Awaken Your Day - Aug 5 - Seeds You Plant

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Recently it came to my attention, how very little effort it took to create the beginning of a positive interaction in our lives. We made friends with our neighbors. It is not that it was hard, it actually stands out because it was rather easy to do. But the planting of that seed makes you see how much easier life is when you take the moment and the sincerity to do so.

And, of course, as these thoughts passed over my overactive mind, I also thought of the other seeds we have planted...and the positive relationships that make our life more enjoyable because of them. And then, thoughts of those friends who took the time to get to know us first.

It is a very good feeling to carry with you ... when you see the seeds you plant, grow into a solid relationship; working or daily acquaintance or personal friend.

There was a time in my life when I had to honestly say there was really not many people I could count on. Today, I would have to say, I have a "garden" that many would envy.

And I am thankful.

Good morning. Get planting.

Pierre Couturier
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Awaken Your Day - Aug 4 -

"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves."
- Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt

Combine this with the often quoted comment that it is not what happens to us but how we respond to what happens, and you can see that our success in many ways comes down to a practiced awareness.

An awareness of our gratitude for the things we have versus our envy for those things we do not.
An awareness of our passions, and how they motivate us to constantly step forward...big, or small.
An awareness of our achievements - that show us the greatness of how far we have come.
An awareness of how we desire to grow, learn and become rather than hiding in a shell.
An awareness that we are unlimited in what we can do.

When we go thru our days energized by the awareness that we are in charge of our moments, no matter what event we meet - we meet it with our best foot forward and our mind on our true destination. The idea is that a negative event, will then not control you but instead you will have the ability to navigate thru or past it, for you met it with power and not vulnerability. The shadow of the event, will not be allowed to make it look larger and more ominous for you are viewing it with open eyes and mind - which gives you a more direct light source for these moments. You give yourself a better chance to see events for what they truly are, and not what emotion paints them to be.

The impact of an event is lessened, for your response to it is also more controlled. Unless of course it is a great and joyful moment...in which case you might let control go and just enjoy with reckless abandon.

Open your mind to the idea that you begin the day, with all the tools you need to be a great designer of the day that lies ahead, or to be a great handyman if you need to be to fix those moments that do not go so well.

Meet, greet, and respond accordingly.
Each day and event is like one of those kids books, where the choices you make during the story take you to an assortment of alternate endings.

Good morning, and great meetings.

Pierre Couturier
Father, Husband, Author, Entrepreneur, Friend and Believer.
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Awaken Your Day - July 31 - Are You Rechargeable?

"Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left."

- Hubert Humphrey

There is a weekend on the horizon.
One more day of work...just one more day.

I have two things to consider today, both with the same question to follow.

Oh my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.

We often encounter someone, or ourselves, that is at this point in the week, somewhat drained.

They wonder if they have enough energy to enjoy the time they get to themselves.

"Where is all that energy I had at the beginning of the week? I felt like 100%!"

Well... let's see...

Work related stress - 20%

Household chores- 10%

Raising children - 15%

Finances and planning - 20%

World News - 5%

Daily unnecessary stress ( traffic, line ups ) - 10%

Left over positive energy to build momentum on - 20%

The question is .... Are You Rechargeable?

"Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left."

Example number 2:

You have a goal. A dream. Something you believe in and are working on. You started with energy and passion. 110%. Where is it now? Why can you not keep it going? But...But...But...

Let's see.

Not surrounded by like minded people - 20%

Pessimistic attitudes - 20%

Fear - 25%

Distracted or unfocussed passion - 20%

That maybe leaves you ( and I, and so many like us ) with 25% Belief in yourself from where you started. For many, that is being generous.

The question is ... Are You Rechargeable?

Along the way, and along the day we face so many actions and influences that nibble away on our passions and energies. Call them distractions, call them excuses - it does not overly matter. What we need to stay in charge of is our awareness to this life fact. Some of us are in better control of our energies and some of us are still learning how to get to that level. We stand together.

Red Rover Red Rover...we call Inspiration over.

Are you Rechargeable? Do you slowly give up each time you take inventory of your Passion/ Energy level? Are you at a point where you come around the bend for another try but this time you are only starting with 80% total? Then 65%? Then wondering why you try?

Awareness, acceptance or adaptability to setbacks, control over those things that we know will continue to attempt to drain our energy. These are your tools. Don't act surprised ... just use your tools.

Are you tired?
Are you a Victim ... or a Victor?

Are You .... Rechargeable?

Good morning.

All systems go.

Pierre Couturier
Father, Husband, Author, Entrepreneur, Friend ... & Believer.

Awaken Your Day - July 30 - To Grow or Not to Grow

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
- Anais Nin

Sadly, many of us do not even know that we are living so tightly in our familar and secure bud.

I am an example of one who wishes he had explored a little more. I do not mean all of a sudden one day I wish I just decided to go bungee jumping or skydive. It is extreme thoughts like that that discourage many people from the simple act of thinking of what "blossom" might mean to them because they see it as a drastic change.

I just wish to encourage you to take some time NOW to grow. Grow in any amount, at any speed that suits you. But Blossom you should...Please.

Take a class.
See something new.
Read a book.
Try new foods.
Learn to swim.

Just open yourself to something you want to experience. Expose yourself to new sights, sounds, smells.

A day, or many days do come.... when we far too often say, "I wish I would have..."

I did it this morning, and now it is time to erase a wish from my "Is it too Late?" list.

Good Morning.

Pierre Couturier