Who Are You?

"Be the change you want to see in the world." ~ Gandhi.

Who Are You? ~ Take a moment to think about that. If you could put together a few words and a video that says what you're all about ~

What would yours say?

What is your elevator pitch to the world? ~ We've all got one - But very few people take the time to clarify theirs. When all is said and done this is important because it's all about our very basic beliefs and the value proposition we bring to others. Think about it ~ Who Are You?

Invictus.

"Fall down seven times. Get up eight." ~ Japanese proverb.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Honor.

"Don't be weak. You're better than that." ~ Brian Atkins.

A friend of mine passed away recently. We served together a while back and it got me to thinking about honor. ~ He was a man of honor.

He was a guy who believed strongly in stuff but didn't talk too much. The kind of quiet professional who went unnoticed - until he was gone. Brian had a phrase he used to challenge me ~ "Don't Be Weak." he would say "You're Better Than That." ~ It irritated and inspired me.

There are few like him ~ Men Of Honor. But when you run into one they make a difference. They set an example for us to follow, never give or take excuses, and they challenge us to do more and be more every single day of our lives. They inspire and irritate us because we know - We Can ~ We Should ~ Do and Be Better. And then they're gone...

You probably know someone like my friend Brian.

Honor Them ~ Accept Their Challenge. ~ Don't Be Weak.
 

Knowledge.

"When you know better you do better." ~ Maya Angelou.

In days gone by an architect would place a gargoyle on the outside of a building to ward off evil or harmful spirits. So let's just imagine a gargoyle sitting on our shoulder ~ whispering in our ear. Warding off complacency, ego, hubris and the weakness of "good enough".

What does he whisper? ~ "We Can Do Better. ~ Do Better."

We Can Be Better ~ Be Better.

Gnosis ~ Knowledge.

Time.

"Seek first to understand and then be understood."
~ Stephen R. Covey.

The old mentor looked his young salesman square in the eye...
Just like he always did when he had something important to say.

You've just got to ask yourself one question kid - Do you want to learn and improve? ~ Or do you want people to understand your perspective?

Because your perspective will always keep you right where you are.
Understanding and improvement starts with a different perspective.

"So Listen ~ And In Time ~ You Might Learn."

Do One Thing.

"Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life". 
~ Bertolt Brecht.

Do One Thing Today. ~ Set An Example. We only get one shot at life. Do something, Be someone, that people will remember in a very positive way. That's what really influences. ~ That's what remains.

Do One Thing. ~ Today.

The Success Road.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." ~ Robert Frost.

Success in anything ~ really all comes down to expecting more of ourselves.  Simply doing more and being more. It's taking the path that has more resistance. The road less traveled. ~ Every single day we need to challenge ourselves. ~ To Simply ~ Do More and Be More.

Keep It Simple.

Take The Road Less Traveled.

The Boy.

"There was never a night, or a problem, that could defeat the sunrise." 
~ Bern Williams.

He can't explain it to this day. But every morning, when the sun rises, the boy comes out again. Over half a century has gone by and yet ...

The sunrise still makes him smile. ~ It calls him to sprint with open arms into the day. To thank the big guy for... another opportunity.
The day begins and... The music starts to play in his head again.

This grown man can't explain it but...

The Boy is Grateful.

You May Ask Yourself...

"Insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results".
 ~ Albert Einstein.

Once In A Lifetime... ~ You May Ask Yourself...

A Simple Song.

" You sure must be strong. When you feel like an ocean being warmed by the sun." ~ The Shins.

There are so many images, thoughts and perceptions thrown at us. Everyone has an opinion ~ and we are all right ~ in our own minds.

Because we each have to find, and sing, our own song.

We have to take all the stuff ~ The words, images, opinions, and people, and filter them ~ Then we have to live, and sing, our very own song that makes us feel like ~ "An ocean being warmed by the sun".

Wisdom.

All I know is that I know nothing. ~ Socrates.

What is Wisdom?

i Branding.

"That's been one of my mantras - focus and simplicity." ~ Steve Jobs.

When branding is done very, very, well all you need is...

An Icon

And An Image.

A Good Story.

"The universe is made of stories, not atoms". ~ Muriel Rukeyser.

It had been raining the whole week, every single day, but I guess that was to be expected during monsoon season. Still it was pretty miserable and the young soldier was looking for some insight from the old sergeant on how to keep his men motivated and lighten things up a bit. The grizzly old campaigner turned to him and simply said:

Tell 'em a story.

We all like stories that touch the heart and stimulate the mind, the old man said.  Stories we can relate to. They don't have to make sense but if you want to win hearts and minds they have to resonate. I'm going to give you three little tips to remember. Here's what you do. Whether you're a soldier, salesperson, servant or sage you need to :

Lead by example. ~ Work harder than others think is wise and...

 Tell A Good Story.

Optimists.

"I'm an optimist. It doesn't seem much use being anything else." 
~ Winston Churchill.

We make a lot of choices in life. The most important seems to be how we look at circumstance and people. We complicate stuff... But it seems to this simple guy that no-one could ever say it better than:

"We don't see things as they are ~ We see them as we are."

Be An Optimist.