Give it Out: 92 and Counting
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator advancing the forces of Character, Purpose and Unity for genuine Leadership... with Educators, Entrepreneurs and Emerging Leaders building a better world.
Whether you are an educator, entrepreneur or leader... or anyone looking to make the world a better place, I invite you to read this and see how it might apply at school, work, business and community.
Day 92
This is Day 92... as a countdown of daily dives to my birthday. It is ultimately about Discipline and Devotion.
Yesterday, I posted this on Facebook...
- A weekend of cluing up my last major course assignment. 19 days away from finishing up a Fall of full time teaching, business and studies totaling some 75+ hours a week. I have been working on 7 areas of my life throughout it all and making huge progress in 6 of them... and some in one other. I have indeed almost completed another 2 courses (from here on this will be a Summer activity lol). I have almost completed a wonderful College term highlighted by the Social Enterprise Fair last week and speaking at an education conference. I have sung and danced and had some moments of genuine joy. Much across 6 areas has happened and I feel great. :) The slower area has been health. Slower progress but progress. ;) Given what I have learned, I think it more realistic and maybe even desirable to reach a 38" waist by my birthday in February. 38" is 8/10 inches down too. :) So, instead of 220 pounds (100 k) it will be more like 242 pounds (110 k). I am a solid boy. ;) That alone would be an 80 pound drop. :) With all of that in mind, I just wrote my best life and thought to offer here. Why? First, doing this I could see forest for the trees even more effectively. Seeing it allowed even greater clarity for going forward. For instance, my online work and presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and more will be more scheduled and disciplined. While I am not on near as much as it seems (my account is always on), now I will do my posts morning, noon and night... thrice daily. I already have clarity on how that will look. ;) Second, consider that there are 7 possible areas of life in which to set cool goals (I call them the ALs). You can set in 1 or all or in between. Third, progress is the importance... not completion. Every step is one closer. Speaking of closer, I am reminded that to reach soulfully important goals one must walk away from some things but that is really about walking towards new and better things. Sacrifice matters... giving up something important for something more important. :) My 2020 is forward sight... and it is mine. Consider yours.
I also posted this...
It was driven by a memory and a dream. The memory was of a group I had formed some years back called G'rilla Soldiers (one of my nicknames was and is G'rilla, aka Gorilla, aka "that 900 pound gorilla spirit" guy lol). The team was all about joy and service. And we loved it!
I woke this morning, to this post facing me, which I immediately shared...
Indeed, 5 years ago, we celebrated. What a powerful memory, and a jarring one this morning. And then, last evening, I had also posted...
... on an intent to share Christmas a little differently this year. Indeed, to share the Holidays differently. As a Baha'i, I treasure Christmas and all the holy days (aka holidays) that are honored this time of year, through December. For me, and given this is the day of the St. John's Santa Claus Parade... let me say in advance... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
My POINT
Something gets unleashed, when you unleash it. I woke this morning from a weird and almost bad dream. I think bad dreams have a message as to what we fear, and those messages can spur us. This one spoke to hesitation; the hesitation of doubt and dread. I realized that there were some things I need to give up and give out.
First, my desire for unity (I am The Unity Guy) has found itself on a slippery slope, where I too often and unduly wait for others to be ready. Going forward, this train it is a rollin', and I will be ready to move... and see who joins and moves with me. Period. I am reminded that the kind of unity I stand for is neither contrived nor faked nor by face only... it is worked on and built... and that implies movement.
Second, and without even realizing it, I have to some degree bought in on my age. Maybe some combination of the stroke and how some others see me is at cause. I am calling BS. I define myself. Cliches aside, a number is but a number and arbitrary. My energy and drive are not diminished. Indeed, in many ways, they are advanced, and well beyond many supposedly much younger. No offense; truth. My weight is my holder, and that is being addressed. I will define every age I am blessed to reach. Period.
Thirdly, somewhere along the line, I unconsciously sought to not "rock the boat". I still did my thing. I have neither wanted to offend nor be offended. But I too often tread lightly and dialed back. No more. I am remembering that it is not my Responsibility to tippy toe. Nor is it my Responsibility to blow things up. It is my Responsibility to live my belief in virtue and character and see where that takes me.
RESPONSIBILITY
For what and for whom will you hold it? Where and for what will you feel and respond? I know the ideas, causes and people that matter most to me. I will not look nor hold back. I will set it off. I will give it out and up. I will not "act my age", because I will act my body and spirit. Numbers will not define me. I will not seek to rock the boat, as I will understand that there is no boar and it is simply my Responsibility to live my best life, and let those chips fall or fly where they may,
That is why this countdown matters. That is why my goals for 60 matter. That is why my Commitment matters.
This is not a wish list. It can be considered a gift list.
Most importantly, it is a living list.
What for You?
What is most important to you going into 2020, 37 days away? Who is most important to you in a life of joy and service, personally and professionally? Make that list, and check it thrice. Our lives matter. What we do and be with them matters. Make the investment in knowing what and who matters most. Make the investment in defining your sense of character in serving those important interests.
For me, all of these virtues matter. For me, there are some core virtues that I will carry unapologetically wherever I go. Create your life sentence. Mine is...
- I walk with the humble swagger of Love, Honor, Idealism, Unity and Zeal... in everything I do.
What will your walk look like? What will your countenance look like, feel like and live like? Get clear on that, and promise it. Keep that promise.
Before I Close... For Now
Over the last week, we have offered up Deliver November 2019... and Daily Dives...
Like I said, this is 92. And I ain't feeling it. 92, that is. :-) What I am feeling is ready. Oh, and that SPAN thing if you are interested... I am feeling that too.
Peace, passion and prosperity...
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage
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