Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Gratitide!

“True masters report that the key to success is an "attitude of gratitude." Being grateful for what we have, rather than focusing on what we lack, is the key to well being and abundant living.”

Paul Schnabel



While I’ve not done the research, I believe the most common theme in three years of these Extraordinary Minutes is “Gratitude.”

Amazing, wonderful...even EXTRAORDINARY things happen when we pause to be grateful. Plus it just plain feels so good to see what happens when you express appreciation to the people in your life.

A useful tool I’ve been using to remind me of the power of gratitude is the on-line SendOutCards service. I notice that because I’m paying a small monthly fee (whether I use the service or not!), I am sending more snail mail cards acknowledging people and thanking them for their many contributions to my life. I then “get my money’s worth” and positively impact the important people in my life: family, friends and clients. If you’d like more information, just hit reply and I’ll introduce you to Karen Saunders, my Send Out Cards person.

I’m grateful to you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings on a regular basis...so thank you!

Be extraordinary!

Robert

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

"About the process of growing up......What follows is tragic. We stop risking for fear of making mistakes, fear of not fitting in, fear of being embarrassed or humiliated by saying the 'wrong' thing. Our instinctive joy and boundless enthusiasm are replaced by playing it safe and looking good. Our spontaneity deserts us, and with it much of our natural creativity. Predictability replaces passion. We learn to reveal very little of who we really are and what we really feel. We sell the richness of our passionate birthright for the security of this burdensome thing called our ‘image’. It weighs us down like a suit of medieval armor, restricting our every move, sapping our vitality and aliveness. We wander through life on automatic pilot, controlled by the need to live up to the false image that we invented."

From "Living an Extraordinary Life”
by Robert White



As is my custom, I don’t comment on my own quotes. It would be, at best redundant and at worst, self-indulgent.

We’ve added an excerpt from the book to its revised website. You can learn more and even purchase a signed copy for yourself or someone special at:

http://www.ExtraordinaryBook.com

Be extraordinary!

Robert

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Being "Run by Approval" .... another Choice

“I should love to satisfy all, if I possibly can; but in trying to satisfy all, I may be able to satisfy none. I have, therefore, arrived at the conclusion that the best course is to satisfy one’s own conscience and leave the world to form its own judgment, favorable or otherwise.”

Mohandas K. Gandhi



Regular readers know that your faithful scribe has numerous faults. Some I’m aware of and share; some I’m aware of and keep secret; and some I’m mostly unconscious about. (those of you familiar with the Johari Window are chuckling now) My former wives, of course, are expert in my faults and would gladly educate you much more completely than I ever could.

One strength I will claim is that though I do enjoy approval from others, I’ve mostly lived my life consistent with my own conscience. Of course, this has often led to disapproval from family, friends and the greater population!

A quality I notice from some of our Extraordinary Living Seminar participants (learn more at http://www.ExtraordinarySeminar.com)

is that there is a direct correlation between those who structure their lives and especially their important decisions so as to please others......and those who are experiencing a much less than extraordinary life.

Go Gandhi ji !!!

Robert

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Are You a Doorstop or Making Music?

“Every single one of us can do things no one else can do—can love things no one else can love. We are like violins. We can be used for doorstops, or we can make music. You know what to do.”

Barbara Sher


Don’t you just love it when a communication is so complete there’s nothing else to say but “Thank You?”

Thank you Barbara Sher!

Robert