Small Gestures Make a Big Difference Common Courtesy (From DailyOm)
We often feel that we don’t have the time or energy to extend ourselves to others with the small gestures that compose what we call common courtesy. It sometimes seems that this kind of social awareness belongs to the past, to smaller towns and slower times. Yet, when someone extends this kind of courtesy to us, we always feel touched. Someone who lends a helping hand when we are struggling with our groceries makes an impression because many people just walk right by. Even someone who simply makes the effort to look us in the eye, smile, and greet us properly when entering a room stands out of the crowd. It seems these people carry with them the elegance and grace of another time, and we are always thankful for our contact with them. Common courtesy is a small gesture that makes a big difference.
An essential component of common courtesy is awareness and common sense—looking outside yourself to see when someone needs help or acknowledgment. As a courteous person, you are aware that you are walking into a room full of people or that your waiter has arrived to take your order. Then, awareness leads to action. It is usually quite clear what needs to be done—open the door for the woman holding the baby, move your car up two feet so another person can park behind you, acknowledge your sister’s shy boyfriend with a smile and some conversation, apologize if you bump into someone. A third component is to give courtesy freely, without expecting anything in return. People may not even take notice, much less return the kindness, but you can take heart in the fact that you are creating the kind of world you want to live in with your actions.
When you are out in the world, remember to be aware of others, lend your hand when one is needed, and give this help without an ulterior motive. Through these small actions, you make this world a better place in which to live.
Thank you DailyOM for your Inspiration and Encouragement.
TED talks is a gathering of some of the greatest minds, mathematicians, and action oriented people from around the globe. Each speaker gives a 20 minute talk or presentation. I find TED talks insightful, courageous, full of wit and inspiration. Visit the TED website to watch archived videos.
In late 2006, a Malawian newspaper first wrote about a remarkable young man William Kamkwamba. Being from a remote rural village north of the capital city makes his story even more amazing. This is the story of a young student turned inventor. A true story of Living in Courage. William will be one of the speakers at TEDGlobal this year. I quote “TEDGlobal is TED’s twin annual conference. It will feature four days of provocative talks, relevant discussions, technological boldness and amazing performances that will take us beyond the obvious. The program is designed to explore and make visible “The Substance of Things Not Seen” — this year’s theme.
Watch the video below (click on Read More) to see William Kamkwamba’s story of courage in action.
Happy Memorial Weekend everyone. My amazing friend Nicole McKinney shared this post on her blog BCAD Group. I would like to share it with you as a source of inspiration and direction. Ellen has gained a great deal of wisdom on life’s journey. I find she shares this wisdom honestly with the graduating students of Tulane University in New Orleans.
I thought I would change the tone and theme of my post today and provide some humor as well as some inspiration. We all know Ellen Degeneres. I find her so funny. For those of you who do not know, Tulane University is located in New Orleans. As of today there are many who are suffering the ravages years later from Hurricane Katrina. A city with so much history and vibrant with culture….almost drown at the hands of mother nature. As this brave city shows its resilience, this speech from Ellen reminds each of us to be who we are. The power of believing in yourself will be the milestone that allows each one of us to make our most profound contribution. I came across this post from a daily feed called Splendora. Gina Pell, the founder of this trend zine as I like to call it, always finds such interesting things to cover on her weekly radar! Enjoy — I sure did.
There are possibilities, probabilities and certainties in life. There is believing, and then there is knowing. There is perceptual mind (tree of knowledge, altered ego) the OLD mind set that loves to question your choices and dreams. That’s the hard way of doing things. Then there is the conceptual mind (tree of life) the NEW mind set, the whole mind. This is the easy way to do things. Be very clear that your consciousness will go out and do things for you. Make a decision about what you are going to do. Let your consciousness go out, drawing to you everything that is required to fulfill your desires. Become a courageous magnet for the life you want.
The altered ego is the massive liar. It loves to set you up, telling you that all manner of things are going to happen in your life. The altered ego has had a ring through our nose, leading merrily on it’s way. Be courageous and take control of your life. How? You create. How do you create? Think, feel, and turn to what you are desiring. Put your desires out as the most powerful declarations of intentions, and set them into perpetual motion. You will be wise to remember not to listen to the altered ego’s what, when, why, where, how, but and if’s. It loves to trip you up. Be the messenger for yourself. Be kind and gentle with yourself.
