Iceberg, Right Ahead!

When I come across people, usually at work, who are a bit icy, I "nice" them. I do what I call "nicing." This was particularly true when I started my current job about a year and a half ago. There were some people who were icebergs. When this happens, I seek them out, smile, say hello, how ya doin' - the whole nice thing. It works. They come around. Sometimes, people are too secluded in their own world, which is understandable considering how busy they/we are. And then there are times when people just don't want to talk. Fine. But as they leave, I'll always say, "See you later..." or something similar. Be proactive in your nicing. Be genuinely nice. I have a reputation around the office now as being the most positive person in the building. People expect me to be nice now, and there is no way I'm going to let them down. It's easy.

There is a book called The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. It was recommended to me by a friend of mine and it has really turned me around on how to handle certain situations. The books suggests four ways (agreements) of handing life's little challenges. They are 1) Be Impeccable with Your Word; 2) Don't Take Anything Personally; 3) Don't Make Assumptions and 4) Always Do Your Best. Rather than going into a lot of detail here, just let me ask that you go to the book store and simply read the Four Agreements. 1,2,3,4. The four are on the inside flap of the book. It is very helpful. Some of the writing is of the new age variety, which I go back and forth on, but overall, the book is excellent and insightful.

I'll add one more: Don't Worry About What You Don't Know. We tend to imagine things and create problems that really aren't there because we don't have all of the details. We Don't Know. We get stuck in the What Ifs of life and they can bog us down. People gossip. They tell you things. "What's going to happen?" they fret. So, when I start worrying about something at work or anywhere else, I realize I really don't know what is going to happen, so I try not to worry. Some things are important. We have to ask and find out, but most things will resolve itself on its own.

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Fall Approaches

It is the First of September. Fall is my favorite time of year. I like cold weather. Here in Oklahoma, the summers are so hot, humid and sticky, it can be unbearable, but we endure. I prefer cold weather. I feel more invigorated and alive. Which brings me to Santa Fe, New Mexico. My wife and I visited Santa Fe last July, and what a glorious place. Nice people, perfect weather year round, some snow in the winter, but just enough to enjoy the beauty. There are no flies, no mosquitoes, no termites. What else do you need? They are also recognized for their fabulous art scene. Fantastic paintings and drawings. Pretty pricey stuff, but it is the kind of art that has you reaching for your credit card thinking, "Yeah, I could pay for that $6,000 painting in just a couple of years...." Then, the credit card is put away, the common sense returns and it's back home to Oklahoma. But, Santa Fe never really leaves your soul.

Thank you for reading.