Do More than Expected

Sometimes doing more is a great way to get ahead. Sometimes life throws you a curve and you end up doing more. Sometimes more is just fun.

Why do more?

• Because you can
• Because it is a challenge to yourself. 
• It may be an opportunity to excel 
• It may make it better. 

Take some time to think about how you can do more.

One Thousand Days at Sea is now at eleven hundred days at sea - more has been done.

Stay tuned for a post on When Doing Less is Best.

Feeling Rusty and Dented

Looking to feel shiny and new? Yet, instead, are you finding yourself feeling rusty and dented? Here are some past posts to start the shine and push out the dents.

Take little steps towards your future 

Look elsewhere

Seek to enjoy all things

Get your creativity cooking

Keep calm and carry on

Being positive in a negative world

Listen to grow

Get ready to be ready 

Finding Joy - Mental and Physical Realignment

I've been reading the book - How to Get A Life That Doesn't Suck by Michelle DeAngelis. It is a book full of strategies and self-help suggestions. Published in 2008, this book is reminds me of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction - Laura Berman Fortgand and Life Makeover by Cheryl Richardson.

Cheryl Richardson's book gives you an exercise to do each week for a one year period. Laura Berman Fotgang gives you 90 days, whereas Michelle DeAngeleis offers to take you on a three part ride to obtain joy that you can work on over time.

What I really like about the DeAngelis book is the BE YOUR BEST charts on page 106 and 107. These charts look at body, mind and spirit. They provide great self-care strategies that one can pick up and run with. Also helpful is the "Get Back on Track" recommendations that are included throughout the book.

Michelle's book Get A Life That Doesn't Suck is well written, but what I found confusing was the mixed joy metaphor that went over to joy riding, test driving examples, and use of the back on track concept. In addition, when added to the cover lemon concept of getting a life that does't suck, I found myself getting very confused. Maybe a better title for this book would have been The Ride of Your Life - finding your joy and loving the ride.

DeAngelis suggests getting rid of the physical and mental clutter in your life, Cheryl Richardson also suggests reducing the physical clutter by creating space and cleaning your office space. Laura Berman Fortgang has many helpful exercises that look at mental clutter in part one of her book, although the word clutter is not actually used.

So, if you are looking to find some joy and wanting to realign your life consider reading any of these three books.  You may also want to consider using a transition or life coach to help you on your journey.

Giving a Remarkable Thank You!

Over the years, I have received some wonderful thank you notes. The nicest are words that serve as embers to bring light to dark days. Some are trinkets and tokens.

One of the tokens I received was a red lantern from a fellow patient and his partner. In my early twenties, I was hospitalized with an extremely complicated allergic reaction to an antibiotic medicine. The ward I was placed on was a non-surgical ward. Here I made the acquaintance of a fellow patient. We spent many hours in deep conversation about life and living. Neither of us was sure if we were going to "get" better. My fellow patient was released a few days before I was. Just before they left, these wonderful people told me "I had lit the way for his recovery" They gave me a lantern, of which at the time I said, "Oh, thanks". I am sure I had a strange look on my face, but they said, "Someday you will understand, thanks for lighting the way".

Another was a great "To Do" list thank you that was printed on a large "To Do" pad. The listed item said Things to do - Thank Terry. I really treasure this thank you note because it shows how someone used the time management concepts in action. It was truly touching to me, personally and professionally.

The purpose of my telling these two stories are not to promote me, but to let you begin to think about how you can make your thank you notes and tokens remarkable and memorable to your recipients.

So who can you thank?

• Thank the leaders and active volunteers of your associations and organizations who serve.
• Thank the server or cashier who smiles, does his or her job with care and enthusiasm.
• Thank you spouse or loved one who goes that extra special distance for you.
• Thank your long time friends for the joy they bring to your life.