Dear Old Way of Thinking

Dear Brand X,

I’m sorry to have to write this in a letter.  I’ve tried to talk to you, but my please have gone unanswered.

There is no easy way to say this.

It’s over.

Please understand, it’s not you… it’s me.

Okay, maybe it is you.

I just don’t feel appreciated.  It seems our relationship is just all about YOU.  There was a time when I was fine with that, even embraced it.  We had some great times talking about you – like when we would laugh at that funny commercial you were in, or the time we were driving down the highway and saw your billboard.  That was hot!  My friends and I used to talk about that one a lot!

But I’ve changed.

I need more, and I want to pay less.......

And, well, you are stuck in the past.  We never really “talk”, you know?  My schedule is crazy and I just don’t have as much time as I once did to do the things you enjoy – like working, paying bills, watching TV and reading newspapers.  That’s okay once in a while, but I have new interests, too.  I know you don’t like how much time I spend on the web and in social networks, but it’s not just about you anymore.

I hate to hurt you, but I’ve met someone else…your archrival.

I didn’t plan for it to happen.  We met online in a social network and, at first, just chatted occasionally.  But then something happened…

We connected!  They told me about themselves and shared interesting information.  And they wanted to get to know ME!  It wasn’t all about them.  They listened; they cared; and they made me feel valued.  I’d be lying if I said it meant nothing.  They had me at “Hello. How can I help?”

With you I feel our relationship has always been one-sided and you only care about one thing…

What I can do for you.

What about me?  What about what I want?  What about being involved in the things I enjoy?

I defended you to all of my friends.  When they were talking trash about you, I tried to be loyal.  You weren’t even there to defend yourself, and I just felt used.

So this is goodbye.  I hope you understand.  I needed more from you than you were willing to give.

I hope we can still be friends.

Well, maybe not.

Xoxo,

Your former customer (or employee/partner whatever you feel is appropriate)

P.S.  This has nothing to do with your silence when I asked you if I looked fat in my new shirt.

The Corner Stone of Industriousness

Looking at the corner stone of the pyramid of success you will find the word industriousness.  I recall the first time I read the word and thought to myself of conveyor belts and a line of factory workers.  Now of coarse I said to myself that's got to be the opposite of what I would perceive as a stepping stone to success.  Well as you might have guessed I had misunderstood what the word not only meant but also didn't comprehend the significants of its placement as a corner stone.  Industriousness as Coach Wooden understood it meant true work at your highest capacity; fully engaged, totally focused, and completely absorbed.
How many people do you know that can be defined as Industrious, by that definition.  Well I know the answer for me was NOT MANY and if someone knows where they hang out let me know because I would like to meet them.  I think about the people I often come in contact with including myself, and we are quite the opposite.  We are always looking for an easier way, a faster way, a way that does not require us to completely commit 100% or get uncomfortable.  That's no way to live, thats the definition of a loser, "Oh I will give it a try."  We need to remember what Yoda said in The Empire Strikes Back, "Do or do not, there is no try."
If we want to live the life of our dreams, we are going to have to pay a price and stop looking for it to go on sale.  One of those prices to pay is doing what others will not do, at a level of engaged focus, that others lack the discipline to maintain, to live how most will never live.  Isn't that the real reward of having Industriousness.  To know that no matter what you gave it all you had and when you reflect on your efforts you have no regrets.  I know this is something that I personally need to work on while I stop comparing my results to others.  The only one we need to compare ourselves to is the person who looked you in the mirror yesterday.  If we can say that we are better then we where yesterday and we did all we could do today to grow as much as we possibly could, we should rest easy at night knowing we made the most of our most valuable asset which we are all running out of, TIME.

Why You Face Challenges

A prosperous person is the ripened fruit of experience and wisdom.  They spread their influence everywhere they go, bringing joy to the hearts of others and purifying the world.  But that is a choice that comes from learning and growing from the challenges you face.

Never affirm that your circumstances or surroundings are against you, because then you are giving them the power to exist.  They are never against you, they are only your stepping-stones to achievement of any kind.  The challenges you encounter are what allow you to ripen, develop that experience and wisdom.  Every Test becomes a Testimony, if you focus on the end result not the how to.  And that’s what makes you prosperous!