4 of my top inspirational videos

My gift to you

4 of my top inspirational videos 

This is a time of year that has many mixed reactions for so many people that I thought I would share four of my favorite [warning: tear jerkers – have some Kleenex handy] inspirational videos that I think everyone should see at least once.  To me, these four short little clips capture the essence of all that we are and can be in relationship to those who mean the most to us in life. 

The first clip is actually a commercial and it shows the relationship between a father and son and their growth through the years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXPyIv2WLdI

The second video is about how a seemingly uneventful and yet generous experience could have a lasting memory and powerful effect on both the original giver and receiver.

http://www.simpletruths.com/movies/most-inspirational-videos.html

The third video is about keeping in mind what is important and living your life through kindness and caring.  I think many of us would either want to be the giver or the receiver in this situation.

http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/someone-who-cares/

Lastly, the fourth clip shows how the simplest little things we do in life can have such a lasting impression and memory to those we love unconditionally.

http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/lifes-moments/

I really hope you enjoy my selections.  May you have a wonderful and memory-filled holiday season.

For more information visit CrosstheFinishLineCoaching.com

Simple Delights

Searching For Delight In The Everyday Things

 

During the holidays each year seems to try and out do the one before.  Retailers are always raising the bar by marketing and selling the next new shiny object.  Technology moves at such an incredibly rapid rate that there is always something improved that makes what we have obsolete.  I hear a lot of people complain that the holidays have become too commercialized and how stressed out they are for so many reasons.  Taking you back once again to the book Mind Power by John Kehoe – the obvious question is – what are you making yourself conscious of everyday with your daily thoughts?  Remember that in order to change your reality the first and foremost thing you must do is change what you are conscious of.

 

With that in mind and integrating the title of this into some suggestions, why not give the following a try?  Make a daily “surprise” calendar for yourself just like the ones kids use during this time of year.  It is usually shaped like a tree or house with all these different doors/flaps that you open to reveal the treasure of the day.  Create a list for 30 days or whatever feels comfortable.  Give yourself a keyword that will help find the delight in the day.  For example, day one could be about searching for delight in helping someone who needs assistance by holding a door open or paying someone you don’t know a kind word or whatever seems interesting to you.  Another day’s word could be about searching for the delight in someone’s smile.  Try focusing your attention on finding delight in the ordinary or in other words be mindful of simple pleasures.

 

Additionally, I suggest keeping a daily journal and sharing it with someone you care about, possibly an accountability partner.  The discipline will be light and the reward immense.  This practice can also be a way of growing the relationship and permitting yourself to be vulnerable, which by the way is always the sign of strength.  Remember it is not the oak tree that stands unruffled after a severe storm but the gentle blade of grass.

 

I hope you have a wonderful and delight filled holiday season.

http://CrosstheFinishLineCoaching.com

Sensing to Belong

We are all part of the machine

As a psychologist, I think many people become anxious and depressed this time of year when they feel like they don’t belong with family or friends or social gatherings.  When I hear this kind of comment it reminds me of the following quote from the movie Hugo:

 

I’d imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn’t be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason too…Hugo Cabret

 

The declaration came from the character that lives hidden in a train station.  While Hugo maintains his existence concealed from those around him, he longs to make connection with other people.  Our culture likes to highlight and memorialize the stand alone, the ‘I did it all by myself’ character, which further emphasizes a lack of belonging a distancing as it were.  And yet connection to other people is what is needed most when looking to belong. 

 

Technology has also played a big part in helping people distance themselves from others and shares in the responsibility in creating these perceived insurmountable gaps in relationships.  If a sense of belonging is important to you then I would first suggest making yourself conscious of it everyday.  You could start with a simple affirmation every morning when you wake up, saying something like – I feel connected and close to my family (or my friends or my community).

 

It takes effort on our part and no one is responsible for creating our reality other than ourselves.  The interesting thing to note is that other people feel the same way you do and are looking for a way to connect and relate. 

 

Remember to search for the delight in your relationships, even the relationship with self!