Why Being Adaptable Reduces Stress

I'm one of those people who thrives on the chaos.  Most days, I'm really not sure what to expect.  The one thing I can count on is that each day will look quite different from the one I planned the day before.  Here are some suggestions to help you deal with unexpected change in your day:

1. Consider your daily goals as a template for the day -- they are your starting point, not the finished product.
2. Welcome the variety that comes from unplanned opportunities -- they add flavor to your day.
3. Expect chaos.  You are not a robot and neither are the people around you.  Be prepared for unforeseen circumstances that are not on your calendar.
4. Appreciate the unplanned interruptions -- they give you the opportunity to showcase your flexibility.
5. Understand that your advancement opportunities come from your ability to handle unexpected situations.

When your attitude towards change is flexible, you will find yourself at peace, even when your world seems to be collapsing.  Others will seek you out to help them survive.  How do you feel about being adaptable?  Please add your comments below.

One Simple Rule

Life may appear complicated at times.  I remember a time in my younger years when I entered a half Iron Man competition in Kauai.  The first portion of the 1.2 mile swim seemed effortless.  Then I turned around.  The ocean current was now opposing me rather than carrying me.  My arms tired.  I felt like I was barely moving.  Exhausted swimmers behind me were being yanked out of the water by the life guards.  I refused to quit.  The closer I got to shore, the more intense the current became.  I felt like I was swimming in a rip tide.  Finally, I reached the pier.  I held on to the first beam while the ocean tried one last time to suck me back out.  I waited for the next wave so I could use it to advance to the next beam.  It took forever to reach the beach.  I barely made the cut-off time.  Everyone behind me got disqualified.

I found my bike easily.  All the other competitors were already on the bike course.  I climbed on to my bike and pedaled for 56 miles.  My body was weak but my mind was focused.  I kept thinking about the thirteen mile run at the end.  I told myself, just get to the end of the bike ride, then walk if you have to, you can do it.  I never got the chance.  I finished the bike ride too late and was the first biker disqualified for being too slow on the course.  The race officials needed to re-open the highway.  It was an epic failure.  My pain was doubled because this was the second time I got disqualified in a half-iron man competition.  At least I made it further this time than the first race where my chain broke thirty miles into the bike ride.

Here's where the simple rule applies.  I follow it every day.  It works like this:

Be a little bit better today than you were yesterday. 

That's it!  It works for parenting.  It works in relationships.  It works in every area of your life.  And someday I will cross the finish line in a half-iron man race.  The first two competitions were my practice runs.  The third time, I plan to cross the finish line.  How about you?  Do you believe you can be better today than you were yesterday?  Let me know in the comments section below.

Reality Check

The world I live in is not so simple.  There are rules.  Imagine you're a writer.  You are surrounded my loving people who inspire you.  You observe them doing extraordinary things.  You are so impressed you want to share your life with the whole world.  There's only one problem...your loved ones have no desire to be in the public domain.  What do you do?

I came up with a crazy solution.  This works for me because I'm a little bit on the crazy side.  Here's how I manage to share my life without invading privacy issues at home or work:

1. Create fictional characters.  Some of my characters in my books may resemble people I know and love, however, they aren't real people. 
2. Deny. Deny. Deny.  If anyone sees themselves in my characters, I remind them my stories are fiction.  The only character in my novel who is real is Jesus, even though many readers think He is fictional.
3. Substitute inanimate objects when needed.  I started taking pictures of my soccer ball, my tennis racket and my racket cover when my family refused to appear on Facebook.  These inanimate objects became the life of the party.  Strangers asked me to be in the photographs with my lifeless buddies.  Wilson, Ramona and Bro have their own personalities and they are now featured in the novel I'm penning.
4. Don't talk about your work in front of others.  Just write.  I live in two worlds -- the real one and the imaginary one.  Keeping them separate keeps the peace.  If a family member reads one of my stories, that's a bonus for me.  If they see themselves in my characters, that's a coincidence.
5. When others tell you you're crazy, agree with them.  Who wants to argue with a crazy man?  This is simple, yet effective.

It's a good idea to do a reality check every day.  Keep your characters fictional and your life real.  Understand it's okay to be a little bit crazy.  Many Bible stories are based on people who saw things and heard things.  By modern day standards, they're lunatics.  In the old days, they were called prophets.  The label I prefer is, "writer."  And if you want to call me crazy -- I agree.  Your comments are welcome below.

What Happens When You Pursue Your Passions?

Today's story is about three Mulligans.  There are many more all over the country, however, due to self-imposed boundaries, they mostly reside in a sort of witness protection program.  I restrict family stories to Mulligans who choose to cross the line and enter the public domain.  Here a three examples of Mulligans who decided long ago to pursue their passions.  One lives in a cave, the other on an island, and the third in a van.  All three are blood related:

1. Mulligan #1 ~ the cave dweller:  He's identified by 808.  His red solo dot is located somewhere in the heartland of America.  His blog stories are published daily at 8:08 AM, Pacific Time.  He has a day job, however, his employer, much like his family, encourages web anonymity, so his stories are limited in nature.  His favorite topics are about faith, hope, love and perseverance.  He is always looking for ways to do things better, especially in the writing world.  Visit his Cyber-bistro to observe his latest creation, a novel he is developing one chapter at a time in front of visitors and guests.  Click here to enter the Cyber-bistro.
2. Mulligan #2 ~ from Mulligan's Island:  He headed south of the border to pursue his dreams and found them on Mulligan's Island.  He tours all over North America sharing his music with fans in three countries.  Click here to check out my awesome cousin.
3. Mulligan #3 ~ He lives in a van:  His love for Sierra Nevada beer inspired him to enter a song he composed in a contest.  He won.  Then he teamed up with his buddies in a band that tours all over the country.  While on the road, they post YouTube videos from their van.  One of their van sessions has gone viral and has been viewed over 2 million times.  Last week, they made national news two days in a row.  Click here to check out another cool cousin, backing up the singers who backed him up in his award-winning Sierra Nevada song.

