Question Everything ... Politely!

Random Thought of the Day: Question Everything… Politely!

We all approach life from our own perspective. Perhaps you deem someone as “good” because they believe as you do or “bad” because they don’t agree with you. Whether it is in your personal life, in business or in politics, we tend to align with (and trust) those of similar beliefs. For example, in my personal life, I really don’t trust people who don’t like dogs. It makes no sense. It’s just a fact. Love me – love my dogs! 

In business, someone once told me that I am intelligent and have great creative ideas but I don’t “play the game well.” The context of this statement was that I didn’t pacify someone by telling them what they wanted to hear. Instead, I told them what I believed to be true. In some cases this lack of “game playing” or as some call it “political correctness,” has been a challenge for me as I’ve navigated some stormy waters in the business world. In other cases, it has been a blessing as people seek my opinion knowing they can trust what I say. That is not to say that I am always right – just that they can just trust that I will tell them what I believe – no political correctness (which has nothing to do with rudeness), no strategic pacification, no “game playing” at all. Just my honest opinion – you can count on it!

In practical terms this means I have spoken up against a bad idea when everyone else seems to be on board with it (publically, yet behind closed doors they often said otherwise!). I have stood up for a friend, even when it wasn’t a popular stance. I have even defied a direct order from “the boss” because I believed the directive to be unfair and harmful to those it impacted and to the corporation as a whole. I paid a price. Although it was a rebellious move, I was not trying to be a rebel. It wasn’t about that at all. It was about walking in the truth of who I am. It afforded me no personal gain whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it was a professionally reckless move. But I went to sleep that night knowing what I stood for and knowing in my heart that I had done the right thing. 

What I know for sure is that we need to be careful who we look up to, who we idolize and even who we associate with. If you find yourself compromising your own beliefs and values in order to keep the peace – or get a paycheck – or keep a job – or not ruffle feathers – or get a leg up - then ask yourself this question; “Do people know what I really stand for?” The next question is; “Why or why not?” Too often we put people on pedestals who definitely deserve our admiration - but not our blind admiration. There is a difference. 

The world is full of well-intentioned followers. If you are a person of influence and spend your time trying not to “rock the boat,” is your silence, your failure to stand up or your complacency – an indication of what you stand for or is it an indication of how well you play the game? Let me share this perspective; perhaps you’ve been given this influential position in order to further a good cause or to represent those who have a smaller voice. Perhaps it is your responsibility to speak up. While those who don’t rock the boat may have a smoother ride, I prefer to surround myself with well-intentioned thought leaders. It’s not about challenging EVERYTHING – it’s about not rolling over or turning a blind eye when you KNOW something isn’t right.

Do me a favor – don’t ever tell me what you think I want to hear. Tell me YOUR truth. Tell me what YOU believe – otherwise, you may fool me for a while – but to what end? What is the game? It’s a game I am not willing to play. So, in this life, I encourage you to be the original signer of your own ideas rather than just a co-signer on someone else’s. Think for yourself. Stand up for something or step aside altogether. We need more voices of passion and conviction at the table rather than a chorus of hollow echoes.

#RTOTD #LifeLessons #YourVoiceYourResponsibility#SpeakUp

Botanic Gardens

The botanic gardens...an oasis of Sunday serenity that I had forgotten existed. The lessons for me today: Seek beauty and you shall find the beauty in everything around you. Seek serenity and you shall quiet the mind and find the calm within. Seek peace and you shall experience the harmony of life. Above all - you must actively seek in order to find. Our brains are so powerful we can completely ignore what we are not looking for (as if it doesn't exist) and only see what we want to see. This applies to everything in life. People. Relationships. Business. Ourselves. Hmmmmmm..... guess that's my Random Thought of The Day! 

#LifeLessons#RTOTD #SeekAndYouShallFind — at San Diego Botanic Garden.

RTOTD - As the song goes...

To everything, 
There is a season
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together...

There have been days when I thought I was living in a nightmare and days when I've been convinced it's all just a dream. 

I believe in the power of the energy we each contribute to the world- sometimes known as karma - and in the theory of seasons. What I realized today is that you can be in a season and not even know it! Years ago, I was in a season of planting (who knew?!!) As any farmer knows; when you've planted seeds, watered and nourished them, they will produce great fruits of your labor! We know this to be true but what is most glorious is the unexpected harvest of long-forgotten seeds, unwittingly planted during a bygone season. 

My friends, the lesson here is that even when you are having one of those "I'm working my tail off for WHAT?" days... do not give up hope - you may have planted seeds today that will not produce fruit for years to come - but when the day DOES come - you will know that hard work, determination and the sheer will to succeed have won and you will reap the harvest of success!
#PlantingSeeds #Harvest #LifeLessons #Success#RTOTD #RandomThoughtOfTheDay