What Color are YOUR Glasses??

The proverbial Rose Colored glasses - do you own a pair? More importantly, do you ever take them off? What do you see when you look at the people and places and events that compose your life?

I am not exactly sure where the phrase comes from - perhaps it's a Lennon thing; you know, John being all poetic about love, and peace, and happiness and such with those little Ben Franklins on? If that is the case, why would everyone have such a chip on their shoulder about that - seems to me that if more people thought that way, the world would actually be a better place, yes?
In any case, I find the use of the term to be somewhat less than a compliment and more of a accusation. As in, "oh, why don't you take off those glasses & see things as they really are!" My immediate thought is, really - I can't choose to see things they way I do because it may not happen to be the way you see them, or the way the "majority" see them? Is it not decidedly interesting that the people who accuse others of being idealistic are typically those that can't even see the trees in the forest, never mind the actual forest? All they see is the long road they have to take to get there perhaps?

What got me started on this was a conversation I had with an acquaintance a few days ago. They were complaining about the rain - oh it's so dreary & such...I looked at them and said, "Wow! It's so beautiful outside! The trees are wet and shiny and the colors of the leaves are so vibrant and the lawns are so green!
"Take off those rose glasses", I heard back. Wow indeed!
Why is it so hard to see the good in almost everything? Why can't some people (most?) see that there is so much beauty and wonder all around us everyday? I've come to the conclusion that it's those glasses - those Rose colored glasses. It's not that I have them on, it's that others do!
Your attitude is your filter, it controls almost everything you see, do and feel; or rather the way that you do.
Your attitude results from taking all that you have learned and putting it to use in your world. As I read and understand more and more about people and why they think the way they do, it occurs to me that we all start out with very clear lenses, maybe somewhat distorted, but decidedly clear. For many, as the road of life leads winds away into the future, those lenses gradually, almost imperceptively, get cloudy and colored by the adversity and fear that we all must face; 'til we get to the point where our lenses are fully colored, and we don't even know it.

The death of my father once caused me great pain and it took me years to break through that. My glasses were then broken when I rediscovered my faith, and therefore myself, and an organization of people that helped me to learn that there are many truths in the world. One of these, I rediscovered, is that there is great beauty in almost everything, but oftentimes you have to look for it. I made the decision that I would be a "good finder" and that I would do my best to help others to do the same - perhaps it was a gift given to me by The Spirit. What I do know is this; one of the great keys to a happy, successful life is not in pursuing what you want, but in wanting what you already have. It comes from maintaining a vibrant and healthy relationship with God, yourself, and your ability and will to serve others. When you do this, I believe you see things more clearly, and you realize that your rose lenses weren't really all that rosey.
Learn like you're going to live for ever, and live like you're going to die tomorrow - and toss those glasses in the trash!

Live well - Be Well!
Stephen

Thoughts on Government and Leadership...

I am reluctant at time to comment on this issue with some because I didn't want to come across as "reactionary" - which seems to be the position many have taken in regard to our current economical and governmental state of affairs. However - is there a more important issue we face as a nation today? I think not! I take this very seriously and it has become an important part of my life.

From the books that I have read, and the people with whom I choose to associate, and the discourse that I have with said others on both sides of the issues we face - the problems are obvious to those who pay attention (the key here is - WHO is paying attention?); and while the solutions are many, I am convinced that it will be the collective collaboration of the few who will influence and lead the many.

My position in not one of proposing some kind of "quick fix" (and I cringe at that type of mentality) because I don't believe it is possible! WE (the people) cannot simply replace a hundred years of thought and ever-increasing government control over our lives and the economy overnight - any more than we can "instill the principles of democracy" in the tribal/nomadic communities of the middle east that have existed as such for 1000's of years! However, I digress... Like any good habit, change takes place gradually over time. (Like our consumer debt - How did we all go broke? - well it happened gradually over time and then suddenly all at once! Funny thing is, success works exactly the same way...)

