Word of the day: Prepared
By · CommentsMerriam-Webster defines this word as, “subjected to a special process or treatment.”
Having the ability to be prepared is not something that is always possible. In a way, we should think of being prepared as a blessing. Life is unpredictable and sometimes cannot be prepared for everything that is to come in the future.
“I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.”- Benjamin Disraeli
I think sometimes people get caught up in being prepared for things in the far future. I believe we should think of being prepared for what is ahead in our short term future. For example, the office meeting you have next week would be short term future and being prepared for the possible death of a Grandma continues to get older. You can only mentally take on so much. After you do your best, you can just hope you did enough for the situation that lies ahead.
“We are prepared for insults, but compliments leave us baffled.”-Mason Cooley
Negative events are what people naturally fear the most, and try to always be the most prepared for. Ironically, when positive things come along, sometimes we are so caught up in being prepared for the worst we are caught off guard by positive things.
Word of the day:Selfless
By · CommentsSelfless is defined as, “having no concern for self; unselfish” by Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Being selfless is something that tends to come up as we grow up and mature. When we are younger, we tend to have a one track mind. We learn to share in grade school, but we learn the desire to want also. It is a nature human and instinct to want what we don’t have. We all have been there when we saw a friend playing with a toy that we didn’t have, but just had to have it too. As children, we do not fully grasp the concept of not getting everything you want.
“It’s that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up. Others matter more than you do, so ‘don’t fuss, dear; get on with it’.”- Audrey Hepburn
Our society focuses on independence and survival of the fittest. We learn to see the world as competitive, and rightfully so because it is. Some countries just put more focus on group accomplishment and less on independent success. I think this concept of focusing on others to now yourself has changed over the past decades, but the economy and world around us has also changed.
“Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves. ”- Stephen Kendrick
We all can be selfish and have been. We say that is a negative trait, yet is something we all possess. So, in many ways we are all our own hypocrite. The good news is recognizing this allows us to change and be more selfless. Try to think of others more, and also realize the reward for your good act of kindness. You feel a sense of wellness, wholeness, and that you made a difference in one person’s life that day. Now, image if everyone did that to just one person every day? Wouldn’t the world be a different place?
Word of the day: Approachable
By · CommentsMerriam-Webster defines this word as, “capable of being approached; accessible; easy to meet or deal with.”
The way the rest of the world sees you is not usually something I say you should think a great deal about. Appearance and first impressions are important in the business world and meeting people in your everyday life, but some of that has no reflection of your appearance. Your nonverbal communication, how you speak, your tone, and smiling can all play a role in being approachable.
“As we grow older in life, years somehow seem to shorten and New Year’s Day approaches with an ever increasing tempo. The more mature we get, the more we realize that time is only relative; how we live means more than how long we live. Haply also we do not live by years, but by days. In His wisdom God does not show us all that lies ahead. So we enter a new year to live it day by day. What is past is past. Today we start anew, and what we do today will make our life for tomorrow. Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes agleam, let us salute the New Year, and each day let us follow more faithfully, more courageously, more daringly the lead of our great Captain who bids us follow Him.”- William Thomson Hanzsche
Aside from how to be approachable to others, there is also the concept of seeing approachable opportunities in life and the future. It has almost been a month into the new year. How we approach the new year and the way we live our life is something not everyone things about. Strategizing how to take on new tasks for your new year’s goals is something that could be helpful. Getting advice from others can be helpful, but remember not everyone approaches new tasks or goals the same way.
“When one approach is not working to reach the desired goal, that’s not a reason to abandon the goal. Instead, it is time to devise another approach.”- Ralph Marston quotes
The first idea we have to approach something is always a great one to begin with because it reflects our gut instinct. Unfortunately, the one is not always the best fitting one for the situation. Do not feel like it is not possible. Instead, step back from the situation and try to see a different possible approach even it is not the one that seemed easiest. We all know that sometimes the best way is also the harder way.
