Lunch Box Wisdom 11 December 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 11 December 2015...

"The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score." ~Bill Copeland

Do you set goals for you self?  Are they real goals or are they outrageous. Like, " some day I will fly to the moon!" If you are and Astronaut, that might be and aspiration, but its not a goal. A goal is something attainable. Now I don't mean something super easy like, " I will get out of bed," either. It needs to challenge you. If you were bed ridden for weeks that might be closer to a goal for you, but it still needs a few things. 

Goals also need to Specific. For example if we said, " I will get out of bed on time," we are getting much closer. For me, my goal is to get out of bed by 6am and walk for 15 minuets. I am able to get out of bed, but by 6am is the challenge and to walk for 15 minuets is very specific.  The aspiration is get into better shape and this goal is attainable while still challenging me. Plus its specifically for 15 mins of walking... which I can measure. Now I am headed some place... towards better health. Now I can and should set a new goal once that one is reached. So lets set a new goal... I will get out of bed every weekday by 6 am and walk for 15 mins.  Then I can ratchet that up to 20 and then 25 and so on.  

Can you see how that method will keep me moving along the right path?  Now its your turn.  Set a goal. Pick a path you want to head down.  Then choose your first step... your first goal.  Then take the next step, add a challenge to your next goal ... and so on.  You will be achieving your goals and heading along the path you choose in no time!  You can do it, I believe in you :-)

Have a great day folks! 
~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 10 December 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 10 December 2015... a little late ;-)

"Happiness is always an inside job!" 

An inside job... meaning its up to you.  Yes you.  Not your partner, not your mother, not your dog... but I am sure when the is dog is so happy to see you that he or she can hardly control them selves ... it does help.  Opie and Seth even smile at me when I come home.  Sure it looks like they are snarling, but the vigorous tail wagging gives them away.  Pets may be an exception to that statement :-)

The point being that you are responsible for your happiness.  It is a choice you make and no one can make the choice for you. You can face each of the challenges in your life with a joy filled heart or one that is full of anger and malice. Anger will only lead to more anger. But when you choose to be happy, you will find happiness right there in the same place you would have found anger before.  And then your happy thoughts will lead to more happy thoughts.  

This where most folks start to scoff and make faces at me. They say things like, " No one is happy all the time," or "everyone gets angry."  And for the most part they are right, but with a very subtle difference... Act vs. React... or more bluntly being contributor instead of the victim. I would encourage you to take on the role of the contributor and be the key to your own happiness. Decide to be the architect of your own destiny, the hero of your own life story.  You can do it, I believe in you :-)

Have a great day folks! 

~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 9 December 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 9 December 2015...

"For some people small, beautiful events are what life is all about." ~ The Doctor

Yes, that is a real honest to goodness Dr Who Quote from my non SciFi wife.  Seriously, I am not even making this up. It goes one step further too.  She was at a white elephant gift exchange last night and she got this great scarf.  Wait for it... its a Tardus Scarf!  She said that she opened it and knew right away I would love it.  Now that is love... Tweew wuv!

I am willing to bet, when you look at your happiest memories they are of simple events. Things like that have great positive impact on your values. I am not talking about the bad things that frightened you... those have an entirely different effect. I am talking about the warm fuzzy moments.  One of mine is of the lights on our Christmas tree when I was very young. They were the old school bigger lights that glowed softly as you watched them. I would fall asleep waiting for Santa, and my mother would carry me to my bed.  Those simply beautiful moments are what the good life is made of for me.

I am sure you can remember some great stuff too. Like the first time you ever rode a bicycle, or your first puppy, or maybe that first kiss.  Maybe it was something someone did for you.  Like the first time some one thanked you for your work, or the first time some one winked at you, or that moment when someone fell completely in love with you. What ever the memory, it was likely something simple and beautiful.

Now here is your challenge... take a moment to offer a small but beautiful moment to others. Leave a thank you note, congratulate some one, offer a warm smile the mean old lady at the store.  You will be pleasantly surprised how that tiny stone tossed in to the waters will make lovely ripples all around you. You can do it, I believe in you!

Have a great day folks! 

~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 7 Dec 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 7 Dec 2015...

"Take vacations! Go as many places as you can. You can always make more money.  You can't always make more memories."

Well now this it totally my kind of Lunch Box Wisdom note!  I love vacations, adventure, exploring, or just any reason to load up and ride off into the sunset :-)  But this note actually means more then "Lets go play."  It goes deep to the heart of why we work so hard in the first place... so we can enjoy our non work time.