What kind of a day, month or year are you going to have? If you are waiting for something good to happen, yet you take no action (mentally, physically and spiritually) then don’t be surprised when things don’t work out. It is important to pre-pave your life. Feel it, think it, breathe it. Remind the altered ego that you are not trying to destroy it, but want to bring it back into a balanced state of action.
Remember, don’t hold on to anything. Life loves to be in perpetual motion. Many times we get in the way , which plugs up the flow of the gifts trying to reach us. Keep everything flowing, and you will see the proof yourself. Set up a little mantra “I let everything flow easily and effortlessly in my life.” Gratitude is a most important part of the journey. I hope you find the tools I present to you of value. Add each one to your tool belt of life. I applaud your success as you move up the ladder of your highest and greatest good.
There is an ancient story of a wild pink Rose of incomparable beauty and perfection. The Rose knew it had only a short life in bloom. So time was precious, magical really.
The very essence of the Rose entered into each passerby who touched the beautiful petals. The Rose held a soft pink with streaks of silver running from its base to the exquisitely curled edges of perfection. This Rose held secrets, as all roses do. This secret was different. This single Rose held the secrets of Freedom through Love.
Standing tall and gracefully regal in the light of the sun, Freedom’s Love Rose whispered to everyone passing by. For those who heard the call and came forward, each found a different secret, unique to their needs. For some it was forgiveness, for others it was healing, prosperity, health, kindness, peace and joy. Freedom from all that is not love. All day the little pink Rose touched the lives of unsuspecting passers by.
The real magic occurred when a person stopped to touch and take in the fragrance of this special pink Rose. By the power of attention to the Rose, each person was given the gift of recognizing their own love, light, abundance, beauty, freedom, courage, strength and perfection. This made space for the miracle of their life to unfold by growing deep inside their heart. Recognition of this Rose burst open the Flame of Love’s Freedom for those wise enough to see what others had missed. Sometimes the best things in life are hidden in plain view.
I like to think that for some it is a Rose, for others perhaps someone who is cold and hungry on the street, a butterfly fluttering close, the smile of a stranger or a song the breeze carries to you. Love can be everywhere when we let it in. There are many ways to unlock the heart and all of its amazing secrets. All in plain sight. Like the beautiful Rose who wilts and moves on, leaving seeds behind for more roses to bloom. Everything changes, morphs and shifts holding secrets waiting to be discovered and shared.
Do you have the courage to carry The Flame Of Freedom? It is time for Unity. A time for the damaged hearts and minds of people who would do or cause harm – to stop. The fires of change have been lit. Many people now carry The Flame Of Freedom in their hearts and minds. Change is spreading quickly around the world. Peace will become a predominant force that pushes at the borders of fear.
The human heart holds a space for miraculous things. The heart is a doorway to the unbroken soul that can swing wide open when given the right direction. Our future can be built on solid principles of truth, integrity, honor, courage, love, right action and anything that is a positive for the human race. These qualities are of no small consequence. This world is intended to shine as the true diamond it is. There is light and brilliance under the surface of the darkness that many see in the world.
I intend to walk a smooth journey full of joy and happiness. What is your intention? Will you live a courageous life or one of fear? You will have to choose, for no one else can do it for you. Fear is not and never has been the answer. We just forgot where our power is. We each have a unique gift. To wake up and remember who we really are. We really aren’t broken, but we have been through tremendous pain and suffering as a planet.
Each and every person will have to turn the key to the doorway to freedom and peace by their own hand. Everyone will choose a different time for this. As this happens you will see changes everywhere and the momentum is building. People are tired of being lied to and not feeling safe in a world that was meant to be a place of beautiful perfection. Changes are coming and they are coming very quickly. Let your inner peace, light and love translate to the outer world. We really can live in a symphony of perfection. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon. A new dawn is here for all those who have The Courage To Carry The Flame Of Freedom.
I would like to share an article with you from Alan Cohen, an inspirational speaker and author. I met Alan many years ago several times when he was speaking in Southern California. I find Alan Cohen to be down to earth, funny and very wise about the ways of the world we live in. Living in Courage is what Alan does. Are you living from your heart, where courage lives? It might be time to start.
