Did I live a useful life?

This is taken from a great Monday Morning Motivator that I get from the Adam Ad Group.  Thought I would share with you.  I quite enjoyed it so I hope you do too.

This week renowned author and leadership expert, John Maxwell asks us the question, "What are you doing with this gift of life"? When you are 80 years old, sitting in your porch rocking chair and reflecting on life, questions such as Did I live a useful life? will cross your mind. There’s no doubt this question will be important to you at 80, so it really should be important to you now. Unfortunately, a lot of people make a habit of postponing life. They think that somehow, some way, somewhere at some time, life will get better. This rather poignant saying helps illustrate my point: First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. Then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could return to work. Then I was dying to retire. And now I am dying and suddenly realize I forgot to live. Isabel Moore said, “Life is a one-way street. No matter how many detours you take, none of them leads back. And once you know and accept that, life becomes much simpler.” I’ve understood for some time that the only day I have is today. Even so, having a heart attack a few years ago crystallized that concept in my mind. Life is a one-way street. This isn’t a dress rehearsal—it’s a live performance. We need to take special care to live a useful life, starting now. So what does it mean to live a useful life? For me, the usefulness of my life is determined by: •    The relationships I form •    The decisions I make •    The experiences I encounter The Relationships I Form Relationships help us define who we are and what we can become. More than almost anything else, relationships determine the kind of a life you lead. In fact, most people can trace their failures or successes back to pivotal relationships. Our relationships with others fall into one of four categories: 1. Addition—Some relationships add to who we are. 2. Subtraction—Some relationships take a little bit out of us. 3. Multiplication—Some relationships can multiply our strengths, results and contacts. 4. Division—Some relationships can divide us. Think about the people in your life. Where do they fit into these categories? I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to put names beside each category, right? Many of the sorrows we experience spring out of relationships with the wrong people. But it is also true that some of the greatest joys we experience in life develop as the result of our relationships with the right people. With that in mind, work to increase the time and energy you invest in the relationships that improve your life. And, perhaps above all, work on becoming a person who improves others’ lives. The Decisions I Make Our decisions also determine the usefulness of our lives. One of my favorite quotes on making decisions comes from the great John Wooden, who said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” There are two ingredients necessary to make every day a masterpiece: decisions and discipline. Decision-making takes care of goal setting, but discipline also takes care of goal-getting. Decisions and discipline can’t be separated; one is worthless without the other. Since I’m talking about living a useful life, let me share what I consider to be a few of my own life-changing decisions. • I am committed to continual personal growth. I believe growth is happiness, it is essential. Out of my growth I live, and out of my growth, I give. • I will give and serve on the front end. Many of the blessings I enjoy today are the result of the decision my wife, Margaret, and I made to try to live a life of giving with no strings attached. • I will exhibit a great attitude, regardless of the situation. Virginia Satir said, “Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” It’s not the circumstances life deals us that determine our success or failure. It’s our response to it. The Experiences I Encounter Finally, the experiences we encounter on a daily basis impact our ability to live a useful life. Joseph Campbell put it best, “People say that what we’re all seeking is meaning for life…. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive.” Our experiences determine how fulfilling our life is, and there are four realms to every experience: 1. Entertainment—Absorbing experience through the senses 2. Educational—Participation of a person’s mind or body, sometimes both 3. Escapist—Completely involves the person, like going to a theme park 4. Esthetic—Immersion in an environment but not affecting it Jim Gilmore was spot-on when he said, “The richest and most compelling human experiences draw from all four realms.” If you are a leader or a communicator, ask yourself: When I am communicating with or leading people, do I involve all four experiences? Final Thoughts If you’re not doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. If you’re doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. Life does not consist of years lived, but of its usefulness. If you are giving, loving, serving, helping, encouraging and adding value to others, you have a useful life! Have a great week unless you choose otherwise. Drago (by the way you can also follow us on twitter now @AdamAdGroup)

Here's the thing that makes life so interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijTwZNUBhcI&feature=player_embedded



Here's the thing that makes life so interesting. The theory of evolution claims that "only the strong shall survive". Maybe so, maybe so. But the theory of competition says, "just because they're the strong doesn't mean they can't get their asses kicked". That's right. See, what every long shot, come from behind, underdog will tell ya is this: the other guy may in fact be the favorite, the odds may be stacked against you. Fair enough. But what the odds don't know is, this isn't a math test. This is a completely different kind of test. One where passion, has a funny way of trumping logic. So before you step up to the starting line, before the whistle blows, and the clocks start ticking just remember: out here the results don't always add up. No matter what the stats may say and the experts may think and the commentators may have predicted, when the race is on, all bets are off.
Don't be surprised be if someone decides to flip the script and take a pass on yelling "Uncle". And then suddenly as the old saying goes, "WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A GAME".

Just for today...

The bookends of success are starting and finishing.  Decisions help us start.  Discipline helps us finish.

Just for today.

Just for today... I will choose and display the right attitudes.

Just for today... I will determine and act on important priorities.

Just for today... I will know and follow healthy guidelines.

Just for today... I will communicate and care for my family.

Just for today... I will practice and develop good thinking.

Just for today... I will make and keep proper commitments.

Just for today... I will earn and properly manage finances.

Just for today... I will deepen and live out my faith.

Just for today... I will iniate and invest in solid relationships.

Just for today... I will plan for and model generosity.

Just for today... I will embrace and practice good values.

Just for today... I will seek and experience improvements.

Just for today... I will act on these decisions and practice these disciplines.

Then... One day... I will see compounding results of a day well lived.

Fall is a great time to garden.

It is not too hot (in fact it may be raining), the garden centres are not busy, and they often have great deals on trees and shrubs.  Be thoughtful with your design and shop the garden centres – is an economical way to spruce up your yard.  But one hint - Consider how long you have until the first frost. Plants need several weeks to become established.   Now let’s talk gardening! Buy some new specimens There are some great deals in the nurseries.  Do your research. Sometimes the best source of information is the local nursery. They know the local conditions and what will thrive.   And they will direct you to some great selections.  PS:  Ask for advice on plant locations and technique. Plant fall bulbs Refresh your garden with perennial. Get some bulbs in the ground now but map out your garden.   This will help you remember so you will not forget where they are and dig up what you’ve already planted! Transplant The best conditions to transplant are now when the soil is cool and wet. The fall is a great time for dividing plants, like hostas.  Use a sharp shovel and cut right into them. Replant them in the garden right away or share with a neighbour. Compost When it comes to composting leaves, grass clippings, weeds and dead plants mixing these together to help them break down better, or using them as mulch to protect the soil over the winter. Some Fall Do’s and Don’ts

DO cut back perennial foliage which can harbour pests and diseases but not too early.  DON'T cut back perennials too early. Leave some standing through winter, as seed heads and coloured foliage can be beautiful, while seeds feed migrating birds.

DO rake and remove leaves from the lawn every week; grass needs sunlight in fall for strong growth in spring.  If possible, shred leaves first using a lawn mower and cover flower beds with bare-mulch (fallen leaves.)  Winter mulch will help the soil maintain a more even temperature.  Lay cut up boughs from trees on beds to trap snow that might otherwise blow away.

DO continue to water if the weather is dry; perennials and woody types-especially newly planted ones, and evergreens moisture to survive winter.

Cover up

Once the snow flies and we are into winters grip, wrap your evergreens and rose shrubs with burlap.  This will help them survive what winter will throw at them.

With these chores undertaken, you can relax for the winter and wait for another successful gardening season.