Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Drivers

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driver, Enjoyment, habit, Hobby, Joy, Monday, motivation, motivator, self-preservation

I was reading a few days ago about what drives people to do what they do. For some a drive comes from serious loss or pain. For others they are inspired by someone. There is no way to categorize or analyze this because there are just too many reasons for people to do what they do. So, it’s best to stick with learning about what drives you.

What drives you to do what you do? Do you like to exercise? Do you like your hobby? Do you enjoy your work? Do you enjoy companionship? General Grant, who had throat cancer late in life, wrote his memoir to support his family when he was gone. His driver was family and responsibility.

One of my drivers is competence. I like to know how to do things. I like to learn new things. Then, I like to apply those things to what I am doing every day. If there’s a new technology or app I can use to make my life easier or more efficient–I’m there. One of the things I’ve learned over time is how much better it is to know where something is, rather than memorize it. There is so much information out there. If you can’t remember how to do something, simply know where to learn how to do it.

Drivers are what get us up in the morning. Hobbies, responsibilities, passions, whatever you label them, drivers are very motivating. Sometimes we need to take a little time and really think through what drives us. Once I discovered my true drivers, it made it easier for me to find the motivation to do the things I wanted to do and the ones I needed to do.

Have a great Monday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Sunday – Rediscovering Happiness

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Contemplation, Contentment, Happiness, Joy, Love, Meditation, Prayer, spiritual discipline, Spiritual Exercises, Spiritual habits, Spiritual responsibilities

Regardless of your faith or religious path, each comes with certain disciplines that should be followed in order to attain the success the path offers. Meditation daily, prayer daily or multiple times, eating the right foods and avoiding those that are not allowed. All these should be practiced with love.

I mention quite a bit in my blog about my practice of a “do nothing day”. I wanted to correct that here. There are certain disciplines my religious path requires and even on my “do nothing day” these are done. I read from my bible, I study my discourses, I do my spiritual exercises, and I do my daily journaling. I perform these tasks with joy and detachment. Detachment means I do these things without expectation of a revelation, reward, or some other benefit. I do them out of love for God.

One of the quotes provided by the teachings I follow is that “All is in its rightful place in the worlds of God.” – Sri Harold Klemp. This statement if taken to heart provides a sense of contentment. I have all I need. I am happy. I am safe. I am content. How could I not be if “All is in its rightful place in the worlds of God”?

Many people are constantly looking for happiness. They look here and there, hoping they can find it. What is sad and funny is that happiness is within. It is sad for those who do not know this and are constantly looking for it somewhere else. Perhaps happiness can be found in making a lot of money. Perhaps I can get my happiness through another person. Perhaps I could get a better job, a better car, or a better set of clothes. It is funny because when we finally discover that happiness is within, we stop striving. We stop looking. We realize after all the time we spent suffering that we had happiness with us the whole time.

I wish everyone could experience the contentment I felt when I woke up this morning. I woke up, had my breakfast, did my journaling, my spiritual reading, and my religious studies. As I was doing these things a calmness came. Along with this calmness came contentment and happiness. Because I realized how great life is. The only way I can describe it is the feeling that arose with a scene in my mind about being a kid on Saturday morning with a box of cereal in his hand, watching cartoons with his brother. How we laughed.

We lose this simple happiness as we bear the mantle of life. Now there are bills. There are people to take care of. There are responsibilities. Those childhood memories fade away, as responsibility and worry take over. Then, one day, we reawaken those childhood memories. We realize that happiness has always been there, hidden under the clutter of our lives. A clutter, mind you, that we created because we wanted to recapture this happiness, but forgot where we put it.

Today, even if for a moment, think about a time in your life you were truly happy. Was it because someone else made you happy? Was it because of the things you had? Was it because of the way you looked? I think you’ll find that those moments of peak happiness were simple times. You were happy because you just were. I wish you every happiness in life. You already have it within you. Rediscover that.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Funny Friday – Women are Funny!

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Comedians, Ellie Kemper, FriYAY, Funny, Giggles, Joy, Laughter, Relax, Snickers, Weekend, Women

I hope you find this Ted Talk entertaining. I am doing my best to focus most of my posts on Women this month, to celebrate Women’s History Month. Enjoy!

I hope all of you are having a great Friday! Friday, in my religious path, is a day of fasting. We don’t do food fasting. We do what is called a Mental Fast. On each Friday, we are to avoid any negative thoughts. So, the videos I post here each week are some of the things I watch to remain focused on positive, uplifting, funny things. I also listen to uplifting music, read uplifting articles and books, and do all I can to focus on the good in my life. It’s a terrific practice.

Well, that’s it for today, folks. Have a great weekend, and take some time for yourself, why don’t ya!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Bonus Content – Jane Marczewski

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America's Got Talent, Cancer, Happiness, Jane Marczewski, Joy, Living Life, Stephen Guise, YouTube

I am subscribed to Stephen Guise’ Blog. He is the author of “Mini Habits”, which had a huge impact on my life. His email today introduced Jane Marczewski. Here’s a link to Stephen’s article: https://stephenguise.com/blog/

She won the Golden Buzzer award on America’s Got Talent, and sadly passed away from Cancer three days ago. I had to share this story, particularly the quote, which she gives in the video.

The quote:

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore, before you decide to be happy.”