Have you ever heard the expression, " Work to live, but never live to work" ?  That is one of my core values.  I have spent years climbing the corporate ladder in several companies only to be laid off as soon as the next group of golden executives show up with new and improved re-org plan.  I learned over time that the only way to be happy is to choose your own path to happiness. Not one of those companies really cared that I burned up entire crews of programmers and systems engineers to keep their E-mail lighting fast.  They still fired us all to save a % point for the stock holders.

Anyway, My point is make time for time away.  Take all those FTO/PTO days.  Even if they did pay you a bonus for your hard work, the tax rate on those are like 65%....  A vacation is not taxed. Blanket forts with your kids are not subject property tax.  A long ride on your bike with your sweet heart will save you thousands in therapy bills.  A trip to the Islands will rest your entire attitude and fill you with child like wonder all over again.  Now that... is priceless :-)

Take a good long look at how you plan your time, and then plan your next non work day.  Plan in the fun you need to stoke up your creative fires.  Teach your children that time spent on your own dreams is way more full filing then they could ever imagine.  Become the real innovators of tomorrow by allowing your mind to reflect, ponder and dream. You will even get better at your day job...You can do it, I believe in you!

Have a great day folks! 

~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 1 Dec 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 1 Dec 2015...

" Don't look back, you're not going that way!"

Have you heard the phrase, One step forward and two steps back," or is it " Two steps forward and one step back."  Either way, why are we stepping backwards?  One reason may be the propensity we have for looking back... or second guessing in some cases. Even to the point where we wonder if we should be moving forward at all.  That is so counter productive.  We have to stop doing that!

When I was a young boy my father used to say, "measure twice and cut once."   Notice he did not say "Son, cut that thing, stress over if its right and then cut it again if its wrong.  And then if its still not right, quit."  No, he said measure twice and then cut.  What I think that means is to take a good look ahead of your self and make a plan. Not plan and plan and plan... just make a plan and check it.  Not Check, check, recheck, ask your friends to check, and then re-plan if they don't like it. instead Plan, Check, and then DO!  You must take a step forward. All the planning in the world does you absolutely no good if you don't act. 

Once you act, you continue to Plan, Check, Do, but in a forward motion.  Yes you will have set backs and mistakes. But that is all part of the fun, and the only way to learn. Don't stress over past mistakes or over past decisions. If you are looking back you can't see where you're headed, and you will slow down or even turn around and loose focus on the goal. I mention baggage often in my posts and this is one of those opportunities to let go of it. Stop looking back at your baggage and going back to pick it up.  Put it down, let it go and move forward.  

Here is a example...  when you drive, ride a horse, walk, or ride a bike you have to look where you are going. Your body or actions will follow where you look or focus. When you take a curve on a bike you look into the turn...you and your bike follow where you are looking( Captain Crash shows us how ).  If you take your eyes off the road to look behind you, you are likely to crash. The same is true of your life. Eyes up and looking toward your goals or you will surely miss them. You will find your life much more enjoyable focusing forward I promise. You can do it, I believe in you!

Have a great day folks! ~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 30 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 30 Nov 2015...

" Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. "  

Today I am sitting in St Thomas in the Virgin Islands and enjoying the balmy weather and down time from the daily grind.  And as I ponder what is the most important in my life, this quote helps me focus on that question.  Do you ever take the time to reflect on the things and people in your life? To really ask your self if they are helping you along your journey?  Its not an easy thing to do.

Some of the people that are in your life may not be there to teach you something... they may be there for you to teach them... to grow you as a teacher or one who serves.  That is a hard thing to see some times.  One of my lessons to learn was to allow others to learn from the consequences of their choices.  As a parent I often want to rescue my children, and as a husband I have some of the same feelings. I had to learn to allow others to suffer the the results of their own choices.  That was my lesson because rescuing them, takes away their opportunity to learn.  I continue to struggle with that lesson, but the struggle is helping me grow.

From my view this week I will get to relax, refocus, and re-examine my life.  I relish it.  I encourage you to take some time... maybe only 5 minutes... to examine a few things in your life and really decide if they are serving you or if they are the baggage you need to set down so you can move on. Those 5 minutes could save you a life time of carrying that extra weight.  Give it a shot... the worst that can happen is you get 5 minuets to your self. :-)   You can do it, I believe in you!

