April 2012

Listen………………..can you hear it?

All that information flying towards us at warp speed can be overwhelming at times.

What I have learned over the past 20 plus years of my life is that the information we actually want to listen to and attract in our world, will somehow find its way. Do you believe me?

I really like this statement: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear” -Buddhist Proverb

When I think of the new found skills, technique, wisdom or decisions that I make every day, they are as a result of the information that I listened to at one point in time. In many cases, it is information that I heard many many times and eventually I was ready to listen and learn.

I consider myself very fortunate that I have so many amazing people in my world that teach me things every day. The list of amazing people is so long that it would be impossible to capture all their names, but here are a few. (Arnold, Harvey, Al, Vernon, Sharon, Elaine, Sandra, Wayne, Larry, Ellen, Duane, Bonita, Darlene, Brian, (my parents), Eden, Lorne, Tim, Bea, Michael, Jason, Jim, Nick, Jessica, Kelsey, Yvonne, Terry, Greg, Lara, Laurie and so many more) Every one of them has offered me something that I have learned and gained from. I am sure you have many people like that as well. Who are they? Do you actually listen to what they have to say?

Perhaps the more willing you are to become a student, the more teachers you will have to listen to and learn from?

“Connecting the Dots of Life’s Journey”

Mike Mack

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Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing that is intended as a conservation technique. After catching the fish on your lure/hook, it is then released and returned to the water. (Back where it originally belongs)

Life on earth can be hectic, demanding and stressful at times. We can get hooked on many lure that get our attention and sometimes we struggle and fight to get away.

It can be very difficult to simply “release” yourself from the lure at times.

The lure can come in many forms:

-Work demands.
-Family issues.
-Health challenges.
-Various addictions.
-Relationships.

Much like fishing, the catch and release technique is intended to conserve you. We usually can conserve our energy, focus, stress management, health and much more, if we can release what lured us or hooked us in the first place.

What is out there that is luring you in?

How can you find a way to release yourself from the issues or items that distract you, or get your attention and lure you in?

In the words of my good friend Gerry, at times when something catches our attention and consumes us in a potentially negative way, we need to “just let it go” in order to release ourselves.

Perhaps you need help from others to remove the hook that pulls you in, or maybe you have the courage to pull it out on your own. Ultimately, releasing yourself can provide great relief and will give you the ability to move again in our big pond called life.

“Connecting the Dots of Life’s Journey”

Mike Mack

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I believe this phrase was more common 20 years ago….at least I don’t hear it as often anymore. (Perhaps there is good reason for that) What if you have done something for someone else lately? I guess it would be tough for them to say, what have you done for me lately……right?

This week’s Blog implies that “you” haven’t done anything for “me”.

While it may seem silly, I do believe that many of us think this way from time to time.

One of my previous Blogs, titled: “Don’t Keep Score” suggested that we should give without keeping score of when someone may return giving anything back.

If you have children or a spouse, you may be able to relate to “what have you done for me lately?”

When we really care about someone we will usually invest our time, effort and thought into helping them out. I suggest it’s an investment because it can sometimes take a long time to realize any form of return on our investment. We may feel that “they” haven’t done anything for “me” lately, yet we continue to give and give.

In the case of your kids, you generally give for many reasons:

-Love.
-Caring.
-Things get done.
-They asked you for a favour.
-Instill giving values into your kids.

Whether you are helping with homework, cleaning up after them or painting their bedroom, you hope and believe the investment will be appreciated.

When giving to others you may decide to pull back your giving after a long period of giving, yet you may have received nothing or very little in return. In this example, you may not have received appreciation, thanks, let alone a good deed given in your favour.

Ultimately, we get to decide if we are willing to give now and potentially expect very little in return.

Perhaps you can take this approach.

If the question is, “what have you done for me lately?”…..you may continue to give your support and time because it is the right thing to do, and you really care about the other person. (eg. your kids)

If the question is, “what have you “ever” done for me?”….you may consider scaling back, stopping your support or reduce offering your time.

It is my intent to take on this week as I always do by giving and making a difference with other people. I am willing to take that chance, simply because it is the right thing to do. Who knows, perhaps we will influence others to give a little as well.

“Connecting the Dots of Life’s Journey”

Mike Mack

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Wisdom is defined as: “the ability to discern or judge what is true.”

Longevity is defined as: “a long life, or a great duration of life.”

I consider myself to be very fortunate to have many friends and mentors in my life that have allowed me the opportunity to grow in wisdom. I still aspire for longevity.

My dear friends Harvey and Minnie fit the bill on this week’s Blog title and on many other levels.

First of all, Harvey is 89 and Minnie is 87 years old. (Harvey is attracted to younger women. )
They have been married for over 67 years, which in itself is remarkable. I always enjoy their story about a rough spot in the marriage in the early years and they reached the agreement that if one of them decided to leave the other, they had to take the kids with them. They have been together ever since.

I treasure their company and get together with them on a regular basis. They are always full of life, energy and perspective. There is rarely a time when they don’t have some insight into any topic, including life, love, business, or politics.

What I appreciate so very much is that they have earned the right to offer perspective and thoughts on all topics that we may chat about. While they may not be the subject expert on a particular conversation, I value their point of view.

The saying “older and wiser” is true in their case and I understand that they have learned many life lessons and in hindsight there are many things that they would have done differently. That is where the wisdom of longevity comes in.

Perhaps my wisdom lies in the fact that I take the time to listen and comprehend what Harvey and Minnie have to say. Having said that, I plan on listening and learning to what they have to say for as long as I can, as I regard it as a true privilege.

“The years teach much which the days never knew.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Harvey and Minnie, thank you for being in my world and sharing your wisdom!

“Connecting the Dots of life’s journey”

Mike Mack

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