Take The High Road

Everybody has heard the saying "take the high road", and most people probably have their own idea as to what it means.  I recently read some thoughts by John Maxwell on this phrase.  Consider the following simple thoughts regarding taking the high road...

·         Don't keep score

·         Forgive quickly

·         Serve others

·         Don't worry about getting even

It involves being humble and selfless and what's even harder, not holding a grudge.  

Life is too short, take the high road!

Success

Success is defined by each of us in different ways.  It should be a personal definition, not shaped by society, the media or others' opinions.  It should include components of faith, family and helping those around us.  Success should be viewed as a journey and not a specific destination.  It should be practiced daily not something we believe we reach and we are done.  One’s success does not have to be about financial or materialistic achievements.  Success is a recipe for contentment.  What is your definition of success?  Below are a few good keys in my mind...

• Tell the truth
• Be willing to do your part
• Get mad but don't be stupid
• Tell the devil to go to Hell (but nobody else)
• Be a giver not a taker
• Seek God
• Encourage people
• Pass along your strengths, not your weaknesses, to your kids
• Be kind and tenderhearted
• Forgive
• Grant and accept grace
• Be humble

* Portions taken from Keith A. Craft on Leadershipology.com.

The Spoken Word

The spoken word is more powerful than we know.  Words can both hurt and heal.  They can tear down or build up.  What we say can educate or just berate.  Words can sting, but also soothe.  We can use our words to encourage or to deflate.  Our words can make someone’s day or…

The problem is that we are often too quick to spout out words without thinking of their impact.  As the saying goes we speak before we think.  This often results in our words coming out on the negative side of all of the above options.  That means we leave a trail of anger, disappointment, and hurt feelings around us. 

Consider the power of your words.  Choose them carefully.  More to the point, consciously choose, today, to be positive with what you say.  

Happy Labor Day

It is not just about football season starting…

Labor Day: What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.