Make Today Matter

Good Morning: Share Your Smile

Brook — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:28:18 +0000

“Smile today … one smile can make miles and miles of smiles.”

~Lisa’s Mother

Good morning!

A while ago I received a wonderful email that is perfect to share with you as a Good Morning message.

Lisa wrote, “I was just sending an email out to some friends and
remembered a saying my mom has always said to me since I was really young and thought I would share it with you. ‘Smile today … one smile can make miles and miles of smiles.’”

“I remember thinking about this when I was about 6 – 7 and I
actually tried it. When you smile at a person, they almost always
smile back. Even if you smile at them in passing, their smile
usually lasts long enough to catch at least one other person’s
attention and the cycle begins again. I remember thinking that it
was quite a powerful yet simple thing, but it could bring so much
happiness into our world.”

“My little ones are in bed now, but I think I just might try to teach them that tomorrow. I bet my mom will be proud to know that I
did listen and even learned from what she taught. I think that I
will also let her know what I remembered – I bet I make her smile
too!”

Thank you for sending this Lisa. You are right – so simple, yet so
profound. After reading your email I started looking at our
subscriber database. We have thousands of women who read this “Good Morning” column all throughout the world. If each of us embraced this concept, undoubtedly we could make the world a much happier place.

Your Turn:
Embrace the wisdom of Lisa’s mom today and start a chain of smiles.
As you do, think of other readers of this column who are doing the
same. With combined effort we can make any day one of the most
smile-filled days around.

Your Affirmation:
Each day I remember to start a chain of smiles.

Good Morning: Life is a Mirror

Brook — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:57:19 +0000

“Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you.”

~Wally Famous’ Amos

Good morning!

Want a quick way to measure how you feel about yourself and what type of attitude you have? Answer this question: how do you see the world around you today?

If you see the world as scary, worrisome, negative or stressful–odds are you are holding these feelings within. Likewise, if you see the world as hopeful, optimistic and joy-filled, you likely embrace those feelings within.

We can’t capture the invisible. If we desire a life of peace, contentment and happiness but cannot feel it internally, we won’t be able to find it externally.

Your Turn:
How we perceive the external is a reflection of how we feel internally. If you took a picture of the external world today, what would it reveal about you? Use this technique to keep your attitude healthy and strong. Treat yourself well–remember that how you feel will be reflected into the world and to all of those around you.

Your Daily Affirmation:
Today I create a stronger “self” by treating myself with care, love and respect.

Good Morning: Make Sure Your Actions are Equal to Your Desire

Brook — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:21:15 +0000

“Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet.”

~Unknown

Good morning!

I smiled when I read this quote. I wish I could print it in neon and post it in every square acre of the planet! Some people pray to God for change or guidance. Others just want change or guidance. Either way, there is always one very important question that needs to be asked: “What are you prepared to do?”

While we might desire, yearn or wish for change, if we aren’t prepared to be an active participant then we should not expect much. Being open to change is an important first step, meeting change half-way with action is the next.

Your Turn:
How active have you been in pursuing change? Make sure your actions are equal to, or exceed, your desire.

Good Morning: Stop “Wasting” Time

Brook — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:56:29 +0000

“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”

~Harvey MacKay

Good morning!

Our time is more valuable than money. Our time is the one thing money can’t buy. If only we would protect and cherish our time like we would a winning lottery ticket. One of my mentors is a very successful CEO who has gone through vigorous, top-notch, elite training programs. When I asked him for advice, he shared that the single most important thing a person can do is recognize their core competencies. He explained that there are things in this world that ONLY Brook can do. He stressed that I needed to spend 90% of my time “in that zone.” He also explained that there are many things Brook can do, but can also be done by others. He shared that one of the biggest mistakes we make is not being true to our core competencies and spending too much time doing things that other people can also do.

Sometimes we do this because we think “our way is the best way” or we are scared to let go. But each time we veer from our core competencies, we also veer from our core mission.

Your Turn:
What are your core competencies? What tasks do you need to “let go” so you can spend more time “in the zone?”

Your affirmation:
I value and cherish my time–always spending it wisely

Good Morning: To Get the Best, You Must Give Your Best

Brook — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:31:21 +0000

“You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.”

~Anonymous

Good morning!

What a simple and true wisdom today’s quote holds. Often when we get frustrated with someone in our life, whether it be a colleague, a friend or a family member, we begin focusing on “what’s wrong,” or use it as an excuse not to go the extra mile.

However, like attracts like, and when we behave like this we then
attract “half-hearted efforts” from those around us. The cycle
continues until we find ourselves with a weight on our shoulders
and a heaviness in our hearts.

When we give the best of ourselves, regardless of anyone’s
behavior, we enjoy a richer life. Likewise, we set an example for
our children, friends and all we come into contact with. We
encourage others to be at their best. When we live by the creed of
always doing and giving our best, we know a personal peace that
can’t be found through any quick-fix method. We know a personal
peace that is lasting.

Your Turn:
Take a moment today to release any negativity you have been holding toward another person. Take the energy you have been focusing on their behavior, and redirect it to focus on doing and giving your best.

Your Affirmation:
I focus all of my energies on what is productive, helpful and makes
a difference.

Good Morning: Live in a Garden of Happiness

Brook — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:55:23 +0000

“One of the most tragic things about human nature is that all of us
tend to put off living. We are dreaming of some magical rose garden
over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming
outside our windows today.”

