Dream A Little Dream...

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There is a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan called Dream New York. Their website boasts: 

Fantasies become reality at Dream New York, Vikram Chatwal’s blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan in a landmark 1895 Beaux-Arts building, Dream New York is a playscape where luxury hospitality combines with the reverie of modern design. Settle into sleek-yet-comfortable accommodations, complete with the utmost in luxury amenities and eclectic restaurants and lounges.

Featuring 216 guestrooms and suites with amenities such as large flat screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, and Hydro Basic bath products, the accommodations at Dream New York invite guests into a world of surreal comfort. Bask in ultra-plush bedding and 300-thread count Egyptian cotton, recounting the days of seeing Manhattan’s best sights during the day and glittering lights at night.

Should dreaming be a place to escape, or a place to inspire? A place to get pampered, or a place to get revived?

Should I dream of surreal comfort or successful contribution?

A thought: Don't dream of what you can receive, dream of what you can become, and what you can become to others.

 

Question: Would you prefer to spend a week at a luxury hotel being catered to, or a week catering to the needs of others? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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Generations... Again!

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This past week my daughter has been visiting from Maryland. Spending time with her has been great! I miss her wit, her creativity, and her kind heart. She has matured into an incredible young lady.

As usual, whenever I am in charge of directing the worship in our church and my daughter is in town, I invite her to join us in leading. She has an incredible gift in her voice, and she loves to lead worship.

This past Sunday, as I looked across the stage from the keyboard where I was playing, I couldn't help but feel some fatherly pride: There was my "baby girl" standing with the team (which included her mother), and leading the congregation in worship.

I began to reflect on how I had seen her grow in her gifting, and I thought of another Blog post I had written over four years ago: Generations. (Please click and read.)

Question: How do you interact creatively with your Generations? What are your next steps? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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Is The Sun In Your Eyes?

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It happens twice a year for me. It's inevitable. I usually don't plan for it. In fact, I normally forget about it until it happens: The sun shines right in my eyes during my morning commute.

I drive directly toward the east in the mornings for over 14 miles on a straight, flat road. And for almost two weeks, the sun is directly in my eyes. This is Florida, so the sun is bright, clear, and did I mention that it is right in my eyes...

Traffic slows (my commute time gets longer), sudden stops are frequent (in bumper-to-bumper traffic it can be scary), and the commute is stressful (for me anyway).

Now I am not complaining. In fact, I am doing just the opposite. Read on...

Life is full of inconveniences: Sometimes unexpected, sometimes expexcted but forgotten, sometimes planned for. They are present everywhere in our lives.

They show themselves in our relationships, at our jobs, through our families, and in our entertainment. (How many of us have ever been dissatisfied with an official's call during a sporting event we are watching?)

Here are a few ways we can respond to those challenges:

• Curse: See the Bothersomeness. Some people actually do curse the sun. I am not sure of the purpose of that exercise. I have heard that it makes people feel better. But they seem to continue in their dissatisfied disposition, even after cursing.
• Consider: See the Bigger-picture. If the earth didn't tilt back-and-forth (giving the illusion that the sun was changing positions where it rose on the horizon), we wouldn't have seasons, crops wouldn't grow, some people would freeze, energy prices would sky-rocket...
• Create: See the Bright-side. (No pun intended.) Ask yourself: What benefit can come from this challenge/inconvenience? How can I use it to my advantage? How can this benefit me, and more importantly, benefit others? (A Blog post idea come from it for me!)

We will constantly face challenges and inconveniences in our lives. How we respond to those challenges and inconveniences will go a long way in preserving our well-being, helping us grow, and expanding our influence.

Question: How do you respond to the daily challenges and inconveniences that you face? What are your next steps? Share your thoughts below in comments.

 

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Two Down, One To Go

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When I was a child growing up in my suburban North Miami Beach neighborhood, myself and some friends would spend hours playing a version of "tag" where we'd actually push each other down until there was a last man standing, and His team would be declared the winner.

One day as we were playing, a phrase was uttered by one of us that would become the "call sign" for my friends and me: Two down, one to go. Whenever we would want to get together, we'd call our to each other: Two down, one to go. Whenever a game of tag was suggested, it was declared: Two down, one to go.

Over this past weekend I have been reflecting on the year 2012 as it has developed so far. I looked over my vision and list of goals, and that famous phrase from my childhood came to mind: Two down, one to go.

Two-thirds of this year has passed, and one-third remains. School has begun, fall promotions are underway, and people are gearing-up for the final third of 2012: Two down, one to go.

As you look over the past months and remaining time to fulfill your goals for the year, allow me to offer these suggestions:

• Re-count: Were you too ambitious in your vision and goals for this year? I was, expecting to accomplish four major initiatives, and have only completed 1 1/2 (so far). Thin down your goals to what is truly attainable.
• Re-order: Have you listed your goals in the order you would like to achieve them? Perhaps re-ordering them will allow you to see them in a more favorable way which will encourage you to move forward with their accomplishment.
• Re-energize: Think back to the original vision you had that motivated you to list your goals. See the end result, list the steps needed to reach your goal, and rely on the momentum of eating the elephant.

Whether it's a game of tag or a comprehensive vision for your life this year, it's the beginning of September: Two down, one to go.

Question: How have you evaluated your progress toward your goals this year? What are your next steps? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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