So...What Now?

So, what now? Is that a question you ask yourself often? I guess I have had that experience in the past few days or weeks. Last week, I had a complicated ear surgery, which the outcome is still in doubt. Will I hear again in my ear? Will I look different with my ear sewn on? So..what now?

Well, when I take a moment to reflect, the answer is clear. You just get up and move onward. Life deals all of us with a lot of challenges. Big and small and everything in between comes at us each day. Many challenges we just take on without thinking about, while others are so large as to weigh us down and push us over. 

The secret to moving on is to look for every possible opportunity within the challenge. Think about it. If someone has been told they a have life-threatening disease, the challenge is immense, yet they can look at the opportunities to connect deeper with family, take on something they thought they could never do, or embark on a spiritual journey. The opportunities are really endless. For me, well...so what if I look a little different, I can embrace my new-found look, laugh about it and know that it helps make me even more unique than I am. As for my hearing, well, I can always hear from one side, and I can always take the opportunity to see what technology is available to give me more hearing ability with what I have. Point is that nothing is lost, and all can be gained. How about that I can use the challenge to refocus my senses and talents on my other senses, visual and creative. I can move away from self-doubt and move into self-discovery. How exciting is that!!

Late today, an amazing friend of mine, Jim Bowers, sent me the following message that is timely and relevant in so many ways. Jim and I are artists, creators. He is also a dreamer, inspirational and authentic. We are both "perfectly imperfect", as he says. Here's what he had to say:

“Every single human being on this planet (NO EXCEPTIONS) has something BRILLIANT to offer mankind, whether they know it, believe it, or not. It may be obvious, or it may be hidden, deep within an insecurity. Self-doubt renders that BRILLIANT YOU undiscovered, unrecognized, and unappreciated. 

Given time, trust, and commitment, I WILL discover, reveal and then include that uniquely BRILLIANT contribution as an equally integral part of my/our Art. 

Above all else, this is what brings me true joy and my greatest sense of genuine accomplishment.” 

- Jim Bowers, Artist

These are words to live by. So, look at the brilliant YOU and discover your own Art, and say, "What now?"  I think you'll know the answer!!!

Comments please!!

A Poem For The Journey

In the years 2012 through 2018, I was wonderfully moved to create several poems/songs that reflected my life and my feelings. Last week, I was thinking that here would be a good place to brings several of these to you in the hope that maybe my words can help you reflect and find hope and value in your life. So, over the next few weeks, I'm going to post these and will welcome your comments!!

The Journey Is Life

The journey is life
Without the journey
There is no beginning and no end

There is no birth and no death

There are no ups and no downs.

Without the journey 

There is no sun and no rain

There is no joy and no sorrow

There are no failures and no successes.

Without the journey

There is no here and no there

There is no light and no dark

There are no challenges and no opportunities.

Without the journey

There is no hope.

Without the journey

There is no you and no me.

The journey is all we have

The journey is us

The journey is life.

  -- "The Journey is Life" Copyright Larry Eiring, 2017 

Yes, our lives are a journey. But what a wonderful journey it can be if we only look at the value within ourselves and in the journey itself!!

Enjoy!

                         

What Did You Do Today...?

Ok, here's the question: What did you do today to create value?  

Think about that for a moment. Are you wondering what I mean? Are you asking, "what value?" OK, fair enough. Let me make this a little clearer. First, think about what you did today to create value in yourself. Did you look in the mirror and smile at yourself, thinking "I am going to make this a great day?" or did you create something positive for yourself? In creating and building a value-driven life, it is important to take some time each day for yourself. This means that you can do a positive activity, like working out at the gym, or writing something, or even do something artistic. These positive activities - things you want and like to do - will help you build your self-value. The more your build your own self-value, the better you will feel about yourself and your ability to meet the challenges that you will face each day.

Now, how about sharing some of your value with others! Maybe you simply opened a door for someone in the store. Maybe you thanked someone for their help, or maybe you called a friend and listened to them as they related an issue to you. By sharing your value, you are giving of yourself and helping to build someone's own value-driven life. And, just as importantly, you are helping to build your own self-value. 

See! Simple things you do today mean a lot to you and someone else. Each day, by doing something to create value, you are continuing to build on your own life of value. So, the question is...what are you going to do today...and tomorrow??

Please share what you do (and have done) to create value for yourself and others. You just may help someone on their journey towards a value-driven life!!  Comments???

Yesterday? That's so yesterday!!

Today, I was reminded of something that I learned a few years ago. I had someone say to me today that they wish they could go back and fix all of the stupid things they did, and maybe they would not have ended up in the situation they are in now. Really!!?? We can wish all we want. We can lament what we did or didn't do. We can say and think all of the "should haves, would haves, could haves" we want. But there is a reality: It's simple really. No matter how hard we try, we can't relive or redo what happened in the past. So why spend time and energy dwelling on it? What will spending all of that energy get us? Nothing but more aggravation and self-doubt. In fact, when we spend time lamenting our yesterday, we are giving away our own value. And that ends up causing us to spend even more negative energy...or worse. So how about this: Think about today. Think about the good, positive things you can do today, right now. Think about how wonderful your life is now. What?!? You say it's not wonderful? Think about this...you are alive. You have opportunities to be who you want to be. Take the time, even a few minutes to lift yourself up. Smile at yourself. Laugh at your own silliness (I do that every day!). Remember that no matter what, you have today. Make it your day. And...in this today, you will have tomorrow. So, stop dwelling on yesterday and start celebrating today. After all, as my leadership mentor John C. Maxwell says....today matters!!! In fact, it's all we really have.

What do you think? We've all been there. Share your thoughts and how you deal with "yesterday"! 

So....What is the VALUE in you? BTW...Happy Holidays!

 Well, here we are. It's Christmas 2022. Do you feel like you are of value? Do you wonder if anyone cares? Well, first of all, YOU should care. Yes, no matter what you think - you are valuable. I remember ten years ago. Yes, that's right in 2012...I felt like no one cared. But the reality is that I didn't care about myself. Wow...how three-O stupid that was, huh? So, I want everyone to know this.... YOU are valuable. YOU are loved, by someone. And maybe that someone is YOU!! I don't care if you think this is BS, look deep inside of yourself. You KNOW you are worth something. I have worked with a lot of people...and when pressed, they DO find value in themselves. And so will you. Let's walk on this journey together. I promise you; you will find your own value...and a life of hope and dignity!!! Enjoy! 2023 will be OUR year!!

It's Been A Long Time

 Hello!! Yes, it's been a very long time since I have been here. Well, I am back. And...I am better than ever. In fact, I have found the value inside of myself that was there all along. What? You are looking for your value too? Imagine that!! Over the last ten years, I have met so many people who thought they were not of value...to themselves, or anyone else. I thought that about myself, but you know what? I was wrong. And so were they. I found that if I figured out the "whys" in my life, I could...with a lot of willingness and determination, find out the value I have inside of myself. In doing so, I became transformed, evolved really, into the person I am today - valuable, honest, authentic, comfortable, and hopeful. You can get to this too!  In 2018, I developed a program called "A Value Driven Life." In summary, it's a mental wellness, self-help program that helps you figure out the "why's" in your life, so you can build a life of value - a true value-driven life of dignity, respect and hope.

Now that I'm back, I want to share this program, and so much more with everyone. So...hang with me, be patient and come along on an exciting journey of self-discovery, self-evolution, and hope!!