Revolving Door Mentality

I have been very busy writing my book due out in Spring 2009.  Today as I typed away I added some thoughts from millionaire mom, Nancy Bogart from www.jordanessentials.com. She is an incredible mom and business woman.

At the beginning of her journey running her bath, body and spa business she found herself surprised whenever someone in her company left. She explained to me, “Not everyone will love your dream like you do. If you are the owner, you really do care more than anyone else.  It never occurred to me people who were with me in the beginning would ever leave.  I had to learn to get over how I felt when this happened. ”

She went on to say,  “There are seasons in life and ways of life.  A season of life is temporary and short term.  A way of life is confidence, strength, purpose and vision.  Seasons come and go, be sure to keep the main thing, the main thing, and that is Love.  Nothing is greater and strive to be loving to someone as they end a season with you. You never know what will happen in the future. A good friend once told me to have a revolving door on your business and life.  Let people come and go as long as it is healthy. Living life with this mentality will lead to an abundance of people in your life.”

I love the concept of a revolving door with relationships. Instead of burning bridges or passing judgement let’s  strive to understand everyone has different needs, wants and desires. This does not make them “wrong” for not seeing things your way. This is a beautiful metaphor. I hope you recall the next time you feel the sting of someone exiting your life whether in business or personally. Love abundantly and create rather than react. These are two things at the top of my to do list for 2009!

Happiness Is A Warm Puppy

Remember the Charlie Brown happiness book? You know, the one with Lucy on the front hugging Snoopy? I love that book. I still own it actually. The book  summarizes life and what it takes to be happy. In case you don’t remember this little jewel here is a few ”happiness” entries:

Happiness is an “A” on your spelling test. Happiness is finding someone you like at your front door. Happiness is sleeping in your own bed. Happiness is getting together with friends. Happiness is climbing a tree (little known Joyce fact: I am the 1974 tree climbing champion of 8 Joseph Ave). Happiness is lots of birthday candles (OK, I’m starting to have a love/hate thing with this one). Happiness is one thing to one person and another thing to another person. Why don’t you take a moment and think about what simple things make you truly happy? Not happy? Hug a warm puppy like the book says. I sometimes think we over complicate things when its really the simple stuff in life that brings lasting joy.

Marci Shimoff has a great book out on happiness called “Happy For No Reason”. She studied happiness in great detail in order to write her book. Apparently, we all have happy set points:

50% is genetic, 10% is your circumstances and 40% of your habit of thoughts and behavior.

Marci asked her father what his best advice is and he said, “Honey, just be happy.” We can choose our reactions to life’s circumstances. It boils down to focus. I have worked diligently on this for years. I used to be really impatient. My mom says I have one speed: fast! If I had to deal with slow people I would feel my blood boiling. These days I control my reaction. I now think, “These people were put here to be slow in front of me for a reason. I wonder what it is?” Or, I use their slowness as a five minute little mini-vacation for myself. The mental shift helps me cope and keeps me happy. Again, its focus.

Albert Schweitzer, 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his “reverence for life” said, “Happiness is the key to success.” I agree with him. If you are not happy then what’s the point? Spend the time necessary to assess where you are at. There are the day to day annoyances like driving behind a slow poke and then there are the bigger choices we make that might need realignment. Where do you stand? It will pay off in increased health, longevity, relationships and success if you proactively correct what might be wrong. As we mature we sometimes realize we went down the wrong path that no longer works for us. This can lead to the need for drastic actions to correct the situation which is uncomfortable and frankly, scary sometimes. In the end though, if you are brave  and committed to living your ideal life you will risk the actions necessary. Its not always easy but in the end its the right thing to do. Life is too short to live it half way!