Meaningful Mondays

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives, but more to do with the focus of our lives." - Russell M. Nelson

Before our kids (we) EXPRESS appreciation, they (we) should EXPERIENCE appreciation. It's like sprinkling the leaves of a plant when what's needed is to water the roots. The intention is to guide them (and us) from recognizing kindness to valuing kindness. A x A x A = AG Awareness x Appreciation x Acknowledgement = Authentic Gratitude

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." - CS Lewis

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light... that most frightens us... You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world... We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And, as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give permission for other people to do the same."  - Marianne Williamson

“Our priorities are most visible in how we use our time. Someone has said, “Three things never come back—the spent arrow, the spoken word, and the lost opportunity.” "We cannot recycle or save the time allotted to us each day. With time, we have only one opportunity for choice, and then it is gone forever.” - Dallin H. Oaks

"The best things in life are often waiting for you at the exit ramp to your comfort zone." - Karen Salmonson "A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there." - John Assaraf

Everyone should have an M.B.A. Can you guess what M.B.A. stands for? M__ B_____ A_______ "You could spend your life serving others or you could spend it on yourself."  - Coach John Wooden

Want more time to finish your To-Do List? Make a Don't Do List. Can saying "No" really help me to say "Yes"?

"A leader's lasting value is measured by succession."  - John C. Maxwell "Success is Succession" "We take responsibility to create legacies of leadership that will take those that follow to levels of "Sustainable Prosperity®" previously unimagined." - Lee M Brower

"A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families." - Gordon B. Hinckley "Political polarization is interfering with the fuel of happiness, which is love." - Arthur C. Brooks "A family doesn't have to be perfect; it just needs to be united." "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." - Mother Teresa

An attitude of gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack or strive for to what we already have. "At the crux of ingratitude is ego. Ingratitude turns us inward, inviting us to focus only on ourselves and our own needs. It leads us to feel entitled and to resent when at some point or other the world fails to meet one of our expectations. And it causes us to be blind to those who helped us achieve our successes." - Arbinger Institute

Two words that open the door to deliberate gratitude. "Deliberate gratitude when practiced becomes a light that unconsciously illuminates others, giving them the courage to do the same."

Don't be a moth... Why do people huddle around streetlights rather than looking where they might be able to find the truth? How much time is spent huddling around the streetlight of bitterness and blame rather than where the truth is more likely to be? "It's difficult to look for what's working when it's so much easier to look for what is not working." "What is your Streetlight?"

What do you think? Is it time for a seventh-inning stretch?

Can hatred and gratitude dwell in us at the same time? Science shows that by practicing gratitude and celebration, we prime our brains to be more open to new ideas... to be more creative, and efficient. How many times will you use the word "celebrate" this week? Try it.

There is nothing wrong with this country that what's right with this country can't fix. "Discovering what works and doing more of it is generally a positive, enjoyable, and empowering activity for all concerned." - Dr. Mark Mckergow "My intention is not to focus on what we want to fix. Rather, let's focus on what we want to become."

"Use your smile to change the world, don't let the world change your smile." - Chinese Proverb "Sometimes your joy is the source of your happiness, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Is your future destination-driven? Or, is your future contribution-driven? People do not experience your intentions, they experience your actions. If your habits are not aligned with your dreams (future), you can either choose to elevate your behavior or lower your dreams - your choice.

What is the power we all have, that if we made the commitment to use kindness every day, we would live in a more meaningful world?

Which future are you giving courage to? What would happen if you had just one major goal and one clear path in each key area of your life?