Have a great day folks! 

~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 25 Nov 2015... Ode to my Muse

Lunch Box Wisdom 25 Nov 2015...

Today I would like to offer an Ode to my Muse... Wonder Woman... AKA Wendy Alexandre :-)

As the pen behind all my Lunch Bow Wisdom notes, she inspires me to live a better, more full filling life. I am Infrastructure and Middleware Architect ( Scott, AKA Pig, may be the only guy who gets what that is ) and most of that work is deeply technical and pretty dry. So having her, our family, and our amazing group of friends makes my life so much fun! 

Geek Gnome

She is not your topical kinda gal. She has quite the personality and she is happy to tell you all about it. She is loud and outgoing, but still soft and assuming at times.... OK maybe soft is a bad word.   But she has tender feelings just like every one else.  Even if she would rather punch then hug ;-)  She is all sorts of people all in one person...  Biker, Pinup, Professional, Coach, Mother, Wife, and on and on. Somewhere in all of what she does, she finds time to send me a note each day.  Not just any note, but one that inspires and shows love not just for me, but to anyone that will take the time to stop and read it.  

She is deep and makes me think.  Some times when I don't want too.  She challenges me to be more then I was the day before. She is competitive and wont let you give up.  Even when you don't think you have more energy, she can inspire you to dig deep and find the desire to keep going.   And then she will tease you about it later. She is plateful at times and makes you laugh so hard you can't breath. And then she can touch your heart so deeply sometimes that you want cry.  All that wrapped up in this rockin' body ;-)

I started sharing her notes to me over a year ago on social media.  I got such a great response to those notes and I kept on sharing.  I framed some of my favorites and put them up in our home with a note of my own saying how much I love her.  Now I have this blog I use to talk about her notes make me feel.  And I get to share some inspiration with others. 

Today is her Birthday and she is turning 40. I am so happy that I get to spend at least another 40 years with her.  I hope I have what it takes to survive... Just kidding.  I know I got this.  I picked her because I knew she could keep up with me and my need to adventure, travel, and inspire others.  We make a pretty good team.  I love you Wendy girl!

Have a great day folks! Remember, I believe in you :-)
~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 24 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 24 Nov 2015...

"A simple life is its own reward." 

What is a simple life to you?  If you were to try and boil down the essence of what simple living really is, what are some of the things you would let go of?  And would letting go of those things help you to find more peace in your life?  There are lots of things I would love to let go of and I really feel that would make my life much simpler and much more peaceful. 

If there is something in your life that does not serve your ultimate goal of peace or success, why keep it?  Every one has baggage.  Some more then others for sure, but do you really need all that stuff?  Do you really need to hold on to that one time that Susie poked you in the eye in front of everyone and made you feel less manly... really?  I am guessing Susie does not even remember poking you in the eye even why she did it.  Plus Susie grew up... maybe you should too :-)  

We all hold onto things.  Sometimes way longer then we should.  One could argue to me, do you really need two motor cycles?  I would argue yes... but that means I have to suffer the consequence of that decision to hoard bikes.  Yes I do get the joy of ride variety, but I suffer the cost of double insurance, double maintenance, double the storage spaces used in winter, and twice the winter blues... AKA PMS ( Parked Motorcycle Syndrome ).  I have to decide if it is worth it to me, and if I can carry that responsibility. 

So that's the rub, what is the cost, both physical and emotional, to those things you are holding on to? Letting go can be a freeing experience. Growing often means you have to let go of things and people from your past.   Wendy likes to say, " No Poison People." And she is right... poison people add to the baggage you carry.  You are not a pack horse or a mule, no matter what your significant other may say... you can't carry every one.  

A quick side story... in Basic training we had one fellow that was falling behind.  He had some family issues he would not let go of.  He would bring them up a lot, and he was always feeding his negative self image.  We took pity on him and we carried him though a rough section of his training.  No one gets left behind right?  True to a point.  You see... he would not let go of his baggage and we had to carry him and that baggage.  Our DI saw what was happening and he gave us word of warning, but he let us make the decision.  Later when we were in live fire exercises the man we took pity on faltered, and he expected every one to take care of him again.  We tried to, but because we carried him before he did not have the strength needed to finish the exercise.  We set him up to fail and for our entire squad to fail. When some one will not help them selves the time comes when you have to let them suffer the consequences of their own choices... lighten your load and simplify your life in that moment. No one gets left behind, so long as they give their all. I learned that day that some baggage will drag you down and must be cut free. Cutting it free will allow you and your crew to live to fight another day. 

