Thought for The Day - Look before

You leap
You dance
You cross the street

Caution, attentiveness, aware, measuring your surroundings. Certainly, you may change your mind when you consider the risk. But isn't it better to be "safe than sorry?"

Life is full of risks and and chances. I couldn't tell you how many times I've watched people walking the street, face in their phone, heading toward a crossing! And the number of drivers I observe looking down at a phone makes driving a riskier venture. People jump into relationships without any thought for their feelings or without knowing who the other person is. And in our society, we always put money before nearly everything else! We will take a job - or try to get in a field - based on the expected income.

As opposed to concentrating on what's going on around you, to be cautious, spend an equal amount of time examining your motives, desires and expectations. What trends do you blindly follow because "everyone else is doing it?" Every person has an "inner compass," a self-identified gauge that will point them in the right direction; ignoring it is what puts most of us in harm's way. Open your eyes and look at your real motives and desires; that's where you will find your path and your peace!

Thought for The Day - What I Do

I take bold steps and step back to see if that's okay. I challenge myself physically, emotionally, creatively and then wonder why I'm not seeing the results I desire. I have moments of creative insight, great concepts for rounding out this latest painting, and I run off to do the laundry.

It is a struggle and blessing, going from the mountain-top, to the valley in a days time. Now I know, "into each life, a little rain must fall," but there's something to be said for not doing the "rain dance," to invite it when you're standing in four feet of water. We really can be our own worst enemy, and if that isn't enough, we are our worst critic.

To this end, I work daily to remain on top of the given tasks. If I can't get to a painting, I sketch out the ideas on my electronic sketch pad. I make notes and journal and follow up on my ideas, so that some forward movement occurs in my life. I'm hardly the model of progress and no "guru" of personal development, but if I can get over my own two left feet, I might leave a legacy that my grandchildren can appreciate, if not admire.

Thought for The Day - One More

In the gym, the phrase "one more" has an immediate response. Either you can or "caint!" And I do mean that quite literally. There are times when that bar is over my chest and though I'm giving it all I got to keep it from falling on me, I've got to consider "one more!" Doing "one more" makes the difference between being where I was last time and one step closer to where I want to be. "One more" can be adding one more rep, set or one more plate to either side of that bar. But no matter what happens physically, taking a "one more" attitude gets me closer to my goals.

"One more" in terms of writing; I love writing in the many forms in which I write. I found it a necessity years ago, to write through out the day, to cleanse my mind, get 'stuff' out of there. From that poems came, story ideas and things I wouldn't tell my best friend, poured out of me. I found, in writing, expressing myself, there was a great deal more of "me" to be available for others. And to this day, whether I'm on the train, sitting in my cubicle in the middle of intense testing, I have to write my own thoughts! Sometimes, it feels completely inappropriate, but "let me get this one last thought out," comes to mind as I scramble for paper and pen. My goals with writing aren't as clear, but "one more" word, "one more" thought and I'm closer to understanding it's purpose!

In life "one more" is my motivation for facing the daily challenge of getting up and "going." Please believe, there are so many days, I would love to crawl up in the bed and stay there! I'm not as far along as I would like to be, but "one more" gets me out of the bed. "One more" carries with it the sense that I'm alive, that I'm further along than I was yesterday and I still have a ways to go! At this point, looking down the path where I would like to go, I have this sense, once I'm "there," I will continue to say "one more!"