A Very Special Gift

Written by Arleen M. Kaptur


Continued from page 1

Daily life is just that. In essence, it isrepparttar upward struggle to achieve and accomplish, to move forward and to retrace our steps when we fall back. It is to educate ourselves as to skills and abilities, to learn from others, to teach those around us, and to celebrate our talents, and abilities, and to further learn from our mistakes and failures. It is "never giving ourselvesrepparttar 123792 luxury of giving up" and it is "takingrepparttar 123793 heat" from others and being able to build a grand fire with it. We can point outrepparttar 123794 path that leads upward to those who are confused, and we can tap those who have chosenrepparttar 123795 incorrect road and do what we can to show them whererepparttar 123796 "right way" is. It is takingrepparttar 123797 young and reaching into our "resource" cabinet and use tools and ways to instruct, enlighten and challenge. It is also takingrepparttar 123798 elderly and opening our ears to listen to their wisdom and their experiences. It is like having your own personal guide to history but withrepparttar 123799 wonderful ability to touchrepparttar 123800 hand and look intorepparttar 123801 eyes of someone who has "been there and done that."

Your family, your friends, your neighbors and every single being you encounter in your daily life has something to offer, or to take away. Graciously accept what they offer, utilize it if possible, or store it for future use, and thank them by reciprocatingrepparttar 123802 favor or just smiling and bringing a new light to their day. It is also being able to graciously give, to walk away from, and to cherishrepparttar 123803 memories. Each person, each life form, and each and every single day is not just another reminder on a calendar, it is a gift wrapped in papers of opportunity, challenge, insight, foresight, and other things. The ribbon isrepparttar 123804 bright horizons of possibility as well asrepparttar 123805 "ties that bind" to our past, our ancestry, and our origins. The "tag" has our name on it, and it is our gift -from a world that would not berepparttar 123806 same if we were not a part of it and most certainly each and every one of us has made it a better, brighter, and richer world to live in because of who we are and what we have done and can do. We may not feel we have made an impact onrepparttar 123807 world, but you never know when someone is listening to our words, taking note of our actions, and basking inrepparttar 123808 warmth of our smiles and our kindness. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 October

Articles, books, gifts, and very special newsletters: http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.webspawner.com/users/rusticliving.com http://www.topica.com/lists/simpleliving


What Will You Do with the Rest of Today?

Written by Doug C. Grant


Continued from page 1

WORK OTHER ACTIVITIES AROUND YOUR FOCUS.

For example, on a work focused day you might include a half hour of devotions or meditation, ‛spiritual', going out to eat with your spouse, ‛social' and reading a chapter or two of a book on visiting England, ‛learning'.

You might also breakdown your focus activity, such as ‛work', into major projects. For example, on a ‛work' day I might include time for writing, web site update and article distribution activities.

Routine activities such as answering e-mail, making phone calls and list maintenance are automatic and not scheduled. If I need a reminder to do them, I use a ‛To Do' list.

HERE'S WHY THIS FORM OF ORGANIZATION IS SO VALUABLE.

We've all hadrepparttar experience of starting a day withrepparttar 123791 intention of working on a major project. Thenrepparttar 123792 little chores creep in. A phone call here. an e-mail there, a few letters to read, a fax to send and suddenlyrepparttar 123793 day is almost over. You have piddled away all your good intentions.

By focusing your day, you tend to psychologically piddle-proof yourself. Sure, you'll probably get side-tracked. But always inrepparttar 123794 back of your mind will be that nagging nanny urging you to re-focus. This often meansrepparttar 123795 difference between a productive day or wasted hours.

STAY FLEXIBLE.

Treat your focus calendar as a guide not a dictator. If an unexpected and welcome activity knocks on your door, invite it in. If that means switching or eliminating a planned activity on your weekly calendar, go for it. Life is too short to live in an organizational straight-jacket.

However, don't allow side-tracks to become a habit. You'll know when an unscheduled activity is an honest diversion or an escape excuse. All that's required is a little self-discipline and internal honesty.

END OF THE WEEK WRAP-UP.

Before starting next week's calendar, I like to reviewrepparttar 123796 previous week. How much did I accomplish? What ‛special' activities do I want to continue inrepparttar 123797 coming week? Did I tend to lose my focus on some days. If so, wasrepparttar 123798 slippage warranted or was I playing hooky from my plans.

This quick review should be an encouragement. If you've been at all persistent in sticking with your planned activities, you'll be pleased at how much you've accomplished. If you're not, try to find out why you tended to stray and what you can do about it inrepparttar 123799 coming week.

Once you makerepparttar 123800 Empowered Maturity Plan a regular habit, you'll discover your accomplishment curve going way up. Not only will you be doing more but you'll feel better about yourself and where you are going. And that, my friend, produces a longer life with healthier, happier and more productive days.

________________________ ______________ Get more facts, techniques and information about living healthier, happier and being more productive. Subscribe Free to Doug C. Grant's bi-monthly e-zine, THE EMPOWERED MATURITY PAGE. It's directed towardrepparttar 123801 over 50 Crowd but good reading for anyone wanting to boost their life up a notch or two. Subscribe at: mailto:empoweredpage@smartautoresponder.com



Doug C. Grant retired from a successful career as a nationally recognized business writer & marketing consultant. He now helps members of the 'Over-50', crowd (or any age) live healthier, happier and more productive lives throughhis Empowered Maturity Web Site (http://www.dougcgrant.com) and an on-line interactive seminar.


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