So what are you holding onto?  What do you need to let go of?  Only you know what you can really carry and what will really serve you.  Take the time to evaluate those you spend time with and make the decision that will free not just you, but that friend who needs to cut their own baggage loose.  You can do it! I believe in you ;-)

Have a great day folks!
~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 23 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 23 Nov 2015...  

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" ~ Michelangelo

Quite often we sell our selves short and settle for less the we are capable of doing. That is a very real danger for all of us.  Not just as the person setting our own goals, but also as the parent or friend that must encourage others.   We can fear failure so much that we don't even try, and fear failure so much for others that we allow them to be mediocre, lazy or just do the work for them.  Both are dangerous and both yield the same pattern of behavior and a sense of entitlement. 

Have you ever really read the parable of the talents?  I often hear it quoted or referred to, but I read it once when I was a youth leader and it opened an even greater desire in me to do more then just exist, keep a day job, and behave my self. The concept of striving to improve myself and add to my own talents really started to take hold of me then.  I think it was at that point that I realized that if I wanted to make anything happen, I need to take the reigns of my life and quit blaming others or my circumstances for not achieving more.   In the parable, those or worked to gain more talents were blessed with more yet.  And those who simply buried their talents for fear of loosing them, lost their talents.  I was not going to hide behind my day job or, my busy schedule anymore ... I wanted to learn and grow, and that meant I needed to put forth effort.

Speaking of effort and life long learning, who would know that better then Michelangelo?  With so many inventions over the course of his life you can see how he was the ultimate Tinker.  Always experimenting with this thing or that concept. Plus he was a great artist! Painting, sculpture, writing... always moving on to the next thing.  He was not some random hit and miss artist that stumbled onto a single image that made him famous, he was the prime example of working hard at each thing he did. Starting from scratch, sketching the concept, then expanding on the idea. Moving on to models and prototyping and then on to refining the image or device in question and then testing it over and over. Wow if we learned and worked as he did, we would never be inclined to sit and hide who we were. We would be out trying something new everyday and building on what we had learned.  We would be gaining new skills and testing new ideas. Wouldn't that be great?!

And there in lies the challenge for today...  Lets go learn something new, expand what we have learned so far, and inspire each other!  Let's help one another shoot for the stars, and build what we have always dreamed of.  We can do this, you especially... you have the power inside to make a wonderful ripple in the pod of life and each day increase your influence.  I believe in you... and so does Michelangelo ;-)

Have a great day folks!~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 20 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 20 Nov 2015...  

"Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole stair case." ~ Dr Martin Luther King

Every journey begins with the first step.  Taking that step is the hard part.  Having faith makes that step much easier.  The trust that your step will bring you closer to you destination or that the journey will be worth the effort is a form of faith. On the spiritual side of faith ... it is a belief in things not seen, a hope greater of things yet to come, and a willingness to devote your self towards a greater purpose.

What ever greater power you believe in, there is a core element of faith needed to suspend your dis-belief.  That willingness to put your trust into that greater power is what sets apart those who venture forth and those who simply huddle in fear.  Those who have a higher commitment to that faith can some times go beyond the limits of what we think of as physical limitations.  Now those are the greatest stories... those of faith so strong they stepped forth against insurmountable odds and still prevailed.  I wont argue merits of a given faith over an other.  I will say that what ever some one chooses to believe becomes their reality regardless of anyone else's reality.  What is truth to one person is utter nonsense to another.

There are levels of commitment within faith as well.  Some will begrudgingly commit to take to the steps.  All the while saying, "I bet they end after a little bit." Where another may say, "OK, i will take the steps. It will be fine." And still yet another may say, " I will take the steps and I will take them all the way no matter where they lead."  The commitment level is directly tied to the result.  If you only do something because you are told to... you wont really do a great job and you are likely to fail.  If on the other hand you are committed to your path, and you have faith in the result, you will perform better and be able to react when things are in your way.  You will adapt and overcome and there by succeed.   So you see... Faith and Commitment go hand in hand to achieving your goal.

My wife coaches people to over come obstacles and fear in their lives and in business. Their Faith in her and their commitment to the tasks she helps them identify will dictate if they succeed.   It's ultimately in their own hands... but they have to believe and have faith in them selves and their path.

Faith is the stuff of miracles... "if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."

