The Joy of the Journey Is in the Ride
By Sandra Magsamen
Original Content | May 30, 2008
I used to be one of those people who, when it was time for vacation, found myself over packing and overloading my suitcase with tons of stuff that I was sure I was going to need for my trip. I'd pull and lift, roll and drag way too much stuff with me whenever I'd travel. Truth is, I had a lot of baggage. Instead of heading off to vacation with room for a future adventure, I was carrying way too much of the past with me. I guess I was stuck in thinking I needed what was familiar and comforting. Then I heard this great little story that changed all that.
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and had a wonderful day. The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and had a fantastic day. The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail." So she did and had a really great day. The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
This wonderful story reminded me that each day new challenges and adventures come our way. To be really happy, we have to adapt, roll with the changes and embrace the adventure instead of clinging to old ways of living and to the past. This little story makes one point really clear—attitude is everything! When you begin to realize that attitude is a powerful tool, it can change your life for the better, forever.
Armed with this new sense of freedom and attitude and tired of dragging all my old stuff with me, I decided to start my vacation in Maine last summer with just the basics. I threw a few shirts and skirts and a great pair of shoes in a bag and set out on my way. I elected to pick up things that I really loved all along the journey. While on vacation, I drifted in and out of antique stores, junk shops and yard sales. I picked up little things that caught my eye—forgotten buttons, scraps of fabric, old sheet music and charms that had long ago fallen off their bracelets. As I strolled on the beach, I felt lucky to find broken pieces of painted china, small pieces of driftwood and worn sea glass in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. At sunset, I poured myself a glass of wine, toasted the day's end and began tinkering with the loot I'd collected.
I found a long piece of twine in the house we rented. I think its original use was to tie up the newspapers for recycling, but I had other designs on it. In my cosmetic case, I found a sewing kit from a hotel. As the natural light of day faded, I began stitching the bits and pieces of my day's journey onto the twine until my eyes got tired and the rumbling of my tummy called for dinner. Every evening, I added a few more treasures to the twine. At the end of the week's vacation, I tied a knot in the now highly decorated cord and slipped it over my neck as I headed to the car for the drive home. Whenever I wear my creation, I am instantly transported to the feelings of rest and relaxation and the memory of a time I cherished.
I like to keep a travel journal on vacation, but because I did not bring a book with me, I started searching for one along the way. I went to the local library where they were hosting their summer book sale, and for 50 cents I bought a brightly covered, red, hardbound book that became the canvas for my travel journal. I added pages simply by stapling blank ones in among the typed ones, glued in pictures of places we'd gone, recorded the most wonderful things we ate for lunch and dinner, drew pictures of the houses along the beach and filled the book with little pieces of what turned out to be a big adventure.
I've learned that you don't need to take lots of stuff with you when you travel—it's best to travel light and take in the new experiences. Use anything you find to document your trip and make a journal. Guide books, menus and old books all make for great journals. I met a woman the other day who writes on her boarding passes from the plane. She has saved a box full, and they share the story of her life's journey. You too can fill your journal with thoughts for the day, poems you discover, a list of things you found beautiful in the day and anything and everything that touches your heart.
The true joy of a trip isn't always in the destination. How one woman left her emotional baggage at home and started embracing the adventures of life.
MY THOUGHTS
if there is anything in my blogs that i wish people would read, this is the one. i like the story of the woman and her hair. not because it's funny. which is a plus by the way. but because it's packed with the real essence of how to live our lives with joy. not just happiness. joy. joy that sometimes we cannot explain. because it doesn't come from anything temporary. joy that comes from somewhere deep within. joy that's inspired by the Higher Being.
i am so like the author when i travel. heck (sorry!), there was a time in my crazy life when i packed several photo albums. yes! not just pictures. the whole album!!! and the man in the album turned out to be a real pain in the %$#. i've forgiven him. and myself, for that matter. that was part of my journey.
you see, just like this lady, i filled my life with so many things, past and present, most of them non-valuables. the result? there's no more space for new, more valuable things. when i travel, i bring so many things. because i might need them. then i would shop myself to death. buying things that i MAY need. i end up with with more baggage.
i'm still trying to learn to travel light. and i just don't mean luggage. i'm learning, that the way to receive is not simply to open up myself. i have to empty myself. i hope that God will continue using me to fill people up. i'd like to be able to rise up to that occasion when God sees it fit. but i'm learning to see it the other way, too. i'm not the only one that God wants to use. i also need filling-up. and that won't happen when i am so full.
travel light. live simply. enjoy the journey. i'll get there one day.
