Lunch Box Wisdom 17 Oct 2016...

Lunch Box Wisdom 17 Oct 2016...

"It's No the future that you're afraid of, It's repeating the pas that makes you anxious."

Hey Folks,

Another quick one today, but a powerful message.

People think they are afraid of what is new or unknown, but often its really a fear of repeating a past failure or mistake. As a society we tend punish each other for our mistakes when we really should celebrate them for the lessons we learn from them. Don't get me wrong... I am plenty upset when I brake something or crash and burn. But I choose not to camp out in the crater of my mistake. I get up, dust off and start to climb out and onto better things.

I want to challenge you to do the same. Next time you crash in life, love or business... take a look around at the damage. Then look for the lesson in the wreckage.  Its there... buried under the rubble and dust... like a gem waiting to be discovered. Then take that little gem of learning and celebrate what you discovered.

You can do it, I believe in you!

~ Lost sends...

#tbt Lunch Box Wisdom Oct 2014...

Hey Folks,

Quick post today from my sons soccer game...

Just over two years ago we started these notes and for two years we have kept it up. Its amazing what a simple note can do. Share the good stuff. The ripples created reach farther then you could imagine :)

Lunch Box Wisdom 14 Oct 2016...

Just a quick post of todays note. Enjoy !

Lunch Box Wisdom 1 July 2016...

Lunch Box Wisdom 1 July 2016...

"What ever you decide to do... make sure it makes you happy! "

Do you have things you do just because you have to?  We all do.  There is the trash, the dishes, laundry... never ending laundry... But we are not talking about the day to day that everyone has to do. We are talking about the things you choose to spend your time on.  For example today I choose to write blog entry. I could have done all sorts of the things, but the few hours I get to spend on a blog entry always gives me a that good warm feeling.  I could have cleaned the garage, or revised my resume for the 7th time in two weeks ( I'll have to explain that one later), or take the puppies for a walk.  None of those are really bad choices, but choosing to write and entry today will give me the energy and inspiration to do all those other things better.

The hunt for another IT day job has consumed me for almost 6 months now and it's incredibly frustrating.  I have over 25 years in this field, and I am exceptionally skilled in all sorts of systems and infrastructure.  I have worked all over the world and for all sizes of companies, but I am still job hunting.  Luckily, I run a small consulting company, but its not enough to pay all the bills. So long story short... the 8th revision to my resume may not have been the best way to start my day.  Yes, I need to update it and send it to latest recruiter, but this side track to talk to all of you will give me the "happy" I need to tackle yet another day of interviews with people who know very little about what they need some one like me to do. While I am trying to convince the HR person that my beard does not detract from my ability to present technical solutions to executives over video conferences, I will have this morning of clarity to help me keep smiling.  Additionally, I will have this morning to help me stay awake while I am working on laptop riddled with viruses from an owner swears, " I never downloaded those questionable files".  Let's be honest, those are my favorites.  The ones where no one knows how all the strange pictures got onto there, and the logs of late night chats must belong to someone else... :-) Yes, your buddy that fixes PC's know where you have been on the internet. And if he/she is really good they will fix the problems with out telling you they know about your addiction to cat videos and dungeon porn. It's OK, I have seen it all ;-)

I just finished a book by Jenny Lawson titled, "Furiously Happy" and it was so fun and I learned so much about making the most of the good moments. She has written other books too, and her blog is great!  When she writes about Victor (her Husband) and their conversations it reminds me of some of the wonderful talks I have with my Muse Wendy. She puts up with a lot of randomness from me and I realize Jenny and Victor have similar conversations.  Jenny, you channel my desire for random adventures with Mr. Moose and the Moose family so well, thank you for your Book and for understanding your self so well.... 

So back to you.  I encourage you to take a moment and look at what you are deciding to do today.  Make it a positive choice. There are all sorts of things we have to do, but the things you choose to do today will set the tone for every thing you encounter.  Choose to smile, choose to be kind, and choose one thing to do that makes you happy... You will be so glad you did.  

Have a great day folks! Remember, I believe in you :-)

~ Lost sends...

Lunch Box Wisdom 21 March 2016...

Lunch Box Wisdom 21 March 2016...

"Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance. " ~ Epicurus

Do you ever feel your self sucked into keeping up with Jones?  I do.  Its the entire premise of Apples's marketing strategy for the IPhone. Lets face it, the latest model does not really do much more then the last one. But your friends are getting one... so you have to have one right? No we don't, but some how we think we do.   

I am just as guilty as any one.  I work in the IT field and we are constantly balancing between the new, flashy tech and the old, simple tech that no one wants to let go of.  We try to life cycle people off their side-by printers that they just can't let go of.  All the while they are asking if they can get and IPad they can take it into meetings with them.  I am that one IT guy in the office that asks the real question no one wants to answer... "Why do you need and IPad in the staff meeting?  Aren't you supposed to pay attention so the meeting can end on time?"  Yes they hate me... until they can't access their e-mail or Facebook... then the NEED me :-)  I do like to be needed.

Here is the rub though, a new device or toy or car does not make you happy.  Not long term anyway. And that new thing may cost more then you should spend.  Sure you can just pay payments... but do you really need that one thing so bad that you have to finance it?  And then promise to pay for the next 3 or 4 years? 

I challenge you to look closely at your things... all that stuff you paid so much for.  If you lost your job today and knew It would be three months or more before you had a steady job again, would all that stuff matter as much?  My guess is you might think very differently about all your stuff, and might even start to value the people in your life way more then the stuff.  Give it a try... I believe in your ability to sift though it all and learn what you really enjoy!  

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

Lunch Box Wisdom 12 Jan 2016...

Lunch Box Wisdom 12 Jan 2016...

"It's not about having time.  It's about making time. "
 

When you look at your day, what do you see taking up the most time? Is it what you want to be spending that much time on? Is it something that brings a smile to your face?  No?  Then why are you making time for it? 

In the typical day you have to spend time on certain things.  In my day, I have to eat, sleep, work, clean up etc.... But I have the privilege of spending time with my Sweetheart and Muse, spending time with my kids, playing with my pets, going on adventures, or just watching a show.  How I choose those things and make time for them assigns a priority to them.  When I choose to watch TV over spending time with my Wendy, I devalue her.  When I choose to spend time with her, I make her more important in my life and I send the message that she is precious to me.  Over time, if I neglect my time with her I will loose the connection that makes these notes so meaningful. So I have to make time for her.

I am not great with my time.  I am a busy body and I tend to take on more then I can complete in a day.  The dance of making time for what is most important has always been a struggle for me.  The tyranny of the urgent often tosses a huge monkey wrench in my best laid plans. Each day I have to stop and take a moment to look at what I have given the most time to.  Then ask my self if that is what is most important. If not I have to re-prioritize my day and make time for the most important things or people. 

Here is my challenge to you.  Take a close look at your day and recognize what you are saying with your schedule.  Everyone has some things they can shift around to make time for those things you truly want in your life.  Don't let anyone else dictate what should be important enough to make time for.  You choose what you want in your life and make time for it.  You will feel so much better I promise. Save some of you best time for those you love. You can do it, I believe in you :-)

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

Lunch Box Wisdom 6 Jan 2016...

Lunch Box Wisdom 6 Jan 2016...

"When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Its your story right? Why would you let some one else be the author of it? Sure, some people like to read a biography, but the person in question still made all the decisions about how things went down. They were the original author, and the biographer is just the chronicler of the tale.

Some folks are going to hit me with, "well they had no choice" or "I had to let them do that to me" or better yet "who am I to stand up for my self?" You are exactly the right person to stand up for you. No one else really knows what is in your heart... only you really know how you feel about a certain decision. And only you have the power to make the choice. Don't give that power away.

I have made that mistake plenty of times. I have let duty bind me when I should have chosen duty with a conviction of heart. The strength you have have when you make every choice your own is nothing short of amazing! The obstacles seem much less of a hindrance and more of a launching point. The wall that stopped you before becomes the very stepping stone to your next goal. I love that scene in Animalympics when René Fromage breaks through a wall ( YouTube link... at 1:04 ).  He breaks though and presses on ... and later he even gets the girl. Animated movie Magic :-)

I am reminded of so many times when great leaders were put in such difficult situations and had to make difficult choices. They did not say, "This is to hard, I will just give in." No, they stood firm and hoisted the colors of their chosen path and drove on, blazing a trail for others to follow. Be that person, tap into the strength that is right there inside you and choose your path... write your story... paint the most magnificent picture or your life. You can do it, I believe in you :-)

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