The economic times we are in have affected everyone. This article is timely and full of wisdom, reminding us that challenging times can offer us the greatest opportunities.
An ancient Chinese blessing suggests, “May you live in interesting times.” We sure do. Actually, all times are interesting, as they offer unique opportunities for awakening and growth.
Our most interesting opportunity at the moment proceeds from the economy. As you well know, lots of people are talking lack. While you may be tempted to go there with them, or judge, resent, or resist them, you can make far better use of the moment. The best time to practice wealth is in the face of the appearance of lack. It’s easy to feel prosperous when the outer world appears to prosper. If you can find a sense of wealth in the face of the appearance of lack ― ah, that’s the stuff that mastery is made of. Plus, you set yourself up to create wealth and thrive.
Metaphysician Neville (check out www.devorss.com for his books) illuminates “The Law of Reversibility.” You know that if you can obtain a certain object or situation, you can get the feeling of having it. Getting a car can make you feel mobile, and finding someone who cares about you can make you feel lovable. What most people don’t realize is: if you can get the feeling you want the thing or situation to bring you, the feeling will attract the thing. So rather than sweating to get the car or lover, cultivate a sense of mobility and lovability, and the object of your quest is likely to follow.
That’s why you have to feel prosperous before you can get rich. When Ted Turner donated a billion dollars to the United Nations, he declared, “The world is awash with money.” “Easy for him to say,” you might scoff, “he has billions of dollars.” But does Turner know the world is awash with money because he has billions of dollars, or does he have billions because he knows the world is awash with money? The latter is the case.
If you would like to contribute to getting the economy rolling, beginning with your own, here are some tips:
1. Recognize and celebrate wealth. Money is just one slice of a far larger pie called prosperity. We have been conditioned to believe that if you have money you are wealthy and if you don’t, you are poor. Nothing could be further from the truth. Right now you are wealthy in many, many ways independent of money. Make a list of the riches you now own: Friends, family; people who love you; health; the beauty of nature; your spiritual path; tasty, nourishing food; cuddly pets; stimulating hobbies; a career or a vision of a career that empowers you; expansive ideas; and on and on and on. You are richly blessed in a thousand ways. If money isn’t showing up in a big way at the moment, why distract yourself from your true riches because of one small slice of the pie? There are plenty of other pieces to enjoy.
When you get into a prosperity consciousness, regardless of what your checking account says, the Law of Attraction and the Law of Reversibility will kick in and send more money your way. So don’t wait for the money to feel prosperous. Cultivate your inner wealth, and the outer will follow.
2. Activate a Personal Economy. You have the power to generate an economy independent of the one most people are living in. There are always people who thrive during lean times, as well as people who flounder in prosperous times. Just because other people are worrying about money and not feeling prosperous, does not mean you have to go there. The two greatest architectural achievements of the twentieth century, the Empire State Building and The Golden Gate Bridge, were funded and erected at the height of the Great Depression. While other people were afraid and protective, visionary people were acting on their impulses and creating expansive ventures with large sums of money.
You need not feel guilty about prospering while others aren’t. The more money you spend, the more you will prosper others and provide them with money to spend.
3. Refuse to participate in thoughts and conversations of lack. It’s easy to get caught up in ideas of scarcity when so many people are indulging in them. You can hardly turn on a newscast without hearing “experts” spouting bad news. The only reason the newscasts indulge woeful news is for the drama, shock, and sales value. The news thrives on bad news, but you cannot. So switch off the TV and read an uplifting book or take a walk under the stars. Look up and you will see where your real riches live. If others get into discussions of scarcity, change the subject or walk out. Protect your precious mind from fear and replace thoughts of lack with affirmations of abundance. Then you will be a force for prosperity that will lift others.
Challenging times offer the greatest opportunity to build spiritual muscles. A Course in Miracles tells us that the world “challenge” is a misnomer for a spiritual being, because challenge implies doubt about how things may turn out. When you know who you are, what your source is, and how rich you are, there is no doubt about the outcome.
Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books, including I Had it All the Time. Alan has recently inaugurated All About U., a university without wall for people without limits. For more information on All About U., Alan’s free inspirational quote program, or his daily Wisdom for Today lessons via email, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.alancohen.com” www.alancohen.com, email HYPERLINK “mailto:info@alancohen.com” info@alancohen.com, or phone 1‑800‑568-3079.
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