What is Your True North? + The Chapters of Life + Wasn’t Talking to You
Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
Are you up for a cuppa? Any new ones arrive from Santa?
Today is the day after eating too much food. The day after Facetime and Zoom calls and exchanging gifts with the ones we call family.
It was a wonderful day. I hope yours was as well.
We wish every one of you, your families, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and the very best in health and happiness in 2021.
I also have gratitude for all of you who read my blog. When I started my blog a few years back, I never imagined the privilege of having so many kind and thoughtful readers who comment and compliment. It means a lot to me. Thank you.
With the busyness at our company during this time year, I don’t have a lot of time to help decorate our home. Shirley has lovely taste, patience and enjoys preparing the house for Christmas. I am grateful and fortunate for all that she puts into making our house a home, not only at Christmas.
This story about people’s memories regarding particular Christmas decorations from years past. Thank you, Sara Fraser and the CBC website. Read the story here.
Sadly sometimes memories are all that we have. But sometimes memories work to help us to make changes.
“If we can forgive what’s been done to us… If we can forgive what we’ve done to others… If we can leave our stories behind. Our being victims and villains. Only then can we maybe rescue the world.” ~Chuck Palahniuk
The video, The Chapters of Your Life, is a testament to a son’s love and respect for his mother. For me, it is a reminder of the fact life on earth is not forever. It is thought-provoking enough to ask myself what memories I wish my daughters to have when I am gone.
Life is to be lived one day at a time. And what is more important, the words we say or the actions we take?
I start thinking about the year ahead, usually around the middle of November and try to find a word that will be my compasses north for the coming year. I have not decided yet for 2021, but the word I thought it was going to be has not yet won the day. I am still listening and watching for it.
Tis the week for an annual “check-up,” sort of speak. What was healthy or unhealthy this past year?
An exercise similar to this one I learned from listening to a Tim Ferris podcast a few years ago.
- Take out a piece of paper create two columns: POSITIVE and NEGATIVE.
- Take a calendar from the last year, look at each week.
- List any people, activities or commitments that triggered peak positive or negative emotions for that month. Write them in their respective columns.
- Look at your list and ask, “What 20% of each column produced the most reliable, positive and rewarding outcomes?”
- Take your “positive” leaders and schedule more of them in the new year. Get them on the calendar now! Book things with friends and prepay for activities/events/commitments that you know work. It’s not real until it’s in the calendar. That’s step one. Step two is to take your “negative” leaders, put “NOT-TO-DO LIST” at the top, and put them somewhere you can see them each morning for the first few weeks of 2021. These are the people and things you *know* make you miserable, so don’t put them on your calendar out of obligation, guilt, or other nonsense.
I learn so much by reflecting, non-judgementally on the past. I take the good with the bad and plan for more good.
“Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” ~ Carl Bard
I start with free-flowing a list, a brain dump sort of thing. I don’t question anything; I just write. I review it over and over, asking myself why. I then pare the list down and fit it into the basics—Spiritual, Health, Family, Relationships, Business, Finance. I break it down into actionable steps of progression. Once I have it settled, I will put it on the calendar. Doesn't mean it won't change, but it is a good start.
"You have to motivate yourself with challenges.
That’s how you know you’re still alive." - Jerry Seinfeld
Sometimes it takes courage to live your best life. Compromising your time is compromising your life. Saying no is hard, but if the request for your time pulls your needle away from true north, it is much easier when you realize it is happening.
I am curious, do you make resolutions? Or do you have other habits around moving from one year to the next?
I wish you a wonderful restful, and peaceful weekend.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce & Mille
ps. Your Morning Smile
My three year old was saying his nightly prayers in a very low voice.
"I can't hear you," I whispered.
He said firmly, "Wasn't talking to you."
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