MAJORING IN MINOR THINGS

Singing in the rain

There is a guy here in Edmonton who dances joyously on the corner of heavy traffic on 178 Street, to the beat of his iPod. I admit he is a bit of a nut, as he wildly dances and sings, as though he was a star on stage for all to applaud. He was even on the news once. People love him because of his carefree and upbeat attitude, a reminder to all our sour driving faces to lighten up.

There he was the other day, singing in the rain, happy as can be, oblivious to the wars raging around the planet, or in homes across the city. I tried taking a picture, but when I rolled down the window, he suddenly stopped and stared directly at me. I ruined his fun, so I couldn't do it!
(Check out http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-4DB7pd8zd6ls2BZWxlb1T_Wp9s_yd3M-?cq=1&p=1493 for a video!!!)

"A man is what he thinks all day long."
~Emerson

Rule Number Six

I've been alot lighter in attitude since being back from India. The kids and I call it 'Rule Number Six'. There is a story of an executive who sat in his office. People would storm in, yell and freak out and he would calmly remind them of rule number 6. They would instantly calm down and leave the office. A curious witness asked what rule number 6 was. It translated to: 'Don't take yourself so G'***m seriously!' And what are the other rules he asked? There aren't any the boss replied!

I used this once with my daughter's teacher. She asked my daughter and her friend to write an apology letter for looking at another girl 'funny' and making her upset. I wrote on the back of the note I was supposed to sign; Rule Number 6. I think the teacher was horrified at first, but later had my daughter announce it to the class. A good lesson for all. I remember to ask myself, "Am I majoring in minor things?"


“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”


For any of you who read my orange meditation, it reminds me of another analogy; that we are all like oranges. When we are 'squeezed' by life's pressures, what is inside comes out. "If I have truly cultivated serenity, kindness and self control, only those wonderful qualities will appear. If negative qualities come out, I still have some work to do on my journey to personal mastery." (Robin Sharma)

Events are learning experiences, with no right nor wrong. Many times we need to 'win', with someone being right or wrong. Funny enough, Damian and I had this debate... I admit there may be good and evil in this world, however, I look at what is learned from a sour event, rather than who is right. I am finding that it becomes a growth experience on life's journey, rather than a hindrance to peace. Another Robin Sharma gem: It's not the snake bite that kills, its the poisonous venom that circulates afterwards in the blood stream that is fatal.

“It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.”
~Francis Bacon, Sr.