Promise #78: Give ginormous thanks for nothin’

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When is the last time you thanked someone for ruining your day? Or letting you down?

You probably don’t even need to think about the answer. I’m 99% sure it’s neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever. I’m right there with ya.

Funny thing is, we owe these folks our warmest, deepest, most heartfelt gratitude. If it weren’t for their inaction, ineptitude and insincerity we might never know what we’re really made of.

Think about it for a minute.

The person who didn’t come through for you taught you how to get the job done on your own.

The one who lied through her teeth, taught you the importance of truth.

The friend who abandoned you when you needed them most taught you how to be a great friend to someone who’s worth it.

Remember that hottie you didn’t think you could live without? You’re more alive than ever now, aren’t you?

Let’s not forget the ogre of a boss who sucked the wind out of your sails, morning after morning, day after day. S/he gave you the fuel to find a better job.

The puppy who ate the pillow on the couch, pooped on the carpet and chiseled that wood chair leg down to a nub? Yes. Love is forgiving and kind.

Thank the mailman for not delivering the package when (clearly) you were home. Now you know how important it is to deliver what’s expected.

The lazy co-worker who took credit for your efforts? Karma is kind to those who give credit where credit is due.

The guy who always left the seat up? Muchas gracias: it’s much easier to navigate in the dark with a nightlight, anyway.

The nag? Deal with the small stuff and there’s usually nothing left to sweat.

The gossip who got your story all wrong? Words can be used to build bridges or burn them—the choice is always yours.

And the one who walks through life with dark-colored glasses? Thank that one, especially, for reminding you just how much better life is when you live it on the bright side.

Take it to the comments, my friends. What kind of thanks do you owe for nothin’?

 

 

 

 

 

Promise #75: Life is full of promise

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A reminder that even on the worst of days, life is full of promise.

If you’re having trouble viewing the video please click here.

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Enormous thanks to Anneliza Humlen for sharing this video.

Promise #64: Serve a greater good

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May you never know the price of freedom—

the mother’s anguish, the father’s loss.

 

May you live your days without restriction or fear

without hatred and opposition.

 

May you live in a constant state of peace and independence

free to make a difference in your own world.

 

And may you find a way to serve a greater good

in gratitude to the men and women,

the mothers and the fathers,

the sons and the daughters,

the sisters and the brothers,

who serve and have served

just so you may live your life

free to do

free to be.

Promise #57: Fill your pot with gold

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Here’s the question of the day: do you spend time looking for a pot of gold or filling one?

If you’re a leprechaun then you spend your time filling one (and, by the way, I’d really like to meet you, I’ve never met one before and I’m half Irish, so I sort of feel, um, entitled). If you’re human then you’re probably looking for one. Don’t be sad. We’re all human.

Looking = thinking. Looking = wandering. Looking = hoping.

It’s pretty easy to get turned around in the search (said the girl who often can’t get out of her own way).

Last year at this time, I was looking for my gold. I looked everywhere. Unfortunately, the only things I found were lost socks, mounds of frustration, wasted time and a weary soul.

Eventually I found the truth: the search is frighteningly easy. Unending and unquenchable, but easy. That’s because it’s easier to spend your time looking outward for treasure than it is to simply fill up the bucket that’s buried within.

Filling = doing. Filling = knowing. Filling = believing.

Rainbows and unicorns are good fodder for fairy tales, but you’re surrounded by fortune that’s real and attainable. You just need to answer one question: when will your pot be full? When you find a soul mate? Land a better job? Decrease your angst? Increase your free time? How about when you stick to a plan? Try something new? Or just meet up with friends?

The answer, of course, might change by the month or the day. That’s okay. There is a right answer and probably a few wrong ones. But the truth of the matter is the only magic you’ll find along the way is buried deep within the magic of you.

Unless, of course, you meet a leprechaun. In which case, seriously, drop me a line.

 

Promise #48: Embrace the (re)solution

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Excuse my French, but I think New Year’s resolutions are crap. If you’ve ever made a profound change in your life, I’m willing to bet you didn’t do it on New Year’s Day (or anytime during the month of January). If you did, good for you. Drop me a comment below. Tell me if you did it because you already embraced the secret to change: trust in yourself. That’s the mother of all resolutions.

When you trust yourself, you can do anything. It’s really that simple.

Look at the top 10 resolutions listed on Squidoo. Are any of those possible without trust in yourself? Absolutely not. If you can’t trust yourself to enjoy a cup of coffee without a cigarette, you will eventually light up. If you can’t trust yourself to exercise every day, you won’t become fit. If you can’t trust yourself to spread your wings and soar, you won’t.

I know this to be true. Which is why I’m not making any resolutions this year. I am embracing the solution. I’m going to just trust myself. It’s the one thing my pea brain doesn’t do enough. It’s the one thing keeping my feet firmly planted on the floor. It’s the one thing missing from the changes I need to make in my life and my work. Two little words, infinite possibilities: trust myself.

Spread your wings with me.

Let’s soar.