WORDS ARE THE SEEDS WE PLANT IN OUR HEARTS

Words, spoken or unspoken, are thoughts and ideas that shape our personal destiny. As such they are the "seeds"we plant, in our hearts, that grow into success or failure, love or hate, belief or disbelief in ourselves and in our lives. Of course we learn words from the time we are born, and we learn to use words to express what we see, think or feel. Early on we may be conditioned to use certain words and as such we may "mouth" someone else's ideas, thoughts or words. However, soon enough in childhood, we gain independent thought. From that time forward we are no longer bound by the words, thoughts or ideas of others. We may be affected by their words, but it is our success driven nature and our personal responsibility to speak our own thoughts. Whether we say "I can" or "I can't" becomes self fulfilling for uf for that particular problem, task or idea. If we say we are beautiful then we are beautiful!. If we say we are clumsy, then we will probably stumble and knock over things and repeat the matra "I am clumsy".

Too often, today our negative self talk (words) and even our smallest negative expressions will plant seeds of fear, doubt, caution, reservation, or disbelief within us. If we say "I don't think I will do well on this test or That task is so hard or The problem is so big" then we begin by going in the wrong direction.

Think carefully about your daily words, thoughts and beliefs. Even if you are an extremely positive, optimistic, successful and forward thinking person count how many times a day negative or distracting thoughts enter your mind. The two voices you hear "in your head", the one negative and the one positive are always battling for your mind. Take care to know that your destiny is, in part, based on the courage you show and the choices you make. Choose the positive path. Choose positive words, thoughts and ideas grounded in the belief that you are on a path, a mission, a destiny. Practice choosing words and thoughts that "cast out" disbelief and honor what is in your heart, your hopes and dreams, your love and destiny.

Gratitude Is Grace

Having gratitude, appreciation and joy for the people, events and moments in your life is a reflection of who you are. Appreciation and gratitude is joy in action. It serves as the outward expression of what is important to you and in your life. In the chaos of everyday living it is easy to get caught up in the demands placed on us. It is easy to forget to give a simple "nod" to the bellman or a smile to a waitress. I find it can become very easy to be self focused and "righteous" about who I am and why the world should recognize me. But the fact is that I earn my self esteem and reflect my self value when I take a moment to compliment another or recognize someone else's contribution to my life. Often these times, moments, acts are seemingly small and simple things yet the little things are often really the big things in our lives. And the things that we brood over, show anger or impatience over or fuss about are often gone in a flash and to the point where we don't remember what was so important only minutes or hours ago. Take time to say "thanks" appreciate your goodness, say thanks to GOD for the toes on your feet, your eyesight and the people who touch you every day in some small way. Shared gratitude is contagious and truly a "pay it forward" type of energy. The expression of appreciation and gratitude is an investment in yourself and in your life. Be gracious to others and yourself by showing gratitude and appreciation.

Be Savvy in arguments

Often when trying to make a point or win someone to our way of thinking we engage words, tone or emotion in ways that are self defeating to our objective. This note is about removing harshness and confrontation from communication so that our message is more clearly heard and so that the reception, by the person we are trying to persuade, leads to the heart then the head.

It seems to me that our society has become, in many cases, too confrontational. The idea of drubbing someone, by force, to sucumb to our way of thinking is a step backward and has never worked, whatever the period of history. In most cases we destroy relationships, trust or belief in us if we attack another. In striving for success we want to engender positiveness and belief in our goodness and rightness. The best way to do that is to show your opponent or counterpart that you have their good being at heart, that you care, and that your position is of benefit to them.

Debaters, negotiators or anyone who wishes to make a point, have their idea well received, or win a discussion would do well to consider a very simple old adage; "It is easier to attract bees with honey than with vinegar". I recommend softening your tone, mixing in politeness. Begin with a compliment or agreement then make your point or idea in a friendly persuasive way.

Don't Let the Monster Eat Your Self Esteem

The following is another lesson for me from my daughter, Tami. As you will see Tami is being "taught' by her son (my terrific grandson) Cannon, who is being taught by a terrific kindergarten teacher. I am so proud of everyone in the "chain" of inspiration and belief including my Tami, Cannon and my wonderful granddaughter Raine who also is an incredible source of inspiration, encouragement and hope to me, as well!

Hi Dad,
I almost called you last night because Cannon had me so amazed: We were driving home and he says "Mom, do you know about self-esteem?" I said I knew a little but asked him to tell me what he knew about it. He said, "Well, you can't let the monster eat your self-esteem. He will try to eat your self-esteem and tell you you can't do things but you can't let him do that." I asked him what self-esteem was and he said "It's what makes you happy." I asked him "Well, what do you do to stop the monster from eating your self esteem?" and he said, "You have to stay strong. Just stay strong and tell him NO! and he won't be able to eat it and then you will stay happy."

Is that not the coolest thing ever? The school counselor read Cannon's class a book about Self Esteem. He is so smart. It really made sense to him. It is amazing how he (and Raine) each teach me new lessons all the time. And to see it and hear it from his perspective.....it's so precious. And the insights that Raine has are so amazing too. Anyway, I immediately thought of you, and your Success is Your Destiny blog, when we had that conversation last night.