Whether you live in a cave, on an island, or call your van home, if you are pursuing your passions, you can make a difference in the world.  If you find yourself around a Mulligan today, give him or her a big hug.  One or two of them may be coming to a town near you.  Tell 'em the caveman sent you.  See you tomorrow at 8:08.

Are You a Diamond in the Rough?

My dad had a favorite saying.  In his eyes, everything was "world famous."   Every time he barbecued for family and friends, he served world famous hamburgers.  No burger was ever exactly the same because he was always tinkering with the ingredients, searching for that diamond in the rough.  At Mulligan's bar, he served "world famous" green bagels.  Everything and everyone in his eyes was world famous.

Take a look at the world around you.  Observe the people you are in contact with.  What do you see?  Are they diamonds or are they still developing their hidden talents?  Now, look in the mirror.  Ask yourself the same questions.  Do you see the diamond in the rough?  If you are having trouble recognizing your own special and unique qualities, how will the world spot them?

I made an important discovery over four years ago, almost by accident.  I asked God to show me what He sees through His eyes when He looks at me.  It was life-changing.  That discovery led to an important follow-up question..."what am I supposed to do with my diamond?"  The question was asked in the form of a prayer.  Here was my answer:  "Share it."

According to Urban Dictionary, a diamond in the rough is "someone (or something) that has hidden exceptional characteristics and/or future potential, but currently lacks the final touches that would make them (or it) truly stand out from the crowd."

You may have some work to do in order to make your talents shine.  The cutting and polishing process may take a lifetime.  Don't ever give up.  The diamond within you is one-of-a-kind.  I know my dad would be the first to say you're world-famous.

10 Lessons Your Mistakes Teach You

The other day one of our regional bosses at my day job spent some time with our marketing team.  "How are we doing?"  I asked.  Her answer wasn't a surprise -- it was a confirmation that our fledgling team was on the right track.  We're getting ready to celebrate one year together in a new market for our company.  I promised my boss I would stay under the social media radar with regards to my day job because our company does not like attention unless it comes from the people we serve.  After the meeting was over, I told my boss, "I've made a lot a mistakes here."

Our general manager replied, "Me too.  Mistakes are how you learn to do your job better.  If you're not making mistakes, you're not finding ways to be your best."

My attitude about mistakes has changed over the years.  I used to be afraid of them.  Now, I welcome them.  Here are ten lessons mistakes teach you:

1. You are not perfect.  The sooner you learn that errors are a part of your world, the sooner you will stop trying to be perfect.  The world does not expect you to be perfect.  Why should you?
2. If you require the people around you to be perfect,  they will stop trying new ideas.
3. Mistakes identify areas where there is room for personal growth in yourself and in the people around you.
4. People soon forget your mistakes, however, they long remember your superior achievements.
5. Mistakes are not the final product of your efforts, only the necessary ingredients to accomplish your desired outcome.
6. Mistakes teach you to laugh.  The best comedians are the ones who can laugh at themselves and the mistakes they make.  Without mistakes, they would have no material.
7. Mistakes are road signs that point you to future promotions.
8. Mistakes are the dress rehearsals that prepare you for the times when the best version of you is called upon for the performance of your life.
9. Mistakes are part of Spring training.  No matter how far you advance, Spring training is an annual requirement to help you be your best on the field of life.
10. Mistakes remind you that you are the creature, not the Creator.  Your Creator designed you to make mistakes so you could test all the wrong paths, eventually finding the right path that leads you back to Him.

What is the greatest mistake you ever made that helped you become the person you are today?  Please add your thoughts below.  

In the Name of Love

Let all that you do be done in love. ~ Corinthians 16:14

Our daughter has the above quote posted as her cover photo on her Facebook page.  It's the first thing anyone sees when they click on her page.  The verse is simple, yet challenging.  How many people do you know who live their lives by this statement?  Would you give yourself a passing grade if you evaluated all your actions using Corinthians 16:14 as a benchmark?

Here are ten questions to consider:

1. Do I feel jealous when someone around me shines?
2. Do I feel a need to be the center of attention?
3. Does anger ever influence my behavior towards others?
4. Do I have any enemies?
5. Do I hold onto grudges?
6. How quickly do I forgive others when they hurt me?
7. How many people around me am I willing to give up my life for?
8. What could I do to improve my love for others?
9. What is holding you back from loving others?
10. If you could change one thing about yourself to make yourself more loveable, what would it be?

These questions are for your use only.  I know what my weak areas are and I thank our daughter for posting this on her FB page.  May your day be filled with love.