Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise awakening today!

Traveling from St. Louis to Cleveland the other day, I was mesmerized by behaviors observed in the airport. People-watching is certainly the most intriguing and cheapest form of entertainment!

Here are married couples who seem to be completely disconnected and unaware of the presence of each other (or, at least I’m assuming their married because of that particular behavior)! Mom’s and dad’s who also look detached from the eyes, hearts and souls of their little ones who will be little for so little time. Those same parents, irritated at the childlike behavior of their precious wonders who are simply being children. Elderly people whose eyes look and feel distant, empty, null and void.

Then I observe young love (or maybe lust). Here’s a noticeable glimpse of joy, playfulness, pleasure and hope. Over there is a rare parent looking deeply into their child’s eyes and smiles at their delightful, yet completely silly behaviors. And to my right, an elderly couple holding hands and sharing a glance of “knowing” what’s really important.

I can’t help but wonder: When do we forget the charm, wonder and awe of each other and of life? When does the genuine excitement and thrill of each treasured day become regular, monotone, tedious, repetitive and apparently boring? When do we begin to forget to cherish moments and hold each other gently in our hearts?

Then, I open a magazine and read:

To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe. ~ Marilyn vos Savant

This airport layover in a relatively mediocre setting has awakened my senses and slapped me upside the head. I too often walk through an entire day relatively dead to the glorious splendor all around me. I’ve missed moments of bliss as I stood at the altar of dull.

Not today. Today, I will heighten my awareness and appreciation of everything and everyone who surrounds me. And, I’ll do what I can to take this into tomorrow. May you genuinely and completely enjoy your day!

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!!

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Visit http://www.The Success Studio.com
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit: http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise reflection today!

I’m working in the fine city of St. Louis this week. And, like many of you, the last few days I’ve heard commentators, colleagues, comrades and companions of Martin Luther King reflect upon him as a man and a marvel who created miracles with his exceptional passion, unstoppable persistence and legendary oratory.

While listening I wrote down several of his quotations. Many of them I remembered him delivering, in real time, on my family’s little black and white television set when I was a child. With today’s social media, I imagine his words have gone viral all across the globe this week. And, why wouldn’t they when the words he spoke decades ago are piercingly relevant today:

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere.

A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded people purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.

A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.

I suspect we’ll experience intense global change in the next few decades. I pray we surface at least a few wise, courageous leaders who walk us through it with increased understanding, compassion and grace.

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!!

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit http://www.The Success Studio.com
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit: http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise “whats” and “whys” today!

For the first time, I’m experiencing Amelia Island in Florida. What a lovely place to work! Sitting on my balcony, looking at the enormity of the ocean, listening to its sound and attempting to do my daily, disciplined “sit” with silence; I glance at a hotel magazine and notice an interview with Billy Crystal (creative avoidance – I’m not yet as disciplined as I’d like to be with stillness!)

One statement in the interview immediately reminded me of his character in the movie City Slickers. Remember that movie?! And, of course, my train of thought led me to more and more thinking (and thinking is NOT supposed to be part of stillness!), so let me share . . .

While preparing for the next 12 months, don’t forget to ask yourself the “one thing” question. Remember that line in City Slickers? Curly explains to the Billy Crystal character that the secret to life is finding the “one thing.” Crystal immediately asks, “What’s the “one thing?” To which Curly responds, “That’s what you have to figure out.” That’s what we all have to figure out! It may not be easy; however, it’s got to be rewarding! (And, if I were more disciplined with my quiet time perhaps I’d be closer to knowing my “one thing!)

So, I ask: What is the one thing you could achieve that would make 2012 one of the best years of your life? And, what is the one thing that would inspire you to press on to succeed, even when you don’t feel like it? What is that one thing that could give you motivation and courage in the moments you feel you have none? What gives you your inner drive? What’s your why?

You will be tested. You will encounter obstacles. You will experience pain. It will suck at times. You will want to quit. So, you need a significant reason WHY you want to forge ahead and continue to pursue and persist through the pain, obstacles and sucky stuff. ~ Darren Hardy, Success Magazine

During your daily (yes, daily) scheduled quiet moments, contemplate your “one thing” and your “why.” It’s often said the answer is in the question. This year, let’s get in the habit of asking ourselves the important ones! (And, I wish you increased discipline with your stillness practice!

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!!

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Visit http://www.The Success Studio.com
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit: http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise dreaming today!

Here in early January many of us are in the “what do I want this year to be” phase. Pretend its one year from today, January 4, 2013, and you’re reviewing your 2012 life. When you look back and reflect upon 2012: What learning helped you know more about truth? What pleases you most? What makes you giggle? What are you most proud of? Who are you glad you met – and stayed connected to? What will you not repeat?

How do we really know the desires of our hearts? How do we turn those desires into reality? Here are a few things others have shared with me that always help:

Make time to be quiet. In life’s busy-ness it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of things. Every day (yes, every day) pull yourself away from people, cell phones, computers and TV. Otherwise, how can you hear to the depths of your heart? You’ll be vulnerable to listening to what other people want for and from you; however, the desires of your heart will go unheard.

Pay attention to what thrills you. What great thoughts move your heart to excitement and joy? What would you most like to accomplish; to become? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail . . . if success was guaranteed? Questions like these can move you to the dream zone, where your heart can express itself and help you with direction. So, regularly schedule some “dream time” for yourself, and make note of the joyful expressions that speak to you.

Write down the dreams of your heart. Make sure you have pen and paper with you at all times. Write down what surfaces during dream time, as well as what whispers and screams during your busy days (since you’ve consistently welcomed the heart to express itself during your dream time, you’ll notice it will begin to speak outside of those scheduled times). Don’t filter the dreams that surface. Write them all down – this is your DREAM list! There’s nothing foolish or outlandish about what speaks to you. Your dreams and goals are unique to you and call you to become your best self. Achieving our specific goals bring joy to our life because they create more congruency with who we want to become.

Prioritize your dreams. What dreams are most important to you? Which ones do you really want to accomplish and in what order? Which are most feasible? Which can you accomplish immediately, with little or no additional resources? Which require more information, resources or personal attributes than you currently possess (there are life calling clues in there!) Remember, creating a life worth living requires dreaming, THEN action – consistent action!

The pain of discipline or the pain of regret . . . which do you choose?

When your life is near the end, will you look back with joy or regret? Each day we move closer to what we desire, or away from it. The choice is yours.

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!!

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit http://www.The Success Studio.com
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit: http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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