How Could He?

Our almost nine-year old son says he understands. But I wonder, “How could he”? He’s eight!

Seriously, I’ve been working so intensely on a few things this year, that I believe my quality time with him has suffered.

We spoke about this yesterday. I told him I believe after the Finland trip, things will get better.

I also reminded him of how sometimes in life, there are seasons where you really have to work hard – 2009 has been one of those seasons.

Tough economy. Increased travel at work. Big yard. Overcoming injuries for Finland. Cub Scouts. Catechism. First Holy Communion. Etc, etc.

Mid-Life is like this too. It’s a season of questioning everything that has gotten us to Mid-Life.

We take an inventory of our Mind, Body, Spirit and Money.

We realize, “We ain’t gonna live forever”.

We have the opportunity to adjust the sails, as they say, for the second half, which most likely, will not be as long as the first half.

The bonus though, is that we are so much wiser about what should and could be done.

We just have to decide if we’re going to.

Hope I decide wisely.  Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

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Mind, Body, Spirit, Money

Mind, Body, Spirit, Money.

The big four.

I’m committed to figuring out these four simple concepts, now that I’m into mid-life.

There came a certain mid-life crisis moment, not sure when, that I realized I better start living and quit waiting.

Didn’t want to be guilty of going through the motions, and then finding myself on my deathbed, saying, “I should have”.  Or, “I would have”.  Or even, “I could have”.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Dangerous words. Poisonous words. Deadly words.

You know the antidote, right?

It’s two simple words.  You know this already, right?

I’ll tell you later…….carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

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Present Condition?

“Happiness is a present attitude – not a future condition”.   — Hugh Prather

You’ve seen the consistency with which I end virtually every post with, “Carpe diem”!

Carpe diem is a present attitude.

It is, of course, the concept of seizing the day.

I like to break it down even further to, “Seize the moment”.

This takes practice to be fully present. Often, I struggle with it when my workload gets really intense.

But I take comfort in my imperfection, forgive myself, and then move on and try to always do my best.

Keep trying. Keep forgiving. Keep doing your best. It’s the only path to being fully present.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Thought Dependent?

“The happiness of our life depends on the quality of our thoughts”. — Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

My new friend Frank, the front office manager at Mitchell’s Sand Castles, on Sanibel Island, told me I am always smiling. I wanted to say, “And your point is”?, but I didn’t.

We had a decent discussion about finding your source for motivation, and finding your purpose in life.

Just yesterday, I wrote a post about something that daily enhances my life.

Amazing how something as simple as changing a radio station has yielded such noticeable benefits.

Well, not only changing the station, but then keeping it there.  Carpe diem,  jeff noel 🙂

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Quality of Mind

“Happiness is a quality of the mind.  It is something we possess within…  If we do not have it within, nothing outside can give it to us”.   —  Paramananda

I hope at mid-life, whether you are having a mid-life crisis or not, that you find the source of your happiness.

Initially, many years ago, I found it difficult to find happiness within. Really didn’t even know what that meant.

Thought it meant going to parties and seeking fun and adventure for myself.

I’m glad I now understand the difference between external and internal happiness.

Ya with me?

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

PS. Only 19 days until Helsinki – www.Lane8.org

PSS.  I’m not running for Lane 8 to give myself glory. I’m running to give glory to someone else. Once I figured this out, an amazing sense of Peace filled my heart, and happiness flows more abundantly.

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