Life must be understood backwards; but… it must be lived forward. – Soren Kierkegaard
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
You’ve heard the question before, “On a scale between 1- 10, how would you rate fill in the blank?”
Although somewhat arbitrary, this rating system does provide a good snapshot for discerning how you feel about a particular person, thing or issue. However, the most important component with this rating scale isn’t determining the numerical value you give, but how that numerical value can be improved.
For example, let’s say the question is “On a scale between 1- 10, how would you rate your effectiveness as a parent?” Perhaps your answer is, “A seven.”
Not bad. Being a seven is pretty good. In fact, there are a lot of effective parents who would rate themselves as a seven. But, imagine if you were trending towards a 10? Think of the opportunities and resources you could provide your children. Think about how you would feel about yourself.
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. – B.B. King
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
In less than two weeks big changes are in store for my family. Mary Beth and I take our younger son, Andrew, to college and then a few days later our younger daughter, Emily, begins middle school. In four days, one child begins learning how to live on his own while another child begins learning how to expand her world a little at a time.
Preparing for these back-to-school dates has required careful planning and a flexible budget. Even more challenging, Andrew and Emily’s shopping lists couldn’t be more different. Our son needs big-ticket electronics and dorm room furnishings. Emily is required to have more “sophisticated” school supplies (the days of Disney character notebooks and crayons are over).
To make certain my wife and I were buying the right items we visited the college and middle school websites to download the supply lists. Most schools have a link to this information on their home page. Next, we searched the internet to find the best prices and shipping options. Our search took us to Amazon.com.
In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true. – Buddha
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
This I Believe
There are no accidents without value. No matter how difficult the circumstances in life, we can grow and learn from what happens to us – everything happens for a reason. Taking the time to find the value in these events is up to each of us.
This I Believe
You cannot change or heal what you do not acknowledge. For real and lasting growth to occur, we must first come to terms with our reality and see it for what it really is in order to reframe it and learn from it.
Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. – Lao Tzu
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
You can’t fix your life in five easy steps for one simple reason: Your life is not broken.
Often we have the tendency to rush to a solution before we identify the problem. Similarly, when we feel our lives are off track and not fulfilling we frantically look for ways to fix something, anything– and fast.
My first reaction when Mary Beth comes to me with an issue is to help her fix it. But what she really needs from me is to listen, be supportive and discuss what changes are necessary to solve the problem. This same need can be extended to how we approach our personal problems, too.
Sometimes the best thing to do is to step back and consider what simple changes can be made so a problem can be diminished naturally. When this approach is taken, the outcome is more permanent because the solution is better considered.
Rather than focusing on fixing our lives, it may be better to consider simplifying our lives. Making small, simple changes can lead to finding greater happiness and freedom.
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. - Dr. Seuss
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
Opportunities to help one other appear every day. We either acknowledge them, or we don’t.
During a recent trip to Minneapolis, my family and I visited The Basilica of Saint Mary. The Basilica’s beauty is matched only by its reverence. The white granite exterior welcomed us as we opened the massive wooden door to enter. Once inside, its architecture was simply amazing. Long rows of pews lead to an altar perfectly positioned under a stunning copper dome.
In one those pews was a man, alone and seemingly distraught. Sitting on the edge of the wooden bench, he grasped the pew in front on him. He buried his head between his hands and appeared to be praying.
I walked by him on my way to get a better look at the altar. Stopping for a moment, I considered sitting next to him. He was clearly in pain and maybe I could offer some relief. Instead, I continued to the altar. He wanted to be alone, I reasoned. But I knew better. He needed some comfort and I didn’t help.
