play a sport or an instrument (never was that good, guess I needed to be more excited)...mastering a difficult subject in school, bringing a new project to completion in my job, meeting new people and really getting to know them, teaching a skill to a beginner, mentoring a younger professional, even overcoming bad habits.

Excitement or passion or enthusiasm...whatever it takes to get you focused; find it and use it. If you aren't happy with something in your life change it by finding a task, a project, a hobby...something that gets you excited. It doesn't have to be a grand undertaking. Even simple things like going to a movie (the kind YOU like, not the ones everyone else says you should like), meeting someone new, take a spur of the moment trip...it doesn't really matter, just do it!

It doesn't mean that you can or should give up on those things that are difficult and/or not very exciting, some of those things still need to be done. A change in attitude from finding some excitement is contagious, it can make those mundane things seem more interesting or at least more acceptable. It give you options that maybe you didn't realize you had.

Put those options together with the excitement and success will come. It doesn't have to be a success to anyone, but you...but a success will come and that's contagious too. Sharing your excitement with others is as valuable as finding it in the first place.

So do something exciting and then share it with others...That is what makes a successful life!

Achieving Balance...a life's work.

I know I've been writing some dark and negative things lately, so here's something a bit more up beat and truly a reflection of what I believe is important in life.

A friend recently asked me about how to achieve balance in a life full of chaos and responsibility. If I had a definitive answer to that I would consider myself very fortunate. I think that finding and recognizing balance in out lives is part of the journey; and as we get glimpses of what is possible we have a choice to seize the moment.

I have long thought about the balance of life, for me it is perfectly represented by the yin-yang. Whether a balance of good and evil, light and dark, physical and spiritual the entwined nature of our lives is illustrated so simply by the twisting shape and contrast of colors. There is no right side up, the circular nature of it allows us to think about the balance both as a static moment and the circle that is life...to quote a favorite of mine, Harry Chapin...

All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.

All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.

I often find these word rolling through my mind...pun intended. So much of life is a continuum and if we let life get out of balance we find ourselves struggling. We have goals and responsibilities, but without balance so much energy is wasted and happiness missed.

Always remember to take time for yourself and remember the old adage, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." So simple, but so true. Without seeking the pleasures in life we can become dull...dull of spirit, dull of wit, and less than who we should be for ourselves and our loved ones.

Seize the opportunities...make a change, add something fun to your life, take a risk, live the life you have instead of working too hard for the life you hope to have...it will come. Do something for yourself, something you love or something you've never done before. Don't convince yourself it is selfish or not worth your time...you are worth your time and no one can give you balance, you have to take it!