I saw a post on Facebook today that really spoke to me and a little part of what I hope to accomplish with this blog.  It really got me thinking down a number of different avenues and is something that I thought I might want to talk about.

I’m in no position to preach to anyone about anything.  You be you and I’ll be me.  If you want to rant about politics, that’s your right.  If you want to profess your love of one religion or another, go for it.  Who am I to disagree?

I challenge you to look back at the footprints you have left, digital or otherwise.

The thing that struck a chord with me has been a internal dialogue concerning leaving a legacy.  I obviously want to leave a lasting legacy on my children and family.  Long after I am gone, they will know who I am and what I stood for.  But above and beyond that (and somewhat the stimulus for this project), I have to look at what is my legacy in this world?

How are people going to remember me?

Ugh, deep thoughts hurt.  

We get one trip around this world and what can one do (what SHOULD one do) to make it a better place?  I keep coming back to the thought hat Words matter.  Our actions matter.  How can we make the biggest difference in our legacy?  (drum roll please)  By ensuring the next generation doesn’t forget how to be kind.  That’s it.  That’s my big thought for the day.

I see daily examples of grown adults throwing hate at another person, or group of people, for their beliefs, thoughts, opinions or ideas, or just throwing negativity into this world, reaching out to be heard.  And don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of things to dislike in this world.  Everyone makes mistakes.  Everyone has their positives and negatives.  Everyone has thing to dislike.  Looking at it from a business perspective, dwelling in these negatives though seems counter intuitive to a successful life.

Study after study proves the ill effects of a negative mindset.  Here are just a few that I’ve read lately:

http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/complaining-rewires-your-brain-for-negativity-science-says.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/positive-thinking_b_3512202.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/19/violent-media-anxiety_n_6671732.html

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/positively-negative#.WHZPdrGZPBI

As a business owner, if I only look at the negatives…If I concentrate on the bad business deals, the slights by business partners, the perceived downsides of others in the industry, the presumed negatives associated… then my business would be consumed by the negative and would fail.  Successful businesses are built around the positive.  Hope, for example.   Why should life be any different?

So back to the question at hand.  How does one ensure that they are on a positive track.   Words are important.  “Our lives move in the direction of our strongest thoughts.”  Again, I challenge you to look back at the footprints you have left.   Are they footprints that will be known for the love and kindness that you left in this world?

 

 

Can we have an honest conversation in our first week here together?  One week in, and I’m already unsure of what to say.  I spent the past week asking myself, what is important enough to write, or what would someone actually read?

But I can be honest with you right?  Who cares?  This is about my journey, not for anyone reading it, so here goes.  If it helps others, then all the better.