We, as concerned citizens, have to start somewhere. Understanding that there is a significant, fundamental problem is a great starting point. Electing qualified individuals to lead our country is a great place to begin addressing the problems we have, but therin lies a very specific issue with very non-specific parameters - Who is "qualified" and how do we quantify that? What exactly is the "right type" of mentality to prevent the looming socio-economic collapse?

My position is that this "quality" that we must seek and empower in those that we choose to lead our nation is exactly the same type of quality we must have and promote amongst the populace.

EDUCATION is key. What would happen if everyone in the country was forced to read, understand, and discuss great pieces of literature like: The Federalist Papers, A Thomas Jefferson Education, Democracy in America, How about the CONSTITUTION and AMENDMENTS?!

Could we effect a principled and character driven change in America - starting right in the home through the teachings of the great minds in history - you know, those folks who have experienced the discourse, the battles, and the level of commitment that it takes to build and effectively create and lead a "free" nation?

It is said that Leaders are Readers, but not all readers are leaders. Principled and character-driven statesmen and solid time-proven principles are exactly the type of people and ideas that will effect the change we need as a nation to survive. So what are you reading? How will effect change if you won't make the time to add this essential habit to your daily life? The short answer is that you can't, really. I believe it to be the exact thing that this country needs and time has shown to be a proven principle for growth and success.

I have committed myself to changing the world - because I have no doubt that I can! We all can - each and every one of us! We have influence and ours must be the decision to actually do so - action conquers fear! I have taken action by participating in organizations and a business community with which I can and will continue to learn and influence others to the best of my ability. Armed and strengthened by the information that is promoted through the Team and LIFE and others, I will have an impact.

What will you commit do other than to talk about it?
MAKE A DIFFERENCE, I know that you can, the question remains, will you?

Live Well - Be Well!
Stephen

Resolve to join the Resolution Revolution!

Well, It's the end of the second week of January and do you know what that means? That means that the last of the Thanksgiving to NYE partying and overeating (and whatever else you do to excess) is over and most of the people out there (maybe even one of you two people who actually read this) have already broken their New Year Resolutions! It's a factoid! 90% of the people who make 'em - break 'em within the first two weeks!

A few years ago, I found a way to get out out of this trap and it has actually worked pretty well, no really! No, I didn't decide that I would "no longer make resolutions", instead, I decided that I would resolve to create a plan of action for personal improvement each year - that (just happens to) coincides with the start of each year!

So what do I do - each year (starting the second week of January) I give up all my vices for 90 days and focus on self-improvement! No drinking, no smoking, no red meat. How do I do this? Get this - I buy my favorite beer & put it in the fridge; I buy my favorite smokes & put them in my humidor; I make sure I have a couple of bottles of my favorite wines; then I put a picture of a nice big juicy steak on my fridge (I don't freeze steak...)!! Why would I do this? Because it's excellent motivation for the gym! Just think - 90 days of exercise, eating well, and no vices - it's a great challenge! Did I just hear a collective groan from both of you?

My friends, you all may think I'm nuts, but I know that it's good for me on so many levels; physical, mental, spiritual. If you never stretch yourself, how will you ever know what you're capable of? Resolutions are hard work, and they should be because they are supposed to mold your character. They should be significant improvements that impact your life over time, and not just for some temporary moment in time. When you are not preoccupied with entertaining yourself - it's amazing how much time there is in the day!

So why am I telling you this? Because I believe that most people, just like me, will find it very exciting to know that when you are capable of setting your mind to something and can achieve a simple, small goal or two by challenging yourself - you grow, you stretch yourself and that's a life lesson that's worth sharing! Who knows, perhaps your children, or a coworker, or a friend will see you dream, struggle, and emerge victorious and be inspired to try it themselves! It's pretty cool, how that little confidence booster suddenly allows you the option to Think BIG! After all - isn't that in part of what our great country was founded on in the first place - a burning desire to make the most of ourselves?

Live Well - Be Well!
Stephen