Awaken Your Day - January 27, 2012 - Stand and Count Yourself In

"The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated."
- William James



I struggle with this one a little bit. Not because I do not agree, but rather because I can see myself having to explain it often. So many people are afraid to admit that we like to be appreciated. We do not want to be misunderstood.
You see, it is not about Ego. Nor is it about needing to be "Employee of the Month." Simply, it is the need to know we matter. To know we make a difference.
Have you ever looked at one of those pictures - puzzle pictures - and you are supposed to look at one spot and this vision appears of the picture in the picture? Is that not how some of us feel? Like we are this lost person in a hidden picture, waiting to be found. Hoping someone, or everyone, takes the time to look so much closer. To reward us with a little focus?
We are one person in so many, but we want to know that we make a picture.
We could easily go so deep into this, with regard to relationships, or our work, or even more importantly, with our goals and dreams.
The world would be such a better place if only we were understood, and 'they' could see us for all we have to give. Has that desire not crossed your mind?
Hey.
Hey, I have an idea.
No really, I might be the first one to think this.
Do you think, just maybe... it could start with You?

We touched it before. On many occasions. We discussed how important it is to Believe in ourselves. We discussed that if we did it - Believe in us - that sooner or later others would do it to. If we change our state, it would carry on around us. If we focus on our successes and not our failures ... you see the pattern. It surrounds us. It starts with You, and it carries over all on it's own.

Is it really that different of a concept?

Stand on a street corner and look up. Stay there. Stay looking up. How long before others around you begin ... to look up?

Okay, I dare you. Do it. Do that moment experiment, and when you are satisfied with a number of people that are looking up, Walk away. Walk with confidence. You are someone and you have somewhere important to be. Eye contact and then straight forward. How long before you notice people's movements. They begin to look at you. Strong and moving. Eyes fixed. You are someone. Maybe they move for you, but they all look. They "have" to.

Firm stride.
Eyes fixed on something far more than this moment.
Impressions change. Right in front of your eyes.
Trust me. And so it works with overall appreciation as well.

Begin to show appreciation of yourself. Show it in your acceptance of your accomplishments. Show it in your acknowledgement of your passions and your strengths. Show it in how you care for you. Show it in your smile, and your enjoyment of your life. Show it in how you treat others.

When you practice getting to know the feeling, and understanding the feeling of appreciating your unique and limitless self - you will begin to find that your appreciation is contagious. And natural.

I used to fear that people would judge me as conceited if I brought attention to myself or my accomplishments. I worry too damn much. I sold moments of a great life on caring what someone might incorrectly assume about me. Afraid to appreciate that I desired genuinely to make a difference and that people felt I did.

Repeat after me ....

I worked hard to find myself.
I worked hard to become who I am.
I have dreams and goals to compliment my work and effort to get to this point.
I appreciate what I have accomplished.
Get to know me.
I did.
And it has become a wicked friendship.

There is my next bold T-Shirt.

Good morning - to you, and everything you appreciate about you.

Time you visited the list. As you do, notice how many others begin to read over your shoulder.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author and Friend.

Awaken Your Day - January 16, Momma Always Said...

"I've always believed that a lot of the troubles in the world would disappear if we were talking to each other instead of about each other."
- Ronald Reagan

This is one of those statements that is so often responded to with, "Well, yeah, I know that!" or "Yeah that is true,  BUT..." 

Quite simply it is a habit that Mr. Reagan is speaking of.  A learned habit.  And for the sake of our mental health, and our friendships, and good old fashioned common sense, we need to start acknowledging moments where we can apply this very simple belief. 

One catch at a time, and we can change our pattern, or habit.  And if we can do this and become more aware of our approach, and our moment and method of expression... we will most certainly feel the positive ripples effect more moments... some of which are still yet to take shape.

Speak with me, not behind me, and I will hear much more of what you are not saying.

Good morning, and happy chatting.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author, and Friend.

Awaken Your Day - January 13,2012 - A Puzzle to Enjoy

“When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better for my having been here.It’s a wonderful life and I love it.”
- Jim Henson

Life is a fun puzzle. At least I understand it that way now.
Funny how you can feel so lost at some points along the way,
and then something brings it together and you can see with great meaning and purpose.
We need one, to appreciate the other.
Lost, and found.
It is all a part of understanding our value, and the difference we can make.

I like to think that with each step I have taken,
I have left in plain view, a piece to this puzzle;
So that others may find it easier to put it all together.

It’s a wonderful life, and I am so grateful to have found it.

Good Morning.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author and Friend
( Originally posted Jan 15 2008)

Awaken Your Day - Jan 11/2012 - I Commit Myself

"The moment you commit and quit holding back, all sorts of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, will rise up to help you. The simple act of commitment is a powerful magnet for help."
- Napoleon Hill, 1883-1970

We have no mathematical formula that we can use to calculate how much precious time we sacrifice while we 'ho and hum' on decisions.  Just know you cannot get it back.

We cannot measure in feet how much further along we may be had we just...decided one way or the other.  The yard stick goes about a yard, when you don't run with it.

We have no way of seeing what we might truthfully be missing out on in the many definitions of success ... if only we had put that first step forward.  Time does not wait.

We clutter our minds and our passions with the "What if's" and the "Oh, I don't know"... and the clutter helps us shield our eyes...not from the possible "Ouch!" of failure...but the real possibility of success.  When you make that decision, and make it sharp, it is done. And the cluttersome clouds disipate with the coming rush of wind as you set sail with target in mind.

I dare you.

Once you commit, you do not sputter your words as you describe to others what you want to do.  You are doing it, and your actions speak with sparkling clarity.  You turn on your magnet, for your actions give clarity to others in your like minded surroundings, and they feel the pull of your momentum.  This is when you retell the tale with phrases like, "Things just started to fall into place, one after another..."

A choice of commitment greets you every morning, and continues throughout your day.

Commit to you at the first chance you get, and to taking the day for all it is worth.  But it must be true.
Be the element you wish to be surrounded by, and others will feel the magnet that is your chosen energy.

Good morning, and that is my commitment choice... It IS a good morning.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, Author, and Committed....( so to speak).