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Future You
Your Best Career Coach: The Future You
By Marshall Goldsmith | August 10, 2010
The best coaching you’ll ever get will not come from another person. It will come from inside you.
Take a deep breath. Take a deeper breath. Imagine that you’re 100 years old and you’re getting ready to die. Before you take that last breath, you’re given a wonderful gift: the opportunity to go back in time and talk with the person who is reading this blog post today, to help this younger version of yourself have a better life — both personally and professionally.
What advice would the wise 100-year-old you — who finally knows what really mattered in life — have for the you that is reading this blog post? As you think of the older you, whatever advice comes to mind, just do that.
In terms of performance appraisals, this is the only one that will matter. At the end of the day, the only person that you will need to impress is that old person that will one day look back at you from the mirror. If that old person thinks that you did the right thing, you did. If that old person thinks that you made a mistake, you did. You don’t have to impress anyone else.
Some good friends of mine had the opportunity to ask old people who were facing death what advice they would have for their younger selves. Three themes emerged:
1. Be happy now. Don’t wait for next week, next month or next year. A common regret of old people was, “I got so focused on trying to get what I did not have, I failed to appreciate all that I did have. I had almost everything. I wish that I would’ve taken the time to appreciate it.”
I ‘ve asked thousand of parents around the world to complete this sentence, “When my children grow up, I want them to be…” One world is mentioned more than all of the other words combined — no matter what country I am in. What is that word? Happy.
Do you want your children to be happy? Do you want your parents to be happy? Do you want the people that love you to be happy? Do you want the people who respect you at work to be happy? Then, you go first. They want you to be happy, too.
2. Build relationships and help people, especially friends and family. When you’re 100 years old and you look around your death bed, no fellow employees will be waving good-bye. You’ll finally realize that your friends and family are the only ones that care. They are the ones that matter.
Of course, building relationships and helping people are also keys to ultimate satisfaction with your professional career. I have asked many retired CEOs an important question about their professional lives, “What were you most proud of?” So far, none have talked about have large their offices were. All they talked about were the people they helped.
The main reason to help people has nothing to do with money, status or promotion. The main reason is simple: the 100-year-old you will be proud of you if you did — and disappointed in you if you didn’t.
3. If you have a dream, go for it. If you don’t try to achieve your dreams when you are 25, you probably won’t when you are 45, 65 or 85. None of us will achieve all of our dreams. The key question is not, “Did I achieve all of my dreams?” The key question is, “Did I at least try?” Old people almost never regretted the risks they took that failed. They almost always regretted the risks that they failed to take.
No one else can tell you how to find happiness, who to love or where to find meaning. Only you can answer these questions. The best coaching that you will ever receive will not come from any other person, it will come from inside you.
So, what advice would the “old you” have for the you that just read this post? If you don’t mind sharing your thoughts with other readers, I’d love to hear them.
. Person, Professional Development, Performance Appraisal, Blogging, Performance Management, Team Management, Strategy, Career, Internet, Management, Karen Steen more +
MY THOUGHTS
what advice? i don't know!!! that's one tough question. maybe to live a life that you don't necessarily have to be proud of but one that won't bring you embarrassment? maybe to live simply and find happiness with things that are free? maybe to NOT expect anything in return when you help? i know the best advice i can give is to get advice from the wisest - read the bible. and live out what you read. there are no maybe's there.
By Marshall Goldsmith | August 10, 2010
The best coaching you’ll ever get will not come from another person. It will come from inside you.
Take a deep breath. Take a deeper breath. Imagine that you’re 100 years old and you’re getting ready to die. Before you take that last breath, you’re given a wonderful gift: the opportunity to go back in time and talk with the person who is reading this blog post today, to help this younger version of yourself have a better life — both personally and professionally.
