Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise choices today!

I love to read about what makes life work and find it fascinating to talk with people about what makes it purposeful, meaningful and fulfilling. My curiosity can’t help but read with more intensity the words of a sage describing the meaning of life. Joseph Campbell, an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology & religions and Follow your bliss, wrote one of my favorite responses: The meaning of life is . . . the meaning you give it. Hum, that makes every day a day to focus on what really matters most.

Speaking of what matters, here’s a thought from Heraclites, a pre-Socratic philosopher who lived 500 years before Christ:

The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become.

Today matters. What you do is who you become. So, what will you do today to move closer to who you desire to become? Today, what actions will you take as a result of the meaning you’ve chosen to give this thing called life?

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day!

The Success Studio . . . Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise choices today!

Have you ever had one of those days when you looked at some part of your world and wondered how things got so messed up? As complicated and counter-intuitive as it might seem, none of us see the world as it truly is. Rather, all of us see the world – each person and each situation we experience – as we are.

One of the greatest paradoxes of your physical senses, is that your eyes actually show you what you believe, not what you see. – Mike Dooley

Is there an aspect of your life that’s painful enough to change it? What would happen if you stopped blaming someone or something outside of yourself for the mess? What would change if you stopped seeking responsibility in anyone or anything that doesn’t begin with you? If you think the problem is “out there” that thought is the problem. Face it, name it and address it within you. Change you and experience how the situation changes.

Fortunately, it’s easier to change what you believe, than what you see. – The Universe

Is it time to get honest with yourself? Is it your perception of the current situation that’s “messed up?” Are you working from a false belief or assumption that’s contaminating your line of vision? Is today the day to get deliberate about your inner work?

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day!

The Success Studio . . . Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise choices today!

Top a the mornin’ to ya!

When in Ireland, I experienced the same soulfulness that Margaret Jackson, former Chair of Qantas and the first woman to become chairperson of a top 50 publicly listed company in Australia, attributes to the people of a country on the other side of her world:

Ireland is rich in literature that understands a soul’s yearnings and prosperous with dance that understands a happy heart.

How different our lives would be if we truly understood and acted upon the yearnings of our soul and danced with a happy heart? May the Irish in your soul explore, laugh and dance with vigor today!

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day!

The Success Studio . . . Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise choices today!

Would you rather win an argument or win a friend? How much time have you invested in exploring ways to be right and kind at the same time? Or, would you rather be known for your ability to be victorious in any debate even if it’s at the expense of bringing out the best in others? Dave Berry sarcastically says it like this:

I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don’t even invite me.

So, I ask myself: Are people attracted to or repelled by me? Do I contribute to situations and conversations or do I contaminate? If the later is true, it may be time to let go of always having to win (some need to win even the trivial) and transfer your energy to exploring ways to help others feel valuable and victorious in your presence.

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day!

The Success Studio . . . Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise choices today!

Have you noticed that rich conversation has a rhythm to it? Time to talk and time to be silent so you can listen loudly. So, how’s your listening lately? Do others experience dialogues or monologues with you? Do you focus on impressing others, or to be impressed by them? At the end of a conversation, do people know more about you, or do they think you now understand them better?

Egotist, n. Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation. – Anonymous

Please know that I don’t write this because I’m unusually competent at this skill. Rather, as always, I write because I need improvement in this area. Perhaps a deliberate focus on more intense listening would help you this week as well.

Of course, if you know everything there is to know in the Universe, I suppose you have no need to listen to others. And therefore, hearing your own voice non-stop makes sense to you. However, if cultivating relationships with others is even more valuable, perhaps it’s time to share the love and give others more air time.

What can you do today to listen more and talk less? The return on your investment may be in direct proportion to how well you duct tape your mouth. (oooh, sorry to be so harsh . . . however, those words really only sting those of us who need to hear them!)

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day!

The Success Studio . . . Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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