Truly nothing is impossible.  It will take time and effort, sweat and tears, questions and frustration... but the journey to reach your goals is completely possible and worth it. Now get out there and make things happen.  You can do it! I believe in you ;-)

Have a great day folks!
~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 19 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 19 Nov 2015...  

"Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see." ~Mark Twain

Kindness... one of the most subtle and yet most effective ways to influence others positively. With nothing more then a random smile you can uplift and entire room full of people. So many times I am passed by some one while walking and when I look up and smile they return the smile.  You might think a smile to a stranger has no impact, but it does... it has profound impact.  That smile will be passed on again and again that same day.  And to every one that receives the smile and passes it on will likely pass it on again and again that same day... increasing the smile exponentially until its more then a smile.  It becomes the reason some one calls their mother, or the reason the guy ahead of you in line pays for your coffee, or the spark that leads a random person to rescue a kitten.... it happens and kittens all over the world are happier for it.  But seriously, it could mean the very hand that lifts up some one who was about to end their life. 

Mark Twain is a great example of Kindness.  Besides being one of my favorite authors, he was able to cut to the truth of a situation using the tools of humor and satire. This quote is a great jewel from his writing.  His stories often showed how a lighthearted view of life allows you to see the world as a better place and exude kindness.  When you view your world with smiling eyes you see the best things.  You also have this glow about you that attracts good things into your life.  Sure there is always one nay-sayer or Debbie-downer in the group, but even your worst hatter lets up a little when you just laugh off their anger.

Start Wars point... You had to know Star Wars would come up with me.  As Yoda states, Anger is the path to the Dark side. So it stands to reason that kindness and patience is the path to the Light side.  The simple act of taking a breath in the face of frustration will melt your anger.  " Let go, Luke," was not about giving up control... it was about letting go of aggression and using a peaceful place in side to focus him self.  Now the Dark side does have cookies.  So some Sith Lord has a sweet tooth and you know that deep down he wants to share those cookies.  OK, OK, that was a stretch even for me, but you see my point... Kindness is key to so many great works and interactions in life.  

So what are you going to do today to be kind? It only takes a moment and you will reap blessings greater then you give.  That is the cool thing about Karma... you always get so much more when you give. Now go be kind to someone... You can do it! I believe in you ;-)  

Have a great day folks!
~ Lost sends...

Everyday an Adventure...

Lunch Box Wisdom 18 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 18 Nov 2015...  

"Lets find some beautiful place to get lost."

The Spirit Adventure! I love travel and I love adventuring to some unknown place.  My on-line handle was I_am_Lost back in the day of IRC.  Ask your geek uncles and aunts what that is kids.  I picked it because I was learning and I felt lost, but it came to represent my need to travel and explore as well. My other Blog is called Lost's Realm and most of my online content is penned under Lost, IAmLost or LostZeroCool. ZeroCool being the ode to an old Michel Crichton Novel and the movie Hackers. Plus reading The Cuckoo's Egg really got me hooked on all things computer realte.  Sorry, I digress...

Any way... the need to adventure has long been a part of my core self. My cousins and I would pack some snacks and disappear along the Snake River all day long.  We would make up grand adventures and stories about all sorts of worlds and places we would visit.  Fueled by stories like Elf Quest, and John Carter of Mars, Starship Troopers and The Belgariad, Conan and Red Sonjia... we would make our own weapons from fallen tree branches and then roam all over.  We would quest for great treasure or hidden caves hoping to live in a Star Wars universe or Krull like world with fantastic beasts and mystical magics.  All before it would get too dark to see.  Then we would have to go home for flash lights or to do chores and home work. 

Two of my Favorite adventurers will always be Calvin and Hobbes.  They are such great examples of the indomitable spirit of youth and curiosity.  May I become more like them every day and pass that level of adventure on my children. 

Now that I am older I still crave adventures. But Wendy and I don'd just crave them... we get out there and find the adventures we crave.  Whether its notes like today's urging each other to to get lost... in a nice way, or planning a quick trip to our favorite ride spot. We just get out there and enjoy the world.  We put almost 10,000 mikes a year our motor cycles alone.  That's not counting the hiking, camping, flying or walking we do. That adventure, downtime, non screen time or what ever you call it,  is what refuels your creative soul, your inner kid, the very essence of you that allows you to look at things with an open mind. Its like a solar panel for your mind. 