What advice would the wise 100-year-old you — who finally knows what really mattered in life — have for the you that is reading this blog post? As you think of the older you, whatever advice comes to mind, just do that.
In terms of performance appraisals, this is the only one that will matter. At the end of the day, the only person that you will need to impress is that old person that will one day look back at you from the mirror. If that old person thinks that you did the right thing, you did. If that old person thinks that you made a mistake, you did. You don’t have to impress anyone else.
Some good friends of mine had the opportunity to ask old people who were facing death what advice they would have for their younger selves. Three themes emerged:
1. Be happy now. Don’t wait for next week, next month or next year. A common regret of old people was, “I got so focused on trying to get what I did not have, I failed to appreciate all that I did have. I had almost everything. I wish that I would’ve taken the time to appreciate it.”
I ‘ve asked thousand of parents around the world to complete this sentence, “When my children grow up, I want them to be…” One world is mentioned more than all of the other words combined — no matter what country I am in. What is that word? Happy.
Do you want your children to be happy? Do you want your parents to be happy? Do you want the people that love you to be happy? Do you want the people who respect you at work to be happy? Then, you go first. They want you to be happy, too.
2. Build relationships and help people, especially friends and family. When you’re 100 years old and you look around your death bed, no fellow employees will be waving good-bye. You’ll finally realize that your friends and family are the only ones that care. They are the ones that matter.
Of course, building relationships and helping people are also keys to ultimate satisfaction with your professional career. I have asked many retired CEOs an important question about their professional lives, “What were you most proud of?” So far, none have talked about have large their offices were. All they talked about were the people they helped.
The main reason to help people has nothing to do with money, status or promotion. The main reason is simple: the 100-year-old you will be proud of you if you did — and disappointed in you if you didn’t.
3. If you have a dream, go for it. If you don’t try to achieve your dreams when you are 25, you probably won’t when you are 45, 65 or 85. None of us will achieve all of our dreams. The key question is not, “Did I achieve all of my dreams?” The key question is, “Did I at least try?” Old people almost never regretted the risks they took that failed. They almost always regretted the risks that they failed to take.
No one else can tell you how to find happiness, who to love or where to find meaning. Only you can answer these questions. The best coaching that you will ever receive will not come from any other person, it will come from inside you.
So, what advice would the “old you” have for the you that just read this post? If you don’t mind sharing your thoughts with other readers, I’d love to hear them.
. Person, Professional Development, Performance Appraisal, Blogging, Performance Management, Team Management, Strategy, Career, Internet, Management, Karen Steen more +
MY THOUGHTS
what advice? i don't know!!! that's one tough question. maybe to live a life that you don't necessarily have to be proud of but one that won't bring you embarrassment? maybe to live simply and find happiness with things that are free? maybe to NOT expect anything in return when you help? i know the best advice i can give is to get advice from the wisest - read the bible. and live out what you read. there are no maybe's there.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
how to have countless blessings by bo s.
How You Can Be A
Blessing-Magnet
The Bible says, “Be thankful in all circumstances.”
You see, some people put “conditions” to their happiness:
I’ll be thankful if I find a boyfriend who is as cute as Enchong and has the body of Derek.
I’ll be thankful if my husband changes.
I’ll be thankful if my friend apologizes to me.
I’ll be thankful if I get promoted in my job.
I’ll be thankful if I have a baby.
I’ll be thankful if I graduate from school.
I’ll be thankful if I buy a new cellphone.
Friend, don’t do that. Don’t be unfair to yourself!
Or you’ll never be happy.
Don’t wait for something to happen before you become thankful. Make a decision to be thankful for the blessings that you have right now!
And you’ll be happy forever.
Follow Psalms 77:11 when it says, I will remember your great deeds, Lord; I will recall the wonders you did in the past.
Do you know what will happen?
By being thankful, you’ll become a blessing magnet.
If you want to increase your blessings, you’ve got to be thankful for the blessings that are already there.
Being Thankful Is Dynamite
Being thankful is powerful.
It has explosive power.
When you’re thankful, you unlock your happiness. You unlock your peace. You unlock the storeroom of God’s blessings. And you unlock your wealth.
Let me explain.