~Dale Carnegie

Good morning!

If you were to gather 100 people in a room and ask them to write down their happiest times, you would likely find the lists had one thing in common. Our happiest times come when we connect with others and give the best of ourselves. Yet, these happy times can be hard to come by since human nature is to acquire “this or that,” or accomplish “this or that,” before taking time to connect.

Taking a moment to list out what makes us truly happy can be an interesting exercise. Often we find that the items on our list aren’t things that are hard to attain–they are simply things we must make time for. When we are chasing after “some magical rose garden,” we can forget to make time today, assuming that the time we create in this “magical someday” will be richer.

Your Turn:
Take a moment today to think about what makes you truly happy. Is it spending time with a friend or sharing a good laugh with a child? Make the time each day to find happiness instead of looking for it in a distant someday.

Your Affirmation:
I live in a garden of happiness.

Good Morning: Learn to re-Start Your Day

Brook — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:52:13 +0000

“I can start my day over anytime I choose.”

~Brook Noel

Good morning!

While my mother and I were chatting recently, she reminded me of something I had done as a little girl. Every once in a while, she would see me stop for a moment and close my eyes as if intently concentrating on something. One day, when I was doing this after lunch, she asked me what I was doing. I informed her that, “My day isn’t going that good, so I am starting it over.” I don’t know where I learned the skill, but it has served me well.

A while ago, I was being interviewed by a Penn State Researcher
studying the minds of media entrepreneurs. Toward the end of the
interview she asked me, “What keeps you going during the bad days?”

I didn’t pause for a second before responding, “I don’t have bad
days.” While there are moments during the day that can be
challenging or troubling, very rarely do I let that moment seep
into the attitude of the entire day. If my morning is challenging,
then come lunchtime, I take a moment to clear my mind and “restart
my day” anticipating nothing but the best for the afternoon.

Surely, there is joy to be found each and every day. If we let a
challenging circumstance set the stage for the entire day, we miss
that joy and the opportunity of the day at hand.

Your Turn:
When you face a challenging day this week try the technique of
“restarting your day.”

Your Affirmation:
Each day brings joy, fulfillment and love.

Good Morning: Turn it All Off

Brook — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:50:15 +0000

“To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world.”

~Charles Dudley Warner

Good morning!

How many times have you found yourself getting angry at a disobedient computer? What about getting tired of a ringing phone? Have you ever head a child get frustrated with a video game? Do you have a spouse or child (or does your) cell phone seem to ring incessantly? Just as we choose to have these technologies that “make our life easier” (said tongue in cheek), we can also choose to turn them all off once in a while.

In Wisconsin we have many thunderstorms and with them many power outages. We are all amazed at how quiet the house is when the power goes out. There isn’t any “hum” or electronics, beeping instant messengers, radios or televisions left on–just silence. We navigate the house by candlelight and flashlight without the option of electronics. Depending on what we were doing at the time of the power outage, it is sometimes frustrating. Yet after 10-20 minutes without electricity, we all slow down, and then start laughing and talking. (The only part that is truly frustrating is resetting all the digital clocks in the house!)

After a particularly stormy spring, I began to miss the storms and our “quiet time.” As a result I began scheduling “power outages” once a week for our family. Once a week we turn it “all off.” Once a week we slow down and enjoy. Try implementing an electricity and phone-free night in your home once per week or month. If your family won’t join you (although young kids quickly embrace the idea) do it a couple hours one day when you are home alone. Create a time and space for life to be simple.

Your Turn:
Choose a time this week to “turn it all off” and enjoy quality time without interruptions either by yourself or with your family.

Your Daily Affirmation:
Each week I take time to rejuvenate and connect by turning off technology and turning on heartfelt communication.

Good Morning: Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Brook — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:42:13 +0000

How beautiful a day is when kindness touches it.”

~Unknown

Good morning!

When I was 10, I was a math whiz. My mother was always helping kids in our neighborhood and we often took in a child who might have been having problems in their home. One year, we took in a young man who was around 18 and wanted to get into the military. Unfortunately, his education had been lacking and he was unable to pass the math test.
I went to my school principal and asked if he could loan me elementary math books. I started tutoring him 2 hours a night, beginning with first grade math and gradually working upward. A year later when he took his test, he passed and began a successful military career.

We didn’t keep in touch, but about 10 years later he called and left a message on my mother’s answering machine. He called to thank us for helping him out and specifically for the tutoring. He was now married with a family and enjoying a successful career. That message of thanks touched my heart and has always been remembered.

Sharing our thankfulness with someone else each day can dramatically enrich our life and the lives of those we thank. This can be done in person, through a phone call, or through a thank you card. Try to use a thank you cards instead of emails as the process of writing encourages us to slow down (plus people are inundated with emails these days–there is something about a thoughtfully written thank-you note that is very special to both sender and recipient).

Your Turn:
Take a few minutes to generate a list of people you would like to thank. They can be current people in your life or people from long ago.

Your Daily Affirmation:
I am never too busy to thoughtfully express my thankfulness.

Good Morning: How You Feel Colors the World Around You

Brook — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:42:21 +0000

“Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you.”

~Wally Famous’ Amos

Good morning!

Want a quick way to measure how you feel about yourself and what type of attitude you have?

Answer this question: how do you see the world around you today?

We can’t capture the invisible. If we desire a life of peace, contentment and happiness but cannot feel it internally, we won’t be able to find it externally.