Now here is your challenge...queue mission impossible theme music... Go out and enjoy life for just 5 minuets a day.  You will see your appetite for adventure grow and you will overcome your fears in all other parts of your life.  It happens a little at a time, but you will find more time in your day to recharge and create.  You can do it! I believe in you ;-)  

Have a great day folks!
~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 17 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 17 Nov 2015...  

"You wake up every morning to fight the same demons that left you so tired the day before, and that my love, is bravery."

Today's note is awesome! It is about Bravery. An often over used word and one that is applied to so many thing incorrectly. It is an inspiring word that can change the hopeless into the hopeful, the beaten into heroes, and the scared young boy into a courageous young man.

We are not just talking about the huge acts that change a world. We are talking about the simple small acts that propel you towards greatness. Sure slaying the dragon is brave, taking the first step onto a the Moon is surely brave too, and every soldier who stands as the shield of freedom is brave as well.  But what about child sleeping alone in the dark? What about the woman raising two children alone with only a part time job to provide for them? What about the working man who puts in 60 hours a week only to go on to his night job too so he can afford a home for his family? or the simple act of a teenager walking away from the drugs in her school and the one boy who says he loves her if she will just send him some pictures on her phone, so she can finish her home work? aren't those folks showing Bravery too?  I think so.

I was told once that having a Teddy bear was silly... I think a Teddy bear is like a covert wing man. Your buddy in the fox whole, the biker on your right in the turn.  He's got your 6 when you need some rack time.  No body wants to mess with the T-Bear !

We all need a wing man. Some on you can count on when things get really messy. That is the person that tells you to take one more step, to push just a little more and to help you stand back up when we fall. And one of the best ways to have some one like that is to be that person for some one else. Be the Teddy bear that watches while they sleep. The Goose to their Maverick, the Forrest for Bubba, or the Piglet for Pooh bear.  Be the one who dusts them off and says, " Man, that was awesome! Lets do it again!"

Some of my best friends became friends when all they needed was one person to stand with them...So I did.  And now, when I am on my last breath they come and lift me up so we can live to fight another day.

Today, I hope you will be Brave enough to help someone else become Brave... Change the world one life at a time. You can do it! I believe in you ;-)

Have a great day folks!
~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 16 Nov 2015...

Lunch Box Wisdom 16 Nov 2015...  

" Think continually about what you want, not about the things you fear." ~Brian Tracy

Have you ever been scared stiff? Petrified? Frozen in place by something scary?  I have, many many times. And every time I am that scared, all the frozen, shivering, crying, and wide eyed staring ... it never helps me.  What does help is looking at the situation and finding a solution.  

This quote is really about focusing on the things you want in life.  That and not focusing on the things you fear.  When you let fear creep it sucks away your focus.  It pulls you away from the things you want.  When you focus on the the things you want in your like, you begin to move towards them.  It's like switching on a magnet for all those things you want in your life.  So I spend a lot of time thinking about Lego's.  Yes, at 43 years old I am still a huge Lego fan. More about that another day.

When I was a kid I had horrible night mares that would wake me up screaming. And when I did sleep, I would sleep walk.  My mother has stories about be wandering the house talking or yelling at all hours of the night.  How she lived through raising me I will never know. She figured out that I would need face what ever I was afraid of in my sleep so I could really rest.  So she, along with our local Dr, helped me to look at those fears in a different light. Then encouraged me to make up stories when I was awake of how I would over come what was scaring me in my sleep. I wrote some pretty fascinating stories of how I would defeat the beasts in my dreams, and eventually I would dream of me actually facing those fears.  And winning!

Soon some of the most frightening things in my dreams came to be the most fun things in my stories. I gotta hand to Mom.  She gave me a tool I use every day now.  The tool to focus on a solution and a way to overcome issues.  A tool that I use every time I trouble shoot a problem.  Thanks, Mom.

My wife Wendy, who writes all these fun notes for my lunch box, is a Business and Personal Fear coach ( http://www.resultsboss.com/ ). In addition to her other jobs... Wife, Mother, Real-estate Super Hero, Pin-up Model, Biker Chic, just to name a few... she finds time to send me these notes every work day.  I am sure she gets scared some times too and she would tell you to think of those things you want in your life. Ponder them and keep them in your heart.  Set your goals on those thing... Not what you fear.

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

― Frank Herbert, Dune

You can do it! I believe in you and so does Wendy ;-)

Have a great day folks!
~ Lost sends...