~ Jane Marczewski

Rest in peace, Jane “Nightbird” Marczewksi.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Hobbies

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Balance, Fishing, Fun, Happy, Hobby, Joy, Music, Reading, Relaxation, Relish, Video Games, Writing, Xbox

My sister has been “over-focused” on work for as long as I have known her. There is nothing wrong with that, provided you take time to do other things to balance it out. Balance is key to a happy life, in my opinion, so that you can do your work, have some fun, and not miss anything important. Important things like regular checkups for you and your pets, paying your bills, exercising, learning something new, and enjoying something that you do, because you enjoy doing it.

Hobbies could be coin collecting, antiquing, drawing/sketching, playing an instrument, or playing video games. It doesn’t matter what your hobby is, as long as it gives you a break from the things you have to to do. Another requirement: You have to look forward to it.

I love playing video games of all kinds. Whether these are on my pc, my iPad, or my Xbox. They are challenging, entertaining, and even educational. I look forward to my daily session, and laugh, yell, and have a heck of a good time. It is even more fun when I can link up with my brother and play together.

This is what I’m talking about. The passion for your hobby has to be there. You have to enjoy it, think about it, and relish the time you get to do it.

Think about people who enjoy fishing. These people can’t wait to get back out on their boats and fish again.

Think about those people who enjoy golf. They can’t wait to get out to the course. They even plan their vacations around it. Does that resort have a golf course?

I hope you get my point. The quote, “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy” rings true here. Spice up your life a bit with a hobby. It provides a great retreat from your daily routine of work, chores, bill paying, and errands.

In the meantime, I’m about ready to head down and fire up my Xbox.

Have a great Monday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – Brother

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Companionship, Dad, family, Grateful, Hanging out, Happiness, Joy, Thankful

Today, I am grateful for my brother. He just visited recently, and it was a terrific time to reconnect and give him time to spend with Mom and Dad. When family visits, I tend to stay away a bit, so they can get the most out of their visit with the folks. That being said, we got in plenty of gaming.

We also ordered out for some food a few days and enjoyed it tremendously. There’s a local restaurant here called Cracker Barrel. They have the best fried chicken. Boy oh Boy!

He’ll be coming back again sometime this year. He and my sister are visiting more, because Dad is deteriorating. He does not eat that much, sleeps most of the day, and when he does get up from his rocking chair, he is really unsure of himself on his feet. It is hard for him to stand up on his own, and when he walks he takes small “baby” steps because he is afraid of falling down.

My brother noticed a huge difference from the last time he visited. Dad slept through most of my brother’s visit. I think they exchanged a few words, and that was it. Anyway, we had a great time with him while he was here. Here’s to his next visit!

Have a great Thursday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – We Got a Dog!!

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Animals, cozy, Dad, Dogs, family, Joy, Mom, pets, Warm

We have a new addition to the family. Her name is Bella. I’ll get photos up later. She’s only been here a few days and little skittish.

I don’t know what it is about pets, but they tend to change the whole family dynamic. To be honest, my Mother loves animals, and I knew that it would only be so long before her and Dad got a new family member. At times, I think Mom enjoys animals more than she does people. She just gets along with animals and the outdoors and is most happy when she’s outside in her garden or on her deck with a cup of coffee in the morning, watching the squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks do their thing.

So today, I’m grateful for our new dog, Bella. She’ll give Mom some comfort, and she’ll make our home a little more warm and cozy.

Have a great Thursday, folks. I’ll get pictures up later. Promise.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spread Your Wings Sunday – Week of August 9, 2020.

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Comedy, Funny, Giggle, Hilarious, Joke, Joy, Laugh, Laughter

Weekly challenge: This week, the challenge is to laugh. Here are a few sources that will help you out:

The Onion – https://www.theonion.com/

The Laughfactory – http://www.laughfactory.com/jokes/family-jokes

Cracked – https://www.cracked.com/

These three will get you started. Need more? There’s always a good comedy show on Netflix and Amazon.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Funny Friday – Two Men Hiking

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Friday, FriYAY, Fun, Giggle, Grin, Joy, Laughter, Relax, Snicker, Weekend

Two men are hiking through the woods when one of them cries out, “Snake! Run!” His companion laughs at him. “Oh, relax. It’s only a baby,” he says. “Don’t you hear the rattle?” — Steve Smith

Can you hear the drum and symbols in the background? (HA!)

Have a great Friday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – My Ability to Learn

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audio, classics, college, Joy, kinesthetic, Learning, scholars, visual

Today, I’m grateful for my ability to learn and love of learning. Like most boys, I wasn’t interested in reading or writing, or any of the things I am interested in today. Instead, I enjoyed running around outside, playing baseball and other games with my friends.

I didn’t get my degrees until later in my military career and glad that I did. I began my college in 2003 and did not realize how little I knew. Once I began reading and writing for school, I was hooked. I marveled at Aristotle, Socrates, and Seneca. I enjoyed reading about psychology, history, mathematics and the sciences, and particularly enjoyed programming courses.

Learning about learning is an interesting exercise. I learned about the ways people learn. Some folks learn visually. Picture someone who can read a set of instructions and put together a model or piece of furniture.

Others are audio learners. Instead of reading, they prefer music or audio books to learn. They learn best in situations like lectures and such.

Finally, there are kinesthetic learners. These are the folks who learn by touching things and experimenting with them. They are the “learn by doing” crowd.

Each of us has a dominant modality. The other modalities still contribute, though. For me, visual learning is strongest, with audio and kinesthetic coming in at a tie after that. Coding, for example, I learn by doing. I can read about it all day, but until I clack away at my keyboard and run my code, I don’t know if I did something right or wrong.

So today, I am grateful for the ability to learn new things and my love of learning.

Until next time…

Dave