Thought For Today - July
 

Capture The Moment

To enjoy the moment, you need to be fully engaged in it.

When you capture that moment on a camera or a phone, you inadvertently remove yourself from that moment and, as a result, you’re missing out on enjoying the moment itself.

So, the next time you want to take a photo, pause to consider: Do I want to engage in and enjoy the moment or do I want to capture and document it?

The Making Of An Apology

We're quick to apologize when we step on someone’s toe, or bump into someone, but what about when it really matters? Maybe, we're not so quick because apologizing when it matters, requires a dose of humility.

Humility enhances our capacity to reflect on our flaws, take responsibility for the effect of our actions, and frame our apology sincerely - all without devaluing ourselves.

Not only does it take humility to make an apology but it also takes humility to accept the apology.

No Time To Think

Do you feel like there’s no time to think? What do you do when something is urgent or important and you want to make it happen? You schedule it into your diary, squeeze it in, even when it seems like there’s no time.

So, understand the importance of thought and make time to think. Churn big questions or let your mind wander. If you really can't schedule time to think, squeeze it in when you take a shower or eat breakfast, or when you're walking or waiting - and make it happen.

Monday, Monday

Do you look forward to Mondays? Is it your favorite day of the week?

If you find Mondays a bit of a drag, try the following:
- Plan for the coming week on Friday.
- Make time to unwind on Sunday and get enough sleep.
- Kick start Monday with a good breakfast.
- Hold back from moaning about it being Monday.
- Take pride in what you do and do what you do with joy.

Change your approach and you'll get more out of Mondays.

Choosing to Love

There are some things in life that can’t be changed, but you still have some choices that are yours to make: to love or hate, to embrace or ignore, to accept or resist, the choice is yours.

Magnify or Modify

Ever make a mountain out of a molehill? Make much ado about nothing? Many of us have the habit of magnifying situations in our minds. Magnify and we turn nothing into something, making the situation more challenging than it really is!

Instead of magnifying, modify the situation in your mind. Modify and turn something into nothing, turn a mountain into a molehill, and you’ll find it easier to handle the situation.

Modify or magnify, the choice is yours.

Calming The Emotional Storm

Sometimes our emotions are like calm waves, sometimes they descend like a grey mist, and sometimes they arrive as a full blown storm.

Next time you get swept up in an emotional storm, try and detach from it, that is withdraw your energy from the emotion. Observe the emotion you feel, without judging. Detach and observe, and you withdraw the energy required to keep the storm going. When the storm calms down, think about what triggered the emotions in the first place.

If you can’t detach and observe, simply ride the storm out until your emotion becomes calm once again.

To Do, Before A Conversation

Before an important conversation or even a difficult conversation, take a little time for preparation. Work out your purpose for the conversation, what to say and most importantly, what not to say.

Prepare and set a clear intention for the conversation and you'll heighten the chances of a positive outcome.

Know Your Stress

What causes you stress? Is it your job, a relationship, health, wealth.....? Or is it a demanding deadline, an overcrowded train, a throwaway comment.....?

To know your stress, try this:
- Take a piece of paper and divide it into three columns.
- In the first column, list your stressors, for example, presentations.
- In the second column, get specific about exactly why you feel stressed. So, if you’re giving a presentation, are you stressed about the audience, the use of technology, your performance?
- In the third column, brainstorm the solutions. Do you need some extra technical training or tips on how to calm your nerves?

Try this exercise; sometimes it unveils practical solutions and sometimes just knowing your stressors can mean that you don’t react so strongly to them next time.

Caught In The Shallow

Most of us get caught up in events and people, local and global, famous and not so famous. When we get caught in what is happening on the surface, often, it can make our connections shallow.

If you want to develop deeper connections, go from shallow to deep. Go deep, be deep and see the depth in everyone and everything. Look for the deeper meaning in the world around you, and you may experience life differently.

Think Short Term or Long Term?

Often we're too focused on the short term. We go for quick fix options, not long term solutions. We look for short term enjoyment, not long term benefit. Often it's because we're too busy managing everyday pressures or too caught up in the 'right now'.

No matter what's happening, learn to find time & space to think both short term & long term at the same time. Then you'll not only benefit right now but you'll also be better prepared for the opportunities & the challenges ahead.

Flow Like Water

Be fluid like water and adapt your nature to your surroundings. Your practice is not to resist. Instead of forcing things to be the way you want them to be, go with the flow.

Turn Weaknesses Into Strengths

Focus on your strengths but don't forget about your weaknesses. This week, identify your weaknesses, for example, behaviors that hold you back or things you find challenging. Then decide how to fix them. Here are two ways to turn weaknesses into strengths:

1. Strengthen your weaknesses. For example, if you are disorganized, then turn that chaotic energy into creativity. Or if you happen to be a bit shy, use your quiet nature to be more reflective.

2. Improve your weaknesses. For example, if you're not good at cooking, learn from online video tutorials. Or if you find DIY difficult, sign up for a course to master basic DIY skills.

We Speak The Same Language

Even though we live in a world of diversity, where we're so different from each other & have such different communication styles, we all smile & laugh in the same language.

Share a smile or a laugh & you can communicate & connect with everyone.

When It Hurts

When someone steps on your foot, do you fume? Keep fuming and you'll spoil your mood. Yes, it hurts but can you forgive their carelessness?

Next time someone says or does something that's emotionally hurtful, try to forgive. This doesn't minimize or excuse what's happened, but it does free you up respond constructively and then get on with life.