Yes Tami! You are being successful and your kids are reaping the rewards of belief and the right kinds of "Self Talk". Keep it up. Dad is so very proud of you and of Cannon and Raine.

Turn Negative Self Talk Into Positive Self Talk and Success Destiny

Whether you think you can or can't you are right. Our self talk, whether it be that quiet "voice" in our head, or a verbal pronouncement is the predictor, not the reflection, of our personal destiny. I am not talking about self talk such as idle boasting or trash talking which often masks an inner fear. I am talking about our self view, our self belief, confidence, or lack thereof, and the messages that we "feed" ourselves day in-day out. The person who laments "I can't do it", "I am not smart enough", "I am not strong enough", "I don't know what to do", "Why do things always happen to me?", " I could never, I won't ever, I don't think I can, I don't know how" .....these are all negative self proclamations that often lead to negative results. They are also negative internal messages that feed ones belief system with doubt, resignation, and defeat and ultimately undermine hope. Another thing negative self talk does is block our natural problem solving and solutions oriented thinking. By dwelling on reasons why we can't achieve something we take up energy, time and space from solutions thinking and creativity which leads to problem solving and answers. An interesting thing happens within us when we say "I can".....our entire consciousness goes into action seeking answers and solutions that validates that belief. To achieve anything begin by planting the seeds of belief within yourself. Follow with the self talk of belief; "I can". Then turn your "I Can's" into "I did's".

Service First Means Excellence

I had the good fortune to find myself in HOAG Hospital, Newport Beach, California. While it may not seem good luck to end up under medical care for me it was an opportunity to experience first hand why HOAG is ranked among the top hospitals in the U.S. Of course, over the years and living in southern California I knew that if you need urgent medical care HOAG is the place to be. Yet I had never really thought about what made this particular hospital such a luminary institution. What I learned, over the course of a one week stay, is that the care-givers I encountered, exhibited a Service First attitude and made me feel safe, cared for, and almost as if, I was the only patient under their care.

Anyone is apprehensive about being admitted to a hospital. Doing so puts one in an atmosphere of uncertainty and vulnerability. It would be easy for care givers to become jaded or somewhat numbed to the constant repetition and parade of medical casualties and circumstances passing through the hospital halls. However, what I found at HOAG was a uniform and consistent effort and emphasis to put the patient first and to preserve the dignity and humanity of every person traversing their particular medical issue.

Teamwork is a hallmark of success at HOAG. Nurses and doctors attend to patients in a grand ballet backed by an exquisite symphony of care givers, staff and helpers. Even though shifts of nurses, assistants, orderly staff, administrators, nutrition staff, housekeeping, doctors and others ebb and flow with patient priorities, task requirements and shift changes there is never a skipped beat, nary a dropped baton on the hand-off from station to station, shift to shift.

The most remarkable aspect of the Service First excellence I experienced at HOAG was the wonderful kindness, care and giving I experienced from every single staff member I encountered. Not only were they kind, caring, concerned and attentive, but they took time to smile, hear my story, and share a bit of their own lives. This wonderful gift of intimacy and love instilled in me a sense of safety, security and trust. I also found that I not only liked every one of these great people but I admired them for their gift of service and of putting others first. How proud must be their parents, spouses, sons and daughters and how high their self esteem and sense of self must be.

At the end of the week and at the end of the day I am reminded about Service First and giving to others. It is the highest level of service excellence and part of the pathway to success destiny.

In closing I would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at HOAG Hospital ER and especially the 6th Floor, West Wing for their kindness and care during my stay. You are the best!

Kindness Gives To The Giver

Every act of kindness, no matter how small, in fact especially small acts of kindness, are building blocks of character and self esteem. They also set the giver apart from the taker and reward the person who initiates the act of kindness as well as the person who receives the gift of kindness. President Ronald Reagan was known for his gracious and gentle manner. One quote, attributed to him, is "a gentleman is always kind". I like this idea, that a person of integrity, inherent goodness and great leadership qualities would also be a "giver". A very popular little book is "Random Acts of Kindness" and in it the author talks about small acts of kindness and how it feeds the soul of both giver and receiver. It is extremely important to recognize that we often touch people, for better or for worse, in the smallest, seamingly meaningless, and often in a momentary way. The simple words of "please" or "thank you" or "it is a pleasure to meet you" are powerful means to convey kindness, love, and respect. They tell a great deal about the giver. They are a means of "reaching out" or simply reaching through the barriers of uncertainty that sometimes separate strangers. Small acts of kindness don't usually involve money, they sometimes go unnoticed, but they always build the character, feed the soul and bring a sense of rightness and goodness to the giver. It is simply the right thing to do. So, perhaps you might open a door, or say you are sorry, offer to help, ask how he is feeling, "are you ok", pick up a piece of trash, fill your mothers car with gas, anything and everything in your day to day life. Little things that you would like to see another do or a society embrace. Kindness is giving.......to others and to yourself.