When we exchange ideas with each other – this is one of the most valuable exchanges we can have with another human. Some of us fit into a category called “idea man”. At least that is what I have personally been called. But the fact is we all have ideas, and when we share them we are forming a team that can really do great things.
So what is your vision? If there were no other obstacles what would you like to accomplish or see get done? For those of you who know me you know that I have a vision for our school. I would love to see our students be known not just for the physical skills and there consistent discipline to attain those skills, but also for their contribution to their teams and our community.
How do we try to reach that goal? Slowly we have built a team, a group of students, parents and others who have the same mind. Balanced Life Skills is not just another after school activity to spend some energy on and get some exercise . The goal is to become better individuals, both as parents and children.
Again we ask what is your vision for your family? How will you reach your goal? “If you commit your self to excellence and surround yourself with things that represent excellence, your life will change.” Balanced Life Skills is here to be part of your team. I am here to contribute to your team in any way you would like for us to. All of the tools that we provide in the dojo and outside are designed to help each of us to reach our goals. Be sure that you are invited to talk to me at any time about how we might serve your team better.
Teamwork discussion
Teamwork is our word of the month. There are times when we must work alone, but most of us enjoy having the help and company of a team to accomplish tasks. Teams make the tasks easier and more fun as general rule, unless of course someone on the team has an attitude of being better than the others or does not play full out.
A team is never about just one person – it is about the team and the power that comes from the concerted effort of a group of individuals. While teamwork can be used in different parts of our life, home, school, work and recreation, I believe our most important team is our family.
How do we approach tasks at home? Continue reading “Teamwork discussion”
Special award for Balanced Life Skills
On April 23, 2009 Joe Van Deuren, Owner of Balanced Life Skills, was selected as Business Partner of the Year by the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Education. The award was made at a special dinner held at the BWI Marriott Hotel.
Joe was nominated by Linda Lamon, Signature Program Facilitator of South River High School where he…Read More
Appreciation: in difficult times
Have you ever had a toothache, locked your keys in your car, or had some other painful experience that was inconvenient and painful in some manner? There is a story about dentist’s being sure to collect their money on the day of service provided because it is easy to forget just how painful that toothache was a week later when we get the bill.
The same is true when we are having a bad day. It is hard for us to remember how lucky we are or all the good things we have going for us. Someone said once “Behind each cloud we know that the sun or the moon is shining.” Our emotions create our own experience. If we are having a bad day, when things have not gone the way we would have liked for them to go, we look at it and respond differently than if our day had been going well and this is just a little non-important bump in the course of a great day.
Our goal then is not to live in “happy happy land” but to look at things realistically. We need to ask ourselves about the event what really happened, and what is the worst that can happen and what is the possible good results. One time many years ago I was let go at my job. It was the worst day of my life at that moment. What was so bad was thinking about how to tell my wife, how will we pay the bills, etc.? But when looking back on it now it led to me starting a business in 1978 that led to me being more financially secure than I ever would have been in that current situation.
The point is we need to ask ourselves better questions. When Lance Armstrong was told he had testicular cancer, it was not the best day of his life. But he asked good questions and ended up not only beating it but then becoming a 7 times champion in his sport along with all of the other work he has done. We can do the same. Ask good questions, look for the silver lining in our situation and express this to yourself and others. This is showing appreciation for the life we have.
Appreciation: No complaint zone
Have you ever known someone who is constantly complaining? I have and depending on our own relationship with them it may have various immediate impact on us. If it someone we are in love with, then we have a tendency to overlook it for a great deal of time. If it is someone that we are neutral about then it may wear on us to the point that we do not enjoy being around them.
But we are influenced by the people we hang out with and when we have someone around us who always dwells on the negative side of things we can lose our appreciation for what is good. As we live in this country we are indeed very fortunate. The families we have, the schools we attend, the cultural events around us, all of these add to the quality of our life.
But focus is a very funny thing. If you are an adult, have you ever been driving down the road and started to look at something in a field to your right or left and found yourself drifting in that direction, only to have to pull yourself back quickly?
This can happen to us in how we think too. If we show appreciation and focus on the good in our lives we will feel better emotionally and we will accomplish more in our daily life. Here is one way to do this with your family. When you come home and ask everyone in your family what they are thankful for about themselves, others, things, whatever and how do they show appreciation for that gift. You may be surprised by what they say and it may be silly at first, but the habit of speaking the words out loud will affect the evening and your personal feelings.
Try this and let me know how it affects you. As an individual you may want to keep a gratitude journal. Write down 5 things everyday that you appreciate – then review it if you are feeling a bit down.
Appreciation: with respect
Showing respect is just one way of demonstrating our appreciation. When we think about our home, our school, nature and the environment, and the people in our lives we can see that showing respect is an important part of demonstrating appreciation.
You have heard me comment before about not doing things out of fear or anger. This is one of the areas that we can practice that. Respect is treating others the way we want to be treated. How can we show respect for our home, school, environment and the people in our lives?
When I think about this I think about how we care for our possessions. Do we maintain our home? Do we contribute to the neatness and cleanliness of our home, office or school? We live in such a throw away society that it is easy to think that we can just replace this or that. But what if we did not have that kind of resources. How would we treat our possessions then? How would we treat the environment or our bodies, if we recognized that while it does a real good job of healing itself, that we can show how much we value it by taking care of it to the very best of our ability.
Even our friends and neighbors. Do we value them for who they are and demonstrate our respect for them by the way we speak and the kindness we show them. Are we on time for appointments, do we listen deeply when conversing with them, or do we value our own opinion more? Thinking about the impact we have on others with the words we use with them, is another way of being aware of showing appreciation for our companions.