Happy Monday! Welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back.
Today’s word is:
STRUGGLE
Whatever the struggle, continue the climb.
It may be only one step to the summit. Diane Westlake
As a teacher, I often joked with kids that if they were as creative and persistent in doing the work as they were in avoiding it, they would achieve amazing results.
I think we’re all a bit like that. I put a lot of effort into avoiding struggle. Given the choice, I rarely choose the more difficult path.
But we all know the easy route usually doesn’t get you to the best destination. So if I want to accomplish important goals, struggle is going to be part of the equation.
My dictionary defines struggle as to proceed with difficulty or with great effort.
When I think about struggle, I tend to focus on “difficulty” and “great effort,” But the key word here is “proceed.” Even when it’s tough, I need to continue.
Difficulty’s part of the deal. Worthwhile stuff requires effort. Once I accept those facts of life, I can remove my eyes from the struggle and focus on reaching the destination. Like my students, I can re-direct my energy toward reaching the goal.
Then I can proceed.
It’s better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you’re fighting for. Paulo Coelho
What’s a struggle you need to accept so you can proceed in pursuit of your dream?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back. Forward the link to someone who might be interested. Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email. Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter. Join theRelentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans. Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
What gets in the way?
I’ve been working on a big project for the past two months. Only that’s not really accurate. I’ve been fussing with it, working around the edges, talking about it. But every time I encounter an obstacle, feel stuck or aren’t sure where to go next, I manage to distract myself. Something else suddenly becomes more important. (more…)
Today our newest contribution to the One-Word-At-A-Time Blog Carnival. I encourage you to click the link and check out some of the other carnival attractions. This week’s word is:
KINDNESS
Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggie” until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Can you really “kill them with kindness”?
I’ve never considered the notion of literally harming someone with kindness. But recently I’ve encountered some folks who’ve caused me to wonder. As I analyzed their frustrating behavior, I concluded that they’d developed the ability to deploy “being nice” as an interpersonal weapon. (more…)
Monday is word-or-the-week day here at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is …
DREAM
I’ve been watching a lot of different Olympic events. I don’t get all that excited about the well-known athletes. The thing about the Olympics is the athletes who are there making huge sacrifices, taking risks, for a simple reason: they’re chasing a dream.
They’re never going to be famous or make a lot of money as athletes. No medals, little or no media attention. Most of the fans will never notice them. Except for family and friends, no one will know their results.
They are there because they had a dream that was worth more than anything else to them.
I really admire people who pursue their dream. Most of us wish we could do some particular something, but we allow life to get in the way.
Watch one of the obscure Olympic events—like curling. Pick out an athlete who’ll be back at a regular job in a few days. Consider the thousands of hours of practice and training.
Think about the pure joy and satisfaction of achieving a dream.
What’s your dream?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Today’s suggestion:
Join theRelentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. [Luke 15:22-24]
I learned something today that absolutely surprised me.
It’s not that I’m surprised by the learning, but this particular tidbit totally contradicts something I thought I knew. That’s frustrating. There’s so much I don’t know; if I have to re-learn old stuff I’m never going to make any progress.
You know the parable of The Prodigal Son, right? (Luke 15:11-32) It’s one of the more familiar parables. Long story made short: younger son demands his share of the inheritance, wanders off and squanders it. After taking some demeaning labor just to stay alive, he decides to return home and beg his father for a job. Dad sees him coming, rushes to greet him, and throws a lavish party. Older brother resents Dad’s unconditional welcome. (more…)
No thought or action is without its effects, present or ultimate, seen or unseen, felt or unfelt. Norman Cousins
I think we’re all trying to get others to join our circle.
We might be selling a product or service, promoting an idea, or just looking for connection. Some of us want to teach or learn (hopefully together). There are probably lots of other reasons.
It’s a basic human need. A desire for relationship, for love and belonging, is a major aspect of how God created us in His image.
So as you seek to expand your own circle, here’s a question: What are you after? (more…)
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln
Happy Monday! Welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back.
Someone put up a Facebook fan page for these pants worn by the Norwegian Olympic curling team. Currently the page has more than 480,000 fans.
… is most dangerous when you stare at it.
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet 
Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggie” until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. [Luke 15:22-24]
No thought or action is without its effects, present or ultimate, seen or unseen, felt or unfelt. Norman Cousins
