Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise character today!

I worked in Washington DC last week. And, it was great fun since my husband, Curt, joined me. While I worked during the day he adventured out to explore where we’d both go in the late afternoons and evenings. Starting at The Mall, he explored monuments and museums. The first day he returned with pictures and quotations that included this one by Martin Luther King, Jr:

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

And, of course, that’s not gender specific! It seems real significance lives beyond comfort and convenience. Isn’t it relatively easy to demonstrate admirable behaviors when things are going well? However, our real character, individually, and as a nation, is revealed in the midst of disappointment, danger and disaster. So, in the middle of those moments, perhaps its best to stop and breathe long enough to remember to walk through them with 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, proactive feedback today!

After last week’s posting, I received a most gracious message from Dianne Czarnecki.  Here’s how it started:

Marilynn – We don’t even know each other, but I read your Wednesday Wisdom posts weekly, often living vicariously . . .

Then, she continued with generous, kind and thoughtful feedback.  I immediately felt compelled to write about and acknowledge Dianne because she reminded me of all the times I THOUGHT of saying something or writing something to someone, then DIDN’T (you too?)

Although I’ve never met Dianne nor had a conversation with her, she’s affected my work, my attitude and my life. Words and actions that reach out and offer support, encouragement and validation to another are not just kind and considerate, they’re blessings that often help us continue with our daily fortitude to face whatever life is currently throwing at us.

Dianne ended with:

 . . . keep seeing (and blogging about) the best of this great world in which we live!  Positivity really is contagious.

Yes, this is a magnificent little planet we inhabit, Dianne.  And, attitudes ARE contagious.   Thank you for extending yours with such grace!

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

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit www.The Success Studio.com
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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Wednesdasy Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise lessons today!

Our family had a fabulous week of adventures in Oregon. Coastlines with breathtaking ocean views, majestic mountains, lavish lakes, hikes to serene waterfalls, wine tastings at vineyards that look like back drops for legendary movies, abundant food and most importantly – time with exceptional people.

The entire week, I couldn’t help remembering the old adage:

The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Meeting Annette and Jim, parents of our daughter, Amanda’s boyfriend, I understood where Blake got his drive to excel, desire to be of service to others, responsibility for creating the life of his choice, inner joy that extends to everyone who surrounds him – and, the list goes on.  He’s certainly an extension of his wonderful parent’s story.  We can talk lessons to our children their entire lives; however, I saw the example: 

If you want to raise exceptional children, BE exceptional people, living life “on purpose.”

Of all the memorable moments, there’s one that will be in my heart for all the days of my life. At the end of a long day of exploring, we relaxed with a bonfire on the beach. As we chatted around the flames, Blake and Amanda left to find more wood  . . . and came back engaged. I couldn’t be happier for them – or for us!  No one could hand pick a better son. 

Thank you, Annette and Jim for raising such an exceptional young man.  And, thank you, Blake, for helping to surface even more joy in Amanda, who beams with bliss when she’s with you. May your adventures be many and may you continue to kindle the respect, admiration and cherish you have for each other as long as you live.  

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

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit www.The Success Studio.com
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, intentional love today!

Reading the New Sunday Times on a plane from Malaysia to Vietnam my eyes fell on full page photograph of an elderly couple sitting on a bench in a garden, tenderly holding hands and adoringly looking into each others eyes. The photographer brilliantly captured a feeling crowned with this message:

Love is when the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

I immediately thought of my cherished husband, my precious children, future grand baby, sisters, brothers, parents, dear friends. I’m acutely aware of the fact that my world isn’t simply impacted by those I love. My life is defined by them.

There’s no sacrifice in sacrificing for those we love. There’s no pain felt more deeply than being helpless with a loved one who is suffering. There’s no joy I’ve felt more blissfully than hearing or remembering the laughter of my little ones, relishing the smile on the face of the man I love, or surrendering to the honor of humanity.

I’m reminded to stop now and then to think about Chris Brady’s words:

The best way to BE happy is to GIVE happy!

 

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

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit www.The Success Studio.com
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 pursuit of excellence, peace and harmony today!

(For the last 48 hours I’ve been on an airplane, impatiently experiencing last-minute longer than expected layovers or waiting for mechanical problems to be fixed, so this week’s WW finds its way to you late!)

Okay – who, around the world, ISN’T giving the Olympics at least a bit of their attention? I watched the opening ceremony with a team of delightful people in Miri, Malaysia last week and was so completely mesmerized by their reactions to their homeland’s finest athletes I found it hard to watch the TV! They held hands and bowed their heads as if in reverence when their homeland heroes appeared on the screen. And, I imagined people gathered in vastly varied spaces in numerous times zones all over the world, peeking into the stories of fellow humans in pursuit of their personal best.

Just before Sir Paul McCartney sang, “In the end, the love you get is equal to the love you gave” we heard these words from a commentator:

Five continents coming together in harmony in place of discord.

This week I experienced equal excitement in Vietnam over the human commitment to excellence, the willingness to sacrifice and the threads of humanity expressed through sport.

Every four years the world comes together in peace. And, I can’t help but imagine that world learning, appreciating and acting on the lessons of harmony with the same vigor these give to their passion.

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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