Wealth is not your money. Wealth is not your land. Wealth is not your jewelry. Why? Because wealth is a feeling.
Because wealth is not measured by how much money you have. Or how much land you own. Or how much jewelry you possess. Wealth is measured by how thankful you are.
Let me tell you a story.
Two years ago, a man came up to me, asking for prayers.
Irritation was written all over his face.
With much anger, he said, “Please pray for me, Brother Bo. My heart is so heavy. I’m a salesman. I got P350,000 in commission…”
I looked at him in a funny way. I wondered, So what’s so bad about that?
He shakes his head, “I know that seems big, Brother Bo, but it should have been P500,000! But I didn’t reach my quota by just a few pesos. Because of that technicality, I didn’t get half a million. I got P350,000 only…”
He felt so bad.
I prayed over him and asked God to heal his hurt.
After praying for him, I went backstage.
A friend of mine was waiting for me there.
When I saw her, she was smiling from ear to ear. She said, “Bo, I’m so happy. I just received a P3000 increase in my salary!”
I began to laugh. Her gratitude was so refreshing.
Tell me. Who was richer among the two? The one who got P350,000? Or the one who got the P3000?
Answer: The one who got the P3000.
Why?
Because wealth is not measured by how much money you have. It’s measured by how thankful you are.
Be Thankful Even When It’s Difficult
I know.
Some of you might be saying, “But Bo, it’s so difficult to be thankful now. You don’t know what I’m going through. My problems are over my head.”
Perhaps you’re buried in debt.
Perhaps your relationships are broken.
Perhaps sickness is ravaging your body.
Friend, if you want more miracles in your life, you’ve got to be thankful not only for what you see, but for what you do not see.
Being thankful in all circumstances means penetrating the physical realm and going into the spiritual realm. Entering into the sphere of the invisible. And thanking God that He is working behind the shadows. That He is working behind the storms of your life.
I remember the story of my friend, Aiai de las Alas.
Is It Storming In Your Life?
She was telling me how nervous she was when her first major movie was about to be released—the first movie where she was the main star.
Before it’s opening day, she prayed to God that it wouldn’t rain. So that a lot of people will watch her movie. She even went to Baclaran, knelt down, and implored that there be no rain.
When she woke up on her movie’s opening day, it wasn’t raining. She looked out the window and it was storming!
She switched on the radio. The radio reporter said, “Today, Pagasa has declared Signal Number 3 over Metro Manila…”
Her heart sunk. That day, Aiai cried buckets of tears. She asked God why He didn’t answer her prayer. She felt abandoned by God.
But a few days later, she learned what really happened. Because of the storm, school was cancelled. And all the students went to the malls. And just on the opening day, her movie grossed P13 Million.
And her movie became the top grossing film of that year!
The storm became her biggest blessing.
Friend, are there violent storms raging in your life right now?
Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Because God will turn that storm into your biggest blessing.
Let me end with one last instruction on being thankful…
Being Thankful On Credit
This is big.
This will impact your life in a powerful way.
Awhile ago, I told you to be thankful for the blessings that you already have. But you also have to learn to be thankful for the blessings that are yet to come.
Instead of praying with fear, “Lord, please give me a house. Please give me a house. Please give me house!” say instead with confidence, “Lord, I thank you for my house that is on it’s way!”
Thank God in advance for what He will do.
In the words of T.D. Jakes, Thank God on credit. (In other words, may utang pa si Lord sa iyo.)
Start thanking God in advance for the fulfillment of your dreams!
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
MY THOUGHTS
so many things to be thankful for. thank you bo for the reminder
Blessing-Magnet
The Bible says, “Be thankful in all circumstances.”
You see, some people put “conditions” to their happiness:
I’ll be thankful if I find a boyfriend who is as cute as Enchong and has the body of Derek.
I’ll be thankful if my husband changes.
I’ll be thankful if my friend apologizes to me.
I’ll be thankful if I get promoted in my job.
I’ll be thankful if I have a baby.
I’ll be thankful if I graduate from school.
I’ll be thankful if I buy a new cellphone.
Friend, don’t do that. Don’t be unfair to yourself!
Or you’ll never be happy.
