Mike Mack

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Remember back in the day when we went to the grocery store and had the choice of paper or plastic bags for our groceries?

Today, many people actually take their own bags to do their small part to save the planet.

While the concept of the grocery bag is simple, it is about choice.

We all have choices, with some being simple and easy to make. Some will be more challenging and complex to decide.

Should I go with an iPhone or Blackberry?

Is it Starbucks or Tim Hortons?

Do I get outside and become active, or do I sit on the couch?

Can I settle for what my life currently offers or do I pursue a better, more fulfilled life?

Am I full before dessert or after?

Will I lend a helping hand to someone else or ignore him or her?

Should I consider this career path, or go back to school?

One of the fundamentals to having a choice is to determine “why” you want to choose between one thing or another.
(Paper or Plastic?……iPhone or Blackberry?…..Help out or ignore?……Settle for, or puruse more?)

Remember, one choice may not impact the course of your life, however some will be significant to getting you to where you want to go?

“It’s choice-not chance, that determines your destiny.” -Jean Nidetch

“Connecting the Dots of Life’s Journey”
Mike Mack

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I just returned from an amazing weekend mountain biking in Canmore, Alberta.

At this time of year…..or almost any time of year in the mountains the potential exists to come across wildlife. Bear, cougars, elk, wolves, etc.

As every tourist can attest to there are warning signs everywhere to offer advice on how to avoid dangerous wildlife. Common sense must prevail. You must avoid doing certain things to prevent the opportunity to attract the animals. (Show your presence by making noise, travel in groups, don’t leave food behind or exposed)
While you must be cautious, you still can enjoy all that the mountains have to offer.

Life is a lot like a trip to the mountains with dangers and risks, but if you manage the risks, you can enjoy an amazing life, as you deserve to. You need to make some noise. Don’t be silent and allow the dangers, risks or negative outcomes to find you. Travel in groups……..if you want to attract great things in your life, you can’t do it alone. Surround yourself with positive people.

As we go through life, some people attract amazing things and others may often wonder, how do they get so lucky or fortunate, while another person may attract challenge, bad luck, and poor outcomes. You may think…..wow, that guy just can’t catch a break.

The very popular book and movie titled: “The Secret” speaks about the Law of attraction.
A quote that really resonated for me….“We are like magnets – like attract like. You become AND attract what you think.” Do you believe that this is true? Is it possible to attract what we think about?

I truly believe so and I have witnessed that in my own life and with others that are close to me as well.

If we use the trip to the mountains as an example, it is highly possible that someone who is petrified of seeing a bear is more likely to actually attract one near them, vs. another person who was not fearful and they conducted themselves in a relaxed/confident manner and didn’t feel concerned, even though they were totally aware of their surroundings. While there is no guarantee that this is always the case, it happens more times than not, at least in my opinion and experience.

So, what are you attracting on your journey of life?

Is it, peace, happiness, optimism, success, good health, great relationships…..etc?

Are you someone who attracts fear, dissatisfaction, poor health, strained relationships, failure, and lack of confidence…..etc?

Challenge yourself for the next 2-4 weeks and think about what you WANT to attract in your life, not what you DON’T WANT. While there are no guarantees that you will attract everything you want, be patience, as the ride will be much more enjoyable!

“Connecting the Dots of Life’s Journey”

Mike Mack

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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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Life can be great for some and challenging for others.

Ultimately it equals out over time. Or does it?

There are many things in this world that may not be fair.

First of all, what exactly is the definition of fair? Surprisingly, there are many meanings to this simple, yet often used word.

1. Free from bias (a fair decision).
2. Proper under the rules (a fair fight).
3. Moderately large or ample (a fair price).
4. Neither excellent nor poor (a fair day).
5. Something that is reasonable and good. (we are in good health)

So, what’s fair?

Let’s answer the question based on the above 5 points or definitions.

Free from bias. What’s fair? Do we at times judge people because of how they look or what they wear? Is that fair?

