The more I work with amazing people who are building
meaningful, fulfilling lives the more I realize that one of
the things that contributes to their success is the way they
observe, or listen, to the things that are happening in their
lives. There are lessons and messages being given to us every
day, but we all know how easy it is to ignore things that do
not support the actions we want to take or the direction we
want to travel.
The past week presented a number of experiences that asked
me to pay attention and here are three.
1) My family
and I were invited by a high school graduate to travel to
where she lives and celebrate her big day.
2) A dear friend
informed me that the reason she hadn't been in touch for the
past few months was that she had been battling cancer.
3)
Sunday was Father's Day!
I found the first experience interesting because I remember
my own graduation from high school and enjoyed so much the
three graduation ceremonies that my children have given me the
honor of participating in during the past few years and I know
how jammed full of commitments that time can be. The
interesting thing to me was that this bright young woman full
of promise and possibilities decided that she wanted to bring
together as many of the people who were important in her life
as she could to share a day. Are you listening Kevin? Yes I
am!
Are we listening to our bodies? They are amazing how they
work and sometimes in their not working properly they send us
messages. My friend, who is going to beat this disease, is
learning many lessons and as a friend of someone going through
this so can I, if I pay attention. My first initiative is to
take care of my relationships. I hope I can build a life with
many friends that know that they can count on me in a time of
need. I hope I can build many friendships where I know I can
count on them. I hope I can listen to my body when it is
tired, hurting, not operating properly, under exercised, out
of shape, under nourished. Our bodies give us messages if we
will listen.
On Father's Day I always think about my father. He would be
89 this week, if he was alive. He was a great dad and a great
human being. I strive to be like him and of course now I have
the privilege of being a dad myself. In one of the current
Happy Healthy Wealthy Games that I am leading my Happy goal is
to be an excellent husband and father. One of my actions that
supports this goal is to spend time with my children
individually. Since I set that as an action I am amazed with
how many opportunities I have had to spend time with them
individually. It is amazing what you hear when you listen.
Of course one of the clear messages is that the balance
between our work lives, our social lives, our family lives and
our personal lives is so important and influential in our
lives.
What messages are you receiving?
Are you
listening to your body?
Are you listening to your
partner?
Are you listening to your kids?
Are you
listening to your friends?
Are you listening to your
employer?
Hopefully you will be experiencing some quiet
time this summer where you can listen!
