Wednesday Wisdom 6/24/09

Rereading my research notes from last week’s Wednesday Wisdom, I scanned past another William Arthur Ward quote that has spoken to me all week (actually, it’s nagged at me). So, I thought I’d share it with you:

The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment.

Each of us has a finite amount of time on Spaceship Earth. How different are those moments when we invest them in the pursuit of excellence versus spending them in fleeting hours packed densely with mediocrity? Dissatisfaction and if onlys lead to disappointment, discontentment, disillusionment and regret. Make today worthy of your energy.

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Wednesday Wisdom 6/17/09

William Arthur Ward, a journalist who attempted to live his own quotes, was a man of service. Rather than simply talking and writing about a life of giving, optimism and gratitude, Ward’s years of contribution are exemplary, including serving on boards for organizations like Rotary, Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America. One of my favorite Ward quotes:

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

Life may not seem so perfect right now. And, we all know it’s best to work with what we can control or influence, and let go of what we can’t. We also know that complaining changes nothing. Yet, do we live it? Perhaps today’s the day to adjust the sails . . .

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Wednesday Wisdom 6/10/09

In a recent conversation about how the current economic times have shifted the way many think about life, happiness and material goods, a friend said she couldn’t remember who said it, but, she’ll never forget the words:

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

Life happens. And, things change when we change the way we look at things. Today’s as good as any to sit in gratitude for the life that stands before you – and do what you can with what you have. Perhaps in grateful silence you’ll hear the small voice of creativity that nudges innovative action with the resources you already have.

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Wednesday Wisdom 6/03/09

Dr. Wayne Dyer, well known for his books and lectures about living a divine life, was sarcastically asked about the fantasy of making money by doing what you love. His response:

There’s no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there’s only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.

Ouch. The truth can sting. Resolve, an interesting word. From the dictionary: to deal with successfully; clear up; find an answer to; make clear or understandable; to become reduced by dissolving or analysis; to make progress from dissonance to consonance.

What resolve is calling you? Perhaps action will bring you a bit of consonance today.

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