Today's Path: The Window to the Soul

"The eyes are the window to the soul."

-16Th Century Proverb

I am reading the book The Four-Hour Work Week. It is really good. At the end of the fourth chapter, author, Timothy Ferriss, challenges his readers to eye gaze.

One of the most challenging things to do is to look into the eyes of others, especially the eyes of bigger more confident people than yourself. As with any challenge, I grab it with both hands. Each day for the past five days, I have made an effort to look directly into the eyes of at least one person who was talking to me.

I found it easier to do each day. I always thought that people would ask me what I was doing because hardly anyone looks into another's eyes. In each conversation, I found that it did not take long for the other person to look away. It is uncomfortable to look into the eyes of others.

But for the next few days try to look into the eyes of those around you. You will learn a lot.

Today's Path: Fear

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

-Franklin Delino Roosevelt

Why is it that we fear unacceptance? Maybe it is just me, but for some reason I highly doubt it. The past few days this has really bothered me. I want to be liked and have many friends, but there is something itching inside of me saying, "Try and be funny. Strike up a conversation with somone." And I have listened to the voice. However, during those conversations I start, I wonder if they are thinking in the back of their mind if I will ever leave them alone. Then, of course, there is the akward silence, and we both walk away.

How can you fix that fear of not being accepted? Is there a way or is it just human nature?

I try hard to avoid akward silence situations, but every now and then I run into them and have to fight through. It has never killed me or caused severe heart palpitations nor will it.

Fear is good. Fear keeps us going. But we need to do things we are fearful of, or we wil never grow. Without growth we will never acheive our potential.

Fight the fight of fear with strength. For strength look to friends, family and faith. Without the three we are nothing.

Today's Path: A little here

Today we had a meeting at work. (I know...sounds like fun.) We watched a quick clip, The Simple Truths in Service, about how a bag boy named Johnny did just a little here and a little there to give a smile to someone.

Johnny is a Down Syndrome Individual, but he took the time every night to print up thoughts for the day and cut them out. The next day he would put them in the bags of groceries.

On my way home, I drove past a house and in the driveway was a truck with its hazards on. I stopped to let the owner know the lights were on. He seemed a little shocked that I would take the time to stop and let him know.

What can you do to put a smile on someone's face? Or make it seem that the world isn't such a horrible place?

Today's Path:Imagination

Today there were several thunderstorms that came through our area. The genius (or insane daredevil) that I am, I went out to a pavilion at work to wait to see if any other geniuses showed up for my 4-year-old t-ball class. I was the only one, but that is beside the point.

While I was outside I was taking in what was going on around me. There was a breeze, and the lightning was lighting up the dark sky. While the thunder was breaking the silence.

I thought back to my younger days (which was not all that long ago). My brothers and I would think up things to explain the sound of thunder. Sometimes it would be that the angels were bowling or some baby was throwing a tantrum in heaven.

Then I thought to myself, "Where has my imagination gone?" How come it is after we know the reason for something we stop creating our reasons. We slowly lose our imagination. Or does it just hibernate for awhile?

After I realized that I was going to be the only one to be outside during the thunderstorm, I went inside to create an imaginary island. It started small but ended up enormous.

Why not have an imaginary things? Who said that imaginary friends were for children? When you see me ask about Joe-Bob.

Use your imagination this week. Exercise what is hibernating before you lose it.

Today’s Path: Friends

At times of hardship, I sing a song that is quite close to me. It reminds me of where I can go when I need help and no one is around.

The Chorus goes:
And the greatest friend you'll ever find is on the lonely mountain
And the highest high you'll ever feel is when you kneel to pray

This makes me want to climb that mountain to find that friend. In life we climb many mountains. We go up the rocks, through the trees and across the rivers just to get to the top to find that friend that will help back down and then up the rest of the mountains.

Each person continues with you through your paths and mountains. Sometimes you have to help them climb their mountains, and the true friends you find will stick with you through it all.

“It is far better to have a few great friends that watch your back, than an army of acquaintances.” Diane L. Broos

Today's Path: Stress

It has been a few days (what am I talking about? It has been a week!) since I have posted. Even those there are no excuses, I have a good reason, STRESS.

My parents went to see my brother last Sunday to help plan his wedding. On there way to Kansas City, my dad started to have chest pains. Seven years ago flash through my head again. My day had a severe heart attack seven years ago. Late Sunday night my brother, Dallas, called me to let me know, then every hour after that the entire night to give me an update. After a night of phone calls my dad, the genius he is, signed himself out AMA because the hospital was not a provider on his insurance.

Monday on their way home, imagine that chest pains again. He ended up having a stint put in on Wednesday and then came home Thursday.

Last Saturday while I was officiating a 5th/6th Grade Boys baseball game, I took a pitch to the knee. Sunday I was granted with a wonderful trip to urgent care because it was still bothering me.

STRESS. The past week and a half has only been stress. But how you deal with it can either cause more stress or can take away the stress.

When I am stressed, I try to work-out more to get my mind off of it and relax. Unfortunately for me I am not allowed to workout because of my knee. (I cannot wait until I can workout again until the doctor says so. Hopefully that will be Thursday.)

You don’t have to workout to relieve stress. You can talk with friends, go out with friends, or have a massage. Have a massage is one of my favorite. Massage Envy has some great deals.

Things not to do when stressed:
Drink
Keep it inside.
Get Angry
Do something stupid. (Sorry I went and saw Knocked Up tonight)

Today's Path: Age

Each day we grow a little older and a little wiser. A few weeks ago, my cousin, her boyfriend and I went out for dinner, at Applebee's, to celebrate her birthday.

As the college students we are, we tried to get free desserts. We talked about how we were celebrating our 20th and 2 month birthday. It took some time but the waiter finally gave in, and brought us two birthday sundaes.

But what caught me was the we do celebrate a birthday everyday. Each day we growth older. We also grow a little wiser. At my first job there was an older man who always told me, "The day you do not learn something is the worst day of your life."

At the end of the day, I think back at what I have learned. Even on the hardest days, I always find one at least one thing that I have learned. But the one thing that I always remember is what my grandfather told me.

My grandfather always tells me:

"You have to grow old, but you never have to grow up."

Each birthday that some one close to me celebrates, I remind them of this. With this it reminds us that age is just a number and it means nothing unless you grow up with it.

I know that today is the 5th of July, but I am still celebrating. This is the Grand Finale of the St. Louis Fireworks on July 3rd. Enjoy!!!

Today's Path: Celebrate

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

As we celebrate Independence Day for our country, take a moment to celebrate you. Take a few seconds to think back on the fun you experienced as a child.

I was always lucky enough to be able to go and see my aunt and uncle in Sikeston, MO and shoot off many fireworks.

Enjoy your 4th!

Lane

Today’s Path – Goals

“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.” –Les Brown

When I was in elementary school, I remember one of my friends said this quote when we were working on a project. We were talking about things we wanted to do when we grow up (Of course most of mine, if not all, have changed since then, and at 20, I still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up).

Even though, my goals in life have change, sometimes daily, I have always remembered this. The moon is a huge target, 3476 kilometers in diameter to be exact. My chances of hitting the moon are enormous in comparison to one star of in the distance.

The second greatest part of this quote is that “you will still be among the stars.” So what if I miss my target. Maybe my aim was a little off. I will be a star. Many people dream of becoming famous, yet few become famous actors and actresses. However, they become famous to those around them. They will always be remembered.

Take a chance, shoot for the moon. You may miss. Look at the night sky, many others have, too. You’re not alone!

Today’s Path – Smile

A few days ago, I read that if you smile five times a day with no reason, you will be happier. I thought everyone could use a little more happiness in their lives so I tried it.

With no reason at all, I started smiling. I might be sitting at my computer at work or driving down the highway, and I would just smile. I started to feel myself a little happier at the end of each day. I don’t know if I smiled five times or if it was more or less, but I did feel better.

My friend and co-worker, Jeanine, would walk by my office door and see me sitting there by myself smiling and ask what was so funny. Since there was nothing funny I told her I was just smiling. It was hard for her and other of my co-workers to believe that I was smiling for no good reason.

I spread the word through the office about smiling for no reason at all. So far I can tell that those who have tried it seem to be happier as well.

The old line that smiling and laughing are the best medicine must be true.