Frank Sinatra once said, “Having lived a life of violent emotional contradictions, I have an over-acute capacity for sadness as well as elation….whatever else has been said about me is unimportant. When I sing, I believe.”
What makes you and your heart sing?
Whatever your answer, may the metaphor be with you and you with the metaphor.
We need more believers.
For most of us, the lion isn’t chasing us in the jungle anymore. So why all the stress and all of the books and discussion of how to tame it?
It appears that in world over-served with the noise of “must-have” toys, experiences, and trinkets, we can’t seem to focus long enough to truly understand what we want out of our lives, relationships, and businesses. In other words, the buffet of choice, with everything item screaming for us to ‘like it’, is stressing us out.
I’ve learned that the calm ones are the focused ones…and the focused ones get what they want (and what we truly want too). They get a life that means something and one that is lived with purpose. They work hard, sleep well, and have a peace that paves the way for focus.
Here’s 5 Ways to Keep Calm…so you can focus and tend to your gardens of life.
1) Gratitude Awareness: This isn’t about things. This is about health, well-being, and opportunity to see, take in, partake, and experience your role in the story unfolding.
2) More and More of Less and Less: In the end, you can hardly recall a test you failed, a breakup, or something else disturbing that happens to you just 90 days down the road. Fewer things of importance leads to fewer things to stress about. Realize what makes you tick and stay near such things. This goes for all things in life.
3) Sleep: Studies are showing the #1 place we can all use a tune up is in the sleep department. DVR Fallon if it’s that important to you.
4) Avoid Thoughts of your “Future Self”: Plan, invest, and sow wisely, but don’t let tomorrow cause you to miss out on the beauty to behold today.
5) Reflect: You won’t believe what the mirror wants to tell you if you’re willing to look and listen to it for a while. Click here and check out Headspace.
Final thought…try to make focus a noun, not a verb in the days ahead. You’d rather have it than do it.
The minute or moment you move into action with your music, sparks start to fly.
And it’s the sparks that we are after.
How else can you start the fire, right?
If you’re wondering where the flame is, perhaps you need to be asking why is this thing (life, business, relationships) not sparking.
And if it’s not sparking, could it be you just simply haven’t taken the responsibility, duty, and obligation of hitting the play button for your music?
Music is intentional. It’s not an accident.
…Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin
Education begins with an experience. It isn’t read, it’s walked through.
We must claim our role(s) in the stories we are experiencing, because it’s our experiences that will enlighten the chapters that are approaching.
When’s the last time you invited yourself to be involved in your life?
…the lesson(s) being taught are irrelevant.
Life constantly teaches us with ups and downs, sunrises and sunsets, waves crashing in and waves pulling out, shooting stars and those hung frozen in the cosmos and there is no pass or fail test. Only two requirements: look and listen.
Ask for openness. Whimsy swirls in fresh air.
Ask to be sponge-like. Soak it in.
Ask for availability. Open > Closed.
Ask, and it will be given to you.
Ashton.Gustafson 