Don’t wait for something to happen before you become thankful. Make a decision to be thankful for the blessings that you have right now!
And you’ll be happy forever.
Follow Psalms 77:11 when it says, I will remember your great deeds, Lord; I will recall the wonders you did in the past.
Do you know what will happen?
By being thankful, you’ll become a blessing magnet.
If you want to increase your blessings, you’ve got to be thankful for the blessings that are already there.
Being Thankful Is Dynamite
Being thankful is powerful.
It has explosive power.
When you’re thankful, you unlock your happiness. You unlock your peace. You unlock the storeroom of God’s blessings. And you unlock your wealth.
Let me explain.
Wealth is not your money. Wealth is not your land. Wealth is not your jewelry. Why? Because wealth is a feeling.
Because wealth is not measured by how much money you have. Or how much land you own. Or how much jewelry you possess. Wealth is measured by how thankful you are.
Let me tell you a story.
Two years ago, a man came up to me, asking for prayers.
Irritation was written all over his face.
With much anger, he said, “Please pray for me, Brother Bo. My heart is so heavy. I’m a salesman. I got P350,000 in commission…”
I looked at him in a funny way. I wondered, So what’s so bad about that?
He shakes his head, “I know that seems big, Brother Bo, but it should have been P500,000! But I didn’t reach my quota by just a few pesos. Because of that technicality, I didn’t get half a million. I got P350,000 only…”
He felt so bad.
I prayed over him and asked God to heal his hurt.
After praying for him, I went backstage.
A friend of mine was waiting for me there.
When I saw her, she was smiling from ear to ear. She said, “Bo, I’m so happy. I just received a P3000 increase in my salary!”
I began to laugh. Her gratitude was so refreshing.
Tell me. Who was richer among the two? The one who got P350,000? Or the one who got the P3000?
Answer: The one who got the P3000.
Why?
Because wealth is not measured by how much money you have. It’s measured by how thankful you are.
Be Thankful Even When It’s Difficult
I know.
Some of you might be saying, “But Bo, it’s so difficult to be thankful now. You don’t know what I’m going through. My problems are over my head.”
Perhaps you’re buried in debt.
Perhaps your relationships are broken.
Perhaps sickness is ravaging your body.
Friend, if you want more miracles in your life, you’ve got to be thankful not only for what you see, but for what you do not see.
Being thankful in all circumstances means penetrating the physical realm and going into the spiritual realm. Entering into the sphere of the invisible. And thanking God that He is working behind the shadows. That He is working behind the storms of your life.
I remember the story of my friend, Aiai de las Alas.
Is It Storming In Your Life?
She was telling me how nervous she was when her first major movie was about to be released—the first movie where she was the main star.
Before it’s opening day, she prayed to God that it wouldn’t rain. So that a lot of people will watch her movie. She even went to Baclaran, knelt down, and implored that there be no rain.
When she woke up on her movie’s opening day, it wasn’t raining. She looked out the window and it was storming!
She switched on the radio. The radio reporter said, “Today, Pagasa has declared Signal Number 3 over Metro Manila…”
Her heart sunk. That day, Aiai cried buckets of tears. She asked God why He didn’t answer her prayer. She felt abandoned by God.
But a few days later, she learned what really happened. Because of the storm, school was cancelled. And all the students went to the malls. And just on the opening day, her movie grossed P13 Million.
And her movie became the top grossing film of that year!
The storm became her biggest blessing.
Friend, are there violent storms raging in your life right now?
Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Because God will turn that storm into your biggest blessing.
Let me end with one last instruction on being thankful…
Being Thankful On Credit
This is big.
This will impact your life in a powerful way.
Awhile ago, I told you to be thankful for the blessings that you already have. But you also have to learn to be thankful for the blessings that are yet to come.
Instead of praying with fear, “Lord, please give me a house. Please give me a house. Please give me house!” say instead with confidence, “Lord, I thank you for my house that is on it’s way!”
Thank God in advance for what He will do.
In the words of T.D. Jakes, Thank God on credit. (In other words, may utang pa si Lord sa iyo.)
Start thanking God in advance for the fulfillment of your dreams!
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
MY THOUGHTS
so many things to be thankful for. thank you bo for the reminder
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