Proper under the rules. What’s fair? Do we try to park in a handicap spot because it’s closer to the door? Is that fair?

Moderately large or ample. What’s fair? Do we complain that we never have enough? Is our piece of the pie never adequate to satisfy us? Is that fair?

Neither excellent nor poor. What’s fair? Are we content being in a place of neither excellent no poor? Is that fair?

Something that is reasonable and good. What’s fair? When something happens to us or someone else that we believe is reasonable.

What about when something happens that is unreasonable and not good? In fact, it is tragic? It’s not fair.

I received sad news on Saturday evening that a young lady from Saskatchewan that I knew passed away after a short battle from cancer. A young twenty-eight year old mom leaving behind two little daughters ages two and four and a young husband. My sister shared the news via email and her words, “it is just so unfair” really resonated with me.
In this very sad situation, it is indeed not fair.

I now have a different perspective on what’s fair.

I dedicate this week’s Blog to Megan Fonstad. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Read Megan’s message

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We all live in a world of instant gratification at times.

We want it all, and we want it now.

The tune with the same title resonates. (By the iconic rock band Queen).

“I want it all”

A piece from one of the verses….

It ain’t much I’m asking, I heard him say,
Gotta find me a future move out of my way,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

In our pursuit of wanting it all…NOW, we sometimes forget to celebrate the small wins along the way of getting what we want or desire.

We want to be rich…..now!
We want to be educated…..now!
We want to lose weight…..now!
We want to have a vacation…..now!
We want the work week to be over…..now!

The suggestion in this week’s blog is simple. Try celebrating the small wins along the way to getting what you want.

We want to be rich. Try celebrating when you have saved or earned a certain amount of money, then continue saving and earning more.

We want to be educated. Smile after mid-terms are over and celebrate your success. (Way to go Nick!)

We want to lose weight. Try celebrating that you’ve eaten healthy for the past week and enjoyed some regular exercise.

We want to have a vacation. Perhaps you can create a weekend getaway so you don’t have to wait until next January for Mexico.

We want the work week to be over. Try celebrating each day and enjoy the people you work with and plan activities that you look forward to during the week.

It is ok to want things in your life.

Celebrating the small wins along the way gives you fuel to keep driving towards what you want.

“Helping you to the next level”

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Our world is full of give and take.

Do you give more than you take?

Do you take more than you give?

If you have kids, you are well aware that you generally give more than you take from them. (At least for the first 20-25 years. )

The concept of Give and Take is like a “potluck”.

By definition a “potluck” is used in reference to a situation in which one must take a chance that whatever is available will prove to be good or acceptable.
…..or it is a meal to which each guest contributes food: “a potluck dinner”.

With reference to the first definition I see the parallel between Give and Take. When we operate in a world of genuine Give and Take, we have to accept what we receive in most cases. For example, if you are in a relationship. (We are all in some form of relationship, be it with a spouse, partner or our kids)
I experience this with my kids all the time and have embraced the fact that I am willing to receive whatever is available from them. It may be their time or a kind gesture. It may be small at times, but still valuable and worthy of taking what they give me.

The second definition pertains to what most of us may be aware of when we get together with family and friends, or when an office hosts a potluck luncheon and everyone gives something. Each guest contributes, but the reality is that the giving is not an “equal” contribution in most cases. Someone cooks and brings a turkey and someone brings pickles. Give and Take is alot like this at times. You may give alot or you may give very little, but the fact that you are giving is the most important.

As I evolve through life and get older, and hopefully wiser, I see that many people in my world (at least in my close circle) actually enjoy giving more than taking and I also get alot of joy and satisfaction from this. When you get to the ultimate “potluck” situation and there is one crumb left and you give it to someone else, you may gain far more satisfaction is doing so then actually taking it for yourself.

“Blessed are those who can GIVE without remembering & TAKE without forgetting.” – Elizabeth Bibesco (British poet and author 1897-1945)

Have a wonderful week.

“Helping you to the next level”

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