We call this..."dealing with reality." It's okay.

WE MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED AND KEEP GOING FORWARD

Activity is good: more normal, better.

I don't expect to produce at my "top level."

However, neither do I presume that I will work at my lowest possible level.

I need to adjust. To flex. And keep going forward.

I need to do best I can within confines of my physical and emotional state -- but keep doing what needs to be done on a daily basis.

There is a good measure of truth in old statement: "Life must go on."

WE LAUGH

Laughter and good humor -- each has its place during sad times we face. They help us gain a sense of balance.

Light moments tend to assist us in dealing with pain.

And, those lighter moments are "okay."

WE SEE HOPE

Because there are good people in world, we see hope in them. They help, pitch in, care, and pray.

Because of our own experiences that we have had to walk through in life, we can see hope in ourselves and our ability to deal with bad things that happen to us.

Because of who God is and how He has worked in our lives, we have hope. Hope in His strength, guidance and goodness.

IF I WERE TO TURN THESE OBSERVATIONS AROUND...

And make them into a set of personal suggestions to help in initial moments of difficult times, they would be:

*Do what you need to do first. Do whatever it takes.

*Look for good in people and in world.

*Have realistic expectations about yourself and others during those times.

*Make whatever adjustments you need to make and strive to keep moving forward as much as possible.

*Allow humor and laughter into your world. It's okay to laugh.

*Don't lose hope. See hope in others, in yourself and in God.

A PERSONAL WISH

If this article finds its way to you while you are somewhere "on other side of easy," I wish you personal peace, strength to endure, and God's best.

Should only one short comment or thought bring you a ray of hope or a moment of personal joy, I will consider my taking time to write these brief thoughts worthwhile.

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

------------------------------- Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link: http://www.seariches.net

Whatever.

Just give people something specific they can do. Help them "take action." In doing so you help those help you are influencing become all they can be.

But there's something more to this process: put *their* heart it!

I have stated to interns over years: "If I can wed these two together, I have a winner: your heart's desires and your goals."

It's true. When you...

Understand someone Capture their heart's desire Create actions based on their heart's desire

You have a winning combination!

But you can do "more." You can...

CHALLENGE THEM TO EXCELLENCE

I'll give you another example. In talking with intern that prompted my thinking -- and eventually this issue -- I mentioned:

"I've included a sample to show how you can improve. The other example I gave will do for now. However, if you want to keep on developing your skills in this area, pay attention to what I have written and it will help you in future."

I was quick to add: "Don't let this kill you. Do what is 'you' in this regard. However, pay attention to these simple suggestions and use them as you can."

Why did I add statement above? Because I wanted intern to see that he *could* do more -- but he didn't have to make it his life's passion! You see, I knew it wasn't his area of interest. I gave him a slight challenge to excel *in his own way and *at his own time.*

But it was a slight nudge towards excellence!

Then I had to...

RELEASE!

It was time for intern to "just go and do it!" We had talked before. And, I'm sure we will talk again.

There's pattern: release -- guide -- release.

Let person you are influencing try! Be there, yes. Like a good coach.

But let person run his own race.

When I was swimming competitively and I heard words, "Timers and judges ready. Swimmers take your mark."

And gun went off...

Don, my coach, wasn't leaving that starting block. Lee Wise was!

You've got to release. Let them try. But be ready to guide them again.

After races were over, I found myself back in pool again with "you know who" guiding me, pushing me, and challenging me to be best I could be.

You got it -- my coach, Don.

Good swimming coaches do operate that way. And so do good life coaches.

Which is what you might term "a leader."

SO WHAT'S THE PATTERN?

*Listen *Capture desire of heart *Chart action steps *Challenge towards excellence *Release-guide-release

AND WHERE ARE YOU?

Can you identify any of stages of this pattern where you are *right now* with someone?

Could you improve in listening, capturing, charting, challenging, releasing or guiding?

That's not a guilt trip. I'm not "in" to guilt trips. It is, however, a reminder to both of us. A reminder to keep improving our ability to help others become all they can be through our influence.

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

------------------------------- Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link: http://www.seariches.net