Know Thy Self

Your 2015: Purposeful & Resilient

Be Tenacious! Ride the Trail of Life's Winds

Tough Times Never last, But Tough People Do!

Title of a book by Revered Robert H. Schuller

On a bike ride on top of a volcano in Maui, 2001

"Hold on!"

            As wild bicycle riders, my play gang during my youth and I would yell these words to each other as we circled the house—jumping ditches or mudholes, cruising over  rocks, knocking over playmates—or anything else in our way—peddling our ‘no speeds’ as hard as we could.  We were usually doubled up on the bike— one doing the leg work while standing— the other one perched on the seat, holding the other's waist, head, arms, or whatever provided the firmest grip. Occasionally, a third person would hop on, riding the handlebar or a rear wheel seat. Fierce and focused for big fun, we rode that limited but challenging route around the house on the bicycle, since we were not allowed to venture out into the road. Occasionally one of us would try to show off and take both hands off of the handlebars…and then everyone fell down. 

            I continued to enjoy biking and at one time lived close to an extensive and intermittently demanding trail in Alexandria VA. The trail’s proximity to the Potomac River brought beauty and peace to the ride for me. However, on windy days this location was particularly challenging. Headwinds coming off the river prevailed, slowing my ride and causing me to hold on tighter when I reached dangerous curves and downhills. I was concerned about falling because in spots the trail was further surrounded by miry marsh and rocky deep ditches. My helmet offered some protection and I shifted gears as necessary to negotiate the path. Those were not times or places for any tricks like riding with my hands off the handle bars. Paying attention to these moments, the call for me was to still ‘hold on’.

            The trails of life can yield weighty winds and stumbling stones, but being steadfast can help us to ride them out. ‘That which doesn’t kill us can make us stronger.’ Let’s maximize our motions. With our protections of faith, creativity and a firm foundation of focus— we can do it. 

            Another one of my favorite gospel songs tells me, ‘Just like a tree that's planted by the water, I shall not be moved.’

            Our talents provide a framework of protection for us to peddle hard on the journey.

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE

Your Breakthrough! Courageous Against The Block

Don't judge a book by its cover.

American proverb

           

            It really did happen. 

            On November 4, 2008 and November 6, 2012 Barack Hussein Obama was elected to be the 44^th and 45th President of the United States of America. Challenging the historical model of who should be a Commander-In-Chief, then Senator Obama rallied voters from all ends of the demographic spectrum. Using social media and accompanying technology, his campaign reached out and touched people in profound and purposeful ways.

            In observing President Obama’s approach I was reminded of William Shatner’s voice at the beginning of the popular Star Trek shows.  As Captain Kirk, Shatner states the mission for the crew of the Enterprise: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” President Obama dared the political ship with his election— navigating it in warp drive. He stretched the bounds of his beginning.

            President Obama put together and sealed this successful box of ambition.

            Sometimes other people will use every tool at their disposal to stuff us in a box— not quite sure what to make of us if we don’t fit the mold of the moment. Periodically we voluntarily seal the box – thinking there’s no way out. Judgments on our GPS: Goals, Positions and Skills, can often misdirect us. We may bypass a potential destination that holds an opportunity, driving by and thinking, “That wasn’t my stop.”  Or “It doesn’t fit what I thought it should look like.”

            I’ve encountered workshop participants who find it difficult to get promoted or enter new career fields. Pigeonholing based on someone else’s assumptions regarding their abilities is often a factor. I encourage them to adapt a “Yes I can!” rally to action. To be their own box-cutter when someone tries to seal the deal on your future.

            Then I give them more alphabet soup to consider.

            Write your own SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) on how to get out of that box. You can come through for you—so determine when.  On our journeys we travel different times of the 24 hour cycle—each with its prompts and purposes.  In the dawn we can see a new day unfold the goal of starting. During the day we busy ourselves with tasks of the action plan. At twilight what’s done has met the reason of the day. Darkness provides its own special covering and sometimes we’re forced to voyage at night – to stay on our campaign trail.

            What time is best? Where am I situated? What do I want to ship?

            Using our IPS (Internal Positioning System) will point the way.

           

            UPS (Uninformed People Stoppers) may try to ship us to the wrong address.  I say bust out of the package and engage!  Recover. Put your personal date stamp on. Reship to a new place. Then use the marketing concept of USP—and ground your Unique Selling Position. Square it off!

 

Excerpted from my motviational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE (print and Kindle eBook) narratives of dealing